April 23,2010
Simple Living, Honesty Can Make A Person Avoid Committing Corruption-Nuñez
By Quirico M,. Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Guest Speaker Michael Nuñez, Dept. of Trade and Industry head, admonished the new 76 STI-Maasin new graduates to persistently aim for simple living coupled with hard work and honesty in any kind of undertaking that they are going to involve themselves after their graduation.
Nuñez who delivered his speech for about an hour at the Ampil Function Hall here during the recent Wednesday evening pointed out that through simple living, hard work and obstinate honesty they can avoid committing corruption in any government establishments or private companies where they might be employed. Most particularly if by promotion they would be occupying higher positions where there are potential pressures coming from outside.
The guest speaker, speaking on his personal experiences as head of a government agency for almost two decades now, confided that the kind of job he and other government offices heads are occupying is replete with temptation to commit corruption in the form of either bribe or grease money. “There are many temptations for committing corruption like by accepting bribe or grease money”, he divulged, “but if your are honest in your job, you will not succumb to commit corruption”.
However, because of his desire to have a simple living coupled with hard work and practicing honesty in carrying out his task, he said, he was able to avoid committing corruption as head by saying no to bribe or grease money in a diplomatic way.
The DTI head nevertheless reminded the new graduates that it’s not bad to aim for rich life, provided they would capitalize on hard work, industry, savings, patience, legal and honest means in attaining their wealth.
He stressed that being honest has its own reward. “God will always reward people who are honest in their works”, he said. “Who would have expected that I would be chosen as one of government office heads to enjoy a tour in Europe?”
Nuñez also shared to them the secret of longer life based on what his 100-year-old grandfather has revealed to him. For young and old adults: sleep at least 8 hours, work for 8 hours and the other 8 hours for miscellaneous recreational activities like playing,exercising,socializing,relaxing and the like.
For foods: eat a balance diet. Test all kinds of edible, organic and natural foods (that are free from chemical treatment) that you can find in the market and stores/groceries. Eat them in moderation. Always prefer to ea t natural foods than processed foods.
Moreover, Nuñez urged the graduates of STI-Maasin’s 9th Commencement Exercise to be entrepreneurs, which is to engage in their own business rather than relying on employment. In this connection he encouragingly invited all the STI graduates to participate in a “GO Negosyo Seminar”(on how to be successful entrepreneurs and sharing of ideas on business opportunities) to be held at DPWH Government Center in Palo,.Leyte this coming April 30,2010.
The total number of 76 graduates for the school year 2009-2010 comprised the following: 25 HRS (Hospitality and Restaurant Services), 35 IT (Information Technology), 12 CET (Computer and Electronics Technology) and 4 DCET and DIT (Diploma in Computer and Electronics Technology and Diploma in Information Technology)
Special Honors: 1)Academic Excellence Awardees-Venus T. Junio(HRS) and Ivy M. Delima(HRS); 2)Best Computer Programmers-Maverick R. Belano,Darcy John L. Calapre, Mark James Jabonero,Mark shinned B. Paler and Floyd N. Bongcawel all DIT graduates;
3) Best Case Study Presentation Awardees-Maverick R. Belano and Bien Moises S. Maraon DIT graduates; 4) Best Case Study Presenter Awardee-Ayeisa Charisse Siega.
Venus Junio in her short speech after the distribution of diploma expressed her profuse thanks to the instructors for their patience in teaching and guiding them understand their lessons/subjects. She also expressed her appreciation and thanked her classmates for their companionship, camaraderie and friendship during the duration of their semestral classes, as well as the experiences that they have shared together.
Most particularly she thanked their parents and relatives for their parental guidance and support in coping with their studies.
The two-hour long graduation ceremony was also attended by parents, relatives and friends of STI graduates.
Earlier, there was a baccalaureate Mass held at the Catholic Cathedral. At the AFH venue invocation was led by Best Computer Programmer Darcy John L. Calapre.Welcome remarks was delivered by English Instructor Maria Leila V. Aguilar.Bendiamin C. Ausa introduced the guest speaker for the Commencement Address. Distribution of diplomas was led by STI President Nestor M. Sy and assisted by DTI head Michael Nuñez, School Administrator Effie Naida Sy-Visaya, TESDA Director Rolando Juanillo and Hilario V. Mobe,STI Academic Head. The STI President also distributed plaque of appreciation and awarding of special honors to selected graduates. Ayeisa G.Charisse Siega, Best Case Study Presenter, led the STI pledge.
Furthermore, it was learned that there will be free registration and free lunch for the first 500 participants to the “Go Negosyo Seminar”. For more information contact DTI-Maasin office, telephone no. 381-4099 and ask for Sandra Orito. Other interested persons in region 8(Leyte and Samar islands) may contact DTI-Tacloban office now. It’s a first-come-first-serve basis.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
PMS Prevalent In NCR,Eastern Visayas-Survey
April 19,2010
PMS Prevalent In NCR, Eastern Visayas-Survey
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Kuting Reef, Macrohon, Southern Leyte-Pre-marital sex (PMS) is prevalent in the National Capital Region and in Eastern Visayas at nearly 4 out of 10 engaging in it, the survey disclosed.
Velma Petalla_Kangleon, Population Commission head told the 35 participants to the Orientation on Reproductive Health coming from the different places in the province that average age of initiation to sex is 17.6 years old. But for Eastern Visayas mostly age at first sex is 17 years old for boys and 18 years old for females.
In 2002 statistics around 23% or 2 out of 10 Filipinos youth had premarital sex.Almost all (94%) who already had sex said they were unwilling and unprepared to become parents.
Quoting a survey Kangleon said that risk-taking behaviors are interlinked with those who smoke, drink and use drugs. They are more likely to have sex.Having sex is mostly has a strong linked to illegal drug use.
She informed that according to another 2006 survey almost half (47%) of young people smoked, 70% drank alcohol. A rising trend of drug use was seen in 11% of boys and girls and it’s rampant in high school and college.
The POPCOM head revealed that when it comes to sex, only very few would like to discuss it with their father or mother or their siblings. In percentage: 15.6% sex was discussed at home while adolescent was growing up; 6.2% discussed with mother; 3.5% discussed with father; 4.6% discussed with sister and 3.5% discussed with brother.
She said that the reason why adolescents engage in risk behavior are the following: 1) Adolescents are now becoming less and less connected with their families and religion; 2) Families are showing less and less helpful to their adolescents; 3) School and homes provide venues for sex encounters; 4) Adolescents show signs of confusion; 5) Doing more experimentation with their peers; 6) Pornographic media are taking a large space in their time and attention.
Citing another 2006 survey results, she divulged that of the estimated 1.7M babies born every year, around 30% come from young women. By age 24, each of our young women already bore one child on average.
Open Forum
During open forum a broadcast journalist intimated that she has no more time for her children because she is busy with her work. When all of the members of the family were already at home, she said, each of them has a different works to do or someone is playing and the other also watching TV programs. On weekends she is also busy with other works in the house including laundering.
A Public Information Officer divulged she has two daughters and giving quality time for them was just set aside as she is busy with the household chores during weekends. The location of her job is also far from their resident. So it’s hard for her to give quality time for her two daughters, she said.
Another participant confided that she has to bare herself when taking a bath inside their bathroom. This, she claimed, is to provide a natural physical view for her son in case he would be peeping on the hole for curiosity. The same also with her husband so that her son can distinguish their physical difference. And in case her son needs some explanation, she said, it is much easier for her to explain than hide themselves under clothes during bathing. And by doing this act, she said, my son may stop peeping on the hole to see what his parents’ private parts appearance would be liked.
However, the broadcast media practitioner strongly urged her married colleagues to “make time” or “find time” for their children since their parental guidance play an important role in their children’s lives.
Writer and columnist Marcelo Magallano Pedalino, one of the staff of Philippines Information Agency (PIA) for his part suggested to the POPCOM head that a new survey be conducted on teenage pregnancy in the entire province of Southern Leyte to get the specific results, than just a generalization of the survey results as part of Eastern Visayas.
Kangleon took his suggestion and implied she shall be contacting the POPCOM team to conduct a survey for the province of Southern Leyte.
Workshop
About 2 hours prior to the closing of the Orientation on Reproductive Health the attendees composed of print and broadcast media and the Public Information Officers from various government agencies were divided into three groups. The print media composed of 5 persons, the broadcast media composed of 3 persons and the rest organized into one group constituted the PIOs.
Each group was instructed by Vicky Pasa Generan, Maternity and Child Health Coordinator, to draw a tree. The roots represent the root causes of teenage pregnancy. While the branches would represent its consequences.
There was brainstorming of ideas among the three groups that were anchored on what they were discussing earlier during the orientation. As. could be observed during each group’s presentation, majoirty of the root
causes of teenage pregnancy and its consequences were almost similar in context. What differentiate them from each other were the ways they have worded. And it can be summarized in single terms.
Root causes of teenage pregnancy:1)poverty leading to lack of education; 2)lack of parental guidance; 3)influence in pornographic media;4) confusion on the true essence of sex; 5)curiosity.
Its consequences: 1) lack of social acceptance or a potential outcast; 2) premature parental responsibilities; 3) employment difficulty; 4) burden to low-income parents.
Advocacy On Teenage Pregnancy
After the presentation and explanation of each root causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy, each of the three groups was also asked on what they could do to have “advocacy on teenage pregnancy”. Each group has a different ways of providing some measures to reach its objective of materialization into concrete actions of their respective plans.
For the print media the group can conduct information dissemination to teenagers (15 to 19), parents and household helpers/babysitters. Resource persons are from the media, POPCOM, RHU staffs and teachers.
