PGMA confirms attendance as keynote speaker during South Leyte’s 49th Anniversary

By PIA Southern Leyte
June 4, 2009

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the keynote speaker during ceremonies marking the 49th anniversary celebration of Southern Leyte province on July 1.

This confirmation was relayed by Presidential Assistant (PA) for Eastern Visayas Cynthia Nierras on Monday to Gov. Damian Mercado while the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting was in progress at the RK Kangleon Function House.

At the start of the PDC meeting at around ten o’clock in the morning, Board Member Jason Calva, chair of the steering committee, was wrapping up his discussion on the activities related to the July 1 festivities, wherein on the day of the anniversary proper itself the President had signified her intention to come.

Calva said this was agreed during the President’s visit last April 15 at barangay Benit, San Ricardo, during the inauguration of the Benit RO-RO terminal, although this would be updated with constant follow-up and proper confirmation.

By around 11:40 in the morning, Gov. Mercado received a call from PA Nierras through his cellular phone confirming the President’s attendance as guest of honor for this year’s anniversary.

Gov. Mercado immediately relayed the just-in information to the audience, adding that the President will also grace the inauguration of the new Maasin city wet market at the reclamation area.

In his bi-weekly radio program over radio station DYDM, Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco said the President will also led the groundbreaking rites for the construction of a mall building, also scheduled to be built at the reclamation site anytime this year.

He was referring to the plans of the city government to put up a new structure to house the Gaisano shopping mall in the city.