Monday, May 14, 2012

Saddle Road To Be Replaced With P50M Diversion Road

May 14,2012 “Saddle” Road To Be Replaced With P50M Diversion Road By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The “saddle” road of which its improvement was discussed at the Agas-Agas building in a presscon with DPWH officials during the recent media tour of the latter’s projects, would no longer push through as planned. Instead, thru the NGO’s petitions addressed to the new DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson in Manila, the dangerous road in going to San Ricardo, Panaon Island, shall be replaced with the construction of a P50M worth 2-kiometer diversion road in going to brgy.Benit in San Ricardo town. This was the revelation of SL District Engineer Carlos Veloso during a presscon with Congressman Roger Mercado (held at the Villa Romana Hotel((tel no.(053)381-0639)in answer to Pinn Baybay’s inquiry regarding the sad condition of the dangerous “saddle road” that needs immediate attention by the concerned office. Ping Baybay is the editor/publisher of the Southern Leyte Balita. Benit where another roro port was constructed and inaugurated(aside from that of Liloan roro port) by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in April 2010,has also provides sea service to travelers in going to Mindanao via Surigao City in less than an hour, according to a reliable source. “Saddle” road is a narrow road curved along the steep cliff in going to San Ricardo town, which is the only way to reach the place. It was claimed by some knowledgeable people of the place that several accidents have occurred during the past years. On the other hand, Engr.Veloso informed Congressman Mercado and the media that all the ongoing constructions of three bridges in Combado, Abgao and San Roque, Macrohon are expected to be finished on June 30, 2012. He said he received instructions from Secretary Singson that the 3 projects must be completed on such date when all kinds of vehicles could already pass through it. He said he told the contractors about the Secretary’s order and assured him to comply with Singson’s desire. With the upcoming construction of the diversion road, after the winning bidder/contractor would sign the contract, it is hopefully expected that the project would start as soon as possible. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

2nd Eastern Visayas Business Conference Held At Kuting Reef

May 12,2012 Kuting Reef, Macrohon.Southern Leyte-A second Eastern Visayas business conference among twelve chamber industries here in region 8(Leyte and Samar) was held at the picturesque enclave of Kuting Reef(tel. no.(053) 572-1023; mobile phone 0930-311-4106) with a theme “One Region…One Team: Economic Development Thru Public-Private Sector Initiative” The first one was held at Tacloban’s Leyte Park. The 12 chamber industries that have attended the affair were: 1)Southern Leyte Chamber and Commerce and Industry,Inc.led by its President Engr. Robert Castañares-the host; 2)Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Robert Tiu; 3)Isabel Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Engr. Serlito Purisima; 4)Guian Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Dr. Alfred Perez; 5)Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Joel Brazil; 6)Palompon Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Warblitz Martinez; 7)Borongan Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Oscar Ty; 8)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Dr. Dominador Cabanganan; 9)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Ms. Elena Uy; 10)Calbayog Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nicolas Chan; 11)Catarman Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Sixto Espina,Jr.; 12)Baybay Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nestor Sy,Jr. Business discussions on various topics related to business opportunities among the officials-members of chamber industries were brought out during the two-day activities. Each chamber was also given enough time to present their respective investment opportunities as businessmen gathered inside the conference room for long hours. Engr. Robert Castañares presented first the Southern Leyte economic development framework. In his presentation he divulged that after surveying the municipalities in the province he found out that great numbers of workers were employed by the government offices with small percentage working in private offices or businesses. He also found out that LGUs were IRA-dependent and that most businesses were classified as small enterprises. There’s also supply of rice but not enough to provide employment for workers or laborers. During the past several decades abaca was the province’s dollar earner, he informed the audience. However, with the infestation of the unstoppable bunchy top diseases affecting all abaca plantations in the entire province, abaca was diminished to an insignificant few. What remains was the coconut to be the dominant crop, he said. He said that with the private-public partnership scheme, farmers and planters in the entire province, together with the assistance of the SLCCII, businesses should focus on the mass plantation and mass production of coconut in order that it could employ workers in the fields. Another kind of business that the province should do to improve its economic condition is the tapping of its potential tourist spots in various municipalities. Dr. Guindolino Gerona of VISCA (now VSU) in his “greening economy” strongly urged farmers/planters and the attending businessmen in the six provinces to start mass production and plantation of coco seedlings in different municipalities’ farms/lots. He said there’s also the need to increase rice plantations as one of its highly dependent crops as staple food. Gerona said that 8,000 hectares of rice fields and 50,000 hectares of coconut farms need to be rehabilitated. He claimed that some coconuts planted in 5,000 hectares need to be replaced with new plant seeds as it already reached its senility stage, bearing no fruits. Moreover, Gerona further admonished farmers and businessmen to implement intercropping under coconut plantations in different areas of Southern Leyte and in other part of region 8.One of the crops suitable for intercropping, he said, is coffee preferably the Robusta variety, including bananas and some vegetables and fruit trees. “This method of intercropping can increase production as well as income for the farmers and planters”, he said. He stressed that planting more coconut trees and practicing intercropping method to increase production of goods is like “hitting 2 birds in one stone”. Since planting of additional fruit trees and coconuts thru intercropping can also help mitigate the greenhouse effect or climate change. Meanwhile,Egnr. Castañares further informed the audience that already developed in 3 hectares of lot inside the former Danao rehabilitation project now known as City Forest Park is the Maasin Zoo in Malapoc Norte which was open to the public during the second day of the business conferrence.It is located 15 kilometers away from the proper city. Another spot to be developed is the canopy walk in Silago with cascading waterfalls not far from the rainforest. Limasawa has also been included in the plan for tourism development in the near future according to Castañares like construction of starbuck coffee shop and other amenities that provide attraction to both local and foreign tourists. Earlier, Governor Damian G.Mercado delivered his keynote speech, while Roy Fiel, Governor of PCCI gave his opening statement. Other speakers were Governor Damian G. Governor Damian G.Mercado Roy Fiel-Governor,PCCI Bonifacio Uy of NEDA,Raul Repolda of DA-Ormoc office, Cynthia Nierras of DTI- regional office,Alejandro Bautista of DENR-CENRO-San Juan, PCA Regional Manager Edilberto Nierva,DOT Regional Director Karen Tiopes, Engr.Edgardo Esperancilla of DOST regional office, Robert Go owner of Prince Warehouse Club. Also present, among others were, Michael Nuñez of DTI-Maasin and his staff, GIZ representatives, City Councilor Nestor Sy, Engr.Arthur Marte, other unidentified local businessmen, Tacloban and the Maasin media.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

To Be A Journalist Is Only A Privilege-Arnaiz

May 12,2012 To Be A Journalist Is Only A Privilege-Arnaiz By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Not all people are journalists or writers. Only few individuals were chosen for such kind of calling. Thus to be a journalist is only a privilege. This was the explanatory statement uttered by PDI correspondent Jani Carbonilla Arnaiz who was unanimously elected as President of the recent newly-organized NUJP (National Union of the Journalists Of The Philippines) Southern Leyte Chapter. The organizational meeting was held at one of well-known establishments here in this small city located along the coastal area facing the Canigao Channel and the Sogod Bay where cool breeze is blowing from the open seas. The formation of the new NUJP chapter here in this province was initiated by the random visit of its incumbent Secretary General Rowena C. Paraan. During the initial past meeting held at Kinamot Sa Abgao Restaurant only two media private practitioners and two government media workers were present. Other practicing print and broadcast journalists were not able to attend for some reasons. Being a journalist for an overall 21 years as erstwhile correspondent to several newspapers in Maasin, Cebu and Tacloban in separate occasions, this is the very first time that the NUJP hierarchy was able to think and to consider membership from far-flung province like Southern Leyte. Furthermore, journalists contributing news and feature articles to the provincial newspapers in some parts of the country are commonly underpaid. Despite of this undeniable truth, they have sticked to their “vocation”, aside from being professionals most of them. The only consolation of their thankless job, as emphatically stated by Jani C. Arnaiz, is that “they are rubbing elbows with the rich and the famous”. On the other hand, their provincial counterparts who were fortunate enough to be accepted as correspondents to Manila-based broadsheets were receiving much more in terms of financial compensations. They have also the perks of attending free training/seminars/workshops sponsored by their respective outlets with free lunch and accommodations. Plus reimbursable traveling expenses in going to the place of venue and back home. The newly-elected NUJP Chapter President together with the group is also planning to conduct training/seminar among editors of high school and college campus papers in the province. When the plan reaches its realization, some resource speakers shall be coming from the NUJP-Manila main office. Meanwhile, there shall be a seminar on journalism trauma scheduled to be held either in Maasin or Tacloban tentatively on July 7, 2012.Arnaiz still has to contact NUJP-Manila office to discuss about which venue is to be preferred by the Secretary General, after he would present a site that he finds here suitable and conducive for such kind of seminar. Other elected officials and members were: 1)Dindo Alaras of DYSL-Sogod-Vice-President; 2)Jade Nombrado of DYDM-Treasurer; 3)Angelina Book of the Southern Leyte Times-Secretary; 4)Erna Sy-Gorne of PIA-Associate member; 5)Marcelo “Bong” Pedalino of PIA-Associate member;6) Freelance Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.- member; 7)Ramon Boyser of DYDM-member; 8)Nicolas Lanugon of DYDM-member; 9)Frank Bandibas of DYDM-member. According to Alaras, unidentified lady working at DYSL-Sogod has also expressed her earnest intention to join NUJP. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

