May 1-15, 2015 Media Center, 2nd Flr., Capitol Bldg. Vol. II, No. 21

SL invests P3M for rambutan production

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By Bong Pedalino

By Erna Sy Gorne

By Erna Sy Gorne

Duterte campaigns for federal government

By Rebecca Cadavos

By Erna Sy Gorne

By Rebecca Cadavos

By Bong Pedalino

One rambutan tree, one household

First Agriculture Summit

Upland farmers get livelihood inputs

Idol Mo 2015 Search is on

Medical center to rise in St. Bernard DA-8 confident of SL’s

agri development

Higher farm productivity, resiliency pushed

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Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Dute-rte pitched a federal type of govern-ment when he visited Maasin City Sunday to attend a Roa clan reunion, his middle name which he traced his roots as coming from barangay La-boon this city. “I have no plans to run as Presi-dent, but I am here to spread the mes-sage of federalism,” Duterte declared following a warm welcome where

Through the initiatives of the provincial government of Southern Leyte, the distribution of egg incu-bators to upland farmers will not only enhance their agricultural pro-ductivity but also put more money in their pockets. According to Provincial Environment and Natural Resourcess Officer (PEN-RMO) Eva Abad, “ the 47- members of the Mercedes Upland Farmers De-velopment Association benefitted from the livelihood grant of the provincial government with P100,000.00 worth of livelihood package which is ultimate-ly aimed to produce more food in the province.” Provincial Governor Roger Merca-do has long visioned for the province of Southern Leyte to cease from total-ly be dependent of food sources from outside the province instead producing our own food. The livelihood project program for the farmer peoples organization in-cludes the egg incubator plastic net fence, 50 female and 10 male native

In line with the 55th Southern Leyte Founding Anniversary cel-ebration on the 1st of July, the provincial government launched the annual search for Outstand-ing Southern Leyteños, dubbed as “Idol Mo, Nomidado.” Provincial Planning and Devel-opment Officer Ida Sy Monzon, the Search Committee Secretariat noted that starting last year, the search mechanics was changed, which now include nominees who made significant contributions to their communities or those who

made positive impact on the lives of others, regardless of their edu-cational background, professional accomplishments or status in life. Among other criteria for the seach include: has achieved outstanding accomplishments in his/her field of endeavor; inspired others to excel and to do good to his/her fellow-men; has exhibited extraordinary strength of character and integrity; has greatly contributed to the de-velopments of his/her community;

Earthworks now on going is paving the way for the construc-tion of a multi-million medical center right at the back of St Ber-nard Municipal Hall. St. Bernard Local Chief Execu-tive Napoleon Cuaton in an inter-view said that with the establish-ment of the St. Bernard Medical Center coupled with the state of the art medical equipments such as CT scan, dialysis machines, among others, will surely attract people even from nearby munici-palities and provinces in order to

Given the vast investments with hard working people and with the leadership of the Provincial Governor, De-partment of Agriculture-RFO8 Asst. Regional Director Dr. Wilson A. Cerbito is confident that “Southern Leyte will continue to explore in terms of agriculture develop-ment.” Cerbito said this during the First Agriculture Summit held May 7, 2015 at the Lourdes Convention Center, saying that the province has better potential in agriculture such as planting cacao, coffee, among other crops, including live-stock , seaweeds and fisheries industries, not to mention the rubber plantation which will also complement the greening program of the government.

A higher yield in farms for rice and rootcrops, plus a change in farmers’ attitude to adapt to latest farming technologies and practices that promote resiliency in plants and livestocks amid changing weather conditions, are the key factors to address climate change and the imminent Asean integration. Dr. Wilson Cerbito, Assistant Regional Director of the Depart-ment of Agriculture (DA), made this clear in his keynote address during the first Southern Leyte Agriculture Summit -- and the first of such kind of gathering in Region 8 -- held at Lourdes Conven-tion Center, this city, Thursday, May 7. “The Philippines is the third vulnerable country in the world for climate change, and Region 8 is the most vulnerable region in the entire country,” Cerbito said. He added that beside this natural threat in agriculture was the current development of a no-barrier region for member-countries of

