PGMA visit to Southern Leyte slated next month

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
November 29, 2006

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to visit Southern Leyte province on December 26 to grace for the turn-over rites of new housing communities in Saint Bernard and Liloan, the two towns hardest hit by natural landslides in February, this year.

This was learned from Gov. Rosette Lerias Friday, November 24, in an interview right after the blessing of a new blood bank building within the premises of the Salvacion Oppus Yniguez Memorial Provincial Hospital (SOYMPH).

The occasion also coincided with the 46th anniversary celebration of the provincial hospital.

Gov. Lerias said she had personally talked with President Arroyo in Malacañang on Thursday, November 16, and the two of them browsed over Ms. Arroyo’s busy schedules.

After some time considering the President’s tickler of activities, it was decided that she come to the province on December 26 which was the only date left vacant, the Governor said.

The President was half-expecting to turn-over about 100 houses, but when told that more than 500 dwelling units would be given to calamity victims, she was pleasantly surprised on learning these developments, Governor Lerias further said.

In Magbagacay, St. Bernard, some 330 new houses have been constructed for the surviving residents of Guinsaugon. The Gawad Kalinga had built 100 houses, Red Cross 130, and the Japanese government through DSWD and Habitat for Humanity, another 100 houses.

At barangay Fatima in Liloan, the GK Energy Village put up 100 houses, and another 100 from GMA Kapuso and Habitat for the displaced residents of barangay Malangza, while 86 units were built in Caligangan by Caritas and Diocese of Maasin for the affected residents of barangay Catig.

Incidentally, December 26 is a day after Christmas and it had been declared a non-working holiday.