May 10,2012 “Saddle” Road To Be Replaced With P50M Diversion Road By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The “saddle” road of which its improvement was discussed at the Agas-Agas building in a presscon with DPWH officials during the recent media tour of the latter’s projects, would no longer push through as planned. Instead, thru the NGO’s petitions addressed to the new DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson in Manila, the dangerous road in going to San Ricardo, Panaon Island, shall be replaced with the construction of a P50M worth 2-kiometer diversion road in going to brgy.Benit in San Ricardo town. This was the revelation of SL District Engineer Carlos Veloso during a presscon with Congressman Roger Mercado (held at the Villa Romana Hotel((tel no.(053)381-0639)in answer to Pinn Baybay’s inquiry regarding the sad condition of the dangerous “saddle road” that needs immediate attention by the concerned office. Ping Baybay is the editor/publisher of the Southern Leyte Balita. Benit where another roro port was constructed and inaugurated(aside from that of Liloan roro port) by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in April 2010,has also provides sea service to travelers in going to Mindanao via Surigao City in less than an hour, according to a reliable source. “Saddle” road is a narrow road curved along the steep cliff in going to San Ricardo town, which is the only way to reach the place. It was claimed by some knowledgeable people of the place that several accidents have occurred during the past years. On the other hand, Engr.Veloso informed Congressman Mercado and the media that all the ongoing constructions of three bridges in Combado, Abgao and San Roque, Macrohon are expected to be finished on June 30, 2012. He said he received instructions from Secretary Singson that the 3 projects must be completed on such date when all kinds of vehicles could already pass through it. He said he told the contractors about the Secretary’s order and assured him to comply with Singson’s desire. With the upcoming construction of the diversion road, after the winning bidder/contractor would sign the contract, it is hopefully expected that the project would start as soon as possible. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
May 10,2012 Resolution Needed For The Release Of Funds For Maasin Airport, Guadalupe Port By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Willy Justimbaste suggested to Congressman Roger Mercado that concerned group .should ask the Sangguniang Panglunsod to pass a resolution requesting the new head of the Dept. of Transportation and Communication(DOTC) Mar Rojas to hasten the release of funds for the Maasin airport otherwise known as the Panan-awan airport and Guadalupe port. The suggestion raised a positive response from PIA’s Marcelo “Bong” Pedalino during the recent presscon,saying that his office will talk or send letter to the new DOTC Secretary for such purpose so that the aforesaid project could start. Earlier, Mercado disclosed that the funds for the Guadalupe port worth P40M were already releasesd, but it was not implemented by the Philippine Port Authority office. The same was true for the airport funds of P45M released in April 2011. However, like the G-port, this was not also implemented, perhaps due to the sudden change of command Mercado implied. The Representative of the lone district of Southern Leyte informed that the amount of P45M was for the construction of additional 800 meters to make the Maasin airport’s existing 1.2 Kilometers runway into 2 kilometers. “A 2-kilometer runway is the standard length required for PAL’s airbus 320 for its safe landing in Maasin”, he said. He claimed that when the Maasin airport will become operational next year, and has a regular Manila-Maasin flight, local and foreign tourists will be coming to Southern Leyte as another tourist destination. In like manner, when the Guadalupe port would be constructed soon and completed and become operational, ship owners in Hilongos, Leyte shall be docking at Guadalupe port to service sea travelers. According to a skipper who has experienced working overseas, Guadalupe to Cebu City port has shorter travel time of less than an hour, compared to ships in Hilongos or Bato that are bound for Cebu City. He added that ship owner Gabisan is interested to send his vessel to Guadalupe when the port project there would be realized. On the other hand, Mercado is strongly encouraging the city dwellers to attend the weekly Sangguniang Panglunsod session at city hall or the barangay folks whenever the SP weekly session is scheduled to be held in their respective districts. He stressed that as the inhabitants, it is very important that the concerned citizens in the city and in the barangays should know about some existing ordinances and the newly-enacted ordinances that are going to be implemented. Moreover, the Philippines Information Agency has formulated resolution no. 001-s.-2012 reflecting on the discussions to request the new DOTC Secretary for the quick release of funds for the 2 aforesaid projects. Copies were distributed to the Maasin media practitioners for their perusal and comments. Nevertheless, the PIA office did not receive any comment since all the newsmen unanimously approved it. The resolution will be send to Mar Roxas at the soonest possible time.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
May 10,2012 Coconut Market Perspective Abroad Is High-Nierva By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Kuting Reef, Macrohon, So, Leyte-The coconut market perspective abroad is high. This was the disclosure of Philippine Coconut Authority(PCA) regional manager Edilberto Nierva in reaction to Prof.Guindolino Gerona’s discussion concerning the so-called “greening economy” where the latter presented detailed investment opportunities on how coconut could be mass produced in every province of region 8(Leyte and Samar)where coconut is one of the dominant crops. With optimism in the prospect of coconut replanting and propagations by hundreds of hectarages, salt fertilization program of the Philippines Coconut Authority would increase yields of nuts to 173M a year. Nierva claimed the figure would double in three years time. He said that 19,000 hectares planted to coconut was scheduled for salt fertilization which would greatly help boost production. The PCA regional manager disclosed that there’s also an P8M funds for participatory coco planting program where coco farmers would be paid P1 per seed planted in their own farms. “This means that for one thousand coco seeds planted, a farmer would earn P1, 000.00.”, he said. To do this, he said, establishing of nurseries in different LGUs in region 8 would be done where only selected seedlings would be planted. A delegate from Samar reacted to Nierva’s presentation regarding the bright future of the coconut industry by suggesting that cutting of coco trees for lumber should be banned. Nierva told the unidentified delegate that coconut cutting is not being banned but regulated, implying that senile coco should be the priority for cutting for lumber materials and not the fruit-bearing coco. He divulged that to date there are 7M senile coco trees in the region that need to be cut and replace it with new seedlings. Senile coco trees refer to old coconuts that have stopped bearing fruits. Nierva also claimed that the coco industry is very bright despite of the brontispa infestation affecting some areas. He likewise asked the farmers and concerned group to give their full support for its development. He further encouraged all the coco farmers and lot owners who planted coco trees to practice the intercropping method under coco plantations to increase production and income. Plants that are suitable for intercropping are coffee preferably the Robusta variety, bananas, rootcrops and some vegetables and fruits. He added that a Korean investor has expressed his interest to build production of biomass from the coco debris here in this region. Another investor is likewise planning to construct an ultra-high technology temperature coco water processing plant. Some coconut products are coco meat, milk, coco water, coco juice, coco candy, shells, and husk. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
May 10,2012 2nd Eastern Visayas Business Conference Among Chamber Industries In Region 8 Held At Kuting Reef By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Kuting Reef, Macrohon.Southern Leyte-A second Eastern Visayas business conference among twelve chamber industries here in region 8(Leyte and Samar) was held at the picturesque enclave of Kuting Reef(tel. no.(053) 572-1023; mobile phone 0930-311-4106) with a theme “One Region…One Team: Economic Development Thru Public-Private Sector Initiative” The first one was held at Tacloban’s Leyte Park. The 12 chamber industries that have attended the affair were: 1)Southern Leyte Chamber and Commerce and Industry,Inc.led by its President Engr. Robert Castañares-the host; 2)Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Robert Tiu; 3)Isabel Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Engr. Serlito Purisima; 4)Guian Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Dr. Alfred Perez; 5)Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Joel Brazil; 6)Palompon Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Warblitz Martinez; 7)Borongan Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Oscar Ty; 8)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Dr. Dominador Cabanganan; 9)Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Ms. Elena Uy; 10)Calbayog Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nicolas Chan; 11)Catarman Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Sixto Espina,Jr.; 12)Baybay Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by Nestor Sy,Jr. Business discussions on various topics related to business opportunities among the officials-members of chamber industries were brought out during the two-day activities. Each chamber was also given enough time to present their respective investment opportunities as businessmen gathered inside the conference room for long hours. Engr. Robert Castañares presented first the Southern Leyte economic development framework. In his presentation he divulged that after surveying the municipalities in the province he found out that great numbers of workers were employed by the government offices with small percentage working in private offices or businesses. He also found out that LGUs were IRA-dependent and that most businesses were classified as small enterprises. There’s also supply of rice but not enough to provide employment for workers or laborers. During the past several decades abaca was the province’s dollar earner, he informed the audience. However, with the infestation of the unstoppable bunchy top diseases affecting all abaca plantations in the entire province, abaca was diminished to an insignificant few. What remains was the coconut to be the dominant crop, he said. He said that with the private-public partnership scheme, farmers and planters in the entire province, together with the assistance of the SLCCII, businesses should focus on the mass plantation and mass production of coconut in order that it could employ workers in the fields. Another kind of business that the province should do to improve its economic condition is the tapping of its potential tourist spots in various municipalities. Dr. Guindolino Gerona of VISCA (now VSU) in his “greening economy” strongly urged farmers/planters and the attending businessmen in the six provinces to start mass production and plantation of coco seedlings in different municipalities’ farms/lots. He said there’s also the need to increase rice plantations as one of its highly dependent crops as staple food. Gerona said that 8,000 hectares of rice fields and 50,000 hectares of coconut farms need to be rehabilitated. He claimed that some coconuts planted in 5,000 hectares need to be replaced with new plant seeds as it already reached its senility stage, bearing no fruits. Moreover, Gerona further admonished farmers and businessmen to implement intercropping under coconut plantations in different areas of Southern Leyte and in other part of region 8.One of the crops suitable for intercropping, he said, is coffee preferably the Robusta variety, including bananas and some vegetables and fruit trees. “This method of intercropping can increase production as well as income for the farmers and planters”, he said. He stressed that planting more coconut trees and practicing intercropping method to increase production of goods is like “hitting 2 birds in one stone”. Since planting of additional fruit trees and coconuts thru intercropping can also help mitigate the greenhouse effect or climate change. Meanwhile,Egnr. Castañares further informed the audience that already developed in 3 hectares of lot inside the former Danao rehabilitation project now known as City Forest Park is the Maasin Zoo in Malapoc Norte which was open to the public during the second day of the business conferrence.It is located 15 kilometers away from the proper city. Another spot to be developed is the canopy walk in Silago with cascading waterfalls not far from the rainforest. Limasawa has also been included in the plan for tourism development in the near future according to Castañares like construction of starbuck coffee shop and other amenities that provide attraction to both local and foreign tourists. Earlier, Governor Damian G.Mercado delivered his keynote speech, while Roy Fiel, Governor of PCCI gave his opening statement. Other speakers were Governor Damian G. Governor Damian G.Mercado Roy Fiel-Governor,PCCI Bonifacio Uy of NEDA,Raul Repolda of DA-Ormoc office, Cynthia Nierras of DTI- regional office,Alejandro Bautista of DENR-CENRO-San Juan, PCA Regional Manager Edilberto Nierva,DOT Regional Director Karen Tiopes, Engr.Edgardo Esperancilla of DOST regional office, Robert Go owner of Prince Warehouse Club. Also present, among others were, Michael Nuñez of DTI-Maasin and his staff, GIZ representatives, City Councilor Nestor Sy, Engr.Arthur Marte, other unidentified local businessmen, Tacloban and the Maasin media.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
May 10,2012 To Be A Journalist Is Only A Privilege-Arnaiz By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr. Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Not all people are journalists or writers. Only few individuals were chosen for such kind of calling. Thus to be a journalist is only a privilege. This was the explanatory statement uttered by PDI correspondent Jani Carbonilla Arnaiz who was unanimously elected as President of the recent newly-organized NUJP (National Union of the Journalists Of The Philippines) Southern Leyte Chapter. The organizational meeting was held at one of well-known establishments here in this small city located along the coastal area facing the Canigao Channel and the Sogod Bay where cool breeze is blowing from the open seas. The formation of the new NUJP chapter here in this province was initiated by the random visit of its incumbent Secretary General Rowena C. Paraan. During the initial past meeting held at Kinamot Sa Abgao Restaurant(tel no. (053)381-3878) only two media private practitioners and two government media workers were present. Other practicing print and broadcast journalists were not able to attend for some reasons. Being a journalist for an overall 21 years as erstwhile correspondent to several newspapers in Maasin, Cebu and Tacloban in separate occasions, this is the very first time that the NUJP hierarchy was able to think and to consider membership from far-flung province like Southern Leyte. Furthermore, journalists contributing news and feature articles to the provincial newspapers in some parts of the country are commonly underpaid. Despite of this undeniable truth, they have sticked to their “vocation”, aside from being professionals most of them. The only consolation of their thankless job, as emphatically stated by Jani C. Arnaiz, is that “they are rubbing elbows with the rich and the famous”. On the other hand, their provincial counterparts who were fortunate enough to be accepted as correspondents to Manila-based broadsheets were receiving much more in terms of financial compensations. They have also the perks of attending free training/seminars/workshops sponsored by their respective outlets with free lunch and accommodations. Plus reimbursable traveling expenses in going to the place of venue and back home. The newly-elected NUJP Chapter President together with the group is also planning to conduct training/seminar among editors of high school and college campus papers in the province. When the plan reaches its realization, some resource speakers shall be coming from the NUJP-Manila main office. Meanwhile, there shall be a seminar on journalism trauma scheduled to be held either in Maasin or Tacloban tentatively on July 7, 2012.Arnaiz still has to contact NUJP-Manila office to discuss about which venue is to be preferred by the Secretary General, after he would present a site that he finds here suitable and conducive for such kind of seminar. Other elected officials and members were: 1)Dindo Alaras of DYSL-Sogod-Vice-President; 2)Jade Nombrado of DYDM-Treasurer; 3)Angelina Book of the Southern Leyte Times-Secretary; 4)Erna Sy-Gorne of PIA-Associate member; 5)Marcelo “Bong” Pedalino of PIA-Associate member;6) Freelance Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.- member; 7)Ramon Boyser of DYDM-member; 8)Nicolas Lanugon of DYDM-member; 9)Frank Bandibas of DYDM-member. According to Alaras, unidentified lady working at DYSL-Sogod has also expressed her earnest intention to join NUJP. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

