Unreturned after 108 years, clamor for Balangiga Bells resounds

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 28, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Today, the people of Balangiga, about one and a half hour away from Tacloban, commemorate the 108th Anniversary of the Balangiga Encounter.

As in previous years, hundreds of people are expected to flock to the municipality of Balangiga in order to witness the commemoration rites of the event in which revolutionaries almost wiped out the entire American detachment posted in the area at the time.

The commemoration program which has become a regular undertaking of the municipality of Balangiga and the province of Eastern Samar, will once again be held at the municipal plaza where the P6 million Balangiga Encounter Monument and Memorial Library designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva now stand as a reminder of the encounter which clearly shows the Filipinos’ love for democracy and independence.

As in previous years, the solitary wish is for the bells of Balanginga to be returned to its original and rightful owner, the Philippines. The Bells of Balangiga which are now at the "Trophy Park" of the Warren Airforce Base in Wyoming, belong to the Church for the use of the people of Balangiga.

Indeed, the return of the Balangiga Bells will enhance the relationship between the Philippines and United States as the gesture will be a manifestation that the United States cares for the Filipino heritage.

Years ago, representation was made by the Philippine delegation led by former President Fidel Ramos and Ambassador Raul Rabe and supported by some American legislators, resulting in a compromise position, namely, to have the two bells recast and then give one original and one replica to each country. This is the position that is accepted and supported by the members of the United States Catholic Conference (USCC). The Diocese of Borongan, with much reluctance, agreed to this arrangement.

However, to this date, the Balangiga Bells remain in Wyoming. Perhaps, cooperative efforts should be strengthened so that the wish of the people of Balangiga, at last, becomes a reality.

DepEd issues new guidelines on honor students’ selection

By Philippine Informatin Agency (PIA 8)
September 28, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Education has issued new guidelines on the selection of honor students in the primary and secondary levels nationwide.

Through DepEd Order 92, series of 2009, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus informed that the candidate for honors at any grade or year level shall be drawn from the Top 10 pupils or students of the school. Likewise, the candidates for honors must not have a final grade lower than 80 percent in any subject.

“To determine the Top 10 pupils or students, they shall be ranked using the 7-3 scheme which means 7 points for academic performance and 3 points for co-curricular activities, while their grades in the previous curriculum level shall not be considered in the ranking of honors for graduating pupils or students,” Secretary Lapus stated in the order.

The new DepEd Order also stated that a final rating of a student shall be computed to the three decimal places. In case of a tie, either of the candidates shall be given the same honors, whatever the rank, may it be valedictorians, salutatorians, or first honorable mentions, may be.

Included in the new guidelines is the provision that all candidates for honor must be of good moral character, and have not been subjected to any disciplinary actions within the current year.

The revised guidelines also give recognition to achievements of pupils and students in specific subjects such as mathematics, science, and English or in co-curricular activities such as athletics, performing arts, and campus journalism.

Unlike in the past when transferees are not even considered for honors, especially the top honor, the new guidelines provide that transferees shall be considered. This is now possible, provided the student or students were enrolled in the school not later than the second week of classes in the current school year.

Duly recognized annexes of public elementary and secondary schools with complete curriculum grades or year levels are now allowed by DepEd to choose their own set of school children with honors.

The School Selection Committee with the school principal as chairman, with three qualified teachers as members, is required to officially announce the selected honor pupils or students not later than 15 days before the school’s Graduation Day, the DepEd Order also stated.

The revised guideline provides that any member of the selection committee must not be related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to any of the candidates for honor.

Philhealth assured of P5 billion in fresh funding – Gullas

By Office of Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas (1st District, Cebu)
September 27, 2009

QUEZON CITY  –  Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) can now sleep better at night.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said the state-run national health insurer is assured of another P5 billion in fresh funding in the proposed P1.541-trillion General Appropriations Act of 2010.

"We must stress that this extra P5 billion is not a subsidy. This is meant to pay the national government’s arrears to Philhealth," Gullas said.

