Friday, October 28, 2011

Punta Fish Sanctuary To Be Converted Into A Memorial MPA

Oct. 28,2011


Punta Fish Sanctuary To Be Converted Into A Memorial MPA
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Brgy. Punta,San Francisco,Panaon Island,So. Leyte-Dags Jelmar Navarrete of Coral Cay divulged during the recent Saturday that brgy. Punta Fish Sanctuary will be converted into a memorial Marine Protected Area(MPA) either on Dec. 19,2011 or Dec. 19,2012.

The aforesaid date was the time when brgy. Punta in San Francisco,Panaon Island was hit by a massive landslides at about 9:00 p.m.The mudslides caused by continual rains for several days sans forest trees on the mountains but coconut trees, which lack the holding power of absorbing volumes of rain-waters and soil,buried the houses and some were swept away to the open sea.

Although many have died in that catastrophe,there were also those who were missing,of whom some were considered dead.

A notice on a small board showed that the area which was declared as fish sanctuary in June 2009 under ordinance no.128-s-2009 has a total area of 5 hectares core area and 5 hectares buffer zone.

The fish sanctuary from the shoreline is located between 15 to 20 meters away with a deep of 15 meters or more inside its core area.

Navarrete said they have surveyed the place and found some remnants of the victims of the tragedy like roofs,windows,clothes,.umbrellas,doors,bones. While diving inside the newly-declared fish sanctuary they have spotted at a distance a seeming coral reefs.”But when we get closer to t he curious object”,he said,”we found it to be of humans ribs!”

The NGO representative further informed the area was qualified to be under the category of Marine Protected Area due to the presence of its coral reefs.

He implied that Punta fish sanctuary's eventual conversion into a memorial MPA in the near future is not a new thing. An oceanic are in Camiguin Province where the human cemetery can be clearly seen beneath the sea was also proclaimed as a memorial place. Its sinking was believed to have occurred several decades ago when Mt. Hibokhibok in Camiguin had erupted.

Navarrete also explained that by proclaiming Punta Fish Sanctuary as a memorial MPA,poachers and illegal fishers would give due respect and would avoid catching fish inside the sanctuary.

Fish Scarcity
Punta Barangay Captain Benny Deloso in an interview with the press told the group that fish in their area has become so scarce because of over fishing and the use of “buso”,a common method employed by illegal fishers allegedly from Surigao province.

At the start of reviving the stock of fishes in their barangay waters,he said,only few people at first have given their support.”Later on when the barangay folks understand our purpose”,he said,”more people have turned to show their full support. Some have even volunteered to guard the fish sanctuary”.

He disclosed that nobody has dared to catch fish inside the sanctuary for violators would heavily be fined.Nonetheless, fishermen were allowed to catch fish within the 5 hectares buffer zone.

Deloso revealed that after two years of the sanctuary's existence different kinds of fishes are now found inside it like parrot fishes, clown fishes, surgeons,sulid,andayaw,wapay, and other fishes.

Navarrete who was a RARE Conservation scholar at the Georgetown University in Washington,DC,USA having a master's degree in Development Communication admonished the fisher-folks in particular and the barrio people in general that they should take care of their fish sanctuary.”We will not be staying here permanently”,he stressed. “We would be gone soon”.

The Barangay Captain further confided t hat on that day of the Pride launching campaign a fisherman in their place was able to catch 60 kilos of different fish species.

Earlier,there was a parade participated in by some barangay officials,some volunteer folks and students,led by Navarrete and the10-member team of the LIVE(Legacy of Independent Volunteer for Environment) who assisted him in his endeavor,down to the location of the Fish Sanctuary.In the evening there was a concert organized by the local bands from Maasin City,which is about 125 to 130 kilometers away.

