July 1-15, 2014
(to page 2)
Vol. II, No. 1
By Bong Pedalino
CAPITOL SUNKEN GARDEN, MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 2 -
Two guest speakers invited for the 54th founding anniversary of this province July 1 spoke about the potential vital role of the province in the rehabilitation phase of the places worst hit by the world’s strongest typhoon eight months ago.
In an “ambush interview” after the anniversary dinner, Villar said she is working closely with Gov.
Mercado for Tesda scholarship for
150 qualified students.
Cong. Damian Mercado earlier introduced Villar as the day’s second guest speaker.
“I hope and trust that Southern Leyte would lead Region 8, for betterment of
Eastern Visayas, after Yolanda,” said
Pedro Noval, Jr., Regional Director of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), in his message here during the anniversary program.
Another guest of honor and speaker, Senator Cynthia Villar, admired the unity, strength, and courage of the people of the province, and the fast action done for the search, rescue, and other assistance extended to the distressed communities.
“Ang Southern Leyte ay tumulong sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng Yolanda,” the Senator said in an apparent tribute to the efforts mobilized by the province led by Gov. Roger Mercado at the height of the disaster.
That the neighboring province will be able to recover sooner will also be good for Southern Leyte, as the economy of the island has been inter-related,
Sen. Villar also said.
Both speakers noted that the province was blessed as it was spared by the wrath and fury of the storm.
DILG Director Noval went on to report that the province had passed the
Seal of Good Housekeeping last year, even as he prodded its officials to
“work harder to get the seal of good governance, which is an upgrade on the seal of good housekeeping,” and enjoy the monetary reward that goes along with the citation.
For her part, Sen. Villar also reported how she and her husband helped the Yolanda victims by giving roofing materials so they can build immediate shelters.
Work on the new structure for the government’s tax collecting office began in earnest at the reclaimed land in barangay
Combado, Maasin City, follow ing formal groundbreaking and blessing on a rainy day July 2.
Morales Construction from Ormoc City, bagged the contract for the P 40-Million, 2-storey project with a floor area of 600 square meters out of a total lot area of
1,400 square meters donated by the city government.
Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) Regional Director Atty. Diosdado Mendoza braved heavy rains to join local BIR personnel and staff led by OIC Susan Golo for the groundbreaking rites -- the rains briefly stopped as if to pave the way for Fr. Garnet Kirong to proceed for the prayer blessings.
Gov. Roger Mercado was also around for the lowering of the cap-
ANNIVERSARY SPEAKERS: DILG8 RD Pedro Noval, Gov. Roger Oging Mercado, Senator Cynthia Villar & Cong. Damian G. Mercado pose after the 54th
Founding Anniversary program

Vol. II, No.1
Congressman Damian Mercado was able to tap financial assistance from the nation al government for the tertiary education needs of his constituents in the lone district of this province.
On Friday, July 11, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 8 Director Maura
Consolacion Cristobal visited this province particularly in Sogod and Maasin City and personally distributed notices of awards and scholarship contracts to almost 2,000 student grantees.
In an interview with local media at the Saint Joseph College (SJC) HRM room shortly after the brief distribution ceremony, Cristobal said the Congressman’s initiative was on top of their regular program of scholarship extended to qualified students who are determined to pursue and finish college schooling.
The basic difference is that under the CHED program the student-scholar must maintain an average grade of 2.5 or 85%, while that of the Congressman’s, which is under CHED’s
Tulong-Dulong, a simple passing rate is all that is required, Cristobal said.
In both instances, though, the student grantee/scholar is given the chance to finish college, be it a four-year or a five-year course, she added.
“That is why my advice to the students is to make full use of this opportunity,” Cristobal, who assumed as CHED Region 8 head only in April this year, stressed.
She also said that CHED directly coordinated with the private or public schools for the payment of tuition fees of the scholars and grantees, and the excess money, if there is any, will in turn be given by the school to the students concerned.