Gullas explained that as employer of 1.4 million civil servants, the government is required by law to provide them Philhealth coverage, and pay for 50 percent of their premium contributions.

"The P5 billion is intended to pay the government’s outstanding employer counterpart contributions to Philhealth," he pointed out.

Gullas said the P5-billion allotment for 2010 is on top of the P5 billion that Congress set aside this year for the government’s Philhealth dues, and the P1.45 billion earmarked in 2008 for the same purpose.

"With the additional funding, government workers as well as other Philhealth members are assured of adequate health insurance protection," Gullas said.

Gullas has been urging the government to set a positive example for private entities that are obliged to protect their workers and dutifully pay and remit their mandatory contributions to Philhealth.

Nerissa Santiago, Philhealth vice president for actuary, had told a Senate hearing that the government owed the national health insurer P19.2 billion, representing unpaid contributions for the mandatory coverage of civil servants.

Santiago had warned that unless the dues are paid right away, Philhealth could become insolvent in seven years.

However, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya later disputed Santiago’s claim, saying the national government owed Philhealth only P9 billion.

"Whatever the absolute amount owed by the government, what is important is that Philhealth is already assured of getting another P5 billion," Gullas said.

"This should keep the government’s outstanding balance at a level where it won’t put at risk Philhealth’s financial stability, and at a level where the National Treasury won’t find it even more difficult to pay Philhealth later on," he said.

Philhealth collects P100 to P750 in monthly premiums from every public and private sector worker, with 50 percent of the amount paid for by the employer. In return, workers get health insurance coverage through accredited service providers.

Gullas renewed his call for Philhealth to promptly curb its financial losses due fraudulent and padded claims.

Philhealth has been losing up to P4 billion annually to fictitious or overstated claims, mostly involving syndicates in cahoots with unscrupulous health service providers.

Civil Service orders Taft municipal employees to go back to work

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
September 26, 2009

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  The  four long years in agony of a jobless life, with some degree of humiliation is over for the 25 municipal employees of Taft Local Government Unit (LGU).

This, after Civil Service Commission (CSC) decreed the employees to return to their respective jobs as specified in CSC Resolution 091197 dated August 10, 2009.

No less than Atty. Flordeliza Algas, CSC Assistant Regional Director 08 with her Legal Team came a long way from Tacloban City Regional Office to implement on September 23, 2009 the said Resolution, in the very office of Mayor Francisco “Atching” Adalim.

Former Judge Leo Apita (for his son Raymund who was counsel of the 25) called the roll to verify the physical presence of each returning employee, and as the roll call continued, many looked misty eyed in self-assurance that the agony was near ending.

But the silent and tensed atmosphere of Mayor Adalim’s office turned like a jubilant birthday celebration when he uttered his consent and agreed to the CSC ruling, to reinstate the 25.  The clapping and shouting went on as Adalim continued to shake hands which each of his “lost and found” team mates which signaled a warm welcome and reconciliation.

“Iton mga babaye, sige, balik hira ha ira mga dati nga trabaho, pero an mga lalaki, mayda ko anay iglilihog nga iba, labi kay nababaraka ako nga maapektaran kita hit Dengue. Tapos naman it pulitika, aalagad kamo kun ano it yada hit balaud,” (The women may go back to their previous works but the men, I have a specific order for them because I am worried Dengue might affect us here.  Politics is over, just abide by the law). Jorge Orita who is I.O. of the LGU will just have to continue as well, with his original information work“, Mayor Adalim so ruled.

Atty. Algas was glad at the Mayor’s decision but she advised them to work honestly for the improvement of the municipality and follow orders within the bounds of the CS laws.

The order added that the employees who were previously charged will “be paid of their salaries and benefits effective August 2005 up to their actual reinstatement.”

“This is both a blessing and a triumph to us,” said CDIO Orita.  “But it also pains me, that my friend, Planning Officer Irma Daiz did not see this victory of ours. (Daiz died in Manila about two years after they were suspended. She was about to graduate from a Makati nursing school when she was rushed to Makati Med but did not recovered at all). But we still thank the Lord for granting our prayers.  Now, many of us can send our children back to school,” he said.