No Enough Space Provided For Encoders

April 18,2012

No Enough Space Provided For Encoders
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Why is it that some of internet cafes that are established in Maasin seem to forget providing the encoders with enough space in every functional computer that is installed in separate cubi- les?.Why is it that lights./bulbs were installed without putting into considerations if those lights were properly placed in an area which will make the letters on keyboards clear to the eyes of the users? Why? Is it not that the main purpose of opening up such internet businesses is to serve the needs of users, including encoders, who some of them are also writers/bloggers?

I have visited many internet cafes to see if I could find some where enough spaces beside operational computers were provided to place comfortably our pages of written articles. I have found two internet cafes that provide spaces to put some pages for encoding.

However, the lights are not properly placed that would make the letters on keyboards clear to see. User/users still need a flashlight to make the letters appear clear on the computer keyboards for easy typing/encoding of the articles; although flashlight could be placed on either left or right side of the cubicle. It would be much better if sodium bulbs were properly positioned to provide sufficient light for the encoders.

Another problem is that some internet cafes would allow children to play games loudly to the distraction of some internet users who might be doing research works or writers who are encoding their articles for corrections and editing.

There must be separate rooms for the computer games for the children. They should not be mingled with adults who are doing some research in the internet or encoding some documents. In this way pestering disturbances from the playing children could be avoided and there is order and peace.

Although in some occasions there are high school students who would play games in the computers who acted also like children, making the internet café like a marketplace with their noise and occasional shouts! This also must be shunned since like the children, they will likewise distract those who are doing some serious attention to what they were doing.

Still other problem among the internet cafes is that those who are in-charged seem to economize on the use of electricity. They either minimized or switched off the power. The gradual reduction of the aircon’s coolness that would eventually fade away would be replaced with another kind of odor.
An odor that emits unpleasant smell will overwhelm the sensitivity of some potential customers who have possessed odor-sensitive noses. This condition would turned them off or be discouraged to stay for long and would just backed out.

I have asked some of those inside the internet cafes where the aircons’ coolness have disappeared after it were switched off. What prevailed was the unpleasant odor. They admitted that they have smelled the unpleasant odor but they seem able to tolerate it without feeling dizzy or nauseated.

There were also two or three internet cafés where a bad odor prevailed simultaneous with the coolness of an operational aircons.Most of this kind of simultaneous existing emissions are common among small spaces internet cafes. What surprised me is that despite the aforesaid unpleasantness of condition inside, some young and adult users seemed unaffected by the annoying smell. Does it mean that these particular users have become immune to the odor?