The provincial government of Southern Leyte launched the “One Man, One Tree in every House-hold” restore greening movement campaign by growing rambutan fruit trees across the province. According to Agricultural Tech-nician Ma. Luz Gaviola, provincial coordinator for High Valued Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of the Provincial Agricultural Ser-vices Office (PAgSO) during the Cable TV Provincial Report , Tues-day, April 28, “ no less than Pro-vincial Governor Roger Mercado led in the distribution of rambutan grafted seedlings in the municipali-ty of Padre Burgos launching of the restore greening movement, sym-bolic of the provincewide planting of rambutan fruit trees in the next four years.” There were 700 grafted seedling of rambutan fruit tree distributed in Padre Burgos last Monday, April 27, she reported. She further disclosed the follow-ing distributions schedules with their corresponding grafted seed-

RAMBUTAN FOR MAASIN CITY: City Agriculturist Amado “Monching” Acasio receives from ABC Fed-eration President Nikko Mercado seedlings of grafted rambutan fruit trees, while Diego Dain Credo, Executive Assistant, and Marina Gador, Provincial Agriculturist, look on. The seedlings are distributed to some 5,000 households in the city, more or less, for planting in their own back or front yards.

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SEASON FOR EVERYTHING

Duterte campaigns... (from page 1)he was mobbed by admirers mostly man-on-the-street types as soon as he landed by helicopter at the port area and motored to the City Hall. He was met by high officials from the city and province, including City Mayor Maloney Samaco, Gov Roger Mercado, Cong. Damian Mercado, and some Mayors coming from other municipalities of the province, along with other provincial and city officials. At the third floor lobby of the City Hall that was used as an improvised stage with the use of a riser, Duterte led his captive audience to a 30-min-ute walk down memory lane of na-tional history, in which he clarified that 70 years before Magellan came to Limasawa, the Muslims have already established a stronghold in sizeable parts of Mindanao. But in the current issue of the Bang-samoro Basic Law, Duterte did not categorically state whether he is pro or against it, saying only that federalism can address the divisions of various tribes and clans in different parts of the country. In a federal government set-up, the national government will take care on matters relating to national con-cerns, while the rest will be delegat-

ed to the local government, Duterte said without further elaboration other than saying that a change for federal-ism would undergo a constitutional amendment. He endeared with the masses with his no-nonsense style of speaking that includes a spattering of invectives in the local dialect to the amusement of the crowd. Gov. Mercado acknowledged Dute-rte’s help in times of calamities expe-rienced by the province, such as the Guinsaugon disaster and in the af-termath of typhoon Yolanda, where he came by chopper to deliver a P3 Million check to the provincial gov-ernment. Cong. Damian Mercado said he can very well relate with Duterte’s candid style as also his own, saying he sup-ported the advocacy and cause of the visiting Mayor from Davao City. City Mayor Samaco also pledged an all-out support for whatever plans Duterte may have in the near or far future. After lunch, Duterte proceeded to barangay Laboon to meet his kin, and by four in the afternoon departed for Cebu.

Idol Mo.... (from page 1)or has made significant impact on the lives of others. The Outstanding Southern Leyteño Award (OSLA) is open to every Southern Leyteño who is either natural-born or with one or both parents/grandparents were born in Southern Leyte, a resident or non-resident of the province and of good moral character. The deadline of submission of entries is on June 5, 2015, Monzon re-vealed. Nomination forms are available at the PPDO, Provincial Capitol, City/Municipal Planning Officers, Barangay Halls and Rural Health Units throughout the province, she added. As of this writing, the OSLA committee is now soliciting the help of var-ious sectors/individuals to disseminate the search campaign. “Help us find Southern Leyteño who is best fitted to be called “outstanding,” and more importantly those who should be given the recognition and honor he/she deserves,” Monzon bared.

