Southern Leyte News

Note: The following content was emailed or snail-mailed by our readers. Any views or opinions, satire or otherwise expressed herein do not reflect the views/opinions of our editor and staff and should be treated as such. Moreover it acts as a social sounding board to issues affecting us so that people with eyes can see and hopefully it the right people open their eyes to the truths surrounding us wouldn't this place be better for all?

Dear Editor Reyes,
As I promised during our brief chat at Cornell University’s administration building. Here are some interesting facts about the beer and wine that’s distilled and fermented here at Ithaca, New York. The North Side Wine and Spirits shop on Elmira road has over 600 wines and spirits in stock. While the Finger Lake Beverage Center has over a thousand different kinds of beer you can select from. The beer here which is made from wheat, fruit, herb and other ingredients is excellent and brewed to suit the taste of any beer lover. They also differ in alcohol content and vary from 7 to 15 percent. Ithaca is the “Beer Capital” of the World. Cheers!

Thank you for featuring me in your “Question of the Week” section dated November 5-11, 2011. Please allow me to clarify some issues.

Blowing my van’s horn when I see men here urinating in public is to remind them that the act is very “private” not for “public viewing.” It was meant to educate not to harass them.

Katipong Maasinhon CA Chapter sent the money to me to help furnish the public toilets built by our city government. In short I keep and disburse the funds as needed. I do not raise funds, I simply make appeals to our kababayans associations abroad as one of its members while I was living there in Chicago before my retirement. Yes the Governor did Christian the toilette after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The planting of Talisay trees along Espina Boulevard was a project of the Maasin City United Church of Christ in the Philippines as part of its Centennial program. Retired Captain Oscar Catahoy the president of the UCCP Men’s Organization replaced the plants that were uprooted by scalawags. I am therefore appealing to every Maasinhon to take care of these trees because they’re beautiful and provide shade and shelter to everyone.

I just would like to know how does this new crime lab works. What if somebody has been victimized by the so called “bodol-bodol gang?” Is there any means that the police could extract fingerprints from some items left by the thieves? I look forward to your reply and thank you so much.

A fully equipped Crime Laboratory can get finger prints from most objects unless the criminal wiped away his prints from the things he had touched. Once these prints are found, crime lab technicians can match them with the finger prints of known scalawags in the country. Our Crime Laboratory still needs more equipment and expertise but its a good start~ED

I normally do not comment on newspaper articles written about me in the province but I would like to set the record straight on half-truths. I am not in the habit of "passing the buck" so I assume full responsibility for the streamer that Ms. Agricola Itom asked Dra Pojas to make. However, my instructions were to say that the libreng bakuna was sponsored by KAYA NATIN, MSD and Lalawigan Mo, Kinabuhi Mo Foundation. No one can argue that fact. These are 3 legitimate organizations. It is unfortunate that political associations are constantly alluded to in almost every activity in our province. I cannot understand why the Municipal Health Officer would be so sensitive about it when the donor, a multinational company, didn't seem to mind. Dr. Pojas claims that the task on hand was too difficult to put together given the time constraints. This was such a pitiful excuse because we managed to pull it off just the same, despite her refusal to cooperate on 30 minutes notice, simply because the community organized themselves on their own. Board Member Lagumbay also sent in another doctor, Dr. Mato, from the Community Hospital. I was going to let the situation pass quietly but it seems like public servants need to be reminded that their duty is to the community they serve and not to any public official. Therefore, I have decided to write a formal letter of complaint addressed to the Mayor of Hinunangan, copy furnishing the DILG Regional Office, and the Office of the DILG Secretary to report the conduct of the MHO of Hinunangan as behavior unbecoming a public official. I will furnish SLT a copy of my letter. ~DUNDEET LERIAS

landslide victims still suffering

I recently spent two days at the relocation site of the survivors of the Guinsaugon landslide disaster and learned that most wanted to return to their village because they were farmers and that was the only livelihood they were good at. They of course wanted to keep their new homes but also wanted to build smaller houses in Guinsaugon which they could quickly leave when it rains heavily. Their main problem now was that most of their farmlands were covered by huge boulders which have to be removed so they can plant rice there. Another problem was the high cost of transportation to and from their farms in Guinsaugon. This is so because Habal-habals there were charging then P20 per trip or P40 a day. They said they tried walking to the site but were too tired to farm afterwards because it was almost 8 kilometers away. The residents of Guinsaugon not only lost their loved ones in the disaster, but their status as a barangay as well, and the Internal Revenue allotment that went with it. I learned from its barangay captain that they had only recently regained part of their IRA but that this was only enough to cover the salaries of their employees. There was nothing left for the development projects they needed.

~GINA ABOYUAN

Wild, Wild West

If you think the police in Maasin City are ineffectivse you should spend a month in Ormoc City. There have been numerous unsolved murders here. One involved a local official gunned down in front of his wife. This happened in plain view of hundreds of people. Another murder took place a few weeks ago in the same area near the super dome. The recent killing of the cashier and a gas pump operator of the Petron station only proves this point further. The “suspects” in that crime witnessed by dozens of people have remained free. Most people are here afraid to come forward because the police cannot enforce the law. They don’t even bother to “investigate” crimes and just record them in the police blotter. You could ask the mayor about the deteriorating situation in Ormoc but then you would have to fly to Canada since he is seldom in the City. As a long time resident of Ormoc (with military training) I am scared to live here. For I know that I could be murdered on stage at one of the many talent competitions with hundreds of people watching and NOTHING would be done about it.I have used a fictitious email address for obvious reasons. Suffice it to say that Ormoc City has now become the new “Wild, Wild West” of the Philippines. (Joe stalker6recon@yahoo.com)

San Ricardo port is Strategic

Anent your headlines news “Public Enemy No. 1” of September 3-9, 2011 issue, we sadly note the inadvertence or intended lapse, of some quarters in not including the San Ricardo Port among the top seaports in the province. The port which is located in Barangay Benit is a P71 million port facility which started operation on December 27, 2010. It is the nearest point from the Visayas to Mindanao and only 14.3 nautical miles from Surigao. We are not poking into the issue on whether the port is a transit point for dangerous drugs as denied by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration authorities. San Ricardo Port is a pulsating and vibrant port facility with passengers and commercial cargoes passing through it and is a major factor in the socio-economic development of Southern Leyte. ~WILLIAM G. YU, MUNICIPAL MAYOR

Toddler Needs Help

Three-year-old Blessy Faye Batestil from barangay Bagong Silang, Macrohon was recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood malignancy, that has a high chance of cure if given adequate treatment. Blessy has already started chemotherapy and showed good response but she needs to undergo chemotherapy for twomore years to be cured. Considering the high cost of the treatment, Blessy’s family could not sustain her medication without help. Those who wish to donate material or financial assistance may coordinate with Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation, Inc.-Cebu at the Cebu City Health Department Bldg. with contact numbers 2324706, 4129020, and (0917)6257090 or deposit donations directly to Union Bbank at account no. 00-112-000066-2. Please indicate the name of the patient on the deposit slip.

Cock-a-doodle

I am avid reader of the Southern Leyte Times and I buy a copy every week. Last week I heard from DYDM’s ang “Magpakabana Program” of Kuya Adring Arnaiz that Cesar Ramos had texted him that the fighting cock farm of Mr. Boy Garvez (the husband of City Budget Officer Essie Garvez) was causing mayhem in the area especially during the church services of the UCCP on Sundays and Wednesdays.

The complainant was asking why our city government hasn’t done anything about it despite the many letters that were sent to them during the past years. Is it because they are untouchable?If our city health inspector officer is afraid to close this smelly cock farm then she should resign. We at UCCP are desperate and would like to know who we should turn to for help.

~BERNAL FELIS PLASABAS
ASUNCION, MAASIN CITY

Searching for relatives

Maaari po bang humingi ng tulong upang mahanap ang sino man sa kamag-anakan ni?

