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.)

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.)

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.)