Notes from all over 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. Morever 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? Sender: Ordel (masterlord75@yahoo.com) 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! Sender: Clarita (clarita99@verizon.net) More Lilia Miels please This is in response to that person complaining about the new manager of SLEM . I thought she was not just hired but was elected. Look at what she has done, the way I heard it, she has collected more revenue for SLEM than anyone before her. Maybe they should hire more people like her, or maybe have her train those that are already there. How about it? Sender: Tata Roxas Russell (maasinbeauty37@yahoo.com) Thanks to southernleytetimes.com I am very content with your website news services, keep up the good work. I'm so proud that Maasin got this website to keep intouch while you're away and feel like you're still in Maasin. GOD BLESS SLT. Dear Ms. It will always be our pleasure to bring the news to you and we will continually strive to better our services. ~OIC Internet Content Sender: Dodong Gonzales (Padre Burgos) Why dont we make enough for ourselves? I read last week’s issue on the impending rice shortage in the country and could not help myself from feeling frustrated on the state that we are all in now. We have so much agricultural lands in the countryside, but no one seems to want to farm the land unless forced by circumstances. We should introduce real commercial farming in Southern Leyte, so that we can stop being consumers and start becoming producers for other provinces. Sender: Liza Sunshine Boy Naman! Hi, ask lang ko about this sunshine girl portion. I want my son to be one of the sunshine boys in your weekly newspaper. My son is a full blooded Maasinhon at heart though half by blood. Dear Ms. Liza: No problem. Kindly send your baby boy's picture and details to our newspaper's office in Barangay Mambajao, Maasin City or through email at slteditors@yahoo.com ~Country Living Editor Sender: RONALD REYES (nalordreyes@yahoo.com) We Need Cahambing at Tourism Office I am excited by the comeback of Sir Willy J at the City Investment and Promotion Office.  I hope Maasinhons would see their own Art Gallery and Museum in the near future. Arts and Artists are abounding in the city, what they lack is the constant support and permanent venue where they can exhibit their artistry, like our homegrown artist and my school mate Dino Pajao who is now making waves in Cebu, and our local artists circle, Mantsa. Not to mention subsidizing the famous Abiera Museum of Art Collector Sir Boy Abiera.     Finally, the Provincial Tourism Office should employ more spirited travel-writers for its promotions. Talents like Rio Cahambing is missing in the staff of Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez. In 2000, I wrote that Southern Leyte is no place for lethargic leaders especially in the Tourism industry. Now, a glimmer of light is in sight. Sender: Genara Espina, Chairman Audit & Supervisory Committee Mrs. Miel is Qualified This is in response to an anonymous letter questioning the capability to Mrs. Lilia Miel as Managing Director of SLEMCOOP in fairness to her and to the members of the board. Miel accepted the OIC position just to help the coop, while waiting for the appointment of a new manager. The vacancy had been advertised in local newspapers including this prestigious newspaper & in the different offices since last year.  She reports for work eight hours daily without asking for a salary, and receives only an honorarium even lower than that received by the previous part time manager. With regards to qualification, Mrs. Miel is more than qualified whether it be CDA rules or managerial experiences.  She has been the District Collection Supervisor of the BIR handling accounts of delinquent taxpayers and supervising 18 collection agents in the 18 municipalities of So. Leyte and was awarded as Outstanding District Collection Supervisor in the whole region in 2001. In the 6 months of managing the coop, she was able to improve administrative implementation of personnel policies related to output and efficiency and instituted measurers to intensify collection and to minimize delinquent accounts.  With the goal to give bigger share of dividends to its members, she implemented cost cutting measures even meeting adverse reactions from some of the staff.  She succeeded in reducing the administrative expenses by more than P108,000 compared to last year.  We really need a manager like her who runs the office with utmost transparency & honesty. But unfortunately, she has no intention of holding on to the position.  According to her she has no intention of looking for a permanent job since she has already retired from the government service. Her children already have stable jobs, so what more can she ask for from the Lord? To the writer, you don’t have to hide under the cloak of anonymity.  