Si Nestor Lumago Zoilo na taga Maasin, Southern Leyte who was born Oct. 15, 19** and is around 50-53 years old and 5 feet tall ay naatake sa puso (Heart Atttack) last October 2 sa kanyang tinutuluyan sa Barangay, Apulid, Paniqui, Tarlac. Siya po ay kumpare ng aking tatay na si RubenS. Dimarucut, Jr. Naiayos na po ang kanyang burol ng aking tatay kasama ng iba pa nilang kaibigan ay nagtutulungan upang makahanap man lang ng kamag-anak bago ilibing bukas kung walang dadarating o ko-contact sa aking tatay o sa kanyang mga kaibigan.
Ito po ang contact number na maaari ninyong tawagan. +639291372827 hanapin lamang po si Jun.

Yours Truly,
REY DAN DIMARUCUT
PANIQUI, TARLAC

Comments “Public Enemy” issue

The Big Question is: Who is the illegal drug business? Is it the poor people who are selling them on retail basis? They don’t have the capital to finance it. They are only selling shabu because they have no other means of livelihood. Shabu and corrupt big time dealers are the real enemy and should be arrested! ~LOU BORBON

What are we going to do? Shabu and other drugs have now saturated even the government agencies. The government has to do something to save the lives of our young. ~BEVERLY ANN NAVARRETTE

Not only the lives of the youth but to maintain and keep peace and order in the country. (LOU BORBON’S reaction to BEVERLY ANN NAVARRTE’S comment on illegal drugs)

Ang maka afford lang ang behind nang illegal drug business at the same time user pod siya ug shabu, unya para makabawi siya sa iyang consumption naa pod sya dealer. Not necessarily nga pobre ra ang dealer. Sayon ra unta na solbaron kay sa mathematics kun interesado ang manakopay. ~MARILYN MARKINES HEMMING

Germany Has Most Breweries!

Sorry but the beer capital of the world is not Colorado State, USA which has only 74 breweries within 100 miles of Denver City but Frankenland Germany which has 300 breweries.

Dirk Heinen
Joy-Heinen@t-online.com

Lets drink to that Dirk! ~ ED

Stop Harassing Foreigners in Southern Leyte

I am writing about some scalawags here who are harassing us foreigners because my brother in law was jailed and later murdered because they thought he was a communist. I love my wife and the Philippines but please stop these criminals from harassing and killing foreigners in Southern Leyte. My European friends here are also afraid but continue to invest here because they love their wives. Please inform PNP Provincial Director Pepito Pacad about our plight so we can sleep nights without fear of being killed. Salamat.
GOJORAN STOJMIROVIC

OFW Loves SLT

I am a Southern Leyteno from Sogod Town and an avid follower of SLT’s Website where I get to read about the latest developments in the province. Whereas before I was so hungry for news back home now all I have to do is check SLT’s website every week for updates of my beloved province. Would it be possible though to add more news about Sogod? I hear it now has a Gaisano Department Store and that the new market site is nice and clean. Keep up the good work and more power.
JOSE BELMONTE

Searching for Pedro Sori

Could you please provide me with with the phone number and e-mail of Mr. Pedro Sorio Jr. he works for the provincial government. I’m Locel and my email is cel@yahoo.com.

Mr. Pedro Sorio is the head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO). His telephone number is (053) 381-4551. ED

A Letter Request from San Juan

The Open High School System Program (OHSSP) of San Juan National high School in Southern Leyte are avid readers of your newspaper and is willing to contribute an article for your publication to highlight and seek support for our programs. We do hope you will publish our article. As soon as we have your approval we will send you our write-up ASAP. Thank you and more power!
Journalist2012_lnu@yahoo.com

Needs Data on Tourist Spots

Mr. Mar Laguna has e-mailed us inquiring about tourist destinations in Southern Leyte. We are referring his request to City Tourism Officer Willy Justimbaste and our Provincial Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez who may wish to send him a copy of their excellent brochure on the topic. Mr. Laguna’s e-mail is marlagshell@yahoo.com - Ed.

In regards to your column...

I have read your column As I See It regarding the State of the City. My State of the City Address was delivered last February because the Local Government Code mandates us chief executives to address the session of our respective sanggunians on the first session day of the year or before March 31. And it was not on the Charter Day because the highlight was the speech of our guest Mayor Sara Duterte.

However, I was impressed that you mentioned about the growing businesses, the establishment of Maasin City College and my advocacy against mining as my finest legacy in my two terms. Please include my anti-smoking campaign and our promotion for sports and physical fitness as one of the legacies I can leave to Maasin City.

In the campaign against abaca and coconut diseases, we have continuously fought the dreaded viruses through the never tiring Office of the City Agriculturist under Monching Acasio. Only the technical expertise is beyond our capabilities.

And we are still closely working with FIDA and PCA, the agencies which are more knowledgeable about coconut and abaca. Our battlecry is still No Retreat no Surrender and we are still hoping that our two major crops could still recover.

In mangrove protection, the lead agency is still DENR. And if some of these mangrove areas are decreasing due to the expanding population in Combado and Lib-og areas, we are replenishing them in the Manhilo, Guadalupe and Bilibol Areas.

In the business side, we are giving incentives to local businessmen contrary to some allegations. In fact we gave incentives to local investor, Brodeth and Sons. If their investments are big enough, why not? We help businesses who can employ a large number of our constituents.

I always welcome positive criticisms from the media of which I am an inactive member of the Southern Leyte Associated Media. In fact I am one of the
pioneer writers of SLT.

MAYOR MALONEY L. SAMACO

How About Subang Daku?

I admire SLT’s concern about the Canturing River quarrying. However I haven’t read too much about the indiscriminate mining of Sogod’s Subang Daku which is operating under the facade of river channeling.
There are even two giant rock crushers near the mouth of the embattled river.

PRO EDILLO 13452AOL.COM

Poor Small Time Quarriers

I think you should stop picking on the poor small time quarriers of the Canturing River. Unless you can give them an alternative livelihood let them make a living. River mining may be illegal and damage bridges but its still better than stealing. These people have no options so stop picking on them.

~ A CONCERNED PRIVATE CITIZEN

Babae Naman

I am fed up with the lack of direction of our past city mayors.They can’t seem to focus on our real problems like the horrific peace and order situation, drugs, coco-beetle infestation and the rising prostitution in the city. Perhaps its time we had a woman take charge of city hall.

~ SUSAN VILLANUEVA

Please Add More Pages

Greetings from my booming home town of Sogod. Over the past weeks I’ve noticed a marked increase in SLT’s advertisements. Although I’m glad you are making more money, would it be possible for you to add a few more pages, so we can be better informed about developments in the province?

SAMUEL PALAGANAS
SOGOD & NEW YORK CITY

Quarrying Deadline Set

Last Tuesday I attended a meeting called by Representative Roger Mercado to discuss the illegal quarrying at the Canturing River. At that meeting it was agreed that all quarrying in the area would cease on July 15, 2011. It was also decided that small time quarriers there would be employed in the National Greening Program. This is the type of dialogue we need. Short but productive. (ACM)

MEGA BRIDGE CONCERNS

After viewing the safety aspects of the Agas-agas Bridge, I could not fathom the mind set of local officials who approved its functional design and construction. I am particularly concerned about (a) The bridge’s guardrails which were not provided with sufficient security screens designed not only to deter suicide jumpers but also to impede incidental lunge of vehicular mishaps and (b) Recreational activities like bungie jumping or zip lining were not subjected to strict enforcement and implementation of ‘qualified’ safety rules and regulations that can prevent injury or death. Regarding the latter, concerned officials must be aware that if permits or licenses were issued to allow the business operation of said recreational activities, potential civil or criminal lawsuits against the government could come about from deceased or injured patrons. A qualified mandatory safety inspection and maintenance program appears to be called for. As per Murphy’s Law, “What could happen will happen.” It’s just a matter of time.

camilocobile@yahoo.com

Useless Cebu Tour?

Some students of the medical department of the College of Maasin and their parents are complaining they are being forced to join the school’s Cebu and Mactan Tour by their dean and other faculty members. He claims the tour would cost each student almost 4,000 pesos each excluding their pocket money. The students argue that their parents are already burdened with their tuition fees and allowance and now here comes this tour which is just a waste of money. Why don’t they just go to the remote barangays here and conduct community service.