CHED SCHOLAR: Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 8 Director Maura
Consolacion Cristobal in an interview with the local media July 11, 2014 at the SJC College building. Earlier, she distributed Notices of Awards and Scholarship Contracts to almost 2,000 students, in close coordination with the Office of Cong. Damian Mercado.
sule, as well as city officials led by
Vice-Mayor Ma. Effie Sabandal,
City Councilor Antonio Cardoza, Mrs. Epifania Sy, head of the
Southern Leyte Chamber of Com merce and Industry, and a handful of businessmen.
In his message after the ceremonies, Atty. Mendoza acknowledged Maasin City as one of the big contributors in the region’s overall tax take, saying the city
“improved its collection.”
He hastened to add, though, that such an improved collection picture “is not enough,” and so he prodded the men and women of
BIR Revenue District Office No.
90 to work harder, exert greater effort, even warning them of the strict performance system followed by the agency based more on results and outputs.
“To stay in BIR, be performing, otherwise, out you go,” he told the employees, teasing but in a serious mood that some may not be able to enjoy the comforts of the new building now under construction if they continue to be under-performing.
He called on the private sector, the local government units, directly addressing to Gov. Mercado “to help Maasin City attain its goal.”
The recent 54th provincial anniversary of Southern Leyte or Leyte del
Sur whichever is more convenient indeed had many firsts’ including the first time, as I can recall, that the anniversary program had two guest or keynote speakers. And, had the vice governor attended, also the first time that the commemorative program would have closing remarks. Ever since I can remember whenever I used to have a hand in it, there should be no more speech after the guest or keynote address so as not to be anti-climactic. The invited speaker always had the last say as a matter of protocol. Oh, but that was when
I had a hand or say in it. This was so intended for the significant remarks to impact on the audience, especially when there was promise or commitment of development benefits. Of course then it was pure and simple congressional
“pork barrel,” not PDAF or DAP.
In the good old days, the celebration venue was the entire Anatalio
Gaviola Plaza from dawn to dusk, of carnivals and fairs, playground and demonstrations, booths, and exhibits, literary contests, musical concerts and cultural presentations. The anniversary programs were always graced by no less than presidents, political personalities and cabinet members, among others. Of course, the awarding of outstanding Southern Leyteῆos was very much the heart of the celebration; inseparable as models to emulate and be proud of as natives for it was then a sine qua non that awardees had to be genuine and blue-bloodied So. Leyteῆos. And they really had a ball with the anniversary ball of food, dances, merriment and drinks flowing freely “tibuok kalibotan”.
There was no PDAF or DAP, just plain and simple” pork barrel”.
The Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) controversy rages on, yellow versus black whatever, between supporters and drumbeaters of both fences. What about the people on whom the protagonists should place premium or priority?Are we to be just fence-sitters waiting for the heavier weight to fall or for whom the bells would toll? We must also let our voices and choices be heard and not allow these to be drowned by drones of partisanship and vested interests. We should make metro and urban “imperialists” realize how the countryside and grassroots feel. Do those noisy and boisterous self-appointed critics and detractors see what we perceive as real and actual in the country nooks like improved infra, health and social services, more benefits and advantages for the underprivileged due to DAP-sourced funding for development programs and projects in the rural areas? Should we allow other sectors to stunt and derail economic growth never before experienced and attested to by no less than World Bank and other credible institutions?
The irony of it all is that neutral foreign observers and dependable experts see everything while their local counterparts view otherwise. It must be jaundice or smoke obstruction in their sight.
Let’s all hope and pray for a happy ending and damn any constitutional crisis because there is none. The constitutional processes are being followed. What we should be particularly wary or watchful are the opportunists who would take advantage for their own ends whether political or ideological, and simply personal just to get even, Asyong or Panday. We should credit those who look at the people’s welfare as primordial consideration, first and foremost, whether they see yellow or black.
BIR GROUNDBREAKING: Gov. Roger G. Mercado, with BIR Regional Director Atty.
Diosdado Mendoza and City Vice Mayor Effie Sabandal (right photo) lowers the capsule for the new BIR building. At left, Gov. Mercado and BIR RD Mendoza (left photo) take turns shoveling soil to cover the newly-laid capsule.