The activities can be done in schools and barangays in coordination with POPCOM, DepEd, PIOs and
RHU.To complete the activities on “advocacy on teenage pregnancy” logistics and livelihood for teenage mothers would likewise be provided so that they can have an income.
The broadcast media have their advocacy using the radio (no TV station yet in Southern Leyte) for immediate wider coverage. While its other planned activities are similar to that of the print media and that of the PIOs’ approaches.
Nevertheless, to break the seriousness of the discussions during the presentations, a colleague in the media came out with a jest in his statement, though quite unacceptable to many, but has the crude truth in it, by saying:
“The very root cause of teenage pregnancy is the illegal use of penises and vaginas” to the laughter of the audience.
Asked by the Maternity and Child Health Coordinator why he considered it as illegal, he pointed out that PMS was done outside the ceremonial bond of matrimony. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
PMS Prevalent In NCR, Eastern Visayas-Survey
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Kuting Reef, Macrohon, Southern Leyte-Pre-marital sex (PMS) is prevalent in the National Capital Region and in Eastern Visayas at nearly 4 out of 10 engaging in it, the survey disclosed.
Velma Petalla_Kangleon, Population Commission head told the 35 participants to the Orientation on Reproductive Health coming from the different places in the province that average age of initiation to sex is 17.6 years old. But for Eastern Visayas mostly age at first sex is 17 years old for boys and 18 years old for females.
In 2002 statistics around 23% or 2 out of 10 Filipinos youth had premarital sex.Almost all (94%) who already had sex said they were unwilling and unprepared to become parents.
Quoting a survey Kangleon said that risk-taking behaviors are interlinked with those who smoke, drink and use drugs. They are more likely to have sex.Having sex is mostly has a strong linked to illegal drug use.
She informed that according to another 2006 survey almost half (47%) of young people smoked, 70% drank alcohol. A rising trend of drug use was seen in 11% of boys and girls and it’s rampant in high school and college.
The POPCOM head revealed that when it comes to sex, only very few would like to discuss it with their father or mother or their siblings. In percentage: 15.6% sex was discussed at home while adolescent was growing up; 6.2% discussed with mother; 3.5% discussed with father; 4.6% discussed with sister and 3.5% discussed with brother.
She said that the reason why adolescents engage in risk behavior are the following: 1) Adolescents are now becoming less and less connected with their families and religion; 2) Families are showing less and less helpful to their adolescents; 3) School and homes provide venues for sex encounters; 4) Adolescents show signs of confusion; 5) Doing more experimentation with their peers; 6) Pornographic media are taking a large space in their time and attention.
Citing another 2006 survey results, she divulged that of the estimated 1.7M babies born every year, around 30% come from young women. By age 24, each of our young women already bore one child on average.
Open Forum
During open forum a broadcast journalist intimated that she has no more time for her children because she is busy with her work. When all of the members of the family were already at home, she said, each of them has a different works to do or someone is playing and the other also watching TV programs. On weekends she is also busy with other works in the house including laundering.
A Public Information Officer divulged she has two daughters and giving quality time for them was just set aside as she is busy with the household chores during weekends. The location of her job is also far from their resident. So it’s hard for her to give quality time for her two daughters, she said.
Another participant confided that she has to bare herself when taking a bath inside their bathroom. This, she claimed, is to provide a natural physical view for her son in case he would be peeping on the hole for curiosity. The same also with her husband so that her son can distinguish their physical difference. And in case her son needs some explanation, she said, it is much easier for her to explain than hide themselves under clothes during bathing. And by doing this act, she said, my son may stop peeping on the hole to see what his parents’ private parts appearance would be liked.
However, the broadcast media practitioner strongly urged her married colleagues to “make time” or “find time” for their children since their parental guidance play an important role in their children’s lives.
Writer and columnist Marcelo Magallano Pedalino, one of the staff of Philippines Information Agency (PIA) for his part suggested to the POPCOM head that a new survey be conducted on teenage pregnancy in the entire province of Southern Leyte to get the specific results, than just a generalization of the survey results as part of Eastern Visayas.
Kangleon took his suggestion and implied she shall be contacting the POPCOM team to conduct a survey for the province of Southern Leyte.
Workshop
About 2 hours prior to the closing of the Orientation on Reproductive Health the attendees composed of print and broadcast media and the Public Information Officers from various government agencies were divided into three groups. The print media composed of 5 persons, the broadcast media composed of 3 persons and the rest organized into one group constituted the PIOs.
Each group was instructed by Vicky Pasa Generan, Maternity and Child Health Coordinator, to draw a tree. The roots represent the root causes of teenage pregnancy. While the branches would represent its consequences.
There was brainstorming of ideas among the three groups that were anchored on what they were discussing earlier during the orientation. As. could be observed during each group’s presentation, majoirty of the root
causes of teenage pregnancy and its consequences were almost similar in context. What differentiate them from each other were the ways they have worded. And it can be summarized in single terms.
Root causes of teenage pregnancy:1)poverty leading to lack of education; 2)lack of parental guidance; 3)influence in pornographic media;4) confusion on the true essence of sex; 5)curiosity.
Its consequences: 1) lack of social acceptance or a potential outcast; 2) premature parental responsibilities; 3) employment difficulty; 4) burden to low-income parents.
Advocacy On Teenage Pregnancy
After the presentation and explanation of each root causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy, each of the three groups was also asked on what they could do to have “advocacy on teenage pregnancy”. Each group has a different ways of providing some measures to reach its objective of materialization into concrete actions of their respective plans.
For the print media the group can conduct information dissemination to teenagers (15 to 19), parents and household helpers/babysitters. Resource persons are from the media, POPCOM, RHU staffs and teachers.
The activities can be done in schools and barangays in coordination with POPCOM, DepEd, PIOs and
RHU.To complete the activities on “advocacy on teenage pregnancy” logistics and livelihood for teenage mothers would likewise be provided so that they can have an income.
The broadcast media have their advocacy using the radio (no TV station yet in Southern Leyte) for immediate wider coverage. While its other planned activities are similar to that of the print media and that of the PIOs’ approaches.
Nevertheless, to break the seriousness of the discussions during the presentations, a colleague in the media came out with a jest in his statement, though quite unacceptable to many, but has the crude truth in it, by saying:
“The very root cause of teenage pregnancy is the illegal use of penises and vaginas” to the laughter of the audience.
Asked by the Maternity and Child Health Coordinator why he considered it as illegal, he pointed out that PMS was done outside the ceremonial bond of matrimony. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
HIV Virus Increases Risk Of Opportunistic Infections-Studies
April 19,2010
HIV Virus Increases Risk Of Opportunistic Infections-Studies
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.
Macrohon, Southern Leyte-An individual who is affected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is sensitively vulnerable to have an increase risk of opportunistic infections according to studies.
Dr, Julius Alteveros Duarte, Provincial Dentist, who gave the lecture held at Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion here informed the participants composed mostly of Health Workers and media practitioners that HIV is a virus that causes AIDS, while the latter is a syndrome of infections.
Based on the basic information of the debilitating and dreaded disease, H stands for Human; I-stands for Immunodeficiency which results to weakening of immune system and consequently increases risk of opportunistic infections; V-stands for Virus (one of the microbiologic agents that infect the body).
While the acronym AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Specifically, A stands for Acquired,meaning,neither genetic nor inherent; I-refers to the Immune system of the body that is weakened by the virus; D-means deficiency-destruction of anti-infective cells known in medical term as CD4 + cells; S stands for Syndrome-group of illnesses taking place at the same time.
Duarte reported that based on the 2006 statistics total death caused by AIDS among those affected reached 2.9M for adults and 380,000 for children under 15 years old. People who were newly-affected with HIV in the latest survey, the dentist disclosed, were 3.8M and 530,000 were children under 15 years old.
HIV Transmission
How is HIV transmitted? According to studies and research conducted by medical experts HIV is transmissible thru the following medium: 1)sexual contact:oral,anal or vaginal sex; 2)direct contact with seminal fluid, cervical or vaginal secretions and infected blood via transfusion; 3)HIV-infected mothers to infant during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
Prevention Activities
To avoid acquiring or spreading the dreaded diseased. Duarte citing medical records mentioned the following preventive measures: 1) Abstain from promiscuous sex; 2) Be monogamous by having only one heterosexual partner and behave responsibly; 3) Be charitable. Care for others and for yourself by teaching/conducting Christian values formation; 4)Avoid taking illegal drugs and drink alcoholic beverages only in moderation; 5) Strengthening family values/bonding and education by reading articles all about HIV and AIDS; 6)Attend lectures/seminars on the subject matter.
Circulated Misinformations
However, to correct some circulated misinformation or misbelieve on how HIV and AIDS in some concerned areas could be acquired, Duarte clarified that based on the studies, the HIV virus cannot be transmitted via the following means: insect bites; touching or hugging; coughing and sneezing; water and food; handshaking and kissing; telephone/cellphone use; sharing of cups,glasses,plates or utensils; and bathing in swimming pool.
Several years ago this reporter had heard by words of mouth in a casual conversation that originally the HIV virus causing AIDS was acquired thru man’s sexual intercourse with an animal or animals. Then it spread thru sexual contact with fellow human beings until it reached in other countries by some other means including the Philippines.
How true is this belief or allegation? What specific country where the unusual/weird and beastly act by man was first committed? Is it in Africa or where? In some occasions when I happened to read articles about HIV/AIDS I did not encounter such kind of revelation or unscientific statement of sort. Can an in-depth medical research be able to trace the origin of (HIV/AIDS) virus, to find out if it has some truth to what I‘ve heard in the past years’ allegation?