One time as I entered in a small-space internet cafe, a now common bad odor greeted me. I’ve tried to endure and resisted its unpleasantness. An article that I was about to encode was already been delayed for posting. So I started typing what I have written. I have finished encoding it after about two hours. When I began to correct my work the feeling of nausea has crept in. But I still tried to endure and went on with my editing. Yet, in spite of my efforts to go on I was seized by the feeling of dizziness and felt like I was going to vomit. As I can no longer hold my discomfiture I informed the in-charged man that I wanted to go out. At that moment I was not able to finish what I did.

I also asked a lady working in an optical where I bought a new frame for my graded eyeglasses about this bad smell common inside the internet cafes. As a user herself for her social networking activity, she confessed that she has likewise experienced smelling bad odor from time to time whenever she entered an internet café.Nevertheless, she said that she can bear it but would have avoided the place if there is another internet café where this common bad smell is nowhere in existence.

Some internet operators use air fresheners attached to the aircons.Although some users like its smell, there are also those who do not like it.Besides,air fresheners’ fragrance in varied degrees is not a natural smell. Most of it are chemical-derives.

Besides, regular or frequent inhalation of this bad odor or unpleasant smell is bad for our health.IC owners should seek assistance from medical experts and expert aircon technicians on how to maintain a non-bad smell within the confines of internet cafes for their own sake and for their users/customers.



One time I asked an EENT doctor about my weakness. She asked if my graded eyeglasses are still okay. I told her, it is. She said there’s the probability that my nose is sensitive to bad odor or bad smell. And that staying long inside an internet café would defends upon my resistance to the unpleasant atmosphere.

This common bad smell can also be found inside some banks and government and private offices when their aircons are switched off. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against any kind of business that serves the interest of the public users/consumers. What we are talking here are the facts and realities occurring in various internet cafes, for sure not only in Maasin, but also in other cities and municipalities, that needs solutions, and not to be ignored by concerned owners/operators.

Yours truly likewise do not like the fragrance emitted by most of the air fresheners, regardless of where it was placed to drive away the bad odor. However, there is a kind of air freshener/s now use by a Cebu-based business recently established here in Maasin that emits pleasant-to-the-nose fragrance. It has no hint or implication of making odor-sensitive noses to feel dizzy or nauseated. Some customers/window shoppers can even stay inside the huge and spacious Supermarket for three to four hours without feeling any unpleasantness from its emission.

In contrast to the other existing reality here, even the owners/operators of internet cafes themselves are well-aware of this now common unpleasant odor prevailing inside their cafes. Like their customers, they have also inhaled the bad smell, though bearably tolerating it while inside. On my part, I still have to find an internet owner who has possessed a highly odor-sensitive nose like mine and would have to feel dizzy or nauseating.

Is the bad smell a by-product of an aircon’s faded coolness after it was switched off? Or is it not the accumulative dusts sucked up by the functioning aircon machine that caused the prevailing bad smell? If this is the case, then owners/operators of internet cafes including managers of banks and heads of offices either government or private should set a regular schedule for cleaning their aircons including the insides of the edifices. Say every first or second month. Let’s see if this procedure will effectively eradicate the bad odor that all internet users have experienced. If IC owners, bank managers and heads of offices will be successful in doing this, we should also be glad that a solution has finally acted upon.

On the other hand, if after all the regular cleaning of aircons and inside rooms and spaces, the un- pleasant smell would still prevail as the aircons’ coolness faded away, then internet owners must seek help from the Metro Gaisano Manager/owner if their kind of air freshener/s they have used in their chain of stores in the Visayas and Mindanao can also be used effectively in internet cafes.

Additionally, an expert in cooling system unfolded that aircon machines would re-use and recycle repeatedly the air inside a room or internet cafe until the air itself will become stale. He explained that the stale air, accumulated dust and other dirt sucked up by the aircon during the process of air re-using and recycling, unthrown wastes inside trash cans, different natural odors being released by the individual users, exposures of bad odor feet while using the computer and some related elements are contributories to bad smell, including dirty linen (if there are any) inside are the main culprit.

With this revelation, it is utterly apparent that operators/in-charged of internet cafes must make schedules for conscientious regular monthly cleaning of their business establishments. While conducting general cleanings, windows and doors should be wide opened to let out the bad air and allow fresh air to come in.

Installing two exhaust fans for each internet café on either side of the office would be better than just one exhaust fan. This is to hasten the exhaustion of bad smell. If IC owners have noticed that air released by their aircon machines is no longer cool, it’s time to call the aircon technicians to check the Freon’s containers if a certain element/substance use to convert ordinary air into cool air is still enough or needed replacements; or if their aircons are already defective and needed repair.

In all kinds of business endeavors, owners/operators should always put priority to their targeted customers as they construct their buildings or edifices: how the lights should be properly installed that would make comfortable to them while inside the building and feel fresh whenever possible. Conducive environment and cozy atmosphere and other amenities that owners can offer are important measures that would attract more and more customers/users to patronize their businesses. .(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

COTS Outbreak Can Be Neutralized By Monitoring/Extraction Of The COTS Population

April 18,2012

COTS Outbreak Can Be Neutralized By Continual Monitoring/Extraction Of Its Population- BFAR Staff by Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) outbreak affecting some areas in Southern Leyte and one in the neighboring municipality of Inopacan,in the northern part of Leyte province, can be neutralized by continuous monitoring and regular extraction of the marine’s pests that devour coral reefs.

This was the statement of Anecito G. Cortes of BFAR-Maasin office in a recent interview. The four places where the outbreaks have occurred were Maasin, Padre Burgos, Limasawa Island and Tomas Oppus.

Cortes disclosed that Limasawa’s surrounding seas have the biggest sizes of COTS that settled 15 to 18 meters deep. It devoured mushrooms and table corals underneath on big volumes. “Coral reef eaten by the crown-of-thorns starfishes appeared white”. he said. “The huge sizes of COTS has make us believed that Limasawa Island is the breeding place for COTS”.

He confided that during monitoring and extraction of COTS in Padre Burgos and Limasawa resorts divers of the area including the Coral Cay volunteer divers have assisted BFAR personnel.

The gathering/harvesting of COTS in the island municipality, he divulged, exceeded in great number compared to Maasin’s 30,000 during a whole day synchronized monitoring in all barangays of the city.

The municipalities of Macrohon and Malitbog showed that theses towns were also COTS-infested. The Sogod Bay municipalities that were monitored, Cortes said, were Bontoc, Sogod and Libagon, which were classified as non-infested areas where COTS presence were almost nil.

Monthly Monitoring

Reina C. Lagumbay of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office conveyed that LGUs monitoring of their fish sanctuaries including nearby coral reefs were conducted every three months.

However, the BFAR staff here stressed that quarterly monitoring is not ideal in areas that are prone to COTS infestation. “Monthly monitoring of the marine pests is ideal to check in particular the COTS population”, he said.

His statement was likewise supported by a Southern Leyteño diver who has had dived various fish sanctuaries of the province, but does not want to be identified.

The aforesaid diver pointed out that PENRMO officer Eva Abad should hire/employ a trained provincial diver who would assist or lead LGU municipalities where there are existing fish sanctuaries and coral reefs on its scheduled monthly monitoring.

On the other hand, Lagumbay informed that 20 COTS occupying in a one-hectare coral reefs are needed to balance the marine life. “Diminishing the count of 20 by extraction is not advisable. It will create an imbalance in the marine area”, she said.

The BFAR staff further said that they have admonished LGU-Limasawa to upload their COTS photos in the internet and ask for financial assistant to fund their continuous monitoring and extraction of the COTS population until such time that the marine pests will be neutralized.

Or they can also ask trained divers in the neighboring provinces of Cebu,Bohol and part of Mindanao to volunteer in the monitoring and extraction of COTS.

COTS predators, in particular the Titan Triggerfish and Pacific Triton are now considered as endangered species due to overfishing, Cortes claimed. “This fishes eat big and matured COTS”, he intimated. “But they are being exported live to other countries”. Other specie is the Giant Clam (taklobo) that also devour big COTS..

In gathering/harvesting the Crown-of-Thorns Starfishes (COTS) fishermen and volunteer divers are advised not to catch the marine pests by the hands. The high percentage of being pricked by its poisonous spikes is painfully infectious.

For picking use bamboo sticks or metal thongs and put it inside the crates for bringing it towards the shore. Apply the suitable chemical to kill them before burying it.

Other COTS predators that eat either its eggs,finderlings,young or adult COTS are harlequin shrimps, puffer fishes(Botete),red and spangled Emperor(Katambak),coral-like polyp/worm(botbot),trapezia(a kind of crabs),helmet shells(budyong) and Triton Trumpet(tambuli).

Cortes further informed that the Panaon Island municipalities and that of the Pacific towns shall also be subjected to undersea ocular inspection by the BFAR divers and local divers of their respective coral reefs and fish sanctuaries to see if their municipal waters were safe from the COTS infestation.