Later on the day election of officers and the organization of fisher-folks were likewise being conducted by Navarrete and his group of volunteers “so that in the future they(the fisher-folks) will also become stakeholders...”(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Summit On Climate Change Held At Silago

Oct.25,2011

Summit On Climate Change Held At Silago
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Brgy. Hingatungan,Silago,So. Leyte-Congressman Roger Mercado has initiated a summit on climate change held inside a church building here to less than 300 high school and college students representing the 7 parishes in the Pacific towns during the recent Saturday.
The aforesaid affair was in coordination between Congressman Mercado and the assigned Parish priest Hope Lambunao several days earlier.
Mercado said that climate change or global warming is a worldwide man-made phenomenon triggered by heavy pollution from carbon dioxide emitted by hundreds and thousands of vehicles and factories from various countries,particularly among the industrialized nations.
He explained that pollution from various pollutant elements converge in the earth's atmosphere would prevent the release of Earth's heat to the open space and bounce back. “The result would be too much heat”,he said.
The Congressman disclosed to the students that it was in the 1960s that man started to use too much of the natural resources. There were many cut-and burn farmings,to much cutting of forest trees,denudation of forests like that of Sierra Madre,Marikina Valley and other kind of environmental abuse are the root causes of climate change or global warming today.
He claimed that because of climate change we have experienced erratic weather condition like El Niño or El Niña, typhoons,flashfloods destroying houses and killing people,landslides,
earthquakes in varous places of the world.
The ice in the North and South poles are now gradually melting,he intimated, including icebergs in various cold places of the earth which add to the rise in sea levels.
Mercado further stressed that one of the effective ways to combat climate change is to plant forest and fruit trees in the denuded forests,to plant mangrove seedlings along coastal areas of the province. It is also important to take care of all the planted trees so that it will grow into full maturity.
He pointed out that forest and fruit trees would provide shades and shelters to the birds and man,hold soil to prevent erosion,trees also absorb volumes of rainwater as drinking water among mountain and lowland springs. It also provide us with fruits and trees release oxygen that humans need and can be used as construction materials.
“WE have now several laws on environmental protection and conservation”,he said.”There's now a total log ban in Southern Leyte”.
One of the places that cutting of logs or trees are strictly prohibited are the watershed areas of the province,in the mountain forests and in mountains with soft sandy-like soil which would easily be eroded comes heavy and continual rains.
The representative further underscored that there should be a regular schedule of tree planting activities in every municipalitiy/barangay to achieve the Aquino Administration’s target of 6B trees from 2011 up to 2016.”We will also be building nurseries in every municipality for seedling production”,he said.”We will not stop the tree planting activities that we have been doing”.
He also encouraged the people to plant trees and vegetables on their arable lands,vacant lots and idle lands..
Although there's a total log ban in the province,he admonished the planters,(those whose trees were planted in the lowland areas or considered as industrial planting) to register their trees at the DENR. He said the owners can cut their planted trees in the lowland areas after 12 or more years if they need money or construction materials to build houses.
Furthermore,he believed that his clean and green program he initiated , one of which is the tree planting activities has served as the contributory factor that change the direction of the destructive winds from typhoon ”Ramon”which was scheduled to hit Southern Leyte. Additionally,he estimated that thru the tree planting activities conducted in Maasin and in other parts of Southern Leyte for the past several years, it has already reached about a million trees being planted. This is thru the help also of other officials and employees from different government agencies and some private sectors that join in the efforts to help minimize the effect of climate change.
On that same afternoon after the lecture ,the students led by Congressman Mercado and Rev. Lambunao trekked towards the coastal area of brgy. Hingatungan where they planted some seedlings of mangrove trees. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Summit On c

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Abendan Is Southern Leyte's Lone LEE Passer For Police Inspector