Additionally, there are two types of HIV that causes AIDS:1) HIV-1 which is more common worldwide; 2)HIV-2 more common in African areas. These 2 types of HIV can be transmitted through similar routes and its opportunistic infections are also similar in nature.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
HIV Virus Increases Risk Of Opportunistic Infections-Studies
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.
Macrohon, Southern Leyte-An individual who is affected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is sensitively vulnerable to have an increase risk of opportunistic infections according to studies.
Dr, Julius Alteveros Duarte, Provincial Dentist, who gave the lecture held at Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion here informed the participants composed mostly of Health Workers and media practitioners that HIV is a virus that causes AIDS, while the latter is a syndrome of infections.
Based on the basic information of the debilitating and dreaded disease, H stands for Human; I-stands for Immunodeficiency which results to weakening of immune system and consequently increases risk of opportunistic infections; V-stands for Virus (one of the microbiologic agents that infect the body).
While the acronym AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Specifically, A stands for Acquired,meaning,neither genetic nor inherent; I-refers to the Immune system of the body that is weakened by the virus; D-means deficiency-destruction of anti-infective cells known in medical term as CD4 + cells; S stands for Syndrome-group of illnesses taking place at the same time.
Duarte reported that based on the 2006 statistics total death caused by AIDS among those affected reached 2.9M for adults and 380,000 for children under 15 years old. People who were newly-affected with HIV in the latest survey, the dentist disclosed, were 3.8M and 530,000 were children under 15 years old.
HIV Transmission
How is HIV transmitted? According to studies and research conducted by medical experts HIV is transmissible thru the following medium: 1)sexual contact:oral,anal or vaginal sex; 2)direct contact with seminal fluid, cervical or vaginal secretions and infected blood via transfusion; 3)HIV-infected mothers to infant during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
Prevention Activities
To avoid acquiring or spreading the dreaded diseased. Duarte citing medical records mentioned the following preventive measures: 1) Abstain from promiscuous sex; 2) Be monogamous by having only one heterosexual partner and behave responsibly; 3) Be charitable. Care for others and for yourself by teaching/conducting Christian values formation; 4)Avoid taking illegal drugs and drink alcoholic beverages only in moderation; 5) Strengthening family values/bonding and education by reading articles all about HIV and AIDS; 6)Attend lectures/seminars on the subject matter.
Circulated Misinformations
However, to correct some circulated misinformation or misbelieve on how HIV and AIDS in some concerned areas could be acquired, Duarte clarified that based on the studies, the HIV virus cannot be transmitted via the following means: insect bites; touching or hugging; coughing and sneezing; water and food; handshaking and kissing; telephone/cellphone use; sharing of cups,glasses,plates or utensils; and bathing in swimming pool.
Several years ago this reporter had heard by words of mouth in a casual conversation that originally the HIV virus causing AIDS was acquired thru man’s sexual intercourse with an animal or animals. Then it spread thru sexual contact with fellow human beings until it reached in other countries by some other means including the Philippines.
How true is this belief or allegation? What specific country where the unusual/weird and beastly act by man was first committed? Is it in Africa or where? In some occasions when I happened to read articles about HIV/AIDS I did not encounter such kind of revelation or unscientific statement of sort. Can an in-depth medical research be able to trace the origin of (HIV/AIDS) virus, to find out if it has some truth to what I‘ve heard in the past years’ allegation?
Additionally, there are two types of HIV that causes AIDS:1) HIV-1 which is more common worldwide; 2)HIV-2 more common in African areas. These 2 types of HIV can be transmitted through similar routes and its opportunistic infections are also similar in nature.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Destination: Kuting Reef In Macrohon
April 17,2010
Feature story
Destination: Kuting Reef In Macrohon
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-It was timely that I’ve met Loloy Salazar, Philippines Information Agency’s (PIA) utilityman/messenger passed by the Mercury Drug store one afternoon. He was holding a piece of paper containing a message. When I was about to ask him whether the LSDE has sent copies of the papers to their office located at the new reclamation area in brgy. Combado, he showed me instead a scheduled orientation on Reproductive Health to be held at Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion, Macrohon. It was located along the coastal area and one of Macrohon’s “must” place to visit by visitors/tourists. The place is 4.5 kilometers, more or less, from the town proper.
A day prior to the aforesaid occasion I have come to visit PIA at its new office, courtesy of the City Government. The government media office is flunked by the 2 other new offices of the City Agriculture Office and the City Department of Social Welfare. PIA office was formerly sharing a small office of the Assistance Contact Center located at the Provincial Capitol. The CAO and the Social Welfare Office were previously occupying an old building near Jollibee and City Hall. One of the three rooms of PIA is air-conditioned where the staff carried out their tasks like writing and encoding news articles or any important papers for restoration and dissemination to some government offices and media outfits. The two other offices mentioned were naturally ventilated with cool breeze coming mostly from the nearby open sea.
When I was there I have informed Bong Pedalino, one of the regular staff who writes news stories, comments and occasionally a feature story that I was earlier told by Loloy that we would be leaving for Kuting Reef the following day at about 8:00a.m. However, when I asked Erna Sy-Gorne, PIA’s Information
Manager, if she would also be going with us, she said yes. She then told me that it’s better for me to wait in brgy Pacu at 8:30a.m. She explained that we have to wait for Jade Nombrado,a newscaster of a local radio station DYDM to finish his job at 8:30a.m. That was the time when I have to start waiting for the PIA vehicle along the road at brgy. Pacu where I’ve lived.
Waiting Time
For a ride I have waited for thirty five minutes before PIA’s vehicle arrived with Loloy as the new driver. Before it was Boy who was designated as the PIA driver during the Administration of Governor Rosette Yñiguez-Lerias.He was led off when the new Governor Damian Mercado replaced Lerias since a driver has no permanent item. Loloy’s situation is entirely different from that of Boy’s. He is originally a PIA employ since he started working at the government information agency during the previous years. Mrs. Gorne was not there. I did not ask Bong why Erna did not go with us. I just surmised that maybe she chose to remain in the office together with Rebecca Cadavos as I thought would be the case.
In several occasions, if there’s a meeting, seminar, presscon or any related activities where news coverage was the essence of the invitation, mostly only one or two PIA staff would be attending. One of them would remain in the office. There were also occasions when the three of them-Erna,Bong and Rebecca-including even Loloy,particularly if the travel is far like in Sogod,Libagon,St.Bernard or in other town of the province for a special invitation. Later, as we were on the road bound for Kuting Reef, I’ve heard that the PIA Information Manager was in Tacloban for some official business.
Breakdown
As Loloy Salazar drove towards Kuting Reef we smelled a pungent odor from an overheat clutch lining when we reached brgy.Mohon in Macrohon town. The driver who sensed what I’ve smelled stopped the vehicle and stepped out. He opened the hood and saw that the engine was also overheat and the bad smell became more intense. He instructed the three of us-Bong Pedalino (PIA) staff, Diego Credo (anchorman of “Pagkabana” radio program over DYDM under the auspices of Congressman Roger Mercado), Jade Nombrado and I to get off. The driver thought that the engine might explode. Loloy inspected the front wheels and noticed that it was the right side wheel where the strong odor emanated. He opened the compartment and found out that the tools were not there. He forgot to bring it for emergency purposes.
Jade Nombrado a regular broadcaster of DYDM and a resident of Macrohon town invited Loloy to go with him at their house to get the tools for dismantling the front wheel to check the break. They rode on a trisikad and 30 minutes later they came back with tools on hand. They brought no hydraulic jack which is easy to operate to elevate the transmission wheel by pumping it. But a different kind of jack that needed more exertion before the transmission wheel could be elevated and remove the wheel.
We have asked a local if he knew of a mechanic living near the area. He informed us that the mechanic was living near the CCP church just a few meters away from where the vehicle had brokedown. As the work to check the break has progressed, Bong instructed us to go ahead to Kuting Reef with the thought that the Orientation on Reproductive Health would be going to start. Jade plugged down a jeepney passenger going to Sogod and we rode on. The distance from brgy. Mohon to Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion is less than 5 kilometers away. Jade paid for our trip as we got off and we entered a small road leading to several buildings. Those who are not familiar with the place would just happen to pass by because the sign board was placed facing the south direction. Its position is only conspicuouos to travelers or tourists from the north going to south. Another signboard is needed facing the north as guide to travelers/tourists coming from that direction. Along the road were some erected tarpaulins introducing various amenities that Kuting Reef, a serene place is offering to its clients/customers and tourists.
First Timer
This is the first time that I’ve gone to the place. We entered a lobby. The hotness we felt from traveling on hot road was lessening with the coolness of the surrounding. The wide span of the calm open sea with occasional ripples lapping on the shore has provided an exhilarating effect on our tired bodies. The sand on the beach was so fine while a fisherman’s boat was docked on knee-deep water, a few meters from where we stood. Not far from it was a motorized ski-boat on standby. There were also some people setting and lying on the Bermuda-carpeted ground planted to coconut trees. A few children frolicked around as their white parents were watching them. A few tourists local and foreign were also around.
Dr. Nora Estela, a EENT now assigned at the IPHO’s (Integrated Provincial Health Office) technical department went out and invited us to enter the conference hall. I was told inside was cold because it was an air-conditioned room. At the lobby I saw a brochure and requested the receptionist if I could have one copy and she handed me one. I sat on the sofa for a few minutes before I decided to enter the air-conditioned room. There the participants have already finished taking their snacks. Before I could pick my share, Loloy and Bong have arrived and went straight to the room where the Orientation on Reproductive Health was held. They took their snacks as the lecture was about to start.