Be man enough, come out in the open, apply & prove your worth. Thank you so much for giving this letter a space in your publication. Sender: Disgrunted Brgy. Abgao, Maasin City Resident Wake Up Southern Leytenos! Why do our local politicians always spend the people's funds on projects which are untimely and of low quality? Take for example the Maasin City Port Area and Reclamation Area projects. Has common sense left our province already? Has Public Service already been substituted by Self Service? Wake-up Southern Leyte! Sender: A concerned St. Bernard resident Guinsaugon Relief Goods Were Wasted   My friend from Saint Bernard claimed residents there found relief goods meant for the landslide survivors of the Guinsaugon landslide tragedy in a locked warehouse there.   The warehouse had to be forcibly opened. Inside they found the generators donated by the Japanese Government, stacks of canned goods which were already spoiled, gas ranges, blankets, clothes, soft drinks and other items.   Please publish this together with the photos I am sending you. Daghang salamat. Sender: A SLEM Coop Member Is SLEM Coop Manager Qualified?   May I know why the Board of Directors hired SLEMCoop’s new GM? Does she qualify for the position under the Cooperative Development Authority rules? I hope you will give this letter space in your publication so that the concerned people will know and do something about this concern. Thank you very much. Sender: solecoconsumers@gmail.com SOLECO Did you know that SOLECO, Inc has a new name? its BIG 6 Electric Company. Big 6 because its now "owned","managed" and "controlled" by  6 powerful people including the GM and GMs wife. Everybody in SOLECO knows it. And we thought that it was a cooperative,well it is, but it's controlled by them. That is why SOLECO is now very fragile. It is mismanaged by managers who do not have enough experience and not capable of managing the company. No consumers report to ERC or NEA that is why. SOLECO has a lot of explaining to do. Sender: rzcawaling@yahoo.com Canturing River The worsening erosion and inundation problems along the banks and mouth of the Canturing River should have been acted upon by the city council a long time ago to prevent irreversible consequences on the river’s ecological balance.   City officials continuously ignore persistent complaints of concerned residents who have been taking the brunt of the flooding effects of the river’s erosive waters. The quarry permits of operators there should have been suspended, cancelled or rescinded.  Renewals of their permits should have been denied by CENRO or Bureau of Mines. I was in the Canturing area in 1998 as a reforestation volunteer to plant trees at Congressman Mercado’s property.  At that time, I noticed that the dry riverbed had already traces of sand and gravel extraction amidst the rivers flow path.  The problem I saw eventually became worse as the quarrying operation continued.  I hope our new city management uses its power in imposing an immediate stoppage to the quarry operation thats causing the destruction of our natural resources in Maasin City, in particular, our Canturing River. Sender: Yel Kangleon Cobile Canturing River Nowadays, the banks and mouth of the Canturing River are showing a worsening evidence of an irreversible environmental impact on adjacent properties and coastline ecosystem resulting from hydraulic erosion and sediment deposition.  In response to Engineer Carlos Veloso’s letter, CENRO’s Floriano Leonor must immediately rescind the quarry permits his office issued to quarry operators, Bienvenido Sumayao and Estrella Hayag to prevent a potential class-action lawsuit.  If the quarry operators resist the rescindment, the city administration must provide the expeditious mobilization of legal procedures and law enforcement actions to effect the immediate stoppage of the quarry operation.  Meanwhile, the city must launch an immediate investigation and assessment on the extent of the damage.  The results of the investigation should include provisions that will not only hold the quarry operators liable for the impacts incurred, but also criminally charge them for violating prevailing environmental laws. Furthermore, it would behoove the city to prepare appropriate contingencies that allow defensive handling of potential civil lawsuits brought about by the impacted property owners against the city and CENRO. The sensitive environmental issues Maasin City incurred under CENRO’s watch mandates a very strong justification for the immediate relief or replacement of Floriano Leonor.  His incompetence and ineptness has caused Maasinhons a lot of grief!  