ROGELIO DE DIOS

Relevant and Quite Cheap

According to Rainier Ilado who is coordinating the Cebu and Mactan Tour scheduled for the last week of May the purpose of the tour is to familiarize the CM nursing students with the modern hospital facilities in Cebu like Chung Waih and Cebu Doctor’s Hospital. They would also learn how to use and operate CT-scans and other high end equipments that Southern Leyte hospitals don’t have. The P3750 pesos tour expenses which would cover food, hotel accommodation, tourist bus and boat fare plus lectures at the various hospitals in Cebu City and Mactan is really quite cheap. He also said there was no student at the CM Nursing School by the name of Rogelio De Dios. ED

Hinunangan has much to offer

Hello. Please add Hinunangan town to your tourism web site. And the Dona Marta Boutique Hotel in Tahusan Beach which is the best in Hinunangan. Can you let us know how we can do this. Thank you, and more power to the Southern Leyte Times.

I’m sure this can be arranged. But it's my son who is the expert on website matters and he’s in Manila and won’t be back till next week. I hope you won’t mind waiting a few days. Thank you for your interest and do keep in touch. When in Maasin, drop by our office, so when can learn more about the happenings in your beautiful town. San Pedro and San Pablo Islands are much more colorful and pristine than Cangigao Island in Matalom Town. I’ve visited these islands several times but I have friends who don’t even know about them. ~ED

Ok. Thanks no problem. We are often in Maasin and will make it a point to visit your editorial office along R. Kangleon national road the next time we are there. Regards, and keep up the good work. ROLANDO BACOY

Descartes Not Socrates

I would just like to point out a mistake in your April 11, 2011 issue of ZOOMLENS where you wrote that “I think therefore I am” was a statement from Socrates. The truth is it was Rene Descartes who coined famous phrase. But congratulations to SLT for its courage to continue serving the people of Southern Leyte. God bless you!

O.A.CADAYONA
oacadayona@yahoo.com

We stand corrected and thank you for pointing out the error. Very few people read the philosophy of great thinkers like Descartes and Socrates and you are obviously one of them.~ ED

Wants Information on Leyte

Hi. I am looking for a newspaper covering Leyte island. A newspaper that has journalists who write about local stuff?

MICHAEL RAYN
mikmak@mikmak.info

Welcome to SLT.~ ED

Regarding Lowela’s Death

I guess you probably have many negative comment regarding lowela’s death. Are you sure about your report? You should have interviewed lowela’s companions when she allegedly committed suicide. And should have talked to membersof her family and the police who interviewed the witnesses. I’m not certain you really know the whole story since you don’t even know the correct spelling of lowela’s surname. -Dessie Jane-

For the record we did talk to Lowela’s father and sister during her wake, but failed to interview her mother, who was too traumatized at the time. As for her ”surname” I suggest you look up the word’s meaning in the dictionary. ~ ED

I visit SLT and the other provincial websites and though you were way ahead a few years ago the others sites appear to be catching up. What happened? Another thing I want to point out is the introduction of your feedback section - the English needs editing.

Rodrigo Salas
rdsalas@hotmail.com

May I know what (other) websites you are referring to? The introduction to our feedback section was written by our Chinoy computer programmer in Manila. I’ve asked him to revise it since we cannot edit our website from here. But thank you for your comments and please continue sending us your thoughts on how we can further improve SLT. ~ ED

The introduction of your feedback section - the English needs editing. If you could be more specific as to what exactly needs editing in the introduction I would gladly repost it. ~Chinoy computer programmer

Writer

I want to write for you because I believe in your cause and I wish to be connected with a paper coming from my own province. It’s okey if the “honorarium” is meager or delayed , as long as I’ll be given an opportunity to write for our own townfolks. I hope you can still recall my previous articles with you (circa 2000). The birth of your paper also served as my catalyst.

Southern Leyte is my home province but I have not been there for may years, and now want to spend sometime there this coming summer. Where should I stay, and would I need to make a reservations? (merylinemuller@yahoo.com)

Am inquiring whether the governor or our representative will help Southern Leyte OFWs from libya who have been displaced by the unrest there. I hear Tacloban Mayor Romualdez is offering this kind of assistance. (jacksaensobrio@yahoo.com)

We checked with the offices of the brothers Mercado and have been informed they would gladly help Southern Leyteños with your problem. Please ask for Aida Morsen at the congressman’s District Office in Abgao. ED

I just want to inquire regarding canigao island. May promo packages ba kayo magkano naman?

Wala kaming promo package para sa Canigao dito kasi its part of the other Leyte. But there are pump boats that can bring you there from Matalom in 15 minutes and fetch you later at friendly prices. But don’t go there during weekends when its too crowded, because there’s only two toilets on the island. ED

I’m looking for relatives of my late father Nonesto Garvez from Tomas Oppus. Please let me know or email me its been 33 years since I have received any news about them.

Thank you for again mentioning my “One Woman Crusade” against our menfolk’s disgusting practice of pissing anywhere but the toilet bowl. The Tourism Council of Maasin City is presently working on this problem and in the near future public toilets will be sprouting in barangays along the city’s main roads. However this effort will only succeed if the males in our city cooperate. In the meantime I am appealing to them to please find a toilet they can piss into.

LILIES MERCADO KAPILI
IBARRA, MAASIN CITY

We wish you luck in your lonely crusade to toilet train the macho- men in our piss-scented City by the Bay. ED

The SLT article containing Councilor Cleofe Abenion’s alleged interview where she reportedly said the SB members there were not “development oriented” has demoralized the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc. It may also have affected its approval rating among townsfolk and Bontocanons abroad are already asking clarifications regarding the issue. SLT should have consulted other members of the council if it wanted to know the real scenario. For this, we would like to hear your explanation regarding the article. (LIZARTO M. SALVADOR, SB SECRETARY)

Although we regret any inconvenience that our interview with Councilor Abenion has caused the honorable members of Bontoc’s Sangguniang Bayan - we stand by its accuracy. We have always had high regards for your LGU’s accomplishments. Particularly your water supply delivery system, your school building project, and your infrastructure program. The fact that the Rural Bank of Maasin, one of our fastest growing financial institutions in the province, has established its second branch there is a testament to the visionary leadership of your Sangguniang Bayan and former mayor and now vice mayor Pedro “Pete” Fustanes. But although we do not agree with Councilor Abenion’s comments, we believe she should not be ostracized by her colleagues, for what we believe was “a constructive criticism” made in good faith, and with the welfare of your constituents in mind. You are fortunate to have someone like Cleofe in your town council. ED

Switch off all lights and unplug all electrical wires when not used. Walk or ride a bicycle. It’s good for your health and the environment. Plant more tree and don’t let old ones be cut down. A single tree will absorb three tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Avoid products with a lot of packaging and use tote bags when shopping. Reduce, reuse and recycle more. Recycling just half of your household waste can save you 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide every year. Stop polluting the waterways.

Change your lights with compact fluorescents bulbs and save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Avoid burning trash and dried materials like plastic. It contains coal, oil and gas which are harmful to our health. Dry leaves have hidden carbon dioxide. Don’t burn them.

Conserve water. Watering your plants or washing your car everyday just because you can, doesn’t mean you need to. Conserve water emissions. Switch to alternative and renewable source of energy? Be a part of the solutions and get involved.

If we can build the internet and go to the moon, we can fight global warming. The longer we wait to do something about it the harder it would be to solve. (ART SIGA, TUBURAN, MAASIN CITY)

I’ve just read your article over the internet about the weird weather conditions you are experiencing in the Philippines and have also noticed the strange weather we are having here. We’re getting snow storms in southern states that had not had them before and the temperature here in New York City is way below zero. So I must admit I agree with you that the earth’s climate is indeed changing due to global warming. I don’t understand how our PAGASA experts can simply blame the weather conditions there on the La Niña phenomenon.

I completely agree with your premise that the weird weather we are having is caused mainly by climate change due to global warming. It’s happening everywhere and even Saudi Arabia is experiencing floods. While here in Southern Leyte the weather is getting colder every day, and hasn’t stopped raining since December. We have a PAGASA office here at barangay Asuncion but it hasn’t been very active in issuing information about weather changes. ED

I am inviting you to attend the press conference at 10:30 in the morning at the Tacloban Airport’s VIP Lounge on Friday, January 28 to cover DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo’s arrival via Philippine Airlines. Secretary Robredo will be the guest speaker at the 2010 Local Legislative Awards to be held on January 28, 2011 at the People’s Center and Library.

