Arnold Sope: The Beloved Chairman

Arnold Sope: The Beloved Chairman

Photo: Arnold Navarro Sope attended his daughter's graduation at Mindanao State University - General Santos City, Fatima Campus.

Mr. Arnold N. Sope (born on June 08, 1978), is the current Purok Chairman of Purok 10, Sto. Niño, Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani Province, serving his purok for almost two decades.

PUROK

A purok is typically composed of twenty to fifty or more households, depending on the particular geographical location and cluster of houses. If created and given a mandate by an ordinance of the barangay, municipality, or city, a purok could perform government functions under the coordination and supervision of their local officials.

EDUCATION

Arnold Sope is the youngest son of the late Paterno Mayordomo Sope, a junkshop magnate and Presentacion Navarro Sope. People called him Arnold, his first name. When he won as chairman in 2006, people later called him "chairman" as a form of titular respect.

Arnold finished his basic education in Alabel. He was intellectually capable that he represents his hometown Alabel in various events and competition. Arnold became part of Region XII's participants for Palarong Pambansa as player of Nation's cultural sports, Sepak Takraw. He was also an academic achiever winning awards in quiz bowls and named as "Sarangani's first Historian" in a provincial journal.

Arnold's leadership skill was developed in school where he became Student Council's Vice President in high school. He finished his secondary education with distinction in 1994. After high school, he pursued his tertiary education and entered college in Mindanao Polytechnic College with a degree of BS in Marine Transportation. Arnold finished his degree in 1997.

FAMILY

Arnold is the youngest son of the late Paterno Mayordomo Sope and Presentacion Cayetuna Navarro. His elder siblings were Rosela, Bonifacio, Salvador, Apolinario, Carlos and Rosalina.

Chairman Arnold was a family man. He married Hazel C. Matutoc of Cotabato and blessed to have four children namely Ferry Diana, Arson Mharc, John Lloyd and Gab Harris. His only daughter Ferry Diana is a current Youth councilor of Barangay Poblacion. In June 2017, Ferry Diana finished her tertiary education from Mindanao State University with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in English major in Linguistics.

CAREER

Mr. Arnold Navarro Sope, a purok chairman in Purok 10 (Sto. Niño), Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani Province was serving his community as purok official for two successful decades. He was also a Barangay Tanod and Lupon Tagapamayapa of Barangay Poblacion. Mr.Sope was also a government employee of LGU-Alabel since 2016. Aside from this, he was also a private employee in a fish processing company in Alabel.

Before entering politics, he was a plumber in the community cooperative water system and a packaging crew in ALSON’s Processing Plant, the largest company in Alabel owned by Alcantara Group of Company.

Arnold ran as Barangay kagawad in 2013 but lose against strong rivals.

PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

Arnold initiated many programs and projects to his purok. His dedication and integrity to serve his community became a trademark of Arnold for the past decades as a leader and public servant.