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Viewfinder-Learning the craft this early
(Contributed photo)
July 1-15, 2014

Vol. II, No.1
PARADE: Gov. Mercado joins other provincial officials and employees in the long parade from the public plaza to the sunken garden grounds. At right, Police person nel carry the Philippine and Provincial colors in the lead pack.
FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS: Sinumalig Festival of Malitbog (above) wins first prize during the showdown on festival of festivals in the afternoon of July 1. Second prize goes to Maasin’s
Ajonay Festival (right), top photo), and third, the Umadagat Festival of Saint Bernard (right).
PDRRMC:
Gov. Mercado presides in a regular meeting of the Provincial Di saster Risk Reduction
Management Council at the R.K. Kangleon
Function House in
Maasin City.
FESTIVAL QUEEN: Guene A. Resus of Maasin City wins the Festival Queen title (center).
At left is Syrah Sanico of Malitbog, and Trisha Mae Dangate from Saint Bernard (right)
The Provincial Nutrition Committee-Tech nical Working Group joined the Department of
Education-Southern Leyte Division in “Adopt a Child for School Feeding Program” at Padre
Burgos District, July 2, 2014.
The launching activity that served as the kick-off activity of the Nutrition Month celebration this July highlights the school feeding program of 33 malnourished school children from Padre Burgos District schools. It was participated by the DepEd Health Personnel led by Medical Officer IV Dr. Consolacion Ruflo, teachers, school children-beneficiaries and their parents, PNC-TWG members headed by Provincial
Health Officer II Dr. Feliciano Matibag, Nutrition Acby Rebecca Cadavos tion Officer PHO I Dr. Noel Lumen, and LGU-Padre
Burgos officials led by Mayor Ricardo Borces.
A ceremonial turn-over of feeding commodities and medicines, distribution of malunggay seedlings and feeding of school children were also among the few activities that day.
The Nutrition Month 2014 celebration carries the theme, “Kalamidad paghandaan, gutom at malnutrisyon agapan.”
“The theme itself aims to mobilize responders – local nutrition committee members, including non-government organizations to address the gap in order to prevent malnutrition and the worsening of nutritional status during and after calamity,” Dr. Lumen in his message in behalf of the PNC-TWG said.
He disclosed that after calamity, different issues and concerns exist such as accessibility of services, proper water sanitation, among other health services needed since victims are prone to illness and even death.
“Affected population that are not malnourished will become malnourished,” Lumen added.
During the nutrition launching activity, the school children-beneficiaries were identified together with their sponsor. Around 33 malnourished school children are recipients of the program.
They will be fed 120 days with a P20.00 each per day, Padre Burgos District Nurse Bob Joven Corro revealed.
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Vol. II, No.1
Basak, Rizal, Maasin City - Bisan pa man sa daghang mga skedyul sa iyang pagdala sa renda sa pangagamhanan sa atong lalawigan, wala ihikling sa Gobernador ang iyang pakighimamat ngadto kang Bishop P. Cantillas isip pagtagad ug pag-ila sa birthday sa Obispo.
Nasayran niining nagsulat nga gihimu ang Misa pasalamat didto sa habog nga bukid, sa Sitio Basak, Rizal, nga ginailhan na sa pagkakaron nga "monte cueva" kon small cave. Gihimo usab sa Obispo ang iyang tinuig nga pagpakompisal sa mga katoliko, paghatag sa pagpasaylo sa mga kasalanan sa matag usa og sa manimbahay.
Kuyog sa gobernador ang iyang kapikas nga si Mam Luz Verano Mercado, bitbit ang mga halad sa pagsaolog sa adlaw nga natawhan ni Bishop Cantillas. Si bishop Cantillas, mipoli ni kanhi Bishop Vicente Ataviado nga mipanaw na.
Maasin City - Sa milabayng ika 54th ka anibersaryo sa atong lalawigan sa So.