MYLES JOSEPH COLASITO
REGIONAL INFORMATION OFFICER
DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

I am concerned about the apparent involvement of Congressman Mercado with the Maasin Water District’s proposed Bulok-bulok Spring Development Project .

If the Mercado brothers keep interferring with the official business affairs of Maasin, Maloney might as well look for another job. He has done nothing to address essential problems of Maasin’s infrastructure issues. Any descerning Maasinhon would suspect a conflict of interest when the solon starts announcing company names which would undertake city projects. Is Maloney really that inept as far as the city’s infrastructure is concerned? When will he ever start earning his salary as a public servant?

It was actually MWD General Manager Nestor Geraldo who approached Congressman Roger Mercado and asked him if he could fast tract the approval of the P22.5 million loan with the Local Water Utilities Authority’s (LWUA) board of directors. ED

Plastic Bags Banned
On TV this morning I learrned that the City government of Muntinlupa had banned the use of all types of plastic wrappers. I saw city authorities there actually confiscating the plastic bags that were still being used by vendors at their public markets, sari-sari stores and supermarkets. Do you suppose our city council here could pass and implement a similar legislation? ART SIGA
TUBURAN, MAASIN

I’m sure our city council could pass a similar legislation. The question is whether the city government has the political will to implement it. ED

This is Beth. I am a researcher from Manila and currently searching for polluted places in Leyte. I am concerned mainly about toxic sites where pollution has a direct impact on human beings. Do you have any such places there? I am particularly concerned about “used Lead Acid batteries.”
BETH
EMAIL: BEGOMERA

The main toxic disposal sites here are our public dumpsites where you can find all types of used batteries and other toxic wastes. This is so because we do not have a modern incinerator to dispose of them. Other favorite dumping sites here would be our rivers and their tributaries, and of course, our seas which are teeming with toxic wastes. One question you should ask when you come here is: where do our hospitals and funeral parlors dispose of their surgically removed body parts? ED.

What’s a Street Mall?

Thank you for publishing our feedback on the on-going Gaisano Mall construction in the city. You asked me what was the difference between a street mall and an ordinary mall? The difference is that the proposed street mall would use the existing main street in downtown Maasin City to reduce the regular traffic flow on the main street.

Samuel Mercado
7th Millennium Community

In last week’s Letter to the Editor titled “Let’s Help Our Girls Scouts,” we inadvertently gave the wrong bank account number of the Girl Scouts Chapter in Southern Leyte. Its bank account number with the BDO Branch in Maasin City is 6130089863. Sorry for the oversight. ED.

I was shocked to learn from a friend that not a single Southern Leyteno here or abroad had answered the request for financial assistance of the Southern Leyte Chapter of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. As a Sogodanon working in New York City I would like to send my humble contribution for this noble movement which I believe is the best organization for instilling in our young women the values of honesty, prudence, hard work, self reliance and love of country. May I know who I should address my contribution to.

Thank you so much. I hope your donation will touch the hearts of others; especially our civic organizations like the Rotary Club of Maasin and the Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry. You may send your contribution to the GSP BDO Maasin Branch under its account number 6130089861. ED

The residents of Maasin City and Southern Leyte have ignored the tremendous opportunities they could have by establishing a Street Mall along the R. Kangleon road instead of allowing the owners of the Gaisano Shopping Mall to operate in Maasin City. None of our leaders in the government and private sectors have taken the time to study the tremendous contributions of the main street malls which other cities in the world have.

It is not too late even when the Gaisano company president had signed a memorandum of agreement with our City Mayor. If the Gaisano management really want to contribute to the economy of Southern Leyte they could design their shopping mall as the anchor store to connect with the proposed Ruperto K. Kangleon Street Mall.

Perhaps if our Overseas Filipino Workers would send pictures of the street malls in other countries our local and civic leaders would establish one.

7th Millennium Community
sm7thmil@yahoo.com

We don’t really have to go abroad for insights on how to construct and manage shopping malls, because our Shoe Mart and Robinson’s Malls are much better than those in other countries.

But I do agree that we should help create a better business environment for our local entrepreneurs (who I feel) sincerely want to improve our economy. By the way, what is the difference between a street mall and an ordinary mall? ED

In my book “My Home in the Jungle” I wrote about the day to day life in barangay Sangahon Malitbog Southern Leyte which I published in Cebu at IT park. www. MyHome in the Jungle.com. I’ve devised a marketing campaign offering a 100 peso Commission for the sale of each book. I have over a thousand college students following my link on face book.

Congratulations on your book which I’m sure contains a lot of insights about life in barangay Sangahon Malitbog, Southern Leyte. This January Malitbog will be celbrating its 161st founding anniversary.

This would be a good opportunity for you to introduce your book to Malitboganons who I’m sure would welcome an in depth look on what makes them unique from other people in the counrty. ED

I’ve been searching the web for Maasin’s city map with no luck. What I need is a map showing the city proper with streets, business establishments and residential areas. Can we get this from our city hall or from other sources? I’m willing to help digitize it.
caellazar@gmail.com

I’m afraid there is no such map available today. We have been writing about the need for one, but no one at the City Engineer’s or Tourism Office have responded.The kind of map we would like to see would also show squatter colonies and disaster prone areas so our city disaster coordinating teams can devise a plan to prevent them. ED

Tourism undersecretary Romano has resigned. I’m sure he meant well, but I agree with his move. Coming up with a tourism tagline in Pilipino like “Filipinas Kay Ganda was not a very good idea. I think DOT Sec Alberto Lim should resign too. People must have laughed at their gaffe. I can’t understand why they would choose a Tagalog phrase to sell the Philippines. Since the vast majority of our tourists are foreigners and won’t understand what it means.

On a recent visit to the town plaza I noticed there were still some political banners of candidates hanging from buildings. This is against the Election Code and the COMELEC should have them removed since it’s been six months since the last national election. This can easily be considered as premature campaigning.

Several years ago the MWD tried to tap the Ibarra springs for its water starved consumers. However the residents there protested because they would have to pay more if they got their water through the MWD water pipes. Since water is an essential commodity our elected officials must convince the residents of Ibarra to share their water with the rest of the city. I know this will take political will to achieve. But I am confident our city mayor can do it if he really wanted to.

This refers to your ZOOMLENS article (Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2010 issue) entitled “THE CASE OF THE MISSING ORDINANCES.” There are inaccuracies in the article that ought to be corrected if only to set the records straight. What was given to the chairman of the evaluating team was only a transmittal slip, not the allegedly “missing ordinances.” Director Juan Badocdoc is not the Chairman of the Search for Most Outstanding Sangguniang Bayan evaluating team but Mrs. Fe. Cruz also of the DILG. Thank You and more power.

BEVERLY A. ESPINA
SP SECRETARIAT

This pertains to the existing Gold panning operation in Brgy. Pinut-an, San Ricardo, Southern Leyte which is considered illegal because it is within the prohibited zone 200 meters from the mean low tide and 500 meters offshore. And their process of recovering gold is thru the application of mercury. The Provincial Mining Regulatory Board agreed to conduct IEC through a consultative meeting to address the problem and look for possible solutions to legalize the operation because it is the main source of their livelihood and to increase awareness on environmental protection. Relative to this, May I invite you or your representative to attend the said meeting on October 19, 2010, 9:30 in the morning at Brgy. Auditorium of Pinut-an, San Ricardo, So. Leyte.Thank you for your support and cooperation.

(Signed PEDRO S. SORIO, Jr. Assistant Department Head Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Management Office)

I recently found out that my son, who is a 3rd year high school student, was not attending his classes. I asked around and found him at an internet café near his school. I found him and some of his classmates watching porn from an adult website. What’s more troubling is that most of the customers there were probably high school students and almost all of them were watching porn. I decided to take away his allowance, however, a few days ago, I again found him inside an internet café watching porn again. I work at an office from morning till evening and had to take a leave of absence in order to look for my son, isn’t there an ordinance that prevents internet café’s from letting high school students enter during school time? And what about those pornographic videos they were watching? Are they even allowed?

Concerned Parent (email: jramos@gmail.com)

Editors Note: There is already a DepEd Circular mandating internetshops to prohibit the entry of elementary and highschool students in their establishments during school hours. If they do not follow they can be reprimanded.