Enough is enough! Sender: Bart Saucelo Bactul Uno Landfill The proposed dump site at Bactul Uno is raw land and is therefore over-priced at $44 per square meter (or $4 million for 9 hectares) when even agricultural land in the region only cost about $4 per square meter. Somebody should check on this. Sender: Caleb Let’s Help Them! My heart goes out to those 2 old folks in SLT’s front page. Maybe we can start a “meal on wheels” program as a church based activity. Kids of rich folks should volunter to help the less fortunate in our province. Tingnan natin. How about the Red Cross maybe they can help and also the Department of Social Services. Sender: Dodong G. Suarez There Is Hope For Southern Leyte I am a seaman who hails from Tomas Oppus. I read through your website a fellow reader's feedback on the current crop of politicians our province sadly has. I believe the reason for the lack of good young leaders in the province is because most of our smart kababayans leave for Manila and other countries. I hope we start teaching our kids that there is still great promise in our province. More power to Southern Leyte Times! Sender: Bievenido B. Galo Jr. Please help us! Since I am an engineering student I have some knowledge about the soil. In our place in Barangay Lunas, I have observed that huge cracks have developed. As a consequence, one house has already been damaged due to the earth’s movement forcing the occupants to relocate. Wala man lang ginawa ang city government to solve this problem. We have experienced the deadliest Guinsaugon landslide tragedy; hahayaan ba nating maulit ito, right here in our city? I will send you some photos and you will see how imminent the threat is not only to the people of barangay Lunas, but the neighboring baragays as well. I hope city hall will do something about this! Thanks. Sender: Samuel Palaganas                New York City, USA Abaca Infestation Update Although I’ve lived in New York for over 20 years, and am now an American citizen, I still feel I am a native there at heart. One of my fondest memories of my hometown Sogod was the abaca plantation of my uncle which helped finance my college education. I’ve read in SLT’s website they are being obliterated by an age old infestation called “Bunchy Top” which to my recollection has been solved decades ago by banana planters in Hawaii and Central America. Please tell the agriculturists at the Provincial Agricultural Office to search the internet under Manila Hemp Infestation or Abaca Diseases. I’m sure they will find the solution to their problems there. Sender: Yel Kangleon Cobile My Fellow Maasinhons: The city’s plan to establish a landfill dumpsite in Bactul Uno which appeared in SLT's website (www.southernleytetimes.com )perturbs the hell out of me in light of the proposed landfill's location which has the potential to endanger down gradient offsite locations. Following are just a few of my concerns: 1. If the landfill's underside is not properly lined with impervious materials (geosynthetics, polyethelene fabrics or bentonite clay liners), the potential for hazardous and non-hazardous leachate will absolutely contaminate underground springs and groundwater. Leachate constituents may be derived from medical wastes, used petroleum products, plastics, rubber compounds and bi-products, asbestos, improperly disposed aerosols and accelerants, lead and other hazardous metals.  Also, if not managed properly, an unsafe tendency for a large uncontrolled fire could be imminent due to the natural production of methane from decomposing solids in the ground. 2. I strongly question the qualifications of the authority who influenced the decision to site the landfill at the proposed location. I sincerely doubt that the decision was based on bona fide findings to include the following: a. Geotechnical and topographic conditions of the area in and around the landfill that include depth, travel direction and hydraulic conductivity of groundwater; existence of deep aquifers; depth to bedrock; terrain information on area slopes, drainage sheds/divides, and existing vegetation; pre-existing wildlife activity; any pre-existing environmental conditions; soil properties; and inland drainage watercourses most especially at donwgradient locations. b. Considerations for undesirable vector forces incidentally borne by mosquitoes, flies, bees, hornets, etc., wildlife infection and contamination, and escalating stench. c. Considerations for prevailing wind conditions that may negatively affect habitated, offsite downwind properties in terms of health, smell, and personal safety. d. Considerations for the after-effects of surface water runoff at down gradient areas, intermittent streams, and inland waterways that leachate can and will contaminate with hazardous chemicals. e. Considerations for groundwater and methane monitoring to ensure air and groundwater safety. f. Considerations for emergency response action plans to counter landfill-related fires, leachate-related contamination, and onsite worker safety. g.  Considerations for environmental cleanups to properly address encroachment of hazardous chemicals onto adjacent properties. h.  Considerations for potential legal repercussions subsequent to compensable liability damages resulting from substandard operation of the landfill as well as effects of respective environmental impact. i.  