Oct. 19,2011

Abendan Is Southern Leyte's Lone LEE Passer For Police Inspector
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City,Southern Leyte- PO2 Ronnie Estrada Abendan, 27 years old,son of former Army Officer Rudnie H. Abendan and Gleceria Estrada-Abendan of bgry. Ibarra, here,is Southern Leyte's lone Lateral Entry Exam passer for Police Inspector out of 5 takers police officers from this province and is No. 6 in overall 20 passers here in Region 8(Leyte and Samar).
This was the disclosure of the elder Abendan in an interview with this news writer/news blogger at his working place during his duty.
Of a total 101 takers police officers,14 were PO2s, 5 SPO1s and only 1 SPO2 whose Lateral Entry examination was held on July 26,2011 at PNP regional Police office-7 in Jones Avenue,Cebu City.
The 5 LEE takers comprised 3 from Maasin City and 2 in Panaon-Pacific areas. Abendan’s No. 6 position as passing taker has an average rating of 77.95% and with an average rank seniority experience of 11.50% as records show. He has 5 years length of service.
The senior Abendan informed that before any police officer who wants to take the Lateral Entry exam,an applicant should be a criminology graduate and a board passer. Length of service is at least 4 years with a rank of PO2.
He claimed that his first-born son was an academic scholar at the Saint Joseph College during his college days taking up a course in criminology. In 2005 to 2006,right after his graduation at his Alma Mater,he underwent a 6 months police training in Tacloban City where he's Top 1 in his batch.
From July 2010 up to December 2010,the younger Abendan has again took a training in criminal investigation .In this particular endeavor, his father said,he also grabbed the Top 1 status among his colleagues in the profession.
Because of his good track records,Police Superintendent Pepito M. Pacada assigned him at the Provincial Police Office's investigation section located at Camp Alfredo Bantug in brgy. Canturing,this city.
The elder Abendan further revealed that after the 20 Lateral Entry Exam passers took their oath of office this coming Oct.24,2011 at the PNP-R8 Headquarters in Palo,Leyte, they shall be going to Bacolod City for another 6 months training in line with their individual promotion as Police Inspectors to be assigned in different areas in Leyte and Samar.
He elucidated that Bacolod was chosen by the PNP hierarchy as the place where other LEE passers from various places and regions in the Visayas area would converge for the above-mentioned overall 6 months training.
The names of the 20 LEE passers with their respective average ratings were the following police officers: 1) PO2 Lope I. Cebreros,111-ORLS-79.51%; 2) SPO1 Ronald A. Puso-ORIDMD-78.92%; 3) PO2 Reynaldo L. Rollo-SPPO-78.62%; 4) PO2 Sherylle T. Sumalbag-ORD-78.45%; 5) SPO1 Romulo Ritz M. Renomeron-LPPO-78.31%;
6)PO2 Ronnie E. Abendan-SLPPO-77.95%; 7) PO2 Analiza C. Catilogo-ORPHRDD-76.91%; 8)PO2 Jim D. Balase-NSPPO-76.79%; 9)SPO2 Lloyd B.Lagrimas-NSPPO-76.43%; 10)SPO1Kerwin S. Sevillano-LPPO-76.36%;
11)SPO1 Arturo A. Salvacion,Jr.-ORID-75.57%; 12)SPO1 Neil Fernando M. Cerdena-LPPO-74.91%; 13)PO2 Rommel D. Quinio-SPPO-73.86%; 14)PO2 Alexander B.Joaquin-TCPO-73.83%; 15)PO2 Kim Wendell P. Montilla-ORIO-73.13%;
16)PO2 M ichael M. Duran-TCPO-72.33%; 17)PO2 Chamberline B. Ludevise-OCPO-72.08%; 18)PO2 Darwin D. Dalde-LPPO-71.83%; 19)PO2 Joselito T. Tabada-LPPO-71.23%; 20)PO2 Dennis N. Gatela-LPPO-70.28%.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)


Kinamot Sa Abgao Restaurant.Tel. no. (053)381-3878.
Villa Romana Hotel.13 airconditioned rooms with TV sets,etc.
Tel no.(053)381-0639.Tomas Oppus St.,brgy. Abgao, Maasin City.

New Supercha Foodhauz 2 & Function Hall
Tel. no.(053)381-0929
Open Daily From Monday To Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 10:00p.m.
EXCEPT Sunday: 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.