Leyte, gihimo ang pagpili sa mga So. Leyteños nga adunay dakong nahimo sa iyang komunidad. Ang pagpili sa "Most Outstanding So. Leyteños" maoy usa sa mga kalihokan nga gihimo ni Governor Roger Mercado aron mamahimo nga makasaysayanun ang naasoy nga anibersaryo. Pinaluyohan ni Ms. Eda Monzon, Planning Officer sa pro bensya nailhan nga adunay tulo ka mga So. Leyteños ang napilian nga naghimo og mga talagsaon nga mga gawi aron makatabang sa ilang isig-kaingon ug sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka komunidad.
1. Rodrigo Musica, taga Brgy. Cadaruhan, Malitbog, So. Leyte
Activities: Mobandilyo sa iyang taga-baryo sa panahon nga adunay bagyo nga umaabot, iyang ihikling ang mga tawo ngadto sa luwas nga lugar, nga dili magpaabot ug mando sa mga Brgy. officials, ug daghan pa.
2. Maria Paz Siega Ruego - taga Brgy. Nahawong, Libagon.
Activities: Naghimo og eskoylahan sa usa ka lungsod sa Cavite City, nga diin ang iyang mga titsers taga Southern Leyte. Naghimo ug daghang livelihood sa taga Brgy.
Nahawong sama sa manicure, pedicure, hair cutting ug daghan pa. Duolan na mga
200 ka tawo ang nakapahimulos niini. Nakaangkon sa "Melchora Aquino Award nga gitunol sa Phil. Christian University, Manila. Retired teacher, ug migraduwar sa Siliman University.
3. Ms. Clara Nemia Antipala PHD - taga Maasin City, ug usa ka DSWD Officer sa Cebu
City, solod na sa 39 ka tuig. Dili na maihap sa mga tudlo ang iyang natabangan sa natad sa pagpangalagad. Second placer sa board exam sa Social Works sa tibuok nasod. Napili usab nga Outstanding Maasinhon sa Dakbayan sa Maasin niadtong milabay nga tuig.
Lain nga Awardees: Ret. Teacher-Elsie Gonzaga Tomol - Preacher/Provincial/
City Jail Ms. Maricar Balingasa Miras, young achievers, 5th placer Nursing examination last 2012. Ang tulo ka mga Outstanding Southern Leyteños nakadawat og tag 10 mil ka pesos, isip ganti ug bogti sa ilang mga maayong gibuhat. Ang seremonyas gihimo sa
SLEM Bldg. Sa habig sa gobernador siya miingon, nga ang paghimo og maayo ngadto sa atong isig-kaingon susama ra nga si Ginoong Jesu-Cristo ang atong gitabangan ug gi-alagaran.
PEO Compound, Maasin City - Sa pagkakaron nga gidumala ni Gov. Roger G. Mercado ang timon sa pangagamhanan sa atong probensya, nakapatik na usab sa atong lalawigan ang makasaysayanung pagbutang sa Department of Budget and Management sa ilang tindahan dinhi sa atong dapit. Sa milabayng petsa 15 sa Hulyo, giablihan sa DBM ang ilang
"Procurement Service" kon palitanan og mga gamit alang sa mga ahensya sa goberno.
Sa maong okasyon nga gibenditahan ang usa ka luna sakop sa building sa Motor
Pool sa P.E.O. kinasingkasing nga gipasalamatan ni DBM Regional Director Imelda C. Laceras CESO III, ang panggoberno ni Gov. Roger G. Mercado, ug ang mga Provincial Board
Members, nga gitogutan ang DBM nga makaplastar sa ilang tindahan dinhi sa Southern
Leyte. Dugang niyang asoy nga ikatulo na kahigayon nga sila nangindahay nga makabutang sa ilang tindahan sa atong dapit, ug niining tuiga gi-swerte na sila gumikan sa paghatag sa gobernador sa iyang pagtugot.