“That is now ‘water under the bridge’ and everything is now settled; we will move on!” Grace Lim, Municipal Budget Officer seemed thanked the Heavens. She hopes further that Sangguniang Bayan will prioritize their back wages soon.

In finality, the returning employees with all smiles chorused, “Thank you, Mayor!” and did not fail to sign the day’s log book...never again!

Gibo to grace 108th Balangiga Encounter Commemoration Day

By MARIA KONICA CATAPANG
September 26, 2009

BALANGIGA, Eastern Samar  –  To give an air of military significance to one of the bravest acts of Filipinos during World War II, Secretary of National Defense Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro will lead the 108th commemoration of the Balangiga Encounter Day on September 28, an annual event that seeks to honor the memory of the Eastern Samareños who fought against the Americans in what was dubbed US’ “worst single defeat” in history.

This year’s guest of honor and speaker, the LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD presidentiable is also set to lead the wreath-laying ceremony before the statue of Capt. Valeriano Abanador, who led the town’s people during a surprise attack against the soldiers of Company C, 9th US Infantry Regiment. To join Secretary Teodoro during the festivities are Eastern Samar Governor Ben P. Evardone and Mayor Viscuso de Lira of Balangiga.

“We are indeed very happy and honored to have Secretary Teodoro with us as we mark another year of Balangiga Encounter anniversary. Many Balangiganons idolize him, that’s why I’m sure his presence would make a lasting impression in our town.”

Aside from Sec. Teodoros’s awaited message, another highlight of the commemorative celebration is a dance-drama presentation by the Balangiga Lingganay Performing Group, a famous performing arts group composed of talented young Estehanons. Their presentation will depict the historic and victorious fight for freedom of the Balangiganons.

It was the dawn of September 28, 1901 when hundreds of native fighters some dressed as women, wielding bolos staged a successful surprise attack that killed more than 40 American soldiers. However, a brutal counter-offensive was quickly launched by the American forces, killing thousands of Balangiga residents, and leaving this town in ruins.

Upon leaving, the American forces also took with them the town’s historic church bells which the town fighters’ used to signal the surprise attack against the American soldiers.

To this day the U.S. Army continues to refuse the Philippine government’s numerous and continuous efforts to bring the three bells back to the country.

Presently, the two bigger bells are displayed at the Trophy Park at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming; while the smallest bell is on permanent display at the Traveling Museum of the 9th US Infantry, now stationed in Korea.

PNP persistently monitors election hotspots in East Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 26, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Philippine National Police continues to monitor and assess the provinces, cities and municipalities in Eastern Visayas for election-related violent incidents months before next year’s elections.

In a conference with the local media, the PRO 8 officials led by Director Mario San Diego and the Police Relations Officers of the various provinces and cities in Region 8, PIDR Leopoldo N. Bataoil of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, said that the PNP in the Region is now in the process of assessment and based on the assessment, make recommendations.

Police Regional Office 8 Director Mario San Diego disclosed that the PNP has “historical” data based on the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Director San Diego informed that a review of the list is necessary to find out if there is a need to include other areas.

“We are conducting continuing assessments on areas of concern and areas of immediate concern, and making recommendations so we can plan ahead with the deployment of forces,” Director San Diego said.

“Our overall assessment of the prevailing situation in all election areas of concern will be subject to continuous validation and review,” he added.

He intimated that the recommendation may be for the pull out of the entire police force in a particular area and swap it with the entire force from another area or reinforce the police force with the addition of men from the Police Mobile Group.

For his part, PIDR Leopoldo N. Bataoil informed that before an area is considered an election hotspot, several factors will be considered, like the history of election-related violent incidents in past elections; the existence of intense political rivalry between contending parties; the possible employment of partisan armed groups by candidates in the area, and the presence of domestic threat groups.