The cold became colder as the lecture went on. A wife of a City Hall employee who is also an employee of the NFA and I requested the boy-room if he could reduce its intensity. He explained that if he would stop the other aircon it could not provide enough coolness to the attendees and it would become hot inside the room. However, when the first phase of the lecture was over, one of the aircons was put off.
Lunchtime
It was lunchtime and all the 35 participants composed of health workers, print and broadcast media and some Public Information Officers from government agencies, went to the dinning room on the opposite side of the conference hall where the foods were ready. We queued to get our food, a self-service style, which remained hot enough to eat. Waiters, served us hot fish soup and poured water on our glasses. After eating some of us went out and relaxed at the Boardwalk Grill constructed adjacent to the concrete dikes. It protects Kuting Reef from the onslaught of huge waves during inclement weather or typhoon. One hour later we were called as the second phase lecture would be about to start.
Workshop
Before the lecture proceeded with did a little exercise .Vicky Pasa Generan, Maternity and Child Health Coordinator, instructed us to group ourselves into 3 -print media, broadcast media and the PIOs group. We were then instructed to draw a tree. The roots would represent the root causes of teenage pregnancy. The tree branches would represent its consequences. Earlier, a lecture on teenage pregnancy was conducted by Velma P. Kangleon, POPCOM Head, prior to taking our lunch.
The root causes and the consequences being discussed by Kangleon on the topic have provided us with some insights/views where we could anchor our answers. Answers from the three groups during workshop period to the root causes and its consequences of teenage pregnancy were almost similar. What differentiate the 3 groups were the ways they have worded their respective presentations and explanations. As the three groups were ready, each group’s representatives have to present their output and were made to explain and discuss it with the audience.
Things that are going to be done by the three groups on Teenage Pregnancy Advocacy were presented and discussed. For the print media one of the activities that can be done is thru the newspaper or magazine. An article might be written that will encourage teenagers and teenage mothers to read anything about teenagers’ welfare and anything that would guide them to prepare for parental responsibility as parents. The other activities can also be done by conducting seminars/symposiums in schools and barangay halls/covered courts. Consider as the audience are the teenage mothers. The POPCOM head, media practitioners, RHU staff and teachers would serve as resource persons. To realize these plan of activities logistics and budget are needed with the establishing of livelihood projects for teenage mothers.
The broadcast media has an immediate wider coverage. In conducting their activities they shall be utilizing the air power or the radio (no TV station yet in Southern Leyte). Their representative informed that they shall also be interviewing teenage mothers in various barangays in different municipalities of the province. Speakers to be involved are POPCOM, RHU staff and the PIOs.
The PIOs group has a similar activities with slightly different in its approach. Like the print and broadcast media, their group also needs logistics and budget for the materialization of their planned activities.
Amenities/Services
On the other hand, Kuting Reef, is one of the nice places to visit before proceeding directly to other tourist spots in the province of Southern Leyte. Situated in a private cove in brgy. Asuncion, less than 5 kilometers away from Macrohon’s town proper. It has several amenities and services to offer for local and foreign tourists while staying in the place. The vast open ocean on calm and roughless waves plus a cool breeze can offer a calming effect to the strained nerves. It stretches the viewers’ eyes broader and wider reaching their sights as far as Limasawa Island, Camiguin Island and the islands of Bohol. On fine weather and clear night skies one can have his/her mat (plastics or palms leaves-made) spread over the manicured Bermuda grasses and view the stars. Nearby, the chirping of the birds and the twittering of crickets atop the trees and on the ground, break the engulfing silence of nature with their mystifying tunes. It is certainly a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life: where monotonous and loud roaring of vehicles and cars irk our ears and hurt our senses. The serenity of the place is indeed conducive for one’s recreation and relaxation. If you are a pianist, you can also request the manager/owner Babes Castañares to play your music and repertoire of songs if you are also a singer. Let your pieces be echoed in the surrounding air thru the magical movement of your musical touch lingering on your supple fingers. And the music lovers who are going to hear your music will surely appreciate your rendition and would ask for more.
What I have written here is just an introduction of the new place worth inclusion for the local and foreign tourists’ itineraries in Southern Leyte’s tourist destinations.
Kuting Reef’s facilities: 1)Function Rooms that can accommodate from 20 to 300 people; 2)Venue for garden wedding reception; 3)Infinity pool; 4) Coffee Shop; 5)The Boardwalk Grill; 6)Infinity Lounge; 7)Non-smoking rooms; 8)Local tour assistance; 9) Gift Shop; 10)Room Types: Deluxe Cabana, Premier Cabana, The Casita and The Casa. KR’s services are the following: 1)New Kuting Reef Packages; 2)Water Sports(jetski,kayak,banana boat ride, speedboat tour to Limasawa Island, shoreline cruise,snorkel,rubber boat); 3)Kuting Reef local Tour Packages(Cambaro Cave,Cagnituan Falls and Lagoon, Religious and Cultural Tour,Limasawa Island speedboat tour). For more details about Kuting Reef’s other services visit its website: WWW.kuting-reef.com; email address: info@kuting-reef.com. Telephone numbers: (053)5721023/ 5721008/ 5721009. Mobile: 09056685873/ 09175215903. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Feature story
Destination: Kuting Reef In Macrohon
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-It was timely that I’ve met Loloy Salazar, Philippines Information Agency’s (PIA) utilityman/messenger passed by the Mercury Drug store one afternoon. He was holding a piece of paper containing a message. When I was about to ask him whether the LSDE has sent copies of the papers to their office located at the new reclamation area in brgy. Combado, he showed me instead a scheduled orientation on Reproductive Health to be held at Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion, Macrohon. It was located along the coastal area and one of Macrohon’s “must” place to visit by visitors/tourists. The place is 4.5 kilometers, more or less, from the town proper.
A day prior to the aforesaid occasion I have come to visit PIA at its new office, courtesy of the City Government. The government media office is flunked by the 2 other new offices of the City Agriculture Office and the City Department of Social Welfare. PIA office was formerly sharing a small office of the Assistance Contact Center located at the Provincial Capitol. The CAO and the Social Welfare Office were previously occupying an old building near Jollibee and City Hall. One of the three rooms of PIA is air-conditioned where the staff carried out their tasks like writing and encoding news articles or any important papers for restoration and dissemination to some government offices and media outfits. The two other offices mentioned were naturally ventilated with cool breeze coming mostly from the nearby open sea.
When I was there I have informed Bong Pedalino, one of the regular staff who writes news stories, comments and occasionally a feature story that I was earlier told by Loloy that we would be leaving for Kuting Reef the following day at about 8:00a.m. However, when I asked Erna Sy-Gorne, PIA’s Information
Manager, if she would also be going with us, she said yes. She then told me that it’s better for me to wait in brgy Pacu at 8:30a.m. She explained that we have to wait for Jade Nombrado,a newscaster of a local radio station DYDM to finish his job at 8:30a.m. That was the time when I have to start waiting for the PIA vehicle along the road at brgy. Pacu where I’ve lived.
Waiting Time
For a ride I have waited for thirty five minutes before PIA’s vehicle arrived with Loloy as the new driver. Before it was Boy who was designated as the PIA driver during the Administration of Governor Rosette Yñiguez-Lerias.He was led off when the new Governor Damian Mercado replaced Lerias since a driver has no permanent item. Loloy’s situation is entirely different from that of Boy’s. He is originally a PIA employ since he started working at the government information agency during the previous years. Mrs. Gorne was not there. I did not ask Bong why Erna did not go with us. I just surmised that maybe she chose to remain in the office together with Rebecca Cadavos as I thought would be the case.
In several occasions, if there’s a meeting, seminar, presscon or any related activities where news coverage was the essence of the invitation, mostly only one or two PIA staff would be attending. One of them would remain in the office. There were also occasions when the three of them-Erna,Bong and Rebecca-including even Loloy,particularly if the travel is far like in Sogod,Libagon,St.Bernard or in other town of the province for a special invitation. Later, as we were on the road bound for Kuting Reef, I’ve heard that the PIA Information Manager was in Tacloban for some official business.
Breakdown
As Loloy Salazar drove towards Kuting Reef we smelled a pungent odor from an overheat clutch lining when we reached brgy.Mohon in Macrohon town. The driver who sensed what I’ve smelled stopped the vehicle and stepped out. He opened the hood and saw that the engine was also overheat and the bad smell became more intense. He instructed the three of us-Bong Pedalino (PIA) staff, Diego Credo (anchorman of “Pagkabana” radio program over DYDM under the auspices of Congressman Roger Mercado), Jade Nombrado and I to get off. The driver thought that the engine might explode. Loloy inspected the front wheels and noticed that it was the right side wheel where the strong odor emanated. He opened the compartment and found out that the tools were not there. He forgot to bring it for emergency purposes.
Jade Nombrado a regular broadcaster of DYDM and a resident of Macrohon town invited Loloy to go with him at their house to get the tools for dismantling the front wheel to check the break. They rode on a trisikad and 30 minutes later they came back with tools on hand. They brought no hydraulic jack which is easy to operate to elevate the transmission wheel by pumping it. But a different kind of jack that needed more exertion before the transmission wheel could be elevated and remove the wheel.
