We Still Have Many Things To Do To Improve The Province-Mercado By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Congressman Roger G. Mercado in his speech during the recent 52nd founding day anniversary of this province admitted that although the constituents have seen the changes that took place for the past several years as accomplished by different past administrations and the present one there are still many things that should be done for the improvement of the province as well as to continue his clean and green program. He pointed out that if the employees in the province from both the government and the private sectors are well-equipped and raises their salaries they will be strongly motivated to do more in their respective jobs or assigned tasks. Another thing that Mercado emphasized is the extension in the distribution of certified seeds from the Dept.of Agriculture to the farmers in various municipalities in order to increase their rice production and income. The Congressman also recommended the current Maasin Chief of Police Rico Tome for his vigilance in protecting the youth from the menace of illegal drugs and the strict implementation of traffic rules requiring drivers to wear helmets while aboard on motorcycles within the citys jurisdictional areas. He likewise thanked all the participating government employees/officials, the teachers and students from private schools from hearing his call for unity in the celebration of the 52nd founding day anniversary of the province. He also thanked all the PNP officers and officials, the Philippine Armys 5th IB stationed in Sogod who joined in the three-hour parade. The long stretch of parade has started at the Anatalio Gaviola plaza down to the two-kilometer distance at the Capitol playground where the anniversary program was held. The keynote speaker, who was introduced by Governor Damian Mercado, Governor Alfonso V. Umali,Jr.,President of the League of Governor in the country, in his short speech corroborated with Southern Solon when he said that the people of this province must unite and cooperate with the provincial governments goals to reach for its realization. Do what you want to do now because we do not know whether we are still be around tomorrow, Umali stressed.

The Governor of Mindoro Oriental divulged what he learned from visiting Germany as one of the participants of GIZs sponsored seminar/workshop on good governance. He said that in Germany an elected candidate has an eight-year term.And if he has good performance, he will be re-elected repeatedly as long as the people like him, he said.The candidates terms have no limits as long as the people will continue to re-elect them. For those constituents whose houses where constructed in a 500 square meters lot each, the government will provide them with 5,000 square meters to reforest.So their surroundings are like here in Southern Leyte where there are plenty of trees around., he said.

Umali further said that in their place in Mindoro, they are also strict in protecting their environment and they also ban mining. On the other hand, to break the pace of seriousness of the annual occasion, he shared the stories of 3 old men just for the fun of it. But something that is worth pondering by the young-at-heart when some older people have diminished the core of their sanity. The first one said that after reaching in the middle of a stairway, he do not know whether he started down below or above. The second old man said that when climbing up the staircase, he do not know whether he would go down or up. And the third after listening to their problems, boasted by saying, Im better than the two of you! When I knock the woods, I would be going to the door to see who knocks!? To the great laughter of the entire audience. The implication of his stories is that Do what you want to do now while you can still do it. Umali moreover, informed that with the kind of election Germany has adopted, their government has 50 years plan, 100 years plan and even 200 years plan. The approved plans cannot just be replaced or changed by any newly-elected President or any high officials in the government.He/they have yet to approach 8 departments if his/her desire to change the plans of the government is agreeably acceptable, he said. Earlier, Mayor Maloney Samaco, Governor Mercado and Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo,11 delivered their respective welcome remarks to the crowd of people from all walks of life at the sunken garden. During the anniversary program 12 Outstanding Southern Leyteos 2012 have received the Rajah Kolambu Awards:1)Mayor Maloney Samaco-Local Governance;2)Dr. Zenaida B. Abiera-Medicine; 3)Dr.Gloria Markines-Reyes-Education; 4)Edberto Calungsod-maritime service;5)Christian Ivan SaludSports-gold medalist in swimming;6)Elizabeth Lim-Base-First Placer:1980Pharmacy board exam;7)Engr. Anecito Narit-First Place:1980 Board Exam Agricultural Engineering; 8)Maasinhon Trio(Lucinio Lolo,Bonifacio Salubre and Andrew Sanchez-Champion Music:Pilipinas Got Talent 2011; 9)Southern Leyteos Interl,Midwest Chapter,USA-Humanitarian. Plaque of Recognition: 1)Nia Hamili G. Piao-7th Place, Nursing Licensure Exam 2011;2)April Jade P. Cuado-9th place,2011 Licensing Exam for Teachers;3)Nikke S. Bohol-10th place,2011 Midwifery Licensure Exam. Winner of the 2012 Ms. Southern Leyte competition is Maasin Citys Guene Arnaiz Resos.Resos is also chosen as Ms. Photogenic and Ms. Bayantel.First runner-up is Imma Charis Lago Kangleon of Sogod. Second runner-up is Cynthia M. Thomalla of Macrohon.She was also chosen as best in swimsuit,best in gown and best in opening production.

Third runner-up is Alma G. Maruhom of San Francisco,Panaon Island. Fourth runner-up is Vanda Charissa T. Dayagbil of Bontoc.She was also chosen as Ms. San Miguel. Daisy Beth Egina of Libagon was chosen as Ms. Congeniality. The Grand Champion of the Sinugdan Festival Showdown is the Bontoc contingent. The group received P75, 000.00 and a plaque of appreciation. Because of the groups excellent performance they were encouraged by one of the judges from Cebu Victor Cuenco to participate in the upcoming Sinulog Festival in Cebu January 2013. First runner0-up is Maasin contigent with a prize of P50, 000.00 and a plaque of appreciation. Second runner-up is the San Juan group with a prize of P40, 000.00 plus a plaque of appreciation. The third runner-up is Malitbog with a prize of P30,000.00 and a plaque. Marie Grace of Malitbog was adjudged as the Festival Queen.She received a prize of P5,000.00. Maasin contingent was chosen as the best in costumes and has received P10, 000.00.While Hinunangan contingent was chosen as the best in street dancing. They received a prize of P15, 000.00. Another Cebu judge was Dr. Jocelyn Hira of the Aboitiz Foundation (culture and arts).(Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)