N.B.The eleven years old city of Maasin has no skin specialist yet until now. Only those w ho have the means can go to Cebu City for their skin problems. But those with little income cannot afford to go to Cebu for consultations. We hope that a skin specialist/dermatologist from nearby cities will be interested to put up a clinic here to serve those who have skin problems.

Monday, October 10, 2011

DYAS-Viper FM 106.1 Is Now Back On Air

Oct.10,2011


DYAS-Viper FM 106.1 Is Now Back On Air
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Brgy. Ichon,Macrohon,So.Leyte-DYAS-Viper FM 106.1 whose powerhouse and transmitter were damaged by a powerful lightning strike during the first week of June 2010 is now back on air after a tedious pace of repairing, ordering and installing of some parts/equipments of the first Southern Leyte’s hit music station.

The unexpected destruction took a great financial toll for its owner since the FM station’s first new transmitter that was damaged cost about one million,aside from the new replacement which also cost more that one million pesos as revealed by the Station Manager Chito Saludo in an interview here.

“Aside from the new one”,Saludo said “we will be installing a backup transmitter in case of emergency. But for now,if the weather is bad and rains would be pouring we will switch off to protect the radio station”.

The Station Manager said that according to Joy Amora,former GMATV technician, GMA's transmitter despite its sophisticated equipments/gadgets was not spare from being hit by lightning strikes in some occasions. The only thing that differs GMATV from an AM or FM radio is that it has some backup transmitter units which could be used right away whenever the popular network’s transmitter would be struck by lightning.”In any part of the world,when nature strikes like a lightning”,he informed “no one can prevent it or control its powerful force from striking against any object.”

Amora informed that instead of connecting long wires from the station up to the transmitter installed atop a nearby hill Viper FM’s management has decided to make the connection wireless by using the so-called Station Transmitter Link(STL)installed right at the rooftop of the radio station.

During the earlier construction of the music station long wires were connected from the main station up to the 135 feet height tower with antennae and lightning arrester attached to its tip. The place was overlooking the Saludo Ice Plant compound where Viper FM is currently located.

Saludo also said they have maintained Viper FM’s licensed power capacity of 5,000 kilowatt.However,since the music station has just started its operation, as of now only 2,000 kilowatt power was released on the air.

He stressed that the radio station’s tower location atop a nearby hill has its advantage compared to a radio’s transmitter and tower which were constructed on the ground level.”Height is might”,he said. ‘With the power that we have released it can reach farther to distant places than another AM or FM whose transmitter and tower were only placed on the ground level”.

He divulged that he received numerous text messages coming from the listeners of Bohol, Surigao,municipalities of Matalom,Bato,Hilongos,Hindang,and Inopacan in the northern part of Leyte province.Viper FM’s signal can also reach Limasawa Island, Malitbog,Libagon,Liloan,Pintuyan in Panaon Island,St. Bernard,part of Misamis Oriental. It can also possibly be heard clearly in Camiguin Island.The island province is facing Macrohon and Maasin which can be reached by ordinary passenger ship for an estimated 4 hours.But less than 4 hours by a high-powered engine motorboat, it was learned.

However, radio listeners from far away places are advise to raise their radio's antennae to the fullest for clearer reception of radio signal.


The Radio Station Manager further said that they are still installing some equipment to enhance its “on the air” operation and would gradually increased its release of kilowatt power as the operation progresses.


Amora also said that pyrite chokes were installed in some sensitive wire connections including one at the main switch of the music station. Nevertheless, pyrite chokes installations are not 100% sure protection against a lightning strike when it would hit either an AM or FM radio. “It can only contain a lesser force of an electrical discharge from a lightning strike if a transmitter was erected on the ground level”,he explained.”

But when an AM's or FM's transmitter is placed atop an open high hill like the Viper FM’s ,a lightning strike would be so powerful which might hit its powerhouse or any wire connections. He continued to explain that pyrite chokes installations would become ineffective to prevent or block the destructive speed of electrical discharge released by a lightning. Likewise,the same is true with the lightning arrester that was installed at the tip of the radio tower.”