We have asked a local if he knew of a mechanic living near the area. He informed us that the mechanic was living near the CCP church just a few meters away from where the vehicle had brokedown. As the work to check the break has progressed, Bong instructed us to go ahead to Kuting Reef with the thought that the Orientation on Reproductive Health would be going to start. Jade plugged down a jeepney passenger going to Sogod and we rode on. The distance from brgy. Mohon to Kuting Reef in brgy. Asuncion is less than 5 kilometers away. Jade paid for our trip as we got off and we entered a small road leading to several buildings. Those who are not familiar with the place would just happen to pass by because the sign board was placed facing the south direction. Its position is only conspicuouos to travelers or tourists from the north going to south. Another signboard is needed facing the north as guide to travelers/tourists coming from that direction. Along the road were some erected tarpaulins introducing various amenities that Kuting Reef, a serene place is offering to its clients/customers and tourists.
First Timer
This is the first time that I’ve gone to the place. We entered a lobby. The hotness we felt from traveling on hot road was lessening with the coolness of the surrounding. The wide span of the calm open sea with occasional ripples lapping on the shore has provided an exhilarating effect on our tired bodies. The sand on the beach was so fine while a fisherman’s boat was docked on knee-deep water, a few meters from where we stood. Not far from it was a motorized ski-boat on standby. There were also some people setting and lying on the Bermuda-carpeted ground planted to coconut trees. A few children frolicked around as their white parents were watching them. A few tourists local and foreign were also around.
Dr. Nora Estela, a EENT now assigned at the IPHO’s (Integrated Provincial Health Office) technical department went out and invited us to enter the conference hall. I was told inside was cold because it was an air-conditioned room. At the lobby I saw a brochure and requested the receptionist if I could have one copy and she handed me one. I sat on the sofa for a few minutes before I decided to enter the air-conditioned room. There the participants have already finished taking their snacks. Before I could pick my share, Loloy and Bong have arrived and went straight to the room where the Orientation on Reproductive Health was held. They took their snacks as the lecture was about to start.
The cold became colder as the lecture went on. A wife of a City Hall employee who is also an employee of the NFA and I requested the boy-room if he could reduce its intensity. He explained that if he would stop the other aircon it could not provide enough coolness to the attendees and it would become hot inside the room. However, when the first phase of the lecture was over, one of the aircons was put off.
Lunchtime
It was lunchtime and all the 35 participants composed of health workers, print and broadcast media and some Public Information Officers from government agencies, went to the dinning room on the opposite side of the conference hall where the foods were ready. We queued to get our food, a self-service style, which remained hot enough to eat. Waiters, served us hot fish soup and poured water on our glasses. After eating some of us went out and relaxed at the Boardwalk Grill constructed adjacent to the concrete dikes. It protects Kuting Reef from the onslaught of huge waves during inclement weather or typhoon. One hour later we were called as the second phase lecture would be about to start.
Workshop
Before the lecture proceeded with did a little exercise .Vicky Pasa Generan, Maternity and Child Health Coordinator, instructed us to group ourselves into 3 -print media, broadcast media and the PIOs group. We were then instructed to draw a tree. The roots would represent the root causes of teenage pregnancy. The tree branches would represent its consequences. Earlier, a lecture on teenage pregnancy was conducted by Velma P. Kangleon, POPCOM Head, prior to taking our lunch.
The root causes and the consequences being discussed by Kangleon on the topic have provided us with some insights/views where we could anchor our answers. Answers from the three groups during workshop period to the root causes and its consequences of teenage pregnancy were almost similar. What differentiate the 3 groups were the ways they have worded their respective presentations and explanations. As the three groups were ready, each group’s representatives have to present their output and were made to explain and discuss it with the audience.
Things that are going to be done by the three groups on Teenage Pregnancy Advocacy were presented and discussed. For the print media one of the activities that can be done is thru the newspaper or magazine. An article might be written that will encourage teenagers and teenage mothers to read anything about teenagers’ welfare and anything that would guide them to prepare for parental responsibility as parents. The other activities can also be done by conducting seminars/symposiums in schools and barangay halls/covered courts. Consider as the audience are the teenage mothers. The POPCOM head, media practitioners, RHU staff and teachers would serve as resource persons. To realize these plan of activities logistics and budget are needed with the establishing of livelihood projects for teenage mothers.
The broadcast media has an immediate wider coverage. In conducting their activities they shall be utilizing the air power or the radio (no TV station yet in Southern Leyte). Their representative informed that they shall also be interviewing teenage mothers in various barangays in different municipalities of the province. Speakers to be involved are POPCOM, RHU staff and the PIOs.
The PIOs group has a similar activities with slightly different in its approach. Like the print and broadcast media, their group also needs logistics and budget for the materialization of their planned activities.
Amenities/Services
On the other hand, Kuting Reef, is one of the nice places to visit before proceeding directly to other tourist spots in the province of Southern Leyte. Situated in a private cove in brgy. Asuncion, less than 5 kilometers away from Macrohon’s town proper. It has several amenities and services to offer for local and foreign tourists while staying in the place. The vast open ocean on calm and roughless waves plus a cool breeze can offer a calming effect to the strained nerves. It stretches the viewers’ eyes broader and wider reaching their sights as far as Limasawa Island, Camiguin Island and the islands of Bohol. On fine weather and clear night skies one can have his/her mat (plastics or palms leaves-made) spread over the manicured Bermuda grasses and view the stars. Nearby, the chirping of the birds and the twittering of crickets atop the trees and on the ground, break the engulfing silence of nature with their mystifying tunes. It is certainly a place away from the hustle and bustle of city life: where monotonous and loud roaring of vehicles and cars irk our ears and hurt our senses. The serenity of the place is indeed conducive for one’s recreation and relaxation. If you are a pianist, you can also request the manager/owner Babes Castañares to play your music and repertoire of songs if you are also a singer. Let your pieces be echoed in the surrounding air thru the magical movement of your musical touch lingering on your supple fingers. And the music lovers who are going to hear your music will surely appreciate your rendition and would ask for more.
What I have written here is just an introduction of the new place worth inclusion for the local and foreign tourists’ itineraries in Southern Leyte’s tourist destinations.
Kuting Reef’s facilities: 1)Function Rooms that can accommodate from 20 to 300 people; 2)Venue for garden wedding reception; 3)Infinity pool; 4) Coffee Shop; 5)The Boardwalk Grill; 6)Infinity Lounge; 7)Non-smoking rooms; 8)Local tour assistance; 9) Gift Shop; 10)Room Types: Deluxe Cabana, Premier Cabana, The Casita and The Casa. KR’s services are the following: 1)New Kuting Reef Packages; 2)Water Sports(jetski,kayak,banana boat ride, speedboat tour to Limasawa Island, shoreline cruise,snorkel,rubber boat); 3)Kuting Reef local Tour Packages(Cambaro Cave,Cagnituan Falls and Lagoon, Religious and Cultural Tour,Limasawa Island speedboat tour). For more details about Kuting Reef’s other services visit its website: WWW.kuting-reef.com; email address: info@kuting-reef.com. Telephone numbers: (053)5721023/ 5721008/ 5721009. Mobile: 09056685873/ 09175215903. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Do You Believe In Candidates' Rating Survey Results?
April 14,2010
Do You Believe In Candidates’ Rating Survey Results?
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
The survey that we are about to talk here is not a survey on land done by the Geodetic Engineers. This is a survey on who among the presidential and Vice-presidential candidates are popular or well-known and have the higher or the highest edge. There are some people who believe in survey rating results. There are also many and I believe a great majority, who do not believe in survey results. Why? Because most of the surveys conducted were only done mostly in some areas in Metro Manila and few in Luzon if ever, and only also few in other places of the country.
There are plenty of places, cities, and provinces in the whole country that are not subjected to surveys.
.Besides, if a survey group is not independent and was only contacted by a certain candidate or candidates there’s the tendency that such survey results would be padded with favoritism. This is the reason why we should not allow ourselves to be influenced by survey results.
I myself do not believe in survey results. We should not base our voting to any candidate on survey results. This is not the proper way to do. What is important is that, are the candidates for the presidency having the necessary experiences and skills for the position they are aspiring for? We should also examine the agenda and programs of each candidate for President, Vice-President, Congressman, Governor and City Mayor. If there would be an open forum for the presidential candidates including their Vices and candidates for other lower positions whom we could ask questions it would be better.
On similar vein, Vice-presidential candidate Jamby Madrigal and presidential candidate Dick Gordon both do not also believe in survey results. Gordon divulged that during his senatorial candidacy he was too far behind in survey results. But when the day of the National Elections arrived, he was number 5 in the winning senatorial lineup garnering 13 millions votes.
In conducting the current surveys, Gordon asked who are the people conducting it and who paid them for their works? What particular places or areas they have gone to do their legworks? What are the names of those who did the surveys? And why the results of the surveys were not published? He stressed that the name of the firm or establishment that conducted the said surveys on candidates, the names of those who did the surveys, the name or names of candidates who paid them, and the publications of the results are necessary for the information of the electorate.
Some of the questions that need to be asked and be answered by the candidates themselves are the following: 1) If you are elected as President/Vice-President in the coming May 10, 2010 national election what will you do to eradicate graft and corruption in the government offices? 2) What will you do to improve our weakening education system so that students in the public schools including the state colleges can become competitive in the international level of learning? 3) What will you do to improve the services of our public hospitals where some if not most have inadequate supply of medicines particularly for the admitted poor patients? 4) There is a Cheaper Medicine Act of 2009 authored by Pia Cayetano,but it ‘s not conscientiously implemented. What will you do to reduce the prices of prohibitive medicines in the country? 5)What will you do so that the millions of poor Filipinos could have their own house and lot thru an affordably low monthly installment payment that they can own after 10 years regular payment? 6) What will you do to abolish political dynasty and private armies in the country? 7) What will you do to improve our agricultural output/production so that the Philippines can really attain its goal of food security so that the government will not be importing rice anymore?