Correction Please
This is in response to your recent article about our company. For the record Effie Niña is not the manager of the Maasin Branch of Panny’s Home Baked products but the store’s supervisor. Second Ms. Effie Niña was misquoted when she reportedly said Baybay was more progressive than Maasin. We believe Maasin is more progressive considering it has been a City for 10 years while Baybay’s request for city hood status was recently disapproved by the Supreme Court. Third it was not in Tacloban City where we started our business but in Maasin City where our main branch is located. Fourth not all our branches are managed by our daughters. As its general manager and owner I have designated my youngest brother (Emmanuel Cardeño) to manage our two branches in Tacloban and my son Nestor Sy, Jr., to temporarily manage our Maasin branch. He will be assigned later to our Baybay branch. Fifth our daughters are not all named Epifania but rather “Effie” except our youngest daughter whose second name is Panny.
Mrs. EPIFANIA (PANNY) SY

There was obviously some miscommunication between Ms. Effie Nina and our correspondent Angelyn Book. We apologize however for any error in our reporting. By the way, we are avid consumers of your delicious products, which we consider comparable with (if not superior to) Red Ribbon. ED

I saw your article about Judge Daisy Paler Gonzales. I’ve been trying to locate the foster family I stayed with a long time ago (1975) in Maasin, Southern Leyte. When I was there on a student exchange program (I was only 11 years old). I remember her last name was Paler and her father was a lawyer too. He had three sons and a daughter named Daisy. Can you forward this email to her (or give her my email address). I hope we can reconnect if she is indeed that daughter. I now live in Washington DC USA..

It was most unfair to call Mr. Dodi Hernandez “The Father of All Disasters.” Hernandez who is one of the closest confidantes of the governor has many enemies who envy his influence and want nothing more than to tarnish his image. I believe SLT owes Hernandez an apology.

When we described Dodi as “The Father of All Disasters” in Southern Leyte, we merely meant that being the Chief of the Provincial Disaster Management Center he was responsible for coordinating all disasters in the province - and was therefore its father image. Perhaps the more accurate phrase would have been; Coordinator of All Disasters in the Province. In any case we apologize for any pain the article may have caused. ED

Thank You SLT

Dahil sa Website nang Southern Leyte Times ma update nako sa mga happenings diha sa Maasin. Am so happy, parang nandian lang ako. Keep up the good work. And send my regards sa inyong graphic artist Angie Book og sa marketing officer nang SLT Noeme Montalbo at ang mga amiga naho.

I was happy to read in last week’s issue of the Southern Leyte Times that Congressman Roger Mercado, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Congressional Committee on Transportation, would be looking into the feasibility of resuscitating our moribund railway industry. Railroads are a cheaper, faster and safer means of transportation than air, sea, and other means of travel. Britain was a better colonizer than the US ever was nainly because it developed the railway systems of the countries it conquered.

These senders of religious chain prayers (who I actually know and they know me) should stop this ridiculous practice. I won’t let anybody question my faith based on whether I passed on such email to my friends. They are exploiting our people’s weakness and polluting their minds.

I just wonder if someone could compose an email that could counter act these senseless letters. Although I don’t want them to stop this practice. They should understand what they are doing is wrong and are wasting peoples time and energy sending these messages to ten or more religious fanatics. If they think Jesus is naive enough to be fooled by such pretensions, they are wrong.

Is maasin short of 25 centavo coins or is it just our supermarkets? These past 2 days, I’ve been doing a few shopping trips there and on these occasions I was given candy for change. I did not know that it’s now considered a legal tender or a medium of exchange. Next time I go there, I’ll bring candy in return for their goods.

I’m a seaman aboard a container ship plying the Middle East, Singapore and Hong Kong route. I love reading your website because it keeps me posted on the goings on in Southern Leyte. Daghang Salamat and more power.

The Council Board and Staff of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Southern Leyte Council (GSP) wish to thank you for your commitment and continued support to the Girl Scout movement. Likewise to Dr. Gloria Reyes who is also very supportive most especially when she was the Council President. Indeed our council needs financial assistance to be able to achieve its Mission to help our girls and young women prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, the nation and the world community. We only hope that your appeal for help through SLT will awaken our generous readers here and abroad to share a little treasure for the sustenance of the varied girl scout activities in the province. Rest assured all donations will be accounted for and go along way in the value formation of our girls.

With regards to the Pungase murder case in Dongon, Maasin City, I doubt very much if our local policemen can solve this case.

As every Maasinhon knows our policemen rely only on “tsismis” and talk-of-the-towns so they can catch criminals. Without tsismis our policemen face a blank wall. They only pretend to investigate but every one knows that their investigation does not extend beyond recording the crime in the police blotter.

Once its recorded in this dubious book they consider it solved. That’s why we have the so-called “Pulis Patola.” Please consider this message a challenge and not an insult to all men and women who dream of one day joining the Philippine National Police: “All it takes for criminals to scare us to death is to have policemen who do nothing but wait for the 15th and 30th of the month.” If you have a problem that requires police work let your local barangay tanods handle it. They will do a better job.

As a balikbayan I loved to brag to my American friends about our beautiful Mangrove Forest in Barangay Lib-og. So last Friday I brought my family there to show them first hand how environmentally friendly Maasinhons were.

I was shocked therefore when I saw that the bamaboo walkway which traversed the forest had no side railings in some sections and just keeping ones balance was a supreme effort. To add insult to injury, some parts of the walkway were old and brittle, so we had to walk sideways so we wouldn’t fall into the sea. When we finally reached the nipa hut I had bragged to my wife so much about we found that it too was dilapidated and the urinal had disappeared. I was informed that the College of Maasin’s Community Environment Development Program (CEDP) which managed the facility so well had already turned it over to the Lib-og community. Needless to say it will take some time before I brag to my family about Maasin City again.

With the victory of Liberal Party standard bearer Noynoy Aquino, admirers of its provincial chairman Robert Castanares are expecting great things from him, because they know he could bring even more assistance to Southern Leyte.One way he can do this is to be appointed Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas. If he could team-up with Congressman Roger Mercado, who has done wonders here, they could really jump-start our economy and turn it into a first class province. As a balik-bayan I really believe they can transform the political slogan of the congressman “Loyalty, Solidarity and Teamwork” into reality. The time for parochial and narrow minded politics must end, and as our leaders they
can initiate this change for the better.
SAMUEL PALAGANAS
SOGOD AND NEW YORK CITY

Lets Help Our Barangay Tanods

Instead of relying on our City PNP which we all know is anemic lets help our barangay tanods who are our real frontliners against crime. We can do this by increasing their pay and arming them with something more intimidating than nightsticks so they can patrol our streets more effectively.
JUANITO DIPONEGORO

Could you publish something about the other less known independent local candidates? I heard they have good platforms of governance but lack the venue to present them to the public.

I am getting a little tired of the same old candidates from either the Lerias, Saludo and Mercado families. Is there no one else!? Anyway I hope you can grant my request. May God bless our province’s Southern Leyte Times!

Greetings! I am Carlito “Boy” Sanchez who was born and raised in Sogod, Southern Leyte, but now working and living in Dubai.
I had a girlfriend there but due to my work assignment in the middle east was forced to leave my home town. After 7 years I still think of her.

Is there anyway I could get the phone landline directory of Sogod so I can communicate with her again?

My ancestors are from Anahawan, Southern Leyte and I would like to ask your help on how to get there. I am thinking of visiting Anahawan and want to know how to get there from Cebu and where to stay once I reach the town. Since you are the only contact I have there could you please help me.

Would it be better to go to Maasin first then to Anahawan? How many hours would it take? I would like to stay for a day or two and explore the place.

Thank you for your e-mail. If you are flying home via Cebu City, we suggest you proceed to the Cokaliong Shipping Office along the port area and buy a ticket to Maasin City. Your taxi driver knows where it is and can drive you there. Once in Maasin please proceed to the nearby City Tourism Office beside city hall. I am sure they would be glad to direct you to the bus terminal where you can buy a ticket to Anahawan a 4 hour trip by bus. But if you arrive here on a weekend just tell the motorcab driver to bring you to the SLT Editorial office so we can help you. ED

Good day! Do you have copies of SLT editions in your website archives that were published before 2009? I checked your archives but I think it covers only 2009 onward.

