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.)

Law On Land Use Plan Is Extremely Important-GTZ Official

August 26,2011

Law On Land Use Plan Is Extremely Important-GIZ Official
By Quirico M. Gorpido,.Jr.

San Roque, Macrohon, So.Leyte-A law on land use plan is extremely important as the blueprint in the proper utilization of a certain country’s land resources.
The abovementioned statement was part of Dr. Walter Salzer’s speech during a recent turnover of the P3M worth Mangrove Resource Environmental Learning Center here that were attended by Congressman Roger Mercado, Governor Damian Mercado, Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,11, GTZ(GIZ) officials, some municipal Mayors,PIA-Maasin Staff, Tacloban/Maasin media and PENRMO personnel led by Eva Abad.
In an interview with the press Salzer, Program Director and Principal Adviser GIZ(German International Cooperation)EnRD program, explained that a country like the Philippines should have its own Land Use Plan where its provisions would serve as bases on how its land resources could be properly utilized for the benefit of the people.
“With a law on land use plan”, he said, “anybody cannot just occupy a lot where he wants without the approval of a government authority”.
H e estimated that about 15 to 20 percent of the Philippine population were living in the forests” And the government cannot just drive them away from their settlements since there’s no specific provisions and rules whether their forest occupancies were legal or illegal”, he pointed out.
“With the Land Use Plan their are specific provisions and rules to follow’, he said, “whether the inhabitants with no lands can settle in the forests. Whether this or that vast tract of land is for agricultural production or for housing projects where the squatters can be properly settled; where the areas for industrial production and cottage industry are to be located; whether part of the provincial government lands could be allotted for the construction of commercial buildings; whether a particular area is a protected area for endangered species and mangrove plantations, others”.
Salzer implied that without Land Use Plan there’s a perennially improper utilization of a country’s great percentage of lands that are even unproductive.
The GIZ official also urged the LGUs to enact in their respective jurisdictions their own LUP with specific rules and regulations that should be strictly followed.”The law’s provisions should be strictly implemented by punishing the violators. Laws must have teeth that will bite the violators”, he stressed.
Salzer further emphasized that a national law on Land Use Plan should be supported by the representatives in Congress. He strongly persuaded Congressman Mercado to give his full support of the LUP Bill in Congress, which if it has already been finished on its third reading, might have been approved the soonest.
The GTZ (now called GIZ) has been providing funds for various government in Southern
Leyte, particularly in relation to the conservation, protection and preservation of the environment, it was learned.
He underscored that mangrove plantations in various municipalities of the province should be sustainably conserved and preserved. Mangrove trees are the natural habitat and breeding places for various fish species. It also serves as breakwaters of huge waves and lessens the adverse effects of flashfloods.
Recalling past incidence of great floods as high price to pay for cutting the plantations of mangroves that were naturally grown in Burma along its deltas and rivers, thousands of people were killed,Salzer unfolded.
Asked by PDI correspondent Jani Carbonilla Arnaiz how much funds the German Government has already released to the different areas of the country relative to their various projects,the GIZ Program Director of EnRD divulged that it has already reached an estimated of P18B which is equivalent to 50M Euro.
The speaker furthermore disclosed that 90 to 95 percent of the total land area in the country needs a comprehensive land use. “One of the reasons why there’s huge destruction of natural resources and large part of land are left unproductive is because of the absence of a Land Use Plan”, he claimed.
(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

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

Natasha Service Center/MSE Marikina Shoe Service Center,
A.Bantug Street,Tunga-Tunga,Maasin City,Southern Leyte
Tel nos. (053)570-8144;(053)381-0430.

New Supercha Foodhaus 2 & Function Hall
Tel. no.(053)381-0929
Open Daily From Monday To Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m.; 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.
EXCEPT Sunday: 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m.

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

GIZ Turns Over P3.2M MRELC Project In San Roque

June 24,2011

GTZ Turns Over P3.2M MRELC Project In San Roque

By Qurico M. Gorpido,Jr.