Furthermore,Viper FM’s technician confided that there’s also a plan to make Southern Leyte’s first hit music station to be heard in the internet via live streaming. The radio listeners who listen to music can also view live a disc jockey on board,he disclosed.

He claimed he has already started installing some apps and gadgets necessary for the plan’s realization that might become functional about a month from now.
As of the moment, Viper FM would sign on at 5:00 a.m. and sign off 9:00p.m. Later on as the operation progresses and its listeners would increased in numbers,the sign off would be moved to ten,then eleven or twelve midnight.

We also hope that Viper FM management would include playing the songs of yesteryears popular bands,duets and soloists who were contemporary with the Beatles and Matt Monroe in a round-robin fashion like the Hollies, Beach Boys,Herman's Hermits,Dave Clark Five,The Searchers,Gerry and the Peacemakers,Gary Lewis and the Playboys,Freddie and the Dreamers,The Animals,The Monkees,TheTurtles, Fabulous Echoes,Bee Gees,The Gallery, Celia Black,Dusty Springfield,Brenda Lee,Timi Yuro,Connie Francis,lulu,Patsy Cline,Jerry Vale,Del Shannon,Perry Como,Freddie Fender,Niel Sedaka,Paul Anka,Bobby Vinton,Elvis Presley,Cliff Richard,English songs of Pelita Corrales and Nora Aunor,Louie Levant,Merci Molina,Bobby Gonzales,Eddie Peregrina,Anita Bryant,Pauline Sevilla,Everly Brothers,among others.Some of these bands and soloists can be seen in the internet thru their websites.Their songs can suitably be played side by side with the new songs and current hits throughout the week and on weekends for pleasure and entertainment.

I would further strongly encouraged that music lovers listening in various places where Viper FM’s signal has reached to include and consider Southern Leyte’s new music station on their list because it also caters to different kinds of songs that covers English,Tagalog and Cebuano/Visayan songs.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
Oct. 10,2011


Segovia Celebrates His 60th Birthday With Love Songs
by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City,Southern Leyte-City Tourism Officer Royen Kangleon Segovia,Sr. has celebrated his 60th birthday during the recent Saturday at Ampil Function Hall with love songs and surprises.

Invited attendees were mostly his brothers and their respective families,close relatives,friends and some guests.

The EMCEE of the program was his own niece, a registered nurse who works at the provincial hospital. The celebrant's daughter Katherine,now married,rendered a duet love song together with her uncle who works at the COMELEC office. Another pair, the celebrant's niece and nephew, also rendered a duet song .A dance number followed presented by his three grand-daughters. Still another an 80-year-old relative of his from brgy. Maslog,Tomas Oppus who rendered yesterday's popular song “Your Are Always In My Heart”.

The EMCEE also called Katherine,her first cousin, to say something about her father. She revealed to the audience that his celebrant father is thoughtful.”He always bring something for us whenever he comes back from his travel”,she said.”But he is a strict disciplinarian..”

A long slide presentation of the celebrant's pictorial essay has followed. It portrayed his early life as young and handsome guy who participated in several amateur singing contests in various places of which he had won,receiving trophies and cash prizes. Until he reached the stage of finding a beautiful woman whom he married later and begot 5 children.
.
The slide presentation taken from the past and old,new and recent pictures of the celebrant were video-taped to make it “uploadable” in the computer for proper arrangements,editing and enhancing with insertion of musical background from the Beatles' “In My Life” covered by another female singer.

At the end of the presentation Segovia expressed his thankfulness to such a beautiful recollection of his past and present life with his family and as a city government’s Tourism Officer.”I'm surprise. They did not tell me about this”,he said.