Yes we do have earlier editions of SLT from the year 2000 to April 2010. However our website covers only 2009 to the present due to lack of space. ED

I read your commentary regarding my accent on corrupt transactions in city hall. You sure hit the bull but missed the eye. As expected, you would rather alleluia, gloria than expose the truth.

Libelous? Not if its true, said PDI columnist Conrado de Quiros in “What Libel is Not.” Yet due process in our justice system is mere playground for the filthy rich. Vindictive? Very. The illegal termination of regular appointees is one legally protracted resbak. Overpriced? Exorbitantly. A 10-year old van for P850T is highway robbery. A virtual junk, it now lies crippled in the motor pool. Anomalous? Yes. The former city mayor bargained his derelict at a gross disadvantage to the city. No dissenting voice in “Unity.” Bisan si kins maksabs klarex!

As I see it, you can’t handle the truth. I understand pretty well your pro-position and reluctance to dig. Many in media have been killed for being too ‘noisy’. This fear is real. Desperate minds can generate fatal moves.

Anyway this information is intended for true-blue Maasinhons (which you are not) who ought to know and care. But if you prefer to keep your ears, eyes and mouth shut then alas like the Maguindanao massacre, a tragedy for Maasin and Southern Leyte.
Sir Edmund Burke said it all when he wrote “All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
~SANTA

We received a similar letter during the height of the 2007 mayoral campaign. We advised the authors then that if they have the evidence (they claimed to have) they should file their complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman instead of hiding behind the cloak of anonymity. -ED

Good day, gusto lang nahu unta isumbong ang pag abusar nga gbuhat sa isang bangko diha sa maasin sa ilahang mga lenders. Ang ilahang mga lenders maglibog ug giunsa na nila pagcompute ang mga loans nga labang dagkoag nag gdoble sa borrowed amount kun mapalta ug bayad. Mangimbargo silag mga butang pero maggukod pa jud sa lenders ug gusto nila nga bisan piso wa nay mabilin sa ilahang lender. Gusto lang unta nahu nga maexpose ning pagpangubasar aning bangko. Wa nila mahimo ang unsay angayan nilang himoon. (Name Witheld Upon Request)

I just want to ask if the NARS program will be extended this year and when will it begin? thank you. Grace F. Iligan, gracie cute19@yahoo.com

Yes. The program will continue this year. For particulars please contact the Office of the Provincial Governor at telephone number 5709018.

We are happy to know that the service MWD has provided us is worthy enough to be called “good” but we do not see their General Manager often enough. I hear they are searching for their next GM. I wonder what the board of directors of MWD has done so far.
Their current General Manager is only present 5 days a month. How can the office function effectively without a head?
Can’t Mayor Maloney Samaco do something about this? Who is supervising their day to day operation there? I was trying to see the GM but he’s always out of town. Isn’t it about time they hired a manager from Maasin so he or she could provide better service to the city?

When management of any organization is weak, its governing board usually takes over most of the agency’s day-to-day operations. If it too is weak, then the deputy GM is king, or in MWD’s case, its queen. ED

Good day mr. editor. I’m Lyn Sato from barangay ibarra, a bank employee working in cebu. mag ulian ko twicea month dha sa maasin kay naa ako family ng stay. natingala man ko sa mga red plate vehicles sa maasin nga wala man kabutang For Official Use Only nga unta naa man unta even asa nga lugar sa pilipinas. ang nakapangilabot pa kay morag gihimo naman personal use sa mga Government Official kay makita man naka park or standby sa mga public places like beaches, enternet cafes, parlor and saloons,even sa balay sa mga girlfriends, hatud kuha sa mga anak sa eskuylahan. ang kahindik hindik adto naman e park sa ilang mga panimalay! mao na diay systema sa atong lugar? ako twice a month ra mouli pero wa ko maka uyon sa akong nakit an og na obserbahan aning pag abusar sa atong mga official sa gobyerno. talamak naman ila pag abuso sa mga tawo. manghinaut ko mr editor imo ni ma featuresa zoomlens. more power to you! I am an avid reader of your column.

How much money is earned by abusive businessmen in the city who do not give change? They’re not giving the loose centavos as change, and if they do, a candy or two will do. What a shame! Can anybody in the government do something about this? They should do their job and be fair to the poor! After all, they can’t take their money to heaven - or to hell!

I find your website southernleytetimes.com very informative. Thanks to all the people behind this wonderful website.
I am looking for my very good friends from SJC high school Butch Bagalay. Does anybody know his whereabouts?

Your news about the proposed Abgao-canturing reclamation plan was a lousy job, for it contained no detailed information about the project. You should make an effort to improve your information and editorial management to ensure that vital details of a newsworthy local government undertaking are not left out. I am aware that publishing a provincial newspaper is a great sacrifice for the men and women of the Southern Leyte Times. So please conside my comments as a brotherly pinch on the ear. Happy holidays to all of you and here's wishing for the success and growth of the Southern Leyte Times!

Thank you for your "brotherly pinch on the ear." We could not provide the detailed information you wanted so badly because the project which was proposed by Engineer Pepe Bascug to Congressman Roger Mercado was only at its "teaser phase" to see what the congressman's reaction would be.We'll provide its details when (and if) it reaches the feasibility planning phase. - ED

Just wanna comment on the proposed provincial hospital in Barangay Dongon.
I think it would just mean that more of the people’s taxes will go to the politicians pocket now that election is just several months away. Let's fix the present provincial hospital first before making a new one! Maasin is Super Over Acting when it comes to taxes. I guess our politicians are in dire need of funding for their campaign.

I really hope the provincial hospital will improve and hire more competent doctors and nurses. Some doctors and nurses there are rude and don't even know what they're doing.

I read your article “Student slams child abuse in San Francisco” and would like to clarify a few points you raised there. In the fourth paragraph of your commentary you quoted Roxanne Napallacan who is a resident of San Francisco as saying the abuses on young female students in her town included: “brutal sexual assaults by drug addicted tricycle drivers and of the indifference of school authorities who she claimed must have known about the incidents but did nothing about it.” And in the last sentence of your fifth paragraph you wrote that Roxanne also said that students were afraid to report the incidents to their principal or parents because they feared they would be punished if they did so.
I would like to point out that Roxanne in her speech at the Miriam College in Quezon City did not mention anything about sexual assaults by drug addicted tricycle drivers. Nor did she claim school authorities were indifferent about it and feared being punished if they reported the incidents to their parents or school authorities. What Roxanne was referring to was the risk faced by female students who had to travel long distances to reach their school.

(Editor’s note: Although Bontuyan admitted that many young women were sexually harassed by male motorcycle drivers. He said that “sexual assault” was different from “sexual harassment.” ED

Dear Mr. Bontuyan,

Our report about Miss Roxanne Napallacan’s revelation was based on an article in a popular national daily which was written by a correspondent noted for her accurate reporting. As of this writing we haven’t received any comment regarding our article from the DepEd district office although we called several times and left messages on what we wanted to talk about. What was particularly shocking was they were apparently not even aware of Roxanne’s speech which was delivered before 500 international participants. ED

Mayor Maloney Samaco’s campaign to reduce smokers in the city is a very wise move. Imagine how much time is wasted by an employee (especially in government) for smoking breaks during office hours. Mayor Samaco should include in his list the banning of drinking liquor in the streets.While these drunkards feel like they're machos while drinking, the security and serenity of the place diminishes.

I've come upon a copy of the Southern Leyte Times this morning and was so glad to hear of news closer to home. By the way I am from Barangay Itum, Matalom. Keep up the good work "unta mga bisaja and english dili tagalog, but never the less its funny," ahong joke.

Si botsir ug boloy na mana ug isda sa komigao.
Botsir: Dinhi ra ta noy kay medjo mabaw2x ra,
Boloy: Mura mag way isda dinhi tsir mingaw man tanawon
Botsir: Unsay way isda,naa man galing isda sa libro dinhi pa kaha'ng dagat

I can’t understand why some people are against the proposed new hospital in Barangay Dongon.. The old one is over crowded and very hot. Patients need a more spaccious place to recover. If we had a second hospital the problem of overcrowding would also be solved.

A second hospital would need an administrative staff and doctors and nurses . The more people empoyed the better for the city.