Ang maong tindahan sa DBM makahimo og dakong sayon sa mga kawani ug opisina sa goberno, gumikan kay dili na sila mamalit sa ilang panginahanglon ngadto sa
"commercial store" nga sobra ang taas sa presyo. 30% ngadto sa 40% ang ma-save kon mupalit ka sa DBM nga tindahan. Ang kalidad sa ila nga baligya parehas usab sa mga dagkong tindahan.
Nasayran usab niining nagsulat nga dakong pabor kini alang sa provincial government kay matud pa ni Director Laceras, makabahin kon makadawat ug bahin ang panudlanan sa lalawigan ang muabot og 1/3 sa total nga ginansya niini.
Kasamtangan nga pagadumalahon kini ni Provincial Administrator Jesse R. Quilantang inabagan sa mga kawani sa Provincial Budget Office, sa pagpanguna ni Ms. Sylvia
Torredes, OIC Budget Officer. Sa mensahe usab nga gibuhian ni Board Member ug OIC
Governor Atty. Bebie Almario niadtong adlawa, kini miingon nga ang pagplastar sa "DBM
Sub-Depot" makahatag og pagwagtang sa "life, life" o "buhay, buhay", sa mga mahiligon nga mubahat og "sideline" nga kita kay "direkta mente" na ang transaksyon musulod ngadto sa buhatan sa Commission on Audit o COA.
Atangi ang ilang pormal nga pag-abli panapos nga pamahayag ni Atty. Board
Member Almario.
Provincial Capitol, Maasin City - Sangko sa langit ang kalipay nga gibati sa atong mga provincial officials sa dihang gibuhian ni DILG Director Noval ang mga pulong nga sa entero lalawigan sa Region 8, bugtong ang So. Leyte provincial capitol, maoy nag-una sa mga listahan nga nagpasiogda sa gitawas ug 5s progam.
Ang 5s nagkahulogan og 1. Sort, 2. Systematize, 3. Seiso (clean or shine),
4. Sanitize, ug 5. Self-discipline.
Dugang pamahayag niini atubangan sa ika 54th Founding Anniversary sa lalawigan nga gitambongan sa bagang panon nga mga So. Leyteños, ang 5s progam may pinaka-epektibong pamaagi sa pagdumala sa mga opisina og kini gihimo na sa mga datu nga nasud, susama sa Japan og South Korea. Kon masunod kining mao nga pamaagi ilabina sa buhatan sa atong goberno, dako og porsento nga muasenso ang Pilipinas, ug gani nalipay siya nga sa linghod oa nga pagdumala ni Gov. Roger Mercado mihangop na sa naasoy nga 5s program. Mibuhi usab siya og mga pulong nga ang provincial capitol, mopasar sa seal of "Good Governance Award" nga gipasiugdahan ni DILG Secretary
Mar. Roxas, ubos sa pagdumala ni Pres. Pnoy.
SAFETY: Fishermen in Brgy. Combado, Maasin City, help secure a boat against Habagat winds caused by Tropical Storm Glenda, July 15.
Hinundayan, So. Leyte - Dili lang kutob sa pagtudlo ang iyang abilidad, kon dili gehuptan pa gayud niya ang titulo nga Champion So. Leyteños, sa amateur singing contest sa gihimo nga 54th Founding Anniversary sa atong lalawigan. Sa entero lalawigan sa
So. Leyte gigunitan karon ni Ms. Marife B. Lagumbay ang titulo nga "hawod sa amateur".
Siya graduwada sa kursong B.S Biology sa VSU, ug nagtudlo karon sa Lungsod Daan
National high School sa Hinundayan. Nisalmot siya sa daghang inindigay ug pagkanta sa lugar nga dunay singing contest, ilabina ug may fiesta gani nahimo siyang champion sa
"Star in a Million" nga gipasiugdahan sa dakong telebisyon network sa sugbo kaniadtong
2004.
Gitunol ni Gov. Roger G. Mercado ang tropeyo ug 10 mel ka pesos isip pag-ila nga champion sa singig contest sa tuig 2014. Mahinumduman nga si Regine Velasquez
Alcasid sikat nga singer sa atong nasod naggikan sa lungsod sa Hinundayan.
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