Corruption: A Lingering Problem In Our Society-Puguon

March 3,2010
Corruption: A Lingering Problem In Our Society-Puguon
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Atty. Forter G. Puguon in his message revealed to the audience that there is a lingering problem in our society that intruded in both the government and the private sector, which is corruption “that we cannot ignore”.
He disclosed this during the “Working Youth Day Celebration” held at the city gym recently which was in partnership with the City Government of Maasin.
He claimed that his observation was based on his experiences while working in both the government and in the private sector occupying capacities in various positions until he decided to go back to DOLE.
He said that in the 1960s the Philippines was number one in terms of economy, but has declined several years later and was surpassed by her Asian neighbors.
He explained that those who have committed some misdeeds in the government service were only considering their fellowmen who could see them, but failed to consider the spiritual realm where the Almighty Being could see them what they have done in secret.
“If we have faith in God”, Puguon said,” “we will not be committing any wrongdoing in the government service or in the private offices where we worked”. He said “we go to church but we do not practice its teachings as Christians”.
He stressed there’s really the need for a moral regeneration and values formation in all sectors of society. He said the Human Resource Management office is one entity that could monitor and conduct seminars for such kind of change that should begin within in every Filipino.
“We have many agencies providing many livelihood projects and trainings to help the people but it only become meaningful at the operation level”, he observed.
Congressman Roger Mercado for his part claimed that the reality is that “we are now living in an egoistic and materialistic world” where majority of people are only thinking of themselves and their own vested interest to acquire more things.
However, being materialistic on the tolerable level is not quite bad at all, provided in acquiring the things we desire we get it thru sacrifice, hard work and in honest way, he said.
Quoting a certain writer, he said that “an inner revolution is what the people need to attain a genuine change
within ourselves”.
He also urged all sectors of society to adopt and practice a sustainable development in all business activities, in food production, in industrial planting and in every other kind of livelihood undertakings.
Mercado further enjoined, not only among the Southern Leyteños, but all people in other provinces of the country, particularly those who have vacant lots, to plant forest trees and fruit-bearing trees.
He informed that trees provide us shades, water from the springs, oxygen we need everyday,fruits,prevent floodings,hold the soil and water, give us cool surroundings and as protective shields to our polluted environment.
Earlier, the DOLE Regional Director has turned over a check worth P300, 000.00 to Mayor Maloney Samaco in behalf of the City Government .for 20 working youth beneficiaries for DOLE’s “Negosyo Sa Kariton” program.
Fe Norma Valuis, DOLE Provincial Head, Southern Leyte Field Office said the City Government will add 20% of the amount as counterpart of the livelihood project.
Valuis clarified that the recipients of the project will not be holding the money as it is keep in the Treasurer’s Office.
She said that when the making of the karitons shall be completed, launching of the project shall follow.
Valuis also told the beneficiaries that they are not the ones who will buy their goods for sale but the City Government and that every month they should deposit the money from sales for future liquidation.
She said that liquidated money shall also be lent to other group of individuals who are interested to engage in other kind of livelihood.
The DOLE provincial head further informed that when the grant shall be liquidated 100%, DOLE will again release another check in bigger amount for the beneficiaries’ continuity of their kind of livelihood.
Also present during the affair were City Councilors, Heads of offices, city hall employees, some students of the Maasin City College, some Barangay Captains and DOLE staff.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)