SL invests P3M...(from page 1)lings to be planted: April 30 – Li-masawa, 400; May 8 – Maasin City, 5,200; and May 11 – Macrohon, 1,700. The movement targets to enjoin 89,000 households, as per PSA House-hold survey in 2010, in the province of Southern Leyte to plant one ram-butan tree in either at the front, sides or backyards near their homes, for the first batch choosen households to plant this year, Gaviola explained. She disclosed that every year 25,000 grafted rambutan seedlings are target-ted to be planted within four years throughout the province. “The provincial government has appropriated the amount of P3Mil-

lion for this tree planting activity to include the procurement of grafted seedlings,” Gaviola said. Gaviola noted that the rambu-tan tree is expected to bear fruits in two to three years. Off season, the price of rambutan fruit is pegged at P 80.00 per kilo but, during har-vesting season, the price is lower at p20.00 to P40.00 per kilo in the market.” The local government units are the partners of this greening move-ment as they will be responsible to choose the households who can join in the planting depending on their availability of lots to be plant-ed with one rambutan fruit tree.

Upland farmers... (from page 1)

chicken breeders, Abad said. The mentioned egg machine is capable to incubate 400 eggs at a time, it was learned. Abad disclosed that the grant was formally turned -over to the organization in the presence of Silago Mayor Pacita Almine, the Mercedes Upland Farmers Development Association representatives, and Dr. Eva Abad, representing Gov. Mercado. The said farmers' group is already operating their own Mabugnaw Falls, a budding mountain resort in Barangay Mercedes, Abad said. Other than that, the group is a recipient of forest rehabilitation project and had been engaged in seedling production for fruit trees, as well. The provincial government has already bought seedlings from the upland farmers for its tree planting projects throughout the province,Abad said.

They tell us there’s always a season for everything- to celebrate or to grieve, to rejoice or to be sad, in victory or de-feat, to sow and harvest and many others. The season is now for reckoning of the political perspective which every Filipino citizen goes through as a matter of civic duty or favorite pas-time. Barber or coffee shops, media or entero, bisan asa ang hisgotan PULITIKA because the partisan ambience really fills the air, odourless or senseless whatever. But the most pervasive is the scent of a woman, neophyte but at par with peers and even more in the snakepit called Senate. While the others of her political genre tried very hard and are miserably found wanting,” tinimbang ngunit kulang”, Sen. Grace Poe Manzanares of the FPJ block has courted the imagination of the nation. Even while at the helm of MTRCB, she already implemented innovations in the maddening world of showbiz, radio and television understandably as scion to the movie industry. Grace Poe will always be referred to as bringing rationality and restraint to a tumultuous enterprise of make-believers, contenders and pretenders. In the race for the Senate which she easily hurdled de-spite not being groomed politically but due to performance as MTRCB boss-woman and of course, the influence and name of an illustrious father and popular mother, Grace Poe, the Senator, never pressed hard to outtalk or outdo self-styled col-leagues but just blended naturally and flowed gracefully to the chore of national legislation. No ostentation nor drumbeating like the others but just doing the job, untainted by any misdeed or wrongdoing frowned upon by today’s corruption-conscious people. Poe seems to have cultivated the knack of facilitating serious issues in tight situation like the Mamasapano incident without fanfare but getting to the crux of the whole thing. She has championed the cause of the underprivileged sectors away from public limelight. It is quite obvious from whom she inherit-ed this compassion for the underserved. And most of all, Grace Poe is Bisaya like Rodrigo Duterte! ATO NI! There’s no surprise that every Prince Charming presi-dential wannabe is competing to draw the political Cinderella to his team. Or is it the prince consort who should gravitate to the Queen instead. We’ll have to wait because unlike the overly ambitious ones, the Queen is still coy and humble to the core like FPJ. “Ang mag bise presidente pagbuot sa tawo. Ang pagka Presidente pagbuot sa Ginoo kay usa kini ka dakong sakripisyo!”