Brgy. San Roque,Macrohon,So.Leyte-The German Technical Cooperation(GTZ) now called GIZ(German International Cooperation) has turned over a P3.2M Mangrove Resource and Environmental Learning Center building here during the recent Friday.

Dr Walter Salzer,Program Director,GIZ enRD program has handed the symbolic key to Governor Damian Mercado with the presence of Congressman Roger Mercado and Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,11.

The GIZ official disclosed that it took a long time before the German Ministry of Economics had finally released the funds for the aforesaid project.Salzer expressed his hope that the principal aim for the construction of the edifice could really serve its purpose. Like as learning center for the fisher folks and farmers, teaching concerned agencies to really achieve food security and to know the necessary knowledge of practicing sustainable development.

He also expressed his appreciation of Sogod Bay, but warned that in order to preserve the Bay there’s the need to apply environmental laws and fishery code seriously; stressing the cooperation of fishermen in the provincial level is of utmost importance.

The GIZ representative also urged the folks and officials in all coastal municipalities involved with mangrove plantations to protect and preserve them.

Recalling Burma’s cutting of all mangrove trees naturally grown along deltas to give way to opening up new rivers and other project, h e said, the people there have paid a high price of their denuding act when their areas were greatly inundated killing thousands of people. Mangrove trees, that are the natural habitat for fishes, also serve as blockades and breakwaters to flooding during heavy rains and typhoons.

Moreover, he urged Congressman Mercado to give his full support of the Land Use Plan Bill in Congress which is now in its second reading.

Salzer explained that with a law in Land Use Plan its provisions would serve as guidelines. “Which land is for the preservation of natural resources, which land for the sustainable development of any projects and which land are really designated for housing projects or which land is strictly devoted for agricultural development”, he said.

Congressman Mercado who expressed his profuse thanks to GIZ told Salzer that he will support for the approval of the Bill on Land Use Plan.

Both Governor Mercado and Vice-Governor Maamo also expressed their heartfelt thanks to GIZ for providing funds for the MRELC in Southern Leyte.

He also enjoined the Mayors to implement the environmental laws in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The Governor further said the provincial government shall be appropriating funds for the maintenance of the MRELC.He revealed the provincial government with DENR MOA has targeted 10,000 trees to be planted. “We have started planting trees in a 1,200 hectares in Malitbog area”,he said.

Eva Abad, PENRMO head, claimed that the launching of Mangrove Greenbelt Project in 10 municipalities here could serve as mitigating measure to combat climate change.

She said the training center is also aim to: 1)Educate the fisherfolks,farmers and sundry on the importance of the preservation and conservation of our environmental resource 2)Showcasing mangrove farming and aqua-culture; 3) Conduct training skills in the protection and conservation of marine life, agricultural development,etc.

Furthermore, the GIZ Principal Adviser on enRD program ahs turned over various gadgets and equipments to 8 municipal Mayors to strengthen their Bantay Dagat activities on illegal fishing.

Namely: lifevests, megaphones,GPS equipments,searchlights,waterproof flashlights.

(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

N>B> Please be informed that Panny’s Homebake products(with free WiFi spot) has transferred to its new and better location a t Saint Joseph College new building at Tomas Oppus St.,brgy.Tunga-Tunga,Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

N.B. Zip Southern Leyte,First Tandem Zipline in Eastern Visayas

For more details contact the following persons/offices:

1) Sogod Municipal Tourism Officer Robe Estillore,tle.no.(053)382-3186;

2) Mr. Nedgar V. Garvez,Provincial Tourism Officer,tel. no.(053)570-8300;

3) Provincial Governor /Damian G. Mercado, tel. no.(053)570-9018.

Belgian Philanthropist Distributes Wheelchairs To Immobile Persons

June 4,2011

Belgian Philanthropist Distributes Wheelchairs To Immobile Persons

By Quirico M.Gorpido, Jr.

Macrohon, Southern Leyte -A Belgian national who was married to Filipina lass of brgy. Molopolo here in this municipality has distributed forty wheelchairs to persons with disabilities.

The donation of 40 units of used wheelchairs was coursed thru the Municipal Social Welfare Department office headed by Brenda Decenteceo Lagunda.