Why should the current IPHO have a hard time recruiting personnel? There are so many qualified but unemployed nurses and medical technicians in the province. I personally know woman who passed the board examination last June who is still unemplyed.

Thank you for your letter. Your comments certainly make sense, and I agree with you completely. The proposed hospital is probably the best project of Governor Damian Mercado. ~ ED

Please help me prod Southern Leyte's youth to take the Philippine National Police Academy examinations. I was a proctor for the last examination and noticed only a few took the test there. I would like to encourage more young people to take the examination which could lead to a very exciting career with the PNP. Our next entrance examination is scheduled this october 25. For more information please contact me at my email below.

My name is Mariko Tinaya. I am a graduate student currently studying in Pennsylvania USA. I have been assigned a research project which require current information about two world cities. I have chosen employment rate fluctuations over the past five years in Maasin, Southern Leyte and Johannesburg, South Africa I have been looking through your bewspaper's archives and found the article "2,000 Skilled Workers Leave Province Yearly" to be quite intriguing. Would you have any more information on Southern Leyte's employment rate? If not, could you tell me where I can get them? Thank you in advance for your assistance. I have enjoyed reading your newspaper and acquainting myself with some of the concerns of the people there.

I would like to extend my gratitude for your help. I sent you a request 5 or 6 months ago to help me find my Serenio family in Southern Leyte and sure enough, everything worked out great. I heard that you guys posted my comment in your newspaper and it was viewed by people who made contact with my family. I now have a part of my past that I have never known. Thank you for all your time and effort.

Although I appreciate the many infrastructures the city hall has built for us, even if some are badly constructed, like our drainage system which doesn’t flow and are havens for dengue mosquitoes. What we really need is a reprieve from the financial burdens imposed on us by agencies like the GSIS, Phil-Health and other government entities. These are difficult times and the government can help us by reducing these requirements.

It pains me to see our congressman’s tireless attempts to reforest our watersheds and how illegal loggers in cahoots with CENRO officers are negating his efforts. Mayor Evelyn Lee has been trying to regulate the number of chainsaws in our municipality but has gotten no support from CENRO to control the proliferation and use of chain saws in our town. There are even reports CENRO foresters are renting out there chain saws to illegal loggers. I read in one of your columns that you believe some government agencies are not only Useless – but Harmful to our people. Now I understand what you meant. Keep up the good work.

We use to receive annual visits from PAGASA which installed a telescope atop city hall where students could peak skywards and see the stars close-up. It drew long lines of curious youngsters who had never used a telescope before.Would it be possible for Pagasa to resume this service?
SAMUEL PALAGANAS
NEW YORK CITY

The July 2-13, 2009 issue of the Southern Leyte Times was delivered to me yesterday and I thank your husband the editor for sending it to me.

I chuckled upon seeing the heading of the article “A US Soldier’s Love story” but admit it’s the editors right to stretch a point. I never actually dated Leoncia Dominese, for after our first chance encounter, we never met again. I recall a friend who tried to date her, but she always turned him down. Good for her!

The real state of the nation is a state in mourning for the death of a housewife who became their president. The eulogies she received extolled her virtues as a mother to millions and praised her strength as a leader no coup could topple. There was no hakot and yet her funeral procession drew an audience that stretched from Greenhills to her final resting place at the Manila Memorial Park. The solemn applause was a spontaneous show of appreciation for a job well done. GMA’s SONA at the Batasan pales by comparison in honesty and sincerity. I salute you Tita Cory. You are in a league of your own.

My father was murdered almost 4 years ago and the trial of his killer has been agonizingly slow. Although I believe in our justice system its just been too long with too many excuses and delays. My father was a wonderful man, husband and father. Yet he was shot in the back at our home for No Reason that anyone can understand. Please help me?

I am from Maasin City but am now working in New York, USA. I love the new format of SLT's website where I can view past issues in its archive section. This keeps me posted on the latest "happenings" there which I can then share in our Maasinhon meetings here in the states. Thanks a lot SLT, you are a warm blanket, for SouthernLeytenos who are hungry for news back home.

Dearest Editor. Aku manghinaut nga magupdate mo kanunay sa inyong programa sa online news! Ky para namu dri layo me sa maasin, kung mag open me sa inyong site mura me naa ghapon me sa maasin ug lipay kaayo me. Aku nangHinaot nga maasins ug magpabilin nga malinawon.Thank you.

Espina should not be in Congress

I am one of your avid fans and couldn’t make my week without having read your column “As I see It”. All your write-ups were very informative and your comments and analysis were based on facts. Everytime I read your column I always see to it that I wrote every significant fact and analysis in my booklet so that I can use it as my reference. But when I read your recent column on Attorney Domingo Espina, I put down my pen and closed my booklet, because honestly - I found that column as a display of “flowery statements” intended only to satisfy the frustrated nominee of COCOFED. I can’t imagine Atty. Espina as a congressman in the House of Representatives and I’m sure many of my fellow Libagonians cannot imagine it either. I ask you to visit our town and see how miserable it is while Sogod, Liloan and other towns in Southern Leyte have progressed. If there’s a legacy that Espina will leave behind maybe it’s the 20 million water system project that causes diarrhea, or the multi-million peso abbatoir project that was ordered closed by the Department of Health.
If he has done nothing for Libagonians, which is only a very small town with few constituents, what could he possibly do for his nationwide constituency as COCOFED’s sectoral Representative? I could agree with you when you described him as a good man, but not that he is qualified for the post.

Please check out the opening of Arkada,San Juan, Southern Leyte on july 31, 2009. Its a seaside business and events place. Its owners are Fe castillones and Polly cuizon.

Our Country’s Not Worth Dying For!

Here are my comments on Mr. Antonio Reyes’s column entitled “Must we die for our country?”My answer is; DEFINITELY NOT! It is hell on earth and only our political leaders are enjoying its fruits while we are wallowing in poverty and misery. Where have all our leaders gone? Have they all gone to the grave yards?

If ordinary citizens like you are willing to speak out against the evils that our leaders do, we won’t have to die for our country. Next time you criticize someone, please send us your full name and address, so we can decide if you are really a concerned citizen or just a bellyacher hiding behind a pseudo name. ED

I strongly disagree with the author of “Wishes on Province 49th Birthday.” Our capitol building is not impressive. The make over is terrible and does not convey the image of a capitol building. The writer should stop exaggerating things! If he doesn't know architecture he should not talk about it. The old design was far better. The DPWH and capitol building have different functions and should not be compared. The former is a Utilitarian Building and does not need aesthetics, while the latter is an Institutional Building and should reflect Southen Leyte’s aspirations and culture. So don’t compare an apple to a tomato. I wonder who their architect is, or if they have one.

Emergency lang po.Pwede pakiusap lang po kay mayor,tungkol lang po yung tiyuhin niya na si Vidal Tiempo Balaga.

I am frustrated with our local politicians. I have been working in Dubai for the past 5 years because I had no choice. I couldn’t find work in Maasin. I do not come from an influential family and have no influence with the powers there. It’s sad to admit that my college education didn’t count for much in Southern Leyte. And I do hope in the future our leaders would hire people based on what they know, and not who they know. Is that asking for too much?

~Uncle Bob (Email: expatsdubai@yahoo.com)

I have been living in Lungsodaan Padre Burgos for over 4 years now running a dive resort. I enjoy living here because its peaceful and safe. I have been promoting Southern Leyte and its diving wonders for over 3 years at http:www.sogodbayscubaresort.com http:divingsogodbay.blogspot.com.
I am very concerned about tourism here and want to know what the tourism offices here are doing about it. Where is their website? Using google search engine you type Southern Leyte tourism and you don’t even get Southern Leyte tourism site. A website is the most important tool to encourage foreigners to Southern Leyte. Bohol and Dumaguete are so far ahead of us.We have a wonderful port in Maasin but we have no fast crafts? How can we encourage tourists to come here when our only passenger boat arrives at 2 in the morning..I have to fetch my clients from Tacloban because of the ridiculous schedules of the Cokaliong shipping lines.
Please write something in your newspaper about this or this great opportunity will pass.

I enjoyed reading your ZOOMLENS story about a provincial VIP who had the road to his beloved’s home cemented. I am sure you will agree that this is a concrete testament to his love for this obviously fascinating woman. After all, how many of our local Casanovas would send a backhoe, a grader, a bulldozer and three dump trucks to facilitate access to his love one’s abode.

