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.)

Related Tags