The PNP can only make recommendations to the Comelec which is the one in charge on election matters, he added.

Earlier, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has ordered a review of the list of election areas of concern to serve as a guide in the deployment of personnel and resources.

“This will serve as a reference or point of consideration in operational planning such as deployment of security forces, structuring of local PNP units, and availability of resources,” he stated in his order.

Based on records, only Samar province and five municipalities and one city under it, has been consistent election hotspots in the 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections. The Samar LGUs are Calbayog City, Matuguinao, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Sta. Margarita and Tarangnan.

First LGU trade cum cultural fair at newest EV mall earns raves from various sectors

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
September 25, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The first ever LGU trade cum cultural fair at Robinsons’ Place, the Kahimo-Kahimu’, of Tanauan, Leyte which ran for one whole week successfully ended with a bang on Sunday, September 20.

The festival presentation at the mall’s front parking area drew a big crowd with the students of the Tanauan National High School performing their spectacular presentation during the Palarong Pambansa in Leyte last April.

This was followed by a special cultural presentation at the Mall’s Activity Area where talented Tanauananons gave a well-applauded presentation. Among the homegrown talents of Tanauan was Rick Cumpio who is on vacation because of the Ramadan in Dubai where he works as an entertainer.

Also among the talents are grand finalists in the ICOT IDOL who are from Tanauan, Honey Renz Molon, Arlene Tejano and Rosemarie Modesto. The young dancers from Tanauan who were champion in the HipHop Dance Contest at the Araneta Center late last year were also featured. The Saint Michael Choir under the baton of Danny Lerios also presented five songs as their last performance before they leave for Hongkong as guest performers.

Onlookers gave good raves on Tanauan’s Trade cum Cultural Fair. Among the crowd were Tanauananons who are now living in Manila and who happen to be in town. Back to back during the presentation is the display and selling of Tanauan products like handicrafts, skimboards for the water sports enthusiasts, bamboo craft, bamboo furniture, Tanauan tuba and Tanauan vinegar from coconut which are abundant in Tanauan.

A young Tanauan artist was also around to sell his paintings and to charcoal paint the interested guests. The binagol delicacy from Tanauan was also available and on special request, the famous Tanauan Lechon was made available at the Guztavian Restaurant inside the mall.

Ms. Leni de Veyra who is an officer of the La Fraternidad Tanauanena in Manila said she is lucky to be around and witness the Kahimo-Kahimu’ which every Tanauananon must be proud of.

Other guest from all over the Region commended the local government of Tanauan for coming up with a week-long trade and cultural fair with daily presentations of Pasaka Festival and musical presentations at the Activity Area.

Tanauan Mayor Roque A. Tiu acknowledged the various producers from Tanauan who exhibited their products, the young presentors from the different schools in Tanauan, the choral groups, the Balinsasayaw Singers which never fails to bring honor to Tanauan, the school administrators, the supportive staff of the LGU, the media and the provincial government of Leyte headed by Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.

Mayor Tiu gave special acknowledgement to the management of the Robinsons’ Place in Tacloban for making possible the use of the mall activity area at no cost to the LGU.

He expressed hope that the other LGUs in Leyte will also find time to exhibit their products at Robinsons’ and that Robinsons’ will also give the other LGUs the same opportunity given to the municipality of Tanauan.

Southern Leyte PPOC moves to have police, army secure Agas-Agas Bridge

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
September 25, 2009

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in this province has passed a resolution requesting for a permanent police and military detachment to man the province’s newest tourist attraction, Agas-Agas bridge in Sogod, along with its facilities and perimeters.

In a meeting held Wednesday at the Governor’s Office, the PPOC body, on mass motion, approved to request the regional Philippine National Police (PNP) office, through SSupt. Pepito Pacada, the new PNP Provincial Director, that some of its units be stationed within the vicinity of the said bridge.

Likewise, the same tenor of the resolution will be sent to the 802nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA), through Col. Allan Martin, the Deputy Brigade Commander.