Now if we only had 13 more Romeos who will follow his example, at 5 barangay roads each, all our farm to market roads would be as smooth as silk.

May I know the name of this benevolent public servant so I can vote for him in the next election, and the ones after that.

Although we can’t reveal the name of this modern day Rasputtin, because we don’t want to risk another Libel suit. We certainly agree he has performed a great service to the five barangays his road to heaven passes. For the record, the roads have not been cemented (yet) but graded to perfection regularly. ~ED

I know its not easy, but I really appreciate SLT’s weekly internet updates. Thank you so much.

Regarding your last Zoomlens on “Balimbings” in politics. Thats the reality in the philippines. Can you ask Oging why he abandoned JDV his boss before. Sometimes mura man pod tag torotot.

Those who are complaining about the lack of big ships docking at the “white elephant” in Maasin City and other ports in Southern Leyte, please watch these video links:

Note: Our mission has started in Hawaii. Why? Well, it said several millennium ago, that “a prophet is not honored in his own country.”

So, since our intentional community project has no support in Southern Leyte, Philippines the past 20 years of planning and organizing, then we do it in Hawaii, U.S.A and few other countries. We do have some supports from those who are being “called out of this world,” according to His will!

Mas maganda sana ang site kung laging updated para naman alam naming nasa malayo na okay yung lugar kung san kami nakatira di ba po.

Thank you for your e-mail Joanna. We are trying our best to update our website weekly, but are having some adjustment problems, which we hope to resolve shortly. We welcome any interesting stories from wherever you are with photos, if possible. Meanwhile, thank you for bearing with us. - ED

How about a column or section in SLT for the young ones. Like the fact that the sun is shrinking, or what is the shortest word in the English language? I think this is one of the mostly read sections in any newspaper. I was an avid reader of SLT until I left Maasin for a job here in Middle East. It’s only now that I thought of logging on to your website. But at last I have it back.

If you know anyone who is willing and able to write on this topic weekly, please send us the writer’s name. But your suggestion is a good one, and we will include articles on your suggested topic when we come across any interesting tidbits. Thank you and do keep logging on to our website. - ED

This is in response to your ZOOMLENS article about a group of Germans who had difficulty finding a dive resort in Padre Burgos.

Why don’t we relocate the Provincial Tourism Office to Padre Burgos, since it is the site of most of our dive resorts, and is much closer to other popular places like Sogod Bay and historic Limasawa Island where our best dive sites are located. It would also underscore the key role of the Tourism Office in the province’s efforts to attract local and foreign tourists to Southern Leyte. At present it’s so hard to find the Provincial Tourism Office at the capitol building. Perhaps tourism chief Nedgar Garvez could propose this in the next provincial board meeting.

What are the qualifications required to be a candidate for a board seat at SLEMCOOP? What does Member of Good Standing (MIGS) really mean? Does it include good morals? If so, please review the officers they have allowed to run and who won in the last election. By doing so we can at least find out who are truly qualified for the post. Thank you SLT.

Good point. But if morality was a requirement for public office, I’m afraid we’ll have to disqualify 99.9 percent of our leaders - including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who lied about not seeking re-election in 2004, and for asking COMELEC’S Garciliano if she could get a million vote majority in the 2004 elections.

I think its about time we had a trauma center in the city that could cater to the needs of people with serious ailments like cancer, heart disease, severe hypertention and diabete. The center I’m proposing should also have rehabilitation experts and facilities for patients recovering from strokes and heart operations. Since we don’t have this facility today, our poor kabayans have to travel to Cebu which is too time consuminmg and expensive. I hope that the proponents of the plan to relocate the provincial hospital to Dongon will include a Trauma Center among the hospital’s facilities.

I fully support the plan to relocate our provincial hospital to barangay Dongon which has far more space. The current hospital site is too crowded and the building and equipment there are too old. Let’s leave politics out of this important issue and provide the new hospital with the latest equipment, so we won’t have to go to Cebu or tacloban when we get sick.

I was shocked when I read the letter of Amy Sabel narrating the brutal clubbing to death of a dog in Barangay Cabaroy, Maasin City. What I found really offensive was the crowd’s reaction to the slaughter. People who laughed at the poor dog’s suffering should have been the ones the sadists were clubbing to death. The howling of the dogs in nearby houses only showed that these wonderful creatures of God are more humane than the two-legged scalawags who were bludgeoning the dog to death. I hope the next dog they butcher will have rabies, so it would end their miserable existence. Bon appetite!

I was on my way home from visiting the Mama Mary Shrine in Mantahan recently and took the Cabaroy route on my scooter. I couldn’t believe what i saw; two men beating a dog to death with clubs while a crowd watched and laughed at the poor dog’s sufferings. Whatever their reasons for doing so are irrelevant. I could hear the howls and barks of the dogs from nearby houses and imagined they must have been pleading for the saddests to stop. A cold shiver ran through me for I couldn’t believe people could be so cruel. It was shameful. We have a dog who we treat as part of our family. I have always thought that Maasinhons were kind and respected all of God’s creatures. Don’t animals have rights too?

Yes, animals do have rights under the Animal Welfare Act. The next time you see these saddests doing their thing, please take their photo and send it to SLT, so we’ll catch them in the act and publish their gruesome deed for all to see. The late Major Paul Shierholtz organized the Southern Leyte Animal Welfare Society (SLAWS) a few years ago. But unfortunately he died last year, and with his death, so did the organization. You would have liked him. ED.

I’m writing to complain about a shop near our residence along the Ruperto Kangleon national road that sells motorcycle mufflers that are so loud it could wake up Rip Van Winkle.
We’ve called the owners attention to this nuisance, but he said he was a businessman and had to earn a living. Isn’t there an ordinance prohibiting such establishments in residential areas of the city? There is also a junk shop inside our subdivision that is frequented by metal scavengers who have the nasty habit of picking up any thing in the community that isn’t nailed down. The robbery incidents have sky rocketed and no one here feels safe after dark. We have a homeowners association but they can’t seem to do anything about it.

Here’s bad news for Filipino die hard lovers of anything American. President Arroyo was among the first head of state who called US President-Elect Barack Obama to congratulate him on his victory and she hasn’t received a return call yet.
He has accepted the congratulations of nine presidents and prime ministers and returned their calls but President Arroyo, one of the early callers, was not among the chosen few. There are even reports that when his staff member got the call he asked “Where is the Philippines?”
The reason for the snub is that American presidents only take seriously countries whose leaders create trouble for the United States and who assail its authority as the lone military superpower after the collapse of communism in the 1990s. They scorn obsequious poor countries like the Philippines whose leaders have no self respect and deal with US presidents like vassal states of ancient times. If we don’t respect ourselves, who will respect us?

SAMUEL PALAGANAS
Sogod & New York City

During the recent rice shortage in the country, I noticed that an NFA Rolling Store in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, manned by some Municipal Employees had been distributing to different Barangays of the locality NFA Rice at P35 per kilo.
I believe that this was contrary to the National Directive; NFA should be tagged at P25 Pesos, only per kilo; only.
Besides the excessive prize, local government employees are not supposed to engage in selling the staple because they have to leave their post during office hours.
For what I know, the distribution of the rice is to be done by accredited rice outlets, otherwise, these employees who are in the trade are not serving the public according to their sworn appointments.

I am a long time resident of Tomas Oppus and an avid reader of your newspaper. I have begun to notice that many of our vehicular accidents here and also in nearby towns is caused by dogs crossing the road.
I know that its everybodys right to own pets but cant we do anything about this problem? We use to have dog catchers patrolling our streets and impounding these stray dogs, but I seldom see them any more. Can’t the city and provincial government do anything about this situation?

Congratulations on your Sunshine Baby ! Finally a Prince of a baby and what a cute little boy. Again , Congratulations.

Good day SLT. We heard about Paul’s death yesterday. We don’t have Annie Scherholtz' phone number, could you pass on our condolences to her from us please. Thank you. Brendon & Gina

Friendly fire?

In SLTs 452nd issue there was a story titled "Friendly fire hits bystander". I think friendly fire is not the right word for the action of our good police officer Mr. Rudy Ausa, it's negligence, for the reason the victim was a civilian. Thanks and cheers!