On the other hand, the ample breeding and propagation of the three principal COTS predators, the Titan Triggerfish, Pacific Triton and Giant Clam in different municipal seawaters of the province will obviously prevent COTS infestation or its outbreak.

It’s also recommended by the marine biologists not to injure the COTS, as it will lay millions of eggs under stress condition.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

P88M Subang Daku Bridge Construction For Completion in September

April 18,2012

P88M Subang Daku Bridge Construction For Completion In September
By Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr

Sogod, Southern Leyte-The P88M Subang Daku bridge construction, including the P40M 1.7 kms road concerting, which provides the shortcut trip to the 7-kilometer distance down to the Maharlika Highway, shall be completed on September 30, 2012 as per contract schedule.

This was the disclosure of Assistant District Engr. Manolo Rojas in an interview with the media at the Subang Daku Bridge during the recent media tour visiting all existing undergoing projects of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways.

Rojas revealed that the contractor of the 136.20 linear meter bridge AC Rivero has already installed the 100% substructures of the bridge. It has to be followed by the installation of the super-structures and other related works until the end of September of the current year.

Queried on the schedules written on the projects standard boards among its contractors of the DPWH,the implementing agency of infra projects in the province of Southern Leyte,District Engr. Carlos Veloso confided that mostly contractors have to do their best to comply with the deadline for completion since liquidating damages would be imposed on them for the delay.

“If there’s heavy rains or typhoon a contractor or contractors will send us letters asking for the extension of the projects’ deadline due to the bad weather condition”,Veloso informed, adding that most of them would finished their respective projects before the set deadline.

Project Costs
The P8,495,550.00 Cabulihan road concreting, that the group have visited earlier, carried out by the Square Cube Construction covering 2.5 kms length, was already completed. Both sides of the one-lane standard road has a 1.5 meters shoulder, which according to Engr. Vicent Sy, can be converted into a two-lane road when many vehicles would be passing in the near future.

In a presscon held at the Agas-Agas building, Engr Rojas divulged that as Chairman Committee on Infrastructures Congressman Roger Mercado is bent on making the construction of Guadalupe port realized in not a distant future. Last year the Guadalupe port was supposed to be constructed at the soonest time possible, about one or two months later. However, for some reasons that only the Congressman could say, the project did not materialized.

He claimed that the Guadalupe port will make a shorter travel time of one hour less to Cebu City as compared to Bato or Hilongos which would take 4 to 4.5 hours to reach the port of Cebu.He said that this was the findings of overseas skipper Jun Sabalo of the same barangay.

Gabion Walls
In brgy. Lipanto, St.Bernard a P7M gabion walls was constructed to protect the road from possible erosion or landslide during heavy rains. Engr. Sy said that this kind of protection project is more suitable in landslide-prone areas. It would allow big volumes of rainwater to pass through layers of stones. “Unlike in concreted walls, volumes of water will cause it to burst and will easily damaged”, he said.

Some culverts were also seen around the national road indicating that these are going to be buried along the mountain base to allow the flowing waters from above to flow freely.

Another application of the three-tier gabion structures was also seen in the P19, 735,000.00 river control project of the Lawigan River adjacent to Guinsaugon,a farming village that was buried in just a few minutes by a massive mudslide on Feb. 17,2006 at about 11:00 a.m.Some of the school children and teachers were among those who were buried alive on that traumatic tragedy. Only very few inhabitants were able to escape death during that unforgettable catastrophic event: those who have heard inner voices instructing them to run away; those who were out of Guinsaugon working in various places of Mindanao,Cebu and Metro Manila; and those who were already in other barangays or at the school attending classes in St.Bernard town.
“The main purpose for the construction of the river control projects Sy said, “is to protect the existing several hectares of rice fields and the two big school buildings nearby”.

The aforesaid river control projects have a length of 560 meters. Another similar three-tier structures located farther away has a span of 94 meters worth P2M.Engr.Veloso revealed that the construction of the gabion walls cost P1,000.00 per cubic meter.

Rojas also informed that gabion walls structures are suitable in areas where the foundation base in unstable. Unlike in concrete walling which are prone to bursting when battered by huge volumes of rain waters.

“In gabion structures, volumes of water will pass through layers of stones and it’s flexible even if in case the structures will sink”, Rojas also explained.

Saddle Road Status
Asked by a broadcast journalist on the status of the so-called “saddle road” curved along a steep cliff leading to San Ricardo which is potentially dangerous to both the bus and its passengers. Its defense structures along the cliff are quite unreliable.

Rojas replied saying that his office has sent resolution to Malacañang regarding the condition of the said road. He said that DPWH Manila has found saddle road condition as
to be of necessity for improvement. This is to provide protection among travelers to the place.

He intimated that DPWH main office thru its Secretary Rogelio Singson has approved its regular infra budget of P700M including the saddle road improvements.

The DPWH official also stated that Congressman Mercado is determined and consistent in his desire that San Rafael-Bontoc road concreting would be completed. The road upon completion will serve the Maasin farmers in bringing their products to Sogod town and vice versa in shorter travel time. He said that a fund of P6M was allocated for the first phase.

Transparency
In an answer to a query, Engr. Veloso clarified that the purpose of conducting a media tour, which is on its second year, is to implement DPWH policy of transparency under the new Administration. This means that the media and other stakeholders can report to DPWH office any defect or damaged that they’ve seen on its infra projects anywhere in the entire province

He implied that the media can even make constructive criticism when necessary just to make a DPWH concerned official act quickly on his responsibility to the traveling public.

When asked who are those considered as stakeholders, Engr. Rojas said that it includes the bus drivers, motorists, pedestrians, commuters, vehicle owners/operators, tourists, farmers and other individuals.

On the other hand, DPWH’s biddings on its current 25 projects in the province are now electronically done, Rojas pointed out. He stressed that now there’s no limit on the application of bidders to participate on the bidding process. “A bidder can send letter of application even on the last day of schedule for the bidding of projects”, he clarified.

Rojas also said that representatives from different sectors can openly attend during the actual bidding of projects at the DPWH office at the Capitol Site compound in Maasin; or at the designated venue that the office has chosen.(Quirico M.Gorpido,Jr.)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

No Enough Space Provided For Encoders

March28,2012



No Enough Space Provided For Encoders
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Why is it that some of internet cafes that are established in Maasin seem to forget providing the encoders with enough space in every functional computer that is installed in separate cubi- les?.Why is it that lights./bulbs were installed without putting into considerations if those lights were properly placed in an area which will make the letters on keyboards clear to the eyes of the users? Why? Is it not that the main purpose of opening up such internet businesses is to serve the needs of users, including encoders, who some of them are also writers/bloggers?

I have visited many internet cafes to see if I could find some where enough spaces beside operational computers were provided to place comfortably our pages of written articles. I have found two internet cafes that provide spaces to put some pages for encoding.

However, the lights are not properly placed that would make the letters on keyboards clear to see. User/users still need a flashlight to make the letters appear clear on the computer keyboards for easy typing/encoding of the articles; although flashlight could be placed on either left or right side of the cubicle. It would be much better if sodium bulbs were properly positioned to provide sufficient light for the encoders.

Another problem is that some internet cafes would allow children to play games loudly to the distraction of some internet users who might be doing research works or writers who are encoding their articles for corrections and editing.

There must be separate rooms for the computer games for the children. They should not be mingled with adults who are doing some research in the internet or encoding some documents. In this way pestering disturbances from the playing children could be avoided and there is order and peace.

Although in some occasions there are high school students who would play games in the computers who acted also like children, making the internet café like a marketplace with their noise and occasional shouts! This also must be shunned since like the children, they will likewise distract those who are doing some serious attention to what they were doing.

Still other problem among the internet cafes is that those who are in-charged seem to economize on the use of electricity. They either minimized or switched off the power. The gradual reduction of the aircon’s coolness that would eventually fade away would be replaced with another kind of odor.
An odor that emits unpleasant smell will overwhelm the sensitivity of some potential customers who have possessed odor-sensitive noses. This condition would turned them off or be discouraged to stay for long and would just backed out.

I have asked some of those inside the internet cafes where the aircons’ coolness have disappeared after it were switched off. What prevailed was the unpleasant odor. They admitted that they have smelled the unpleasant odor but they seem able to tolerate it without feeling dizzy or nauseated.

There were also two or three internet cafés where a bad odor prevailed simultaneous with the coolness of an operational aircons.Most of this kind of simultaneous existing emissions are common among small spaces internet cafes. What surprised me is that despite the aforesaid unpleasantness of condition inside, some young and adult users seemed unaffected by the annoying smell. Does it mean that these particular users have become immune to the odor?