Both Pacada and Martin were present during Wednesday’s PPOC meeting, and both committed to forward the PPOC request in the form of a resolution to their respective higher authorities for the expected appropriate action.

Gov. Damian Mercado, PPOC Chair, stressed the importance of having checkpoints on standby in the area, saying that the presence of uniformed personnel can act as a deterrent to individuals or groups that may have other motives.

He, however, pointed out that the province remained peaceful because of strong cooperation by everybody, but establishing an outpost in Agas-Agas can certainly help to preserve peace and order in a pro-active manner.

Since opening to vehicular traffic after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inaugurated Agas-Agas bridge – said to be the country’s highest span measuring 85 meters from the ground – last month, reports said many passengers going to Mindanao or Luzon passing in the area have spent time appreciating its awesome sight.

Enthusiasts of extreme sports have reportedly frequented the place.

The PPOC concern for a round-the-clock watch on the bridge was prompted by speculative worries some unlawful elements may sabotage the structure, especially in the run-up to the synchronized presidential and local elections next year.

Agas-Agas bridge, aside from its panoramic view, served as a strategic, safe passage linking Mindanao and Luzon, and vice versa.

It was also the permanent solution to the recurring landslides in the area which endanger the lives of passing passengers and unsuspecting motorists, particularly during rainy season.

8th ID: Samar remains a big challenge in insurgency

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
September 24, 2009

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Samar remains a big challenge to the army when it comes to crushing insurgency.

Commanding General of 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) Arthur Tabaquero said in a press conference on Friday, September 18, 2009 aired at DYMS.

Although army officials assured Samarnons that it is on the right timing in its goal of crushing insurgency, still Samar remains a big challenge for the army, Col. Alexander Cabales deputy commander chimed in.

The most recent NPA attacks like the attack in Cancaiyas, Basey, the murder of Fr. Cecilio Lucero, and the attack of one army element of 543rd Engineer Brigade kept the army reeling.

Despite the attack to non-army combatants, the army said Tabaquero, will continue to construct infra projects like those of the Kalayaan sa Barangay Program and that attacks will never hinder the developmental projects envisioned by PGMA.

The army, said Tabaquero, right now shoulders the medical needs of the NPA wounded and captured in the encounter with the 543rd Engineer Brigade.

Tabaquero offered to Samar’s officials to emulate Bohol and Gov. Enrico Aumentado’s Team Bohol.

He added that the transformation of Bohol did not happen overnight, that like any mission, the Bohol experience also suffered dark days but Aumentado’s political will paif odd eventually.

As to the NPA atrocities, Cabales said the NPAs would like to project a ‘force to reckon’ with so that come elections, they will still be given ‘permit to campaign fees’ a clear milking cow of the leftists, he averred.

Presently, the 8th ID, said Tabaquero, continues to push civil military operations and continues to reach out for a good relationship.

He then urged the local chief executives to help them, by providing basic services to the influenced barangays and to the people to support the anti insurgency campaign of the Arroyo government.

Leyte turned over community hospital to municipal LGU

By Provincial Media Relations Center
September 24, 2009

KANANGA, Leyte  –  The provincial government of Leyte formally turned over the health planning, control and management of the formerly province-run Kananga Community Hospital to the local government unit (LGU) of Kananga.

After many negotiations and convincing form Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Kananga Mayor Elmer Codilla finally gave his nod for the LGU to handle the management of the said community hospital against the alternative option of full closure since the said facility has not been earning much to support its own operations.

In the turn-over ceremony held recently at the hospital ground of the new Kananga Municipal Hospital (KMH), the mayor said although managing the hospital would run tight on their own budget; however, providing a nearer health facility for his constituents as well as neighboring towns weighed heavier than the hospital’s eventual closure.

To recall, in 1991 the government introduced a major devolution of national government services, which included the first wave of health sector reform, through the introduction of the Local Government Code of 1991. The Code devolved basic services, to include health services among others, to local government units.