Besides the aforesaid questions you can also ask some other questions you want to ask. It’s also important as well to really study and evaluate each candidate’s agenda and programs of government before we make a final list of candidates to whom we are going to entrust our votes this coming May 10 national elections. It’s also important to look at the candidates with good family background and good track record. Moral issues must also be included in choosing candidates for any position in the government they aspire for. Like is he a one-man,one-woman?Is he/she not a gambler? A drunkard? A womanizer? A woman with another man besides her man? Morality issue is not to be overlooked by the electorate because a President or Vice-President including Senators, Congressmen Governors and City Mayors are supposed to be good models for our youth.
Our National Hero Jose Mercado Rizal said that “the youth is the hope of the land”. Rizal’s pronouncement regarding the youth indicates that they need some older but dynamic and strong leaders to look up to as a paragon of example worthy of emulation. The youth shall take the place of older people of today when the time comes. So our youth really need good models as source of inspiration and strength to reach their aspirations so that they can rule our country with integrity and dignity.
Another thing which is much more equally important is to remember that our right of suffrage is sacred. Sacred if we have to understand it in the spiritual sense means priceless. It’s our individual right that cannot be sold out to any candidate. We must give value to our right to vote during elections. This right is not for sale. Why should some voters sell their rights to vote because of quick bucks? Why should we sell our votes because of poverty? Is selling your votes for several hundred of pesos worth the price of our sacred right? I don’t think so.
Selling your votes for three days happiness and enjoyment is so cheap a bargain that cannot be reciprocated if we happen to elect candidates who lack integrity, dignity and capacity to serve the constituents. We should go for candidates whose agendas are doable, achievable and are beneficial for the upliftment of our people-rich and poor- and pro-poor candidates who have the hearts and the minds to improve the Filipinos’ lot.
Again selling our sacred right to elect would eventually lose it sacredness. The price you put in your gift/privilege to vote has become very cheap to the point that it violates the principal of humility and sincerity thus blurring your conscience. Reiterately, we must go for the deserving and capable candidates, who are supposed to serve our country to the best of their ability and capability.
Being poor or in the threshold of poverty is not enough reason to sell your votes. There are many poor Filipinos who earn little income for their respective families but did not sell their votes for a few hundred pesos. Although tempted due to poorness and lack of means they have resisted the urging temptation to sell their rights. Not selling our votes for any amount also means that we are providing a leveling playing field for all the candidates whether rich or poor but qualified candidates for the position they are aiming for. We are also indirectly contributing to the reduction of graft and corruption in our country. What is important is that the candidates to whom we have favored and entrusted our votes are those who are really sincere and have the tag of priority to serve best the people and where under their regime the rule of law prevails and peace and order reigns.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Do You Believe In Candidates’ Rating Survey Results?
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
The survey that we are about to talk here is not a survey on land done by the Geodetic Engineers. This is a survey on who among the presidential and Vice-presidential candidates are popular or well-known and have the higher or the highest edge. There are some people who believe in survey rating results. There are also many and I believe a great majority, who do not believe in survey results. Why? Because most of the surveys conducted were only done mostly in some areas in Metro Manila and few in Luzon if ever, and only also few in other places of the country.
There are plenty of places, cities, and provinces in the whole country that are not subjected to surveys.
.Besides, if a survey group is not independent and was only contacted by a certain candidate or candidates there’s the tendency that such survey results would be padded with favoritism. This is the reason why we should not allow ourselves to be influenced by survey results.
I myself do not believe in survey results. We should not base our voting to any candidate on survey results. This is not the proper way to do. What is important is that, are the candidates for the presidency having the necessary experiences and skills for the position they are aspiring for? We should also examine the agenda and programs of each candidate for President, Vice-President, Congressman, Governor and City Mayor. If there would be an open forum for the presidential candidates including their Vices and candidates for other lower positions whom we could ask questions it would be better.
On similar vein, Vice-presidential candidate Jamby Madrigal and presidential candidate Dick Gordon both do not also believe in survey results. Gordon divulged that during his senatorial candidacy he was too far behind in survey results. But when the day of the National Elections arrived, he was number 5 in the winning senatorial lineup garnering 13 millions votes.
In conducting the current surveys, Gordon asked who are the people conducting it and who paid them for their works? What particular places or areas they have gone to do their legworks? What are the names of those who did the surveys? And why the results of the surveys were not published? He stressed that the name of the firm or establishment that conducted the said surveys on candidates, the names of those who did the surveys, the name or names of candidates who paid them, and the publications of the results are necessary for the information of the electorate.
Some of the questions that need to be asked and be answered by the candidates themselves are the following: 1) If you are elected as President/Vice-President in the coming May 10, 2010 national election what will you do to eradicate graft and corruption in the government offices? 2) What will you do to improve our weakening education system so that students in the public schools including the state colleges can become competitive in the international level of learning? 3) What will you do to improve the services of our public hospitals where some if not most have inadequate supply of medicines particularly for the admitted poor patients? 4) There is a Cheaper Medicine Act of 2009 authored by Pia Cayetano,but it ‘s not conscientiously implemented. What will you do to reduce the prices of prohibitive medicines in the country? 5)What will you do so that the millions of poor Filipinos could have their own house and lot thru an affordably low monthly installment payment that they can own after 10 years regular payment? 6) What will you do to abolish political dynasty and private armies in the country? 7) What will you do to improve our agricultural output/production so that the Philippines can really attain its goal of food security so that the government will not be importing rice anymore?
Besides the aforesaid questions you can also ask some other questions you want to ask. It’s also important as well to really study and evaluate each candidate’s agenda and programs of government before we make a final list of candidates to whom we are going to entrust our votes this coming May 10 national elections. It’s also important to look at the candidates with good family background and good track record. Moral issues must also be included in choosing candidates for any position in the government they aspire for. Like is he a one-man,one-woman?Is he/she not a gambler? A drunkard? A womanizer? A woman with another man besides her man? Morality issue is not to be overlooked by the electorate because a President or Vice-President including Senators, Congressmen Governors and City Mayors are supposed to be good models for our youth.
Our National Hero Jose Mercado Rizal said that “the youth is the hope of the land”. Rizal’s pronouncement regarding the youth indicates that they need some older but dynamic and strong leaders to look up to as a paragon of example worthy of emulation. The youth shall take the place of older people of today when the time comes. So our youth really need good models as source of inspiration and strength to reach their aspirations so that they can rule our country with integrity and dignity.
Another thing which is much more equally important is to remember that our right of suffrage is sacred. Sacred if we have to understand it in the spiritual sense means priceless. It’s our individual right that cannot be sold out to any candidate. We must give value to our right to vote during elections. This right is not for sale. Why should some voters sell their rights to vote because of quick bucks? Why should we sell our votes because of poverty? Is selling your votes for several hundred of pesos worth the price of our sacred right? I don’t think so.
Selling your votes for three days happiness and enjoyment is so cheap a bargain that cannot be reciprocated if we happen to elect candidates who lack integrity, dignity and capacity to serve the constituents. We should go for candidates whose agendas are doable, achievable and are beneficial for the upliftment of our people-rich and poor- and pro-poor candidates who have the hearts and the minds to improve the Filipinos’ lot.
Again selling our sacred right to elect would eventually lose it sacredness. The price you put in your gift/privilege to vote has become very cheap to the point that it violates the principal of humility and sincerity thus blurring your conscience. Reiterately, we must go for the deserving and capable candidates, who are supposed to serve our country to the best of their ability and capability.
Being poor or in the threshold of poverty is not enough reason to sell your votes. There are many poor Filipinos who earn little income for their respective families but did not sell their votes for a few hundred pesos. Although tempted due to poorness and lack of means they have resisted the urging temptation to sell their rights. Not selling our votes for any amount also means that we are providing a leveling playing field for all the candidates whether rich or poor but qualified candidates for the position they are aiming for. We are also indirectly contributing to the reduction of graft and corruption in our country. What is important is that the candidates to whom we have favored and entrusted our votes are those who are really sincere and have the tag of priority to serve best the people and where under their regime the rule of law prevails and peace and order reigns.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Brontispa Infestation Now Affects 10 Southern Leyte Towns
April 13,2010
Brontispa Infestation Now Affects 10 Municipalities Of Southern Leyte
By Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Brontispa Longgissima or coconut leaflets infestation has now affected 10 municipalities of this province, as one of the 5 provinces infested with the pestering disease damaging around a total of 600,000 coconut trees in the whole region 8(Leyte and Samar).
This was the disclosure of PCA agriculturist Manuel Sembrano during the recent Sangguniang Panlalawigan session held at the Provincial Capitol here.However, he did not elaborate and chose not to mention the names of affected municipalities. According to Sembrano, only Biliran province not affected by the CLB as of the month of March of the current year.
He claimed that presently some coconut trees in 10 municipalities are now infested with the disease including some MaasinCity’s barangays.Like Lunas, Cansirong, Baugo, Pansaan (Lowe and Upper), Nonok Norte, Nonok Sur, San Agustin, Pinaskohan and Hinapo Gamay.
Marina Gador of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) told the august body that they have conducted actual survey and ocular inspection in the upper barangays of Maasin on the reported infestation of the coconut farms from 8 coco farmers in brgy.Lunas.
She said based on their findings the insect pests were feeding and damaged the unopened coco leaflets, ages from 3 to 5 years old. About 300 non-bearing and 5 bearing-trees were infested.