One time as I entered in a small-space internet cafe, a now common bad odor greeted me. I’ve tried to endure and resisted its unpleasantness. An article that I was about to encode was already been delayed for posting. So I started typing what I have written. I have finished encoding it after about two hours. When I began to correct my work the feeling of nausea has crept in. But I still tried to endure and went on with my editing. Yet, in spite of my efforts to go on I was seized by the feeling of dizziness and felt like I was going to vomit. As I can no longer hold my discomfiture I informed the in-charged man that I wanted to go out. At that moment I was not able to finish what I did.

I also asked a lady working in an optical where I bought a new frame for my graded eyeglasses about this bad smell common inside the internet cafes. As a user herself for her social networking activity, she confessed that she has likewise experienced smelling bad odor from time to time whenever she entered an internet café.Nevertheless, she said that she can bear it but would have avoided the place if there is another internet café where this common bad smell is nowhere in existence.

Some internet operators use air fresheners attached to the aircons.Although some users like its smell, there are also those who do not like it.Besides,air fresheners’ fragrance in varied degrees is not a natural smell. Most of it are chemical-derives.

One time I asked an EENT doctor about my weakness. She asked if my graded eyeglasses are still okay. I told her, it is. She said that my nose is sensitive to bad odor or bad smell. And that staying long inside an internet café would defends upon my resistance to the unpleasant atmosphere.

This common bad smell can also be found inside banks and government and private offices when their aircons are switched off. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against any kind of business that serves the interest of the public users. What we are talking here are the facts and realities occurring in various internet cafes, for sure not only in Maasin, but also in other cities and municipalities, that needs solutions.

Yours truly likewise do not like the fragrance emitted by most of the air fresheners, regardless of where it was placed to drive away the bad odor. However, there is a kind of air freshener/s now use by a Cebu-based business recently established here in Maasin that emits pleasant-to-the-nose fragrance. It has no hint or implication of making odor-sensitive noses to feel dizzy or nauseated. Some customers/window shoppers can even stay inside the huge and spacious Supermarket for three to four hours without feeling any unpleasantness from its emission.

In contrast to the other existing reality here, even the owners/operators of internet cafes themselves are well-aware of this now common unpleasant odor prevailing inside their cafes. Like their customers, they have also inhaled the bad smell, though bearably tolerating it while inside. On my part, I still have to find an internet owner who has possessed a highly odor-sensitive nose like mine and would have to feel dizzy or nauseating.

Is the bad smell a by-product of an aircon’s faded coolness after it was switched off? Or is it not the accumulative dusts sucked up by the functioning aircon machine that caused the prevailing bad smell? If this is the case, then owners/operators of internet cafes including managers of banks and heads of offices either government or private should set a regular schedule for cleaning their aircons including the insides of the edifices. Say every second or third month. Let’s see if this procedure will effectively eradicate the bad odor that all internet users have experienced. If IC owners, bank managers and heads of offices will be successful in doing this, we should also be glad that a solution has finally acted upon.

On the other hand, if after all the regular cleaning of aircons and inside rooms and spaces, the un- pleasant smell would still prevail as the aircons’ coolness faded away, then internet owners must seek help from the Metro Gaisano Manager/owner if their kind of air freshener/s they have used in their chain of stores in the Visayas and Mindanao can also be used effectively in internet cafes.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

DPWH Conducts Groundbreaking on Three Bridges

March 28,2012



DPWH Conducts Groundbreaking Ceremonies For Three Bridges Worth P31M Plus
By Quirico M. Gorpido,.Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)has conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for three bridges including one old bridge in San Roque,Macrohon for reconstructions with a total worth of P31,925,635.76.

The aforesaid bridges were the Combado bridge built during the Spanish colonization with a cost of P7,031,013.21.It was contracted by the Square Cube Construction; Abgao bridge otherwise known as Tuburan bridge built in 1916 costing P9,073,182.55.Its contractor was the Lady of Assumption; San Roque bridge amounting to P15,821,460.00.Also contracted by the Square Cube Construction.

During the rites Congressman Roger Mercado speaking before the spectators and barangay officials disclosed that the funds was released thru the DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson as he initiated for its approval in Congress and signed by the Aquino Administration.

Combado Barangay Captain Ernesto Galleon and San Roque Barangay Captain Felix Maitem both expressed their appreciation and profuse thanks to the Solon for his efforts in realizing their requests thru endorsements of the Barangay Councils resolutions.

SP Albert Esclamado,speaking on behalf of Governor Damian Mercado, likewise reiterated for emphasis what Representative Mercado has revealed regarding the infra funds.
\
Maitem further confided that the reconstruction of the old San Roque bridge “is a dream come true”. “For many years we have been dreaming for this bridge’s reconstruction. Now this is the realization of our long dream”.

Vice-Mayor Allan Aroy, representing Mayor Fe Edillo, also thanked the Congressman.

ON the other hand, some city dwellers who frequently passed the Abgao bridge questioned on its reconstruction, saying the bridge “is still good”.

However, Mayor Maloney Samaco divulged that the seemingly strong bridge has already some cracks as discovered upon oral inspection during the past mayorship of the incumbent Governor Mercado and he as his Vice.

The Congressman also directed DPWH Engineers led by District Engineer Carlos Veloso, who will implement the bridge projects, to preserve the two combado bridge huge markers being historical relics.

He suggested that the Spanish-built markers be placed at the public plaza or any appropriate public place for general viewing.

In an interview with Mercado at San Roque bridge he intimated that the initial funds was granted by the past GMA Administration for the province’s bridge projects. “And the funds now use in these bridges reconstructions are the remaining budget. With the change in the administration rein it was the Aquino Administration that approved and released upon his lobbying,” he said in Cebuano.

Mercado also unfolded that the construction of Sogod bridge, the first of the program, would provide short cut trips of 7 kilometers to the national highway.

The total cost of its construction, according to DPWH’s Engineer Vicent Sy was P88M including road concreting to the amount of P40M.

The Southern Leyte Representative further admonished San Roque officials to take good care of their bridge upon completion.

Earlier, Rev. Garnet John Quirong of the Maasin Parish officiated the blessing of the ground breaking ceremonies led by Engr. Veloso with the participation of his colleagues, Congressman Mercado, Esclamado, and concerned barangay officials.

Contractor- Engineer Alberto Barola of the Lady of Assumption has promised to Mercado that he and his men will try their best to finish the reconstruction of Abgao bridge before July 1, 2012, which is the 52nd founding day anniversary of the province of Southern Leyte. The work would be carried out on a day and night shifting.

The three capsules, which according to Engr. Veloso contained each of the bridge’s plan, were buried respectively near the bridge during the rites.

Also present, among others, were Assistant District Engineer Manolo Rojas,Engr. Cleonides Olarte of DPWH’s quality control, Engr. Mercado and the local media.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

City Govt. To Finance Construction Oof Guadalupe Port

March 28,2012


Guadalupe Port To Be Financed By The City Govt; SOLECO To Be Converted Into A full-pledge Coop-Samaco

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco in a recent presscon at the city gymnasium after his state of the city address(SOCA)disclosed that the city government will finance the Guadalupe Port and will lead for the conversion of the Southern Leyte Electric Coop(SOLECO)into a full-pledge cooperative.

The Mayor said that the funding of the Guadalupe Port would provide revenues for the city in return and the SOLECO’s full-pledge conversion would reduce the rates of electricity.
Some consumers claimed that they were not allegedly inform thru public hearings by SOLECO’s present increased rates. They have just read it in billings that were delivered to them.

He informed that Phillip Morris lawyer who visited City Hall was supportive of the city’s no smoking policy from 17 years old and below .

He stressed that the no selling and no smoking of cigarettes 100 meters away from the school campuses must be followed by store owners to avoid penalties.

Asked by the press why he put on more weight in banning the smoking of cigarettes, he explained that smoking will not only harm the smokers but also others who would be inhaling second hand smoke from them. “Unlike drugs”, he said, “it will only affect those persons doing it”.

However, he was quick to say that he doesn’t favor the taking of illegal drugs that have bad effects to the minds and bodies of takers. The no smoking policy, he also claimed, does not affect so much of the city’s revenue.

Calling Electric Coops

The Mayor further said that he will call NATCO,SOLECO Board of Directors and other electric cooperatives in the region including the Chief Executives of 18 municipalities to support his plan. “When SOLECO would become a full pledge coop”, he told the crowd,”, “we can have lower rates”.

He clarified that at a time SOLECO will be converted into a full-pledge cooperative, its employees will remain in their respective positions.

On the other hand, the city government was awarded with P20M for practicing good governance. He also announced that the Leyte Zoo in Danao Park will be opened either this coming March or April of the current year.

A Sports Academy shall also be established with the turnover of the Southern Leyte Sports Com- plex otherwise known as TOPS oval playground to the city government. “We shall be utilizing the buildings inside the oval as quarters for the training of athletes to improve their skills”, he explained.