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Medical center...(from page 1)avail medical attention here soon-est.” Mayor Cuaton further disclosed that the mentioned medical center shall be owned and operated by the Ursulo Cuaton Sr. Foundation. He said the medical center will partner with the Charles Drew Uni-versity in Los Angeles for the ser-vices of the medical doctors partic-ularly those who are on internship modules accompanied by 4 -5 medi-cal specialists during the six-months period, hence, two medical teams will be visiting the said medical cen-ter in a year. Cuaton disclosed that the United States government is requiring med-ical internship to particularly serve the developing countries before tak-ing their state board examinations. The municipality is expecting the

second medical mission of the said university hopefully by October this year as the first medical mission was undertaken sometime last year, he said. Cuaton noted that while rural health unit medical doctors are bad-ly needed at their respective munic-ipalities, they are always on the go attending calls for seminars result-ing to minimal medical attention in their day to day services at the mu-nicipalities. Thus, he challenged the region-al health managers to come down at the provinces instead of bring-ing out the municipal medical doc-tors for frequent meetings so that the doctors will have more time to attend to the medical needs of the people, Cuaton said.

DUTERTE IN MAASIN: Spreading the gospel federalism (top left); arrival pleasantries with Mayor Samaco and Gov. Mercado (top right); and shaking hands with supporters (below)

AGRI SUMMIT IN GREEN: The audience, mostly wearing green t-shirts (above) listen as various speakers take turn discussing issues and concerns on agriculture. Below, Board Member Allan Aroy introduces the keynote speaker, Ard Wilson Cerbito (seated, center)

LEADERS ALL: from left, Cong. Damian Mercado, Gov. Roger Mercado, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Mayor Maloney Samaco and Hon. Nikko Mercado, strike a pose for posterity.

QUOTE . . . UNQUOTE “One is free only to do good, never to do evil. Freedom must always be in harmony with reason and the dictates of an upright and honest

conscience. A thief is not free when he steals, for he allows himself to be dragged by evil desire.

He becomes a slave of his passion and we imprison and chastise him because he refuses

to be truly free.”-Apolinario Mabini, The Sublime Paralytic

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DA-8 confident... (from page 1)

He added that the agriculture depart-ment is recommending to the provin-cial officials, among other allies, both from public and private sectors to help the local government promote sustain-ability of agricultural products. During his keynote address, Cerbito mentioned the seven (7) Cs in agricul-ture development such as Convergence, Consultation, Collaboration, Comple-menting, Counterparting, Co-sharing and Communication, to be successful in developing agriculture. He is hopeful that the agri summit, carrying the theme, "Towards Food Se-curity Amidst Climate Change & ASE-AN integration" held in the province would shed more light towards agricul-ture development.

Cerbito was joined by other resource speakers such as Dr. Antonia Cecilia Y. Sandoval, Dean of Department of Agriculture and Food Science at Vi-sayas State University; Dr. Guindolino R. Gerona, an Agri-Entrepreneur; and Irma F. Ortiz, National Seaweed Coor-dinator from BFAR-Central Office. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Atty. Abelardo Almario, representing Gov. Roger G. Mercado and Jason Cal-va in lieu of Cong. Damian G. Mercado welcomed the participants composed of representatives from the National Food Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, PENRMO, Municipal Agri-culture Officers, some mayors, the me-dia, farmers/fisheries’ organizations, to name a few.

Higher farm productivity...(from page 1)the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), something stakeholders should better be prepared. Citing Southern Leyte’s performance in its contribution for the regional rice pro-duction output, Cerbito said the province placed second in terms of yield per hect-are, which is 4.7 metric tons average har-vest per hectare. “But this should be increased to at least 5 to 10 metric tons per hectare” by the use of new farm technologies in order to meet the challenge of Asean integration, with much cheaper imported rice expected to flood the local market, Cerbito told the au-

dience composed mostly of agriculture of-ficers and extension workers all over the province. He said other high value crops and rootcrops, aside from rice, must also be promoted to ensure food security, with matching benefits on one’s health and nutrition. For the ever changing climate, Cer-bito called on the agriculture personnel to propagate drought-resilient varieties during dry season, and water surviving species during the rainy season, so that farmers can still look forward to harvest something even in any of these times.