In her discussion with Lunas Barangay Chairman Teofilo Tenio the latter revealed that an NGO has distributed 5,000 seed nuts by a grant to coco farmers in their place as its dispersal program last May 2009.
Tenio informed Gador that when the seed nuts were already planted it dried up after several weeks, particularly the unopened leaflets. When they opened it they saw insects feeding on it.
OPAG has suspected that the germinated nuts as planting materials have been infected with brontispa longgissima when it was brought to Lunas.
Another barangays of Cansirong and Baugo that were also recipients of the NGO’s 5,000 coconut seedlings were likewise infested with the disease. The rest of the abovementioned barangays, it was learned, were also recipients of the same planting materials from the City Agriculture Office sometime in April 2009.
All of the coco seedlings distributed in Maasin’s barangays, Sembrano said, came from coco nurseries somewhere in Bato and Matalom, Leyte.
OPAG’s Gador further informed the SP members that her office was conducting information drive on CLB (coco leaflets brontispa) infestation at brgy.San Rafael. It was attended by 6 Barangay Chairmen and some coco farmers.
She said in that occasion they have distributed 100 pieces masks and 100 pieces gloves to ABC Chairman of Maasin City Danilio Dueñas.These are for the use of the farmers when needed during spraying of the pests.
However, the suspicion that the dreaded coco disease was brought by the coco seeds distributed by the Rural Development Institute funded by the Canadian organization, an NGO earlier mentioned, was not utterly accepted by the PCA agriculturist Sembrano.
According to Sembrano during the distribution of the coco seeds at the aforesaid barangays, he was with the company. “We did not see any pest”, he said. “The seedlings were normal at the time it was planted by the recipients. It was presumed that the infestation came out in the middle of December 2009 because during the month of January 2010 unopened leaflets of the coconuts were already infested”.
He said he reported their findings to the PCA central office. Mostly affected coconuts were the non-bearing trees that were newly-planted.Sembrano clarified that infested coconuts were from the NGO and that of the farmers themselves.
He said that in barangays Pinaskohan and San Agustin, PCA has sprayed the 100 infested coconuts with chemical right after it was discovered.
Asked by the body what kind of chemical that is appropriate for spraying the coconut disease, Sembrano said the Scientists and experts at the Philippine Coconut Authority will be the one to determine the kind of chemical to use and not just of any kind. “Because some chemicals if not properly use can harm the environment”, he stressed.
It Started In Bicol
SP Roberto Lagumbay, Chairman Committee on Health and Sanitation, informed that his friend in Hinunangan who was living in Bicol the previous years revealed to him that they found it difficult to eradicate the brontispa infestation in that place..
He implied there’s a great probability that the insect pests that now affecting 10 municipalities including Maasin’s 9 barangays has it source in Bicol. This hypothesis seems to have an indication of truism since the coconut trees grown at Allen Terminal in Northern Samar was the first in region 8 to be affected by the pestering coco disease sometime in June 2008, the PCA agriculturist intimated.
Allen Terminal is where the barge would dock to ferry passenger buses coming from Mindanao, Leyte and Samar towards Matnog Terminal in the Bicol region. The later terminal would also ferry bus passengers, cars and trucks from Manila and Bicol towards Allen that would be going here in region 8 and to Mindanao.
PCA agriculturist Sembrano earlier told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members that coco leaflets pests can be carried by any type of vehicle.Logically, since the infestation was first discovered in Bicol, there’s high percentage of belief that vehicles coming from the Bicol area, either cars, passenger buses or cargo freight trucks/vans have unknowingly transported the insect pests as it cruised from Matnog towards Allen From there, the insect pests infestation has spread to different provinces in Samar island destroying hundreds and thousands of coconut trees until it reached the province of Southern Leyte.
Sembrano divulged that there are now 600,000 coconut trees in the whole of region 8 infested by the insect pests.
Another presumption is that the coconut seeds distributed by an NGO sourced from the coco nurseries somewhere in Bato and Matalom, Leyte, allegedly have as its mother coconuts coming from the Bicol region.
Other information that could also cause the spread of the destructive pests is that passenger vehicles or other trucks from Bato or Matalom would in some occasions travel towards the upland barangays of Maasin, as what Sembrano has enunciated during the recent SP session.
SP Albert Esclamado, Chairman Committee on Tourism, and Lagumbay both considered the infestation as a “very serious matter” that would have an adverse effect to the livelihood of an estimated 80% constituents in this province who are relying on coconut products.
Besides the requested funds of P480, 000.00 by the Dept. of Agriculture and the PCA from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo, 11, emphasized that the Provincial Board is more than willing to support whatever action/measure would be taken by the two concerned government agencies to arrest the problem on brontispa infestation.
Recommendations For Infestation Control
1) To take immediate action and control measures on the affected barangays;
2) Massive information campaign in all barangays of Maasin City and all municipalities of Southern Leyte in coordination with the LGUs, DA line agencies, NGOs and thru the print and broadcast media;
3)To enact a resolution prohibiting the movement, transfer and carrying of plants/palms seedlings including fronds from infested to non-infested areas within Maasin City and all municipalities of the province;
4) To establish checkpoints with the assistance of AFP and PNP;
5) To strictly implement quarantine measures citing Bureau Of Plant Industry’s Special Order No. 03
Series of 2005;
6) To provide the requested funds in the earliest possible time for the materialization/realization of the abovementioned recommendations.
Obviously, the aforesaid recommendations are likewise applicable to other provinces in region 8 to control and to prevent the spread of the consumptive dreaded coconut pests.(Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.)
Brontispa Infestation Now Affects 10 Municipalities Of Southern Leyte
By Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Brontispa Longgissima or coconut leaflets infestation has now affected 10 municipalities of this province, as one of the 5 provinces infested with the pestering disease damaging around a total of 600,000 coconut trees in the whole region 8(Leyte and Samar).
This was the disclosure of PCA agriculturist Manuel Sembrano during the recent Sangguniang Panlalawigan session held at the Provincial Capitol here.However, he did not elaborate and chose not to mention the names of affected municipalities. According to Sembrano, only Biliran province not affected by the CLB as of the month of March of the current year.
He claimed that presently some coconut trees in 10 municipalities are now infested with the disease including some MaasinCity’s barangays.Like Lunas, Cansirong, Baugo, Pansaan (Lowe and Upper), Nonok Norte, Nonok Sur, San Agustin, Pinaskohan and Hinapo Gamay.
Marina Gador of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) told the august body that they have conducted actual survey and ocular inspection in the upper barangays of Maasin on the reported infestation of the coconut farms from 8 coco farmers in brgy.Lunas.
She said based on their findings the insect pests were feeding and damaged the unopened coco leaflets, ages from 3 to 5 years old. About 300 non-bearing and 5 bearing-trees were infested.
In her discussion with Lunas Barangay Chairman Teofilo Tenio the latter revealed that an NGO has distributed 5,000 seed nuts by a grant to coco farmers in their place as its dispersal program last May 2009.
Tenio informed Gador that when the seed nuts were already planted it dried up after several weeks, particularly the unopened leaflets. When they opened it they saw insects feeding on it.
OPAG has suspected that the germinated nuts as planting materials have been infected with brontispa longgissima when it was brought to Lunas.
Another barangays of Cansirong and Baugo that were also recipients of the NGO’s 5,000 coconut seedlings were likewise infested with the disease. The rest of the abovementioned barangays, it was learned, were also recipients of the same planting materials from the City Agriculture Office sometime in April 2009.
All of the coco seedlings distributed in Maasin’s barangays, Sembrano said, came from coco nurseries somewhere in Bato and Matalom, Leyte.
OPAG’s Gador further informed the SP members that her office was conducting information drive on CLB (coco leaflets brontispa) infestation at brgy.San Rafael. It was attended by 6 Barangay Chairmen and some coco farmers.
She said in that occasion they have distributed 100 pieces masks and 100 pieces gloves to ABC Chairman of Maasin City Danilio Dueñas.These are for the use of the farmers when needed during spraying of the pests.
However, the suspicion that the dreaded coco disease was brought by the coco seeds distributed by the Rural Development Institute funded by the Canadian organization, an NGO earlier mentioned, was not utterly accepted by the PCA agriculturist Sembrano.
According to Sembrano during the distribution of the coco seeds at the aforesaid barangays, he was with the company. “We did not see any pest”, he said. “The seedlings were normal at the time it was planted by the recipients. It was presumed that the infestation came out in the middle of December 2009 because during the month of January 2010 unopened leaflets of the coconuts were already infested”.
He said he reported their findings to the PCA central office. Mostly affected coconuts were the non-bearing trees that were newly-planted.Sembrano clarified that infested coconuts were from the NGO and that of the farmers themselves.
He said that in barangays Pinaskohan and San Agustin, PCA has sprayed the 100 infested coconuts with chemical right after it was discovered.
Asked by the body what kind of chemical that is appropriate for spraying the coconut disease, Sembrano said the Scientists and experts at the Philippine Coconut Authority will be the one to determine the kind of chemical to use and not just of any kind. “Because some chemicals if not properly use can harm the environment”, he stressed.
It Started In Bicol
SP Roberto Lagumbay, Chairman Committee on Health and Sanitation, informed that his friend in Hinunangan who was living in Bicol the previous years revealed to him that they found it difficult to eradicate the brontispa infestation in that place..
He implied there’s a great probability that the insect pests that now affecting 10 municipalities including Maasin’s 9 barangays has it source in Bicol. This hypothesis seems to have an indication of truism since the coconut trees grown at Allen Terminal in Northern Samar was the first in region 8 to be affected by the pestering coco disease sometime in June 2008, the PCA agriculturist intimated.