Considerations for offsite recipients in terms of land or agricultural use and rural development potentials not to mention the ultimate environmental impact on the ecosystem at the shorelines. j. Considerations for rigorous training of personnel charged with careful handling of the daily operations of the landfill and operation of heavy equipment (bulldozers, graders and backhoes). 3.  I am more than angry when the supposed expertise of engineers at the municipal or even at the provincial level has not been utilized to achieve if not facilitate the best decision in properly siting the proposed landfill.  We really cannot continue to allow the obvious under-utilization of available expertise if the local administration and prevailing political entities continue to be ignorant of essential factors that support good municipal governance.  Also, there must be a way which allows an unbiased dissemination of public information to and general education of the local populace that's suspectedly being kept in the dark like mushrooms. 4.  Who are these people at DENR's Environmental Management Bureau anyway?  Are they "duly qualified" locals who supposedly know the ins and outs of the proposed location?  I don't really care about this so-called German Technical Assistance Program, but the local government MUST always take heed of the ultimate consequences that can and will emanate from an improperly sited and substandardly constructed or managed landfill. 5.  Lastly, I am highly concerned regarding Maloney's "puppetness" to the provincial government.  When he starts to stand on his own two feet to do what is absolutely, without any doubt, rightful for Maasin is when I will take my hat off to him.  In the meantime, he is just another useless political, premadonna who currently seems to be enjoying the limelight and attention of his political career!  I think it's time for him to pay full attention to the proper management of his administration and temporarily set aside his side lining of "sports articles"  to  the Southern Leyte Times. It's time for him to make Maasin prevail as an autonomous city! I make no apologies for the strength of my convictions here.  I really don't know to whom I could vent my frustrations.  I believe in my heart that only you Folks, the "Intellectuals of Maasin" can fully understand the viewpoints of a layman who also happens to be a Maasin native. Or  should I really be glad that I am, for now, here in Virginia?  Sender: tanmkhael@yahoo.com Brain Power We need BRAIN POWER to run Leyte Del Sur’s business. I have observed that some of them dont have it. Halata! Maybe I’m wrong and  hope I am, but you  cannot sustain growth 'pag walang brains. You might have the MONEY but the the truth will prevail for you cannot cover up for so  long. It will come out eventually. You have to know what your capacity is, or what it is able to do. Happy new year! Sender:  Sammy D. Tocmo from Hinunangan We Need New Leaders  Why do our present leaders claim they really want Southern Leyte to develop? Its quizzical to me because I observed that most of the time all they do is borrow money, which in the end they leave us (who were not informed in the  first place) to pay for. Sadly the initiatives they make are all paliative and not lasting. I am calling on all our provincemates to stop voting for these same people again and again. Its like a hilarious merry go round.We must look for new leaders, who unlike their old counterparts really love the province. Sender: Mao@Karl Thank You SLT! Hi to the people of Southern Leyte specially in timba San Juan and Abgao, San jose  in Maasin City. We can only read tne news about our province through the net. We hope that our public official will do their job well honest to goodness and not only for there interest. More power to SLT and advance Merry Christmas. Sender: Concerned from Auckland, New Zealand What About San Jose Quarrying? I've read your paper through the net and its Subang Dako again - a neverending story of southern Leyte. Why do we only focus on Subang Dako?How about the other rivers in the province like the quarring in San Jose, Maasin City. Is it because the persons involved there are now in power? I hope District Engineer Carlos Veloso would do his job without bias to anyone. Please publish my letter. God Bless and more power to SLT Sender Name: doggiestyle@yahoo.com Mga Animal! Ajaw mo gara gara mo diha sa kapitolyo nganong gipanguha man  ang mga angayan nga empleyado diha,hadlok mo masakpan ug dali injo anomaliya.atangi ang kasong plunder mga ANIMAL. Sender Name: Samuel Palaganas Junket? Although I believe foreign traveling expands one’s knowledge, I cannot see the logic in squandering 100 million pesos for the president’s state visit to Spain and England. According to columnist Emil de Quiros it was the largest presidential foreign entourage in the country’s history, and even included 40 congressmen and their wives. I cannot understand why a government which is considered the 10th most corrupt in the world can have the gall to use our hard earned money for such a junket. Ano ba yan! Sender Name: An Exasperated Voter Abusive Councilor I was shocked when I read about that councilor who demanded that his/her guests at a beach resort here be aloud to sing there beyond the 10 p.m. sing-along deadline. No wonder our politicians are losing the respect of our people. They break the rules they themselves sponsor, and they expect you to treat them like VIPs.  