Kadagatan sa TOMMAS OPPUS NIHIT OG GASANG

Office of the Governor, Capitol Building,Asuncion, Maasin City -- Sa usa ka meeting nga gihimo sa buhatan ni Gob. Roger G. Mercado nga gitambungan sa mga kawani sa P.E.N.R.M.O kon Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office sa pagpanguna ni Mrs. Eva Abad nasayran sa Gobernador nga ang kadagatan sakop sa Tomas Oppus niining lalawigan nihit kaayo ang mga "gasang" kon corals ang makita sa ilawom sa kadagatan nga sakop sa naasoy nga lungsod. Sumala sa pagtu-on nga gihimo sa maong ahensya nipis kaayo ang mga korals, hinungdan nga dyutay ra usab ang mga bahandi sa kadagatan ang nagpuyo niini, ilabina ang mga gagmay nga mga isda nga maoy sunod-sunuron sa ubang may kinabuhi ilalom sa kadagatan. Nihit usab ang mga "tampaga" kon dakong mga bato nga maoy himuon nga taguanan sa mga isda. Gumikan niining maong kasayuran, girekomenda ni Arman Gaviola ngadto sa Gobernador nga kinahanglan mahatagan og sulosyon ang maong kakulangan sa mga corals, sa maong dapit. Sa pagkakaron adunay pribado nga mga gropu ang giplanohan sa Gobernador nga maoy magdumala sa pagtisok og mga gasag ilawom sa mao nga kadagatan, apan gipangitaan pa kini og budget

CORALS MAKAPAHINAY SA MGA BAWOD

Capitol Media Center, Ground Floor, Capitol, Bldg. Brgy. Asuncion, Maasin City --- Sa gihimong pagdukidoki sa "Southern Smile" research and Reportorial team nasayran nga ang mga corals ilalom sa kadagatan makahatag og depensa og makakontrol sa dagkong mga balod nga mohampak sa kabaybayunan. Sumala kang Arthur Lindner, nagpuyo sa Maryland, U.S.A , kaliwat sa taga Israel ug nahalin-ya sa pamilya nga maoy gigikanan ni Ginoong "Jesus" og usa ka "oceanographer" ang mga corals dako kaayo og ikatabang arun muhinay ang balod nga nagagikan sa ilalom nga bahin sa kadagatan kon kini makaagi og lugar nga daghan og corals. Sa " Ocean Floor" sa kinahiladmang parti sa dagat sakop sa PACIFIC OCEAN, ID-IAN OCEAN, ANTARTICA, ATLANTIC OCEAN, ARCTIC OCEAN, NORTH ATLAN-TIC OCEAN, SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN, og SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN wala nay mabuhi nga mga CORALS, hinungdan nga kining dapi-ta sa kadagatan diha nagagikan ang mga kusog nga hangin, nga maoy magmugna og mga Tidal Wave o higanting balod. Importante kaayo ang mga CORALS sa atong kabaybayonan para muhinay og maposkay ang dagko nga balod. Nasayran nga ang tonga sa ektarya nga luna sa kadagatan matamnan kini og 2,500 nga mga nagkalainlaing CORALS nga kusog motobu og dali managhan.

Phil. Reclamation Authority Nananghed nga Mukuha og Balas sa Ato nga Kadagatan...

Office of the Governor, Province of Southern Leyte -- Adunay Sektor sa atong katilingban nga gusto na usab sukdon ang baruganan ni Gob. Roger G. Mercado partikular na sa hugot niini nga kompanya aron ampingan ang ato nga kalipunan. Sa milabay nga mga adlaw gisugilun sa Gobernador niining nagsulat nga usa ka ahensya sa National Government , ang Phil. Reclamation Authority, mihangyo ngadto kaniya nga mokuha sila og mga balas pinaagi sa 'dredging" nga pamaagi diha sa kadagatan nga sakop sa teretoryo sa Southern Leyte. Ang mga balas nga ilang mahigop dad-un sa usa ka dapit sa Cebu, para sa multi million rec-lamation project. Nanginahanglan ang mao nga ahensya og 32,000 mil kaektarya sa kadagatan aron kuhaan og mga balas o "bas". Gitug-an ni Gob. Reger G. Mer-cado nga ang taga PRA nakatumbok og 300 kaektarya sa ato nga kadagatan nga adunay daghang " STARFISH" ilalom sa kadagatan. Apan ang Gobernador hugtanon nga mibalibad sa mao nga hangyo sa taga PRA, og matud niya walay makapanamastamas sa pagkuha sa mga bahandi dinhi sakop sa atong Probensya.. Tinuod makakwarta ang Southern Leyte mapa-pas usab ang atong mga naturalisang bahandi nga gihatag kanato sa labaw nga Makakagahum, panapos niya nga pamahayag...