Allen Terminal is where the barge would dock to ferry passenger buses coming from Mindanao, Leyte and Samar towards Matnog Terminal in the Bicol region. The later terminal would also ferry bus passengers, cars and trucks from Manila and Bicol towards Allen that would be going here in region 8 and to Mindanao.
PCA agriculturist Sembrano earlier told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members that coco leaflets pests can be carried by any type of vehicle.Logically, since the infestation was first discovered in Bicol, there’s high percentage of belief that vehicles coming from the Bicol area, either cars, passenger buses or cargo freight trucks/vans have unknowingly transported the insect pests as it cruised from Matnog towards Allen From there, the insect pests infestation has spread to different provinces in Samar island destroying hundreds and thousands of coconut trees until it reached the province of Southern Leyte.
Sembrano divulged that there are now 600,000 coconut trees in the whole of region 8 infested by the insect pests.
Another presumption is that the coconut seeds distributed by an NGO sourced from the coco nurseries somewhere in Bato and Matalom, Leyte, allegedly have as its mother coconuts coming from the Bicol region.
Other information that could also cause the spread of the destructive pests is that passenger vehicles or other trucks from Bato or Matalom would in some occasions travel towards the upland barangays of Maasin, as what Sembrano has enunciated during the recent SP session.
SP Albert Esclamado, Chairman Committee on Tourism, and Lagumbay both considered the infestation as a “very serious matter” that would have an adverse effect to the livelihood of an estimated 80% constituents in this province who are relying on coconut products.
Besides the requested funds of P480, 000.00 by the Dept. of Agriculture and the PCA from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo, 11, emphasized that the Provincial Board is more than willing to support whatever action/measure would be taken by the two concerned government agencies to arrest the problem on brontispa infestation.
Recommendations For Infestation Control
1) To take immediate action and control measures on the affected barangays;
2) Massive information campaign in all barangays of Maasin City and all municipalities of Southern Leyte in coordination with the LGUs, DA line agencies, NGOs and thru the print and broadcast media;
3)To enact a resolution prohibiting the movement, transfer and carrying of plants/palms seedlings including fronds from infested to non-infested areas within Maasin City and all municipalities of the province;
4) To establish checkpoints with the assistance of AFP and PNP;
5) To strictly implement quarantine measures citing Bureau Of Plant Industry’s Special Order No. 03
Series of 2005;
6) To provide the requested funds in the earliest possible time for the materialization/realization of the abovementioned recommendations.
Obviously, the aforesaid recommendations are likewise applicable to other provinces in region 8 to control and to prevent the spread of the consumptive dreaded coconut pests.(Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.)
Serious Injuries Of Three Young Men Found In The Same Location
April 13,2010
Serious Injuries Of Three Young Men Found In The Same Location
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-How come that three motorcycle –riding young men in their 20s who have sustained serious injuries on their legs were found to have suffered from bone fractures in the same location?
No one can explain rightly how did it happen. But it really did happen and it’s a rare occurrence that can possibly be estimated to happen in just one in every 200 motorcycle accidents.
This happened on one recent Wednesday at about 4:00p.m. in brgy. Sap-ang in the municipality of Silago.
As the motorcycle driver negotiated on a descending road after a visit to his grand-aunt’s one-hectare farm, a black-colored dog suddenly crossed the street. Driving in high speed, the driver hit the dog that shrieked in great pain. And then all of them, the driver and his two-backriders, were automatically thrown away down the nearby canal.
The driver-victim was identified as Julito Nolasco Sermillas, 23 years old, single.He was a first year high school drop-out of the Comprehensive High School in Agusan Del Sur.He is a resident of a 9-year-old city of Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur.At the time of the accident he was temporarily residing together with his father in Anahawan town.
He said he came for a visit to his relatives in Silago which is the hometown of his father. His backriders-friends were identified as Ronel Lucero Makiling, 22 years old, single.He is also an elementary school drop-out in his place. He is a resident of brgy. Sap-ang.
The other one was identified as Arnel Lucero Makililng, 21 years old, single.He is also an elementary drop-out of the same place. The two of them are siblings. The three of them have only slight bruises in their bodies.
In an interview with LSDE the driver-victim narrated that they came from the more a hectare farm of his grand-aunt (Sherlita Dizon Sermillas, 69 years old) that was planted to coffee and acacia mangium trees. He said they were there for a visit. The location of the farm is one or more kilometer away from brgy. Sap-ang.
The younger Sermillas said that while he was negotiating the descending portion of the road in going back to the aforesaid barangay,a black-colored dog suddenly crossed the road. He said he did not slow down his speed but hit the dog.
He said the dog shrieked in great pain and they were thrown away down the canal adjacent to the road they were passing by.
The driver confessed that the three of them have lost consciousness and regained it only when they were already at the hospital.
He said he was informed that it was the folks in the neighborhood who brought them to the Anahawan District Hospital which is about 36 kilometers away from Silago.
He said Dr.Kahoy (he forgot the name of the doctor), their attending physician at the hospital, has conducted bone x-rays for their injuries on their left legs where the excruciating pain were mostly felt.
X-ray result showed that all of the victims have bone fractures above their knees.Sermillas intimated that before his injured left leg was wrapped with huge brown-colored bandage, a 5-kilo weight of stone was suspended over it to gradually pulled it to restore the normality of alignment of his damaged bone.
The interviewee also revealed that they’ve stayed at the Anahawan hospital for 10 days before they were finally brought at the provincial hospital here.
When asked why it took so long to transfer them here, he explained that his father and the parents of his two injured brothers were approaching Silago Mayor Manuel Labrador for assistance.
He said Mayor Labrador contacted Congressman Roger Mercado thru a cellphone call asking for his assistance that the three of them could be admitted at the provincial hospital for further treatment. Anahawan hospital, it was learned, lacks the necessary facilities and cannot perform bone operation.
Sermillas further confided that the hospital would provide them with free bone surgery. And that their respective parents are still looking where to lend the money to buy the stainless steel. This thing is needed as support base for their bone surgeries to be performed by a resident Orthopedic Surgeon Dr.Elpidio Sibud.
He divulged that the total cost of the stainless steel for the three of them is P75, 000.00.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
Serious Injuries Of Three Young Men Found In The Same Location
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-How come that three motorcycle –riding young men in their 20s who have sustained serious injuries on their legs were found to have suffered from bone fractures in the same location?
No one can explain rightly how did it happen. But it really did happen and it’s a rare occurrence that can possibly be estimated to happen in just one in every 200 motorcycle accidents.
This happened on one recent Wednesday at about 4:00p.m. in brgy. Sap-ang in the municipality of Silago.
As the motorcycle driver negotiated on a descending road after a visit to his grand-aunt’s one-hectare farm, a black-colored dog suddenly crossed the street. Driving in high speed, the driver hit the dog that shrieked in great pain. And then all of them, the driver and his two-backriders, were automatically thrown away down the nearby canal.
The driver-victim was identified as Julito Nolasco Sermillas, 23 years old, single.He was a first year high school drop-out of the Comprehensive High School in Agusan Del Sur.He is a resident of a 9-year-old city of Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur.At the time of the accident he was temporarily residing together with his father in Anahawan town.
He said he came for a visit to his relatives in Silago which is the hometown of his father. His backriders-friends were identified as Ronel Lucero Makiling, 22 years old, single.He is also an elementary school drop-out in his place. He is a resident of brgy. Sap-ang.
The other one was identified as Arnel Lucero Makililng, 21 years old, single.He is also an elementary drop-out of the same place. The two of them are siblings. The three of them have only slight bruises in their bodies.
In an interview with LSDE the driver-victim narrated that they came from the more a hectare farm of his grand-aunt (Sherlita Dizon Sermillas, 69 years old) that was planted to coffee and acacia mangium trees. He said they were there for a visit. The location of the farm is one or more kilometer away from brgy. Sap-ang.
The younger Sermillas said that while he was negotiating the descending portion of the road in going back to the aforesaid barangay,a black-colored dog suddenly crossed the road. He said he did not slow down his speed but hit the dog.
He said the dog shrieked in great pain and they were thrown away down the canal adjacent to the road they were passing by.
The driver confessed that the three of them have lost consciousness and regained it only when they were already at the hospital.
He said he was informed that it was the folks in the neighborhood who brought them to the Anahawan District Hospital which is about 36 kilometers away from Silago.
He said Dr.Kahoy (he forgot the name of the doctor), their attending physician at the hospital, has conducted bone x-rays for their injuries on their left legs where the excruciating pain were mostly felt.
X-ray result showed that all of the victims have bone fractures above their knees.Sermillas intimated that before his injured left leg was wrapped with huge brown-colored bandage, a 5-kilo weight of stone was suspended over it to gradually pulled it to restore the normality of alignment of his damaged bone.
The interviewee also revealed that they’ve stayed at the Anahawan hospital for 10 days before they were finally brought at the provincial hospital here.
When asked why it took so long to transfer them here, he explained that his father and the parents of his two injured brothers were approaching Silago Mayor Manuel Labrador for assistance.
He said Mayor Labrador contacted Congressman Roger Mercado thru a cellphone call asking for his assistance that the three of them could be admitted at the provincial hospital for further treatment. Anahawan hospital, it was learned, lacks the necessary facilities and cannot perform bone operation.
Sermillas further confided that the hospital would provide them with free bone surgery. And that their respective parents are still looking where to lend the money to buy the stainless steel. This thing is needed as support base for their bone surgeries to be performed by a resident Orthopedic Surgeon Dr.Elpidio Sibud.
He divulged that the total cost of the stainless steel for the three of them is P75, 000.00.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)
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