During the awarding ceremony of the aforesaid wheelchairs held at the gymnasium led by the husband-and-wife donors and Lagunda, Mayor Fe Gaviola-Edillo expressed her profuse thankfulness to Patrick Hajhedoreen and his wife Sandra Peroso-Hajhedoreen for t heir altruistic and humanitarian concerns.

Edillo told the audience composed of 40 recipients and their parents and close kin that although Patrick is a Belgian national “his heart is a Macrohanon” ”, she said

She stressed that as a form of transparency, they did not take funds from the municipal coffer but used the proceeds of the tickets sales from various activities during the previous fiestas handled by the Fiesta Executive Committee.

The incumbent Mayor also disclosed that Hajhedoreen himself was the one who dismantled all the given wheelchairs and put it on the boxes during shipment. He was also the one who assembled it upon arrival in Macrohon.

She implied that although the total of 100 used wheelchairs were shipped to Cebu from Belgium cost much to the donors, their financial pinch was lessen.

“Patrick has requested us to provide for the transporting expenses from Cebu to Macrohon via freight handling committee amounting to P20, 000.00 for the services. The payment could serve as a souvenir project from the FEC, she added.

Pedroso for her part, speaking in behalf of her husband divulged that although they have collected wheelchairs from different persons in Belgium , the work of gathering it was not that easy.

“Sometimes we have to drive along a highway where stopping is prohibited and we have to constrain a personal call by nature and drove fast just to reach the other end where we could attend to the nature’s call”, she intimated.

There was also an instance, she said, when the place where they have resided in Belgium got flooded, but they have to go on with their activity of collecting some wheelchairs from friends and some concerned individuals.

The Belgian philanthropist who presently resided in brgy. Buscayan, Macrohon with his wife confided that he has also distributed 40 wheelchairs in Padre Burgos for the same purpose. While the remaining 10 units were given individually according to request from families who have disabled and immobile family members.

Furthermore, the second hand wheelchairs still looked functionally good. It could serve the beneficiaries for quite some years if properly maintained.

MSWD officer Lagunda enjoined the recipients to take care of their kins’ mobility support by applying some oil from time to time on its wheels and other parts to sustain its functionality.

She also reminded them, who came from different Macrohon barangays, to turn over their wheelchairs at a time when they would no longer be using it. This could be necessary, she said, so that those who are indigent families who need wheelchairs for their members could be provided by her office.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)

N.B. For those individuals who lack knowledge about proper nutrition or those persons who are health-conscious and want to achieve healthy lifestyle,should read a book entitled "The Bible Cure For Cancer" written by Dr. Don Colbert.It is now available at the National Bookstores nationwide.This particular book is also a "must read book" for those who eat high percentage of animal meat,but very less on vegetables and fruits.

Feb. 27 Woud Be An Annual Memorial Day To Honor War Hero Ruperto Kangleon

May 17,2011

February 27 Would Be An Annual Memorial Day To Honor War Hero Ruperto Kangleon

By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the persistent requests of the Federation of Senior Citizens and World War 2 Veterans and Guerillas here thru their respective resolutions submitted to the Provincial Board last February 2011 to make yearly February 27 as Ruperto Kangleon Memnorial Day throughout the province of Southern Leyte, which was the date when the late War Hero died.

Kangleon who hails from Macrohon town which is about 15 kilometers away from Maasin city proper is not only a local war hero but also a national hero of significant prominence. He was a Guerilla Commander in the whole island of Leyte during the World War 2 when he was a soldier.

Information gathered also disclosed that he was in constant clandestine contact with General Douglas MacArthur who was in Australia for logistics and ammunition support for the Guerillas in the entire island of Leyte. The armed support from the American General Commander of the Pacific were coursed and secretly delivered to the Guerillas via Submarine called M/V Nautilus that landed near the sea facing Hinunangan.

Fierce fighting between the Japanese Imperial army and the combined forces of Americans and Filipinos have occurred in various areas of Leyte, of which at that time, it was not yet divided by boundaries of the current two provinces of Leyte Province and the Province of Southern Leyte.