Bulldozer sa Probinsya Giamung-Amungan

Provincial Engineering Office, Capitol Compound, Brgy. Asuncion, Maasin City -- May posibilidad nga malangan ang pagtrabaho karun sa mga kalsada nga gi-panag-iya sa lalawigan gumikan sa pagkadaot sa bulldozer. Kini maoy gibati karon ni P.E.O Engineer Nelson Tan ug sa mga operator nga nagmentenar sa maong heavy equipment. Sa gihimung report ni Engr. Tan ngadto kang Gob. Roger G. Mercado sa usa ka panagtigum didto sa buhatan sa gobernador, niadtong milabay nga buwan

ang maong "ekipo" naghimo og pagkahig sa mga yuta sa naguba nga kalsada didto sa bukirang barangay sa Macrohon. Sa pag-abot sa adlaw nga beyernes, gikanaug kini sa operator ug gibilin sa daplin sa kalsada sakop sa Brgy. Sindan-gan, apan sa adlaw nga lunes sa dihang gipaandar kini namatikdan sa drayber nga adunay dili kasagaran nga "pagkagawkaw" ang andar sa makina ug sa pag-susi niini adunay mga gagmay nga "bato o bas" nga migawas gikan sa usa ka par-ti sa maong bulldozer. Ug wala kini paandara gumikan sa kadaut nga mahitabo unya kon ipadayun pa. Dugang hubit ni Engr. Tan gikuha nalang kini og gikarga sa trailer truck arun makabalik sa motor pool, dinhi na banabana sa mga mekaniko nga mugasto ang probensya og gatosan kalibo ka pesos arun hulipan ang piyesa nga naguba. Padayun nga gipaembistegaran karun sa taga PEO kon kinsa ang nagtinunto sa maong bulldozer, arun patubagon sa iyang dautan nga gibuhat.

Mga Personahe Gikan sa Tourism NCR Office Miduaw sa Kapitolyo

Maasin City Airport, Panan-awan, Maasin City, So. Leyte -- Wala magdahum ang kadagkuan nga mga opisyales sa lalawigan sa pagpanguna ni Gobernador Roger G. Mercado nga ang mga dagkong opisyal sa T.I.I.Z.A o Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Zone Authority, ang buhatan sa Legaspi Village, Makati City nga muari sa atong dapit arun sud-ungon ang kahimtang sa togpahanan og mga eroplano sa atong dapit, Inubanan ni Ms. Jane Araneta, promotion and tourism officer sa lungsod sa St. Bernard, mianhi sa atong lalawigan sila si Gerald Sta. Maria, Lito Reyes ug si Efren Reyes nga naasign sa Tourism NCR Office ni undersecretary Marck Lapid. Sa pagbisita niini, sa kapitolyo, gipresentar ni Ms. Eda Monzon, planning officer sa probensya ang kaimportante niini kon mahuman "UGALING". Dili lang taga Southern Leyte ang makabenipisyo niini, kay apil na ang kasikbit nga lalawigan sa Nothern Leyte, Bohol Province, Camiguing Province, ug apil na ang taga Surigao makatagamtam og kaharu-haruhay sa ilang pag-biyahe gamit sa naasoy nga Airport. Nasabtan sa mga bisita ang ka mang-hinungdanun niini, mao nga misaad sila nga muhatag sila og paborable nga rekomendisyon ngadto kag Asec Marck Lapid, anak ni Sen. Lito Lapid arun makumpleto na ang maong paluparan og eroplano. Sa laing gibutyag ni Ms. Aranita nga ang TIIZA muhatag og 15 milyones ka pesos alang sa paglambo sa torismo sa Brgy. Guinsaugon, St. Bernard. Nasayran nga si Mayor Napoleon Cuaton ( Ret. PNP Gen. ) adunay lig-on nga relasyon sa taga Tourism Office sa National Capital Region.