Other programs/projects of the incumbent Mayor ,among others, are:1)improvement of the city gym and tourist spots;2)to train call center agents with the coordination with the city’s colleges which is a study now pay later scheme;3)to construct a city cemetery and the excavated land to be brought to the reclamation area; 4)rehabilitation of the old municipal building into a city museum;5) establishment of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center; 6)completion of Maasin City College building third floor; 7)going against thieves,robbers,swindlers,drug pushers and users; 8)inviting more investors to pour their resources in Maasin; 9) to establish a low cost housings project with the province and NHA; 10)opening of new sanitary landfill at Libhu/Bactul uno; more out-of-school youth joining scouting and alternative learning system; 11)more teachers in the elementary and secondary schools; 12)construction of swimming pool at Maasin City National High School.

Initial P10M Terminal Asphalting

Samaco said that asphalting of the bus terminal with an initial fund of P10M for phase one would start in April or sometime in May. That is if the erratic continual rains would lull to a stop, he said.

Moreover, the Mayor lamented that due to the Pangilinan Law which shield those below 18 years old from criminal liabilities, law enforcers and himself finds it hard to file criminal charges against those so-called “minors” who committed crimes.

He suggested that only those `12 years old girls and boys be considered as minors. Above this age, he emphasized, should not be considered as minors anymore.

Samaco stressed that age bracket in the classification of minors of the aforesaid law must be amended as soon as possible.

An Option Is Not An Option If…

During the last week of February 2012 a Power Forum was held at the Saint Joseph College covered court. The gathering of cooperatives chairs, managers was initiated by Mayor Samaco himself.

Samaco has also invited the NEA officials, members of all the Maasin Coops and their respective Managers SOLECO personnel, Cooperative Development Authority Regional Director
Anacleto D. Tungson.

At the power(electricity)forum it was apparent that the greatest desire of the Mayor to convert SOLECO into a full-pledge coop, with the support of its members-consumers to avail of a lower power rates, would take a long time yet to materialize.

Allan Laniva of DANGCO(Davao Electric Coop) pointed out that “an option is not an option if it has many disadvantages than advantages”.

He emphasized that there’s a great need for the SOLECO members-consumers and other groups to think, study and evaluate carefully to such change before a final move would be taken.

Other speakers who were all erstwhile Managers of electric cooperatives in other places have also delivered their experiences on the operation of electric coops. They were Rep. Ponciano Payuyo,NATCO party list representative Cresente Paez,Pet Ilagan of NASECORE, I-CARE partylist representative Michael Angelo Rivera,CDA Administrator Nelon Alindogan.

Also present were Enrique Salares,LBP DAC Rep; Constantino Barrientos,DAR Rep; Councilor Rene Hatayna,NES Director Mila Quinajon; Arnel Calapre, Dominaodr Miel of MCCI, MEMCO Manager Dionesio Llido, Anacleto Tumapon of CDA,among others.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Blessing Of A Semi-Residential House In Brgy. Abgao

Feb. 14,2012



Blessing of Semi-Residential House In Abgao
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-A blessing of a newly –opened 4-room semi-residential house in brgy. Abgao here was held recently.

The blessing was officiated by Rev. Margarito Soco.It was attended by Luz Verrano Mercado, her daughter Angela “Ghia” Verrano Mercado,Abgao Barangay Capt. Nacional “Nikko” Mercado and his wife,and some relatives and friends.

It is located a few meters away from the Villa Romana Hotel which on its adjacent side is the KINAMOT SA ABGAO RESTAURANT FACING THE SOGOD BAY AND CANIGAO CHANNEL.

ACCORDING TO OUR SOURCE THE DECISION TO CONVERT THE BUILDING INTO A SEMI- RESIDENTIAL HOUSE WAS KINDLED BY AN OBSERVATION THAT WHEN VILLA ROMANA HOTEL WOULD BE OVERCROWDED BY TEMPORARY LODGERS LIKE VISITORS,TRAVELLERS INCLUDING LOCAL AND FOREIGN TOURISTS ,SOME CUSTOMERS WOULD INEVITABLY BE TURNED DOWN AND WOULD JUST LOOK FOR OTHER HOTEL.

OUR SOURCE IMPLIED THAT ALTHOUGH THE NEWLY-OPENED SEMI –RESIDENTIAL HOUSE WAS INTENDED FOR RELATIVES,FRIENDS AND VISITORS,OTHER OCCUPANTS WHO CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED AT THE VILLA ROMANA HOTEL NEARBY COULD ALSO BE BROUGHT THERE FOR TEMPORARY LODGING.

AFTER THE BLESSING LUNCH WAS SERVED TO ALL THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT.

THE NEWLY –RENOVATED EDIFICE WHICH BEARS THE NAME OF ANGELA’S BED AND BREAKFASTS COULD BE CONTACTED AT TELEPHONE NUMBERS (053)381-0401; (053)570-8283.MOBLIE PHONE NO.0917-308-7986. EMAIL ADDRESS:ANGELAS_BNB@YAHOO.COM.(QUIRICO M, GORPIDO,JR.)

Congressman Mercado Plans To Convert Libas Into A Municipality

Feb. 14,2012


Mercado Plans To Convert Libas Into A Municipality
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Congressman Roger Mercado has a visionary plan to convert Libas in Hinunangan into a municipality.

He disclosed that Libas which is formerly the location of Southern Leyte Rehabilitation Project during the Marcos Administration, has a big area and that if converted into a municipality would become the first inland municipality of the province.He said it has the potential to become progressive in the near future.

He revealed h e has talked with the representative of DAR during a budget meeting of all heads agencies in the province about his vision of the aforesaid place.

He said that the Dept of Agrarian Reform is equally willing to distribute and divide the lands into square meters for free to the interested settlers who are also willing to settle in Libas.

The Congressman stressed that the survivors of the Guinsaugon Tragedy including those barriofolks from nearby barangays who were resettled in St. Bernard resettlement sites because their areas are also prone to mudslides, are the preferable candidates of the program.

He explained that each family settlers from the Guinsaugon Tragedy survivors could either be given 500 square meters or 1,000 square meters of lot, depending upon the size of the vast tract of land that DAR would be willing to distribute.

He pointed out that since the area is an agricultural land, the first livelihood for the new settler is to plant all kinds of agricultural products including the planting of fruit trees.Thier produce can be marketed in the neighboring municipalities and some of it are for family consumption.

Construction of concrete roads in going to Libas which start at St.Bernard, he said, is not a problem because an appropriation for the infra project can b e requested for funding.

However, he still needs to talk to St.Bernard Mayor Rico Rentuza of his grand plan for Libas and to DAR head Venirando Yap regarding the distribution of lots in Libas.

He further emphasized tha t the construction of the free housing units are also part of the program to be led by Gawad Kalinga, the Ayalas ,Lucio Tan, Humanitarian Institutions and some philanthropists.

Former St. Bernard Mayor Felix Lim and his daughter Joy Lim who is a councilor of the said municipality told the Congressman that he will announce the latter’s plan to the concerned survivors who were residing in various resettlement sites of St.Bernard.

When the Congressman’s plan would become a reality in the future, I would like to suggest that the vacated housing units in the resettlement sites be given to the poor families in different St Bernard barangays where these houses were located.
The priority are the poor families who lived in small houses built with light materials, dilapidated houses, those poor families who have just rented, and t hose who have no permanent residents because they could not afford to build their own houses.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

City Govt. Of Maasin Spends P7M Plus As Host City For EVRAA Meet 2012

FEb. 14,2012



City Govt. Of Maasin Spends P7M Plus As Host City Of The EVRAA Meet 2012
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.,

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The City Govt of Maasin has spent P7M plus as host city of EVRAA meet 2012 here from Jan. 29 up to Feb. 3,2012.
On Feb, 4, all the participating delegations have started leaving the place bound for their home cities and provinces here in region 8(Leyte and Samar) otherwise known as Eastern Visayas.
This was the disclosure of Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco in an interview at his office at City Hall.
Samaco informed that the whopping amount was spent for uniforms of athletes,offciating officials and coaches; sports equipments,meals,repair of billeting schools where all the delegations were lodged; repair and preparation of playing venues, funds for transportation services, rental of multicabs and motorcabs to service the athletes, officiating officials and coaches, tarpaulin streamers use for the welcoming of all delegations in the entire region and postings of tarpaulin streamers in all strategic locations of the city about the implementation of smoke-free policy for the EVRAA meet.
The sports-minded Mayor who is also a sportswriter revealed that only the gold medalists of different sports games can participate in the upcoming Palarong Pambansa to be held at Lingayen,Pangasinan.He said that it’s probably during the second or third week of May of the current year.

He said that there are more than thirty who will comprise the Maasin delegation that he will lead.As it is, the group will compose of athletes,officiating officials and coaches.