When Douglas MacArthur arrived in Leyte with fleet of battle ships in fulfillment of his promise, “I Shall Return”, the late Col. Ruperto Kangleon was there welcoming him. On that memorable day, the arriving American General Commander pinned on him the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States of America.

The American soldiers arrived in Dulag and Palo via barges and pettiboats after American battle ships from afar cleared the area by the continual bombardment of cannons and dropping of bombs from fighter planes.

According to additional information being gathered, the late Ruperto Kadava Kangelon is not only a national hero but also recognized and respected war hero of international scale.

Kangleon also gave honor and prestige to the Southern Leyteños as the first and only Southern Leyteño Senator. He was later appointed by President Rojas as the Secretary of National Defense during his active career in the Government Service.

His incorruptible reputation and good records as public servant is widely known in the country. It is also important, it was said, for the younger generations of Southern Leyteños to know and be reminded of the exemplary achievements of the late Ruperto Kadava Kangleon (1890-1958)as an outstanding military officer and World War 2 Guerilla Commander in the entire Leyte Island who is worthy of emulation by all.

The heroic war exploits of Southern Leyteño war hero, including that of the Guerillas during the war have greatly contributed much to the victory of the war against the foreign invasion. And the said exploits serve as the gratitude of all Southern Leyteños in particular and in the country in general.

Lourdes Bantug, Governor Damian Mercado’s Office Secretary informed that Mercado had already signed the SP resolution approving the 2 ordinances endorsed by the abovementioned organizations. Letters of communication were already sent to all Chief Executives of the one city and 18 municipalities, including all public and private schools in the entire province.

Recommendation

Furthermore, some concerned citizens recommended that DepEd should require students in both private and public schools in all levels-elementary, high school and colleges as part of their reading materials the 2 books written about the late war hero Ruperto Kangeon.The books that tackled about the life of RKK as a citizen, a soldier and as a public servant who showed to the world the love of one’s country and God need to be reinforced in the minds and hearts of our present generations of Filipinos.

The two books entitled “Love Of Country(Saga of Ruperto K. Kangleon and the Leyte Guerillas) by Atty.Joaquin G. Chung,Jr.,copyright 1989 and “The Soldier and Statesman” by Alfonso J. Aluit,copyright 2001, are worthy references and reading books on excellent soldiery and statesmanship that every student,professor,researcher,writer,anthropologist and avid reader should include in their reading.

Our youth, they averred, need good leaders to look up to whose characters and deeds are worthy of emulation.

W have been taught from time and again while in school about the lives of Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio,Apolinario Mabini,the sublime paralytic)Marcelo Lopez Jaena,etc.But a only little of Lapulapu of Mactan Island.

Now is the time to consider other heroes that we have in the past but still remain unknown because no-one or no writer/writers have ever written about their lives. Writers and researches should start now their literary journey which is the gathering of the vast field of untapped valuable materials about our silent heroes in the country. They are not only in Luzon area, but also in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Good Models

Our young and younger generations of Filipinos need good models of leadership because they are the ones who will replace the old ones when they have departed from this life. The past heroes we have learned in schools are not sufficient models to the present batch of the younger generations of Filipinos. They need other heroes to look up to as source of inspiration, courage and honesty. The search for heroes in various fields of endeavor who will serve as models for our youth should not be confined only in Luzon area alone. The search for heroes by our writers, scholars and researchers as sources of materials in writing books about their lives should not imposed delineations of ragionalistic boundaries. But rather be made encompassing down to the nooks and crannies of the entire country, Irrespective of their regional languages and classifications.

If a hero’s life is colored with good acts and deeds like honesty,compassion,generosity,hard work, courage and dedication to his/her calling then his/hers is a good material for writing a book for the young and the old readers alike. Thus the two books regarding RKK”s life as a soldier and statesman should be mass produced with permission from the authors. These are for distributions/acquisitions to all public and private schools throughout the country.

These 2 books should also be made available nationwide in bookstores in all cities of every province so that readers, students, teachers and professors can buy them for reading and as reference books.(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)