Nonetheless, he has a high percentage of “suspicion” and “perception” that the wonderful pictorial essay was made possible by the collaborative efforts of his own children,some kin,an in-law and his staff at the City Tourism Office.”I'm overwhelmed. I now know that many people have loved me”,he intimated.

Segovia was also thankful for having such beautiful and handsome children and the things he has in life. He was likewise grateful to God that he has reached at this new lease of his life,even though he confessed that at the beginning he did not expect to reach such the longevity of age.”I could not ask for more”,he said.

After his speech he requested all the attendees not to leave but to stay longer to continue rendering songs for such a rare occasional affair. He’s also hopeful that all have enjoyed the foods and drinks and urged them to dance to their hearts' content.

However,some guests who might not have the mood to sing some songs or dance, or that having another things to do at home have preferred to go. Majority of those who decided to remain were Segovia's keith and kin,some friends and his staff. This news writer/news blogger also existed a few minutes later.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

There's Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344

Oct.10,2011

There’s Now The Compelling Need To Amend ASAP RA9344

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- There is now the compelling need to amend as soon as possible RA9344 or the Juvenile Welfare Act. This law on the so-called “minors”, exempts them of criminal liabilities if they would commit criminal acts.
However, based on what were happening during the past years, many “minors” who committed crimes for whatever were the reasons were freed from criminal liabilities by not incarcerating
or punishing them. This is a strange way of considering to forgive what criminals have had committed against their fellowmen, and some crimes being committed have even involved close relatives.

The freeing of “minor” criminals sans punishments is an act of instilling tolerance to misdeed or wrongdoings which ought to be countered with arrest and jailing of the violators, not exemption. Exempting the minors who committed crimes from criminal liabilities is incurring injustice to the victims and their respective families who have been graving for the lost of their loved ones.

The illogical and intolerable consideration granted by the law on favoring the so-called “minor” criminals would only teach them to become abusive and spoiled brats,which,if RA 9344 would not be amended now the injustice suffered by the victims of crimes would then reach the uncontrollable stage that may become hard to contain by the law enforcers themselves.

If our legislators are really sincere in amending the above-mentioned law which would truly classify who are those considered as minors, in a real sense, then I would like to suggest that we start at 9 years old and below for both boys and girls. Matter-of-factly,my aforesaid suggestion of age bracket as classification for minors has coincided with what Congress has planned/proposed as reported by a Cebu-based daily.

Nevertheless,in case a 9 years old would commit a crime,he/she should be subjected to sessional rehabilitation. A psychologist or social worker who has sufficient knowledge/background on therapeutic counseling should inculcate on the concerned minor/s the importance of acquiring the virtues of patience,sacrifice,industry,determination,perseverance,endurance,hope and courage. It is likewise imperative to instill in them good christian values,good manners and right conduct,and to teach them what is right and what is wrong.


Our lawmakers should not dilly-dally in amending the Juvenile Welfare Act so that crimes committed by the so-called “minors” would not remain unabated. Enough is enough in allowing 17 years old or below guys or gals to be exempted from criminal liabilities and remain unpunished. The unjustifiable exemption is prejudicial to fair play among the victims of crimes wherein due process of law was scrapped.

The17 years olds, 16 years olds, fifteen down to twelve and ten years olds can already understand what they were doing, whether it is right or wrong. Much more if the parents of these aforesaid ages have inculcated Christian values as part of the families’ disciplines.

Hence,whenever a 17 years old and below would commit a crime for whatever reason against his/her fellowmen or against his/her own relative,he/she did it willfully as negative violent reaction towards another party. Either the crime was committed to defend himself/herself or to protect his/her life; or that she/he did it because of personal grudge, heated argument,unmet demand or quarrel. The causes might be made clear during hearings at the court where the suspects and the victims would be facing each other.

So there would be no reason at all to not amend RA9344.Discipline always involves punishment to regulate and curb bad behaviors and to make the young and adults behave with modesty and prudence coupled with the parental inculcation of Good Manners and Right Conduct to their children to make them good citizens of the country.{QMG,JR.)

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