He said that the games that the aforesaid delegation will be going to compete are swimming, volleyball, taekwondo,table and lawn tennis and arnis.

Asked when will be the next year’s EVRAA meet and who will host it,he said that some delegations have problems yet to be solved in hosting the sports competitions.

The Mayor implied that talks and discussions about it shall most probably be done at the Palarong Pambansa host city’s sports center named Don Narciso Ramos Sports Center.

He added that all the Superintendents who shall be leading the participating delegates to the upcoming Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen,Pangasinan this coming May are the ones who will decide.(Quirico M. Gorpido,.Jr.)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Leyte Province Is The Overall Champion In EVRAA Meet 2012

Feb. 8,2012


Leyte Province Is The Overall Champion Of EVRAA Meet 2012
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Leyte Province delegation, the biggest of all the participating delegations of the six provinces in region 8, otherwise known as Eastern Visayas, was the overall champion of this year’s 7-day EVRAA meet held here from January 29 up to Feb .3,2012.
Leyte Province’s championing with an overall total of 730.5(elem. 369;secondary 361.5) points garnered from various games(events) was announced by Rhodora Sison,Chairwoman of the Games Results, Records and Documentation Committee, during the recent closing ceremony held at TOPS grandstand.
The formations of the parading ten delegates were arranged alphabetically according to the events that the athletes were competing.
First runner-up was Eastern Samar with total points of 487(elem. 255; secondary 232).Second runner-up was Maasin City in the elementary level with a total score of 206.5. Fourth place was Ormoc City with a total score of 134.5.Fifth place was Samar with a total score of 88.5. Sixth was Tacloban City with a total score of 87.5.Seventh place was Southern Leyte with a total score of 60.
However, in the secondary level Ormoc City was the second runner-up with total points of 203.17.Fourth placers were Maasin City and Tacloban City with a tie scoring of 161.5.Sixth place went to Northern Samar with a total points of 90. Seventh place was Samar with a total score of 71.17

For the special awards category. Northern Samar delegation was chosen as the best in athletic uniform. Second place was Eastern Samar. Third place went to the Leyte Province. Southern Leyte was adjudged as t he most disciplined athletes. Second place went to Biliran delegation. The third place was Samar delegation.
An unidentified DepEd official has expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Congressman Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado, Mayor Samaco, the City Government of Maasin and DepEd Regional Director Yu for their full support to the success of the 7-day affair.
He said that it’s not enough to develop the physical aspect of the athletes but also the mind in order to produce world-class athletes.
“WE have a colorful closing ceremony with the arrival of Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his wife and City Councilor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez”,Mayor Samaco exclaimed.
He also admonished all the officiating officials, coaches, trainors and sundry to forgive and forget in case they have encountered some problems and unfavorable accounts during the duration of the events.
Instead, “each delegation should focus in improving the performances of their athletes in preparation for your upcoming participation in the Palarong Pambansa to be held at Lingayen City,Pangasinan this coming May.
The Mayor also claimed that some colleges and universities are now offering scholarships to athletes. He further stated that the implementation of the first smoke-free policy of the host city is “intended to help extend your life span, for your family and children and for general health to all of us”.
Another DepED official has strongly advised all the athletes to practice, practice, practice and practice more because practice will make it perfect”.
Regional Director Yu said that the athletes are now having discipline and that EVRAA meet was a celeb ration of unity.”WE come together and crossing even mountains to be gathered in one place where we will experience the joy of camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship”.
“There’s also a victory, the expression of good values and the grace of humility in accepting defeat”,she added as she officially closed the EVRAA meet 2012 by extinguishing the urn’s fire.
(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

Sports Is The Only Activity That Can Unite Each Nation-Umali

Feb. 8,2012



Sports Is The Only Activity That Can Unite Each Nation-Umali
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte- Sports is the only activity tha can unite each nation.
This was the statement of guest speaker Tonisito Umali,Assitant Secretary of the Dept. of Education in his speech at the TOPs Grandstand during the official opening of the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA)meet here the host city of Maasin, the capital of Southern leyte province.
“Feel good and be recognized”, he told the crowd of athletes, officiating officials and coaches.”But you need to be good to be recognized”.
Umali who is also an educator and practicing lawyer in the Philippines and the USA,further admonished the 10 delegations to adopt and internalize a “serenity prayer”, which according to him he learned it from his father.
He uttered: “Lord let me learn to accept the things I cannot change, to give me the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Governor Damian Mercado and Congressman Roger Mercado have warmly welcomed the 10 delegations from 6 provinces. The delegations were also composed of some Mayors, Governors and Representatives in the entire Eastern Visayas otherwise known as Region 8(Leyte and Samar islands).
The Mercados have stressed the great importance of unity ,solidarity and teamwork among local and national officials in achieving some goals for the improvement and progress of the city and the whole province.
The younger Mercado was also hopeful that the participating delegations would make their 7-day sports activities more memorable; while the older Mercado has emphasized the importance of becoming as one in achieving excellence and success in the field of sports for the youth.
The congressman also strongly urged the delegations including guests and visitors to follow the first smoke-free policy of the EVRAA of the host cityi”This is to show to other people that we in the Eastern Visayas are one and united”, he said.
Maasin Mayor Maloney Samaco for his part claimed in his short speech that offi cials in the city and the provincial government were united, the reason why Maasin City is developing fast.
Samaco also reminded all the athletes and officials that “we are here to play for sports competitions and winning is only secondary, adding that “we are all champions”.
The sports-minded and sportswriter Mayor further confided that all the athletes of the Maasin delegation are below 18 years old.He was likewise hopeful that the rest of the 9 delegations’ athletes were also of the same ages.”Walang dayaan sa edad!”,he told the concerned officials.

Raising of Banners
The raising of the delegations’ banners has followed. Genis Murallos,OIC assistant School Divisio9n Superintendent, Mayor Samaco,DepEd Regional Director Luisa Bautista-Yu and School Division Superintendents were among t hose who hoisted the delegations’ banners .
Mary Joy Calapre,Batang Pinoy 2011,Gold medalist in tennis led the athletes oath of Amateurism while Cesar Veronque,Regional Sports Coordinator, led the oath of amateurism among officiating officials. City Tourism Officer Royeno Segovia,the EMCEE presented to the whole delegations 6 young Batang Pinoy 2011 athletes of Maasin City led by Mary Joy Calapre.
Calapre holding the lighted torch ran around the oval playground followed by her peers as each athlete passed on the torch to each other as they reached the grandstand.
Here the last athlete carrying the lighted torch passed on to Mayor Samaco who led the run towards th e location of the huge urn adjacent to the location of the EVRAA banner poles. The Mayor then lighted the huge urn and the crowd applauded.
A fifteen to twenty minutes fireworks show has dominated the Mantahan skyline as Dr. Yu officially opened the first smoke-free EVRAA meet 2012.
The 10 delegations were : 1)Southern Leyte-360; 2)Maasin Cityi-460; 3)Calbayog City-350; 4)Eastern Samar-600; 5)Biliran-320; 6)Leyte Province-600; 7)Northern Samar-600; 8)Ormoc City-420; 9)Samar-600; 10)Tacloban City-500.
Games to be competed and its respective venues: 1)archery-PNP Provincial Headquarters; 2)arnis-Abgao gymn; 3)athletics-Southern Leyte Sports Complex; 4)badminton-DILG gymn; 5)baseball-TOPS oval playground; 6)basketball-Asuncion gymn; 7)boxing-Maasin Bus Terminal; 8)chess-RKK Function House; 9)gymnastics-Tagnipa gymn; 10)sipa takraw-TOPS oval playground; alternate venue-Combado gymn; 11)soccer-SJC campus; 12)softball-Maasin Citiy Division office ground; 13)swimming-cacao mountain resort; 14)table tennis-Badiang covered court ; 15)lawn tennis-capitol tennis court; 16)volleyball-Southern Leyte Sports Complex; alternate venue-Bugo gymn for girls and Isagani gymn for boys.
In the evening officials of the ten delegations were treated to a welcome dinner at the city gymn where Umali the DepEd Assistant Secretary received a plaque of appreciation from Mayor Maloney Samaco.
Earlier there was a long afternoon parade of all athletes,officiating officials, coaches,delegations’ heads,including some mayors,Governors and representatives.The parade has started at the Anatalio Gaviola Plaza down to the Tomas Oppus Pilot School in brgy Mantahan.
ABS-CBN 2011 Filipinas Got Talent champion the Maasinhon Trio have entertained the crowd with series of songs during intermissions of the program.
Also present during the formal opening of the EVRAA meet 2012 were Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,11,SP member Cesar Rey, City Councilors,Atty. Alberto Escobarte,PNP,reservists,some city dwellers and some media personalities.(Quirico M. Gorpido.,Jr.)

Related Tags