Sender Name: Mario B. Cajoles Open Letter to President Arroyo Good Day! This letter expresses the unified sentiment of concerned citizens of Sogod, Southern Leyte regarding the on-going Bulk Sand and Gravel Extraction in our locality. The concessionaires may have legal papers to support its operation, but we believe that the size and the volume of their extraction have surpassed the amount stipulated in the contract. Therefore, we will appreciate it if a transparent investigation on this matter be conducted soonest. Recently, a huge foreign vessel named “WM Nationwide II” had  loaded sand and gravel in our port.  This is second shipload and we expect more to follow considering that per information aired by DYSL, a Radio ng Bayan station based in Sogod this shipment was earmarked for the USA.  The tragedy which recently befell Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, the catastrophic magnitude of which had been personally witnessed by your Excellency, has given us the chill and fear you can’t possibly imagine. Added to this were the other landslides in Punta, San Francisco, Pinut-an, San Ricardo, Liloan and Sogod itself which caused enormous damage to lives  and properties. The entire province of Southern Leyte is ranked number 2 most landslide prone area in the country. This time we don’t want to take chances and we want to make sure that any business venture done on behalf of progress  and development must absolutely not compromise our environment, our habitat and our lives. We pray that this appeal be given a positive and immediate resolution. Thank you and more power to you. Sender Name: Jennifer Go-Maraon Mayor Samaco, Please Help Us! Good day!  I am a resident of Mambajao, Maasin City.  We are really bothered by our situation here during heavy rains. Just this moment we are suffering from “baha” in our residence because the drainage canal along the highway has overflowed and its foul smelling waters has entered our property.   The reason for this is that although the newly constructed drainage along the highway is big, the one leading to the sea is too small, and cannot handle the heavy flow of water during heavy rains.   We have suffered from this perennial problem for a very long time. Our past barangay officials have passed Resolutions urging the city to do something about it, but so far nothing has happened. We no longer know who to turn to for help. We hope the Southern Leyte Times can convince Mayor Maloney Samaco to widen our drainage canal because the dirty flood waters makes our children sick. Sender Name: JUAN L. MERCADO PINOY INNOVATION Pinoy innovation isn’t limited to name selection, as Billioniarie Bill Gates discovered when recruited a new board chairman for his sprawling Microsoft Europe. No less than 5000 candidates assembled in a large Brussels room. One candidate  was  Mario Dimaculangan. Gates: “Thank you for coming. Those who do not know “Java” may leave” And 2000 people left. But Mario mumbles to himself, 'I do not know Java. But I’ve  nothing to lose if I stay. I'll give it a try.       Gates:  “Candidates who’ve never managed more than 100 people may leave”. Another  2000 go. Now, Mario thinks harder : “I never managed anybody but myself. If I stay. what can happen to me?”' So he stays. Gates: “Candidates who lack management diplomas may leave”. Now, 500 people depart, leaving  Mario who dropped out of  high school  at 15, asks: “What have I got to lose?' So he stays put. in the room.  Finally, Gates asks: “Candidates who don’t speak Serbo – Croat, please leave. Now, 498 people rise and go. Mario says to himself: “I do not speak one word of Serbo – Croat. But what do I  lose?' So he stays -- and finds himself with one other candidate. Then, Gates joins them. “Apparently you are the only two candidates who speak Serbo - Croat,” he says. “I'd now like to hear you converse in that language.”'   Calmly, Mario turns to the other candidate and says: 'Ano ba yan, pare?' And  the other candidate answers : 'Ewan ko nga ba pare.'  Sender Name: Pedro Sanchez Happy Seaman I am Pedro Sanchez (from Saint Bernard) a Seaman based in the Middle East.   For many years I have been depressed and homesick for our beloved Southern Leyte. In fact, last year I received news about the landslide in Guinsaugon more than a month after it actually happend and was worried for days if some of my friends were alright.   That is why I was so happy when another seaman from our province told me that your weekly newspaper already has a website.   Thank you very much SLT, I am homesick no more.   FEEDBACK: Thank you Mr. Sanchez. Basically that is why we launched the website, so that our newspaper's weekly news can be accessed by our provincemates who are not presently in Southern Leyte. Kindly spread the good news.