With the devolution of health services to LGUs, the provincial governments oversee provincial and district hospitals, while the municipal governments manage rural health units (RHUs) and barangay (village) health stations.

During his first term, Gov. Petilla implemented a hospital improvement plan to make the district hospitals under the province’s wings independent and self-sustaining; however, some of these hospitals remain non-performing costing the province more by subsidizing its operations.

For some LGUs, the decentralization process have been favorable, especially those LGUs which are resource-rich.

Gov. Petilla said closing the hospitals however weighed heavily in the government’s thrust to provide health care especially with 70% of the community hospitals clientele belonging to the low-income level.

Aside from turning over the community hospital to the Kananga LGU, the provincial government has also provided it with a financial assistance of P3.5 million to rehabilitate some of its existing facilities and services.

The turn over held last Thursday was attended by Gov. Petilla and Mayor Codilla with Leyte 4th District Representative Eufrocino Codilla, Sr. and representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Department of Health, PhilHealth and other municipal officials.

Mayweather’s torture of Marquez unlocked key to Pacquiao mystery

By ALEX P. VIDAL / PNS
September 24, 2009

LOS ANGELES, California  –  Team Mayweather’s game plan was simple: take one step backward, but take two steps forward.

Step one backward means outweighing your smaller opponent by as much as 20 pounds a day before the fight and be willing to cough up a hefty fine worth $600,000, peanuts for the nine figures to be bankrolled for a 12-round tango.

And outweighed Floyd Mayweather Jr. (146 pounds) did to rattle and overran Juan Manuel Marquez (142 pounds) and escaped with a lopsided unanimous decision victory, 118-109, 120-107, 119-108, on September 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Team Marquez actually acknowledged the Mexican customer was smaller, having campaigned masterfully in the 130-lb category and came in at 140 pounds against Mayweather, who weighed 146 pounds. But any post mortem catcalls would be dismissed as sour-graping.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) only showed who’s the boss in the division he ruled with terror and fear that earned him the reputation as originally the best boxer pound-for-pound before he lapsed into a 21-month lay-off and thus yielded the honor to Manny Pacquiao.

Now that  Marquez has been neutralized, all roads now lead to a possible showdown either with Pacquiao or Shane Mosley, who got an earful from Mayweather himself for interrupting the latter’s post fight press conference.

By toying with Marquez, considered as the second best boxer in the world pound for pound, Mayweather exposed something members of Team Pacquiao dread not to be discovered: boxers outside Mayweather’s division can be outshuttled by using defensive skills.

The difference between Mayweather and Pacquiao, as observed by Marquez, is that Mayweather is a 100 percent skilled defensive warrior while Pacquiao likes to brawl from opening bell until the end.

Pacquiao owns two of the five losses inflicted on Marquez’s amazing record and both wins were snatched from the jaws of defeat.

Comparisson

If Pacquiao were in the fighting shoes of Marquez in that fight, would Mayweather finish the fight on his stool? Or, would Pacquiao suffer Marquez’s fate? Speed both Mayweather and Pacquiao have it. Force they both possess it. Weight will definitely tilt in favor of the black executioner.

Marquez has admitted fighting Mayweather was like fighting a Goliath.  He has given credence to conventional belief that fighting in a heavier weight vis-à-vis a heavier foe is always uphill climb. Mayweather’s dominance of Marquez spoke louder than words. Of the 493 punches he thrown, 290 of them landed on Marquez’s face.  Marquez landed only 142 of the 583 punches he thrown.

The message was loud and clear: there was no way for a lightweight speedster to outslick welterweight Mayweather in his own turf.

Meanwhile, after finding himself red in the face once more for predicting that Marquez would upset Mayweather, Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya has pushed for a Mayweather-Mosley showdown next.

Mosley, however, must tackle first Joshua Clottey in December while De La Hoya must wait for the November 24 joust between Pacquiao and World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Miguel Cotto.

If Pacquiao rolls past Cotto, the Filipino superstar might most likely seal the Mayweather deal since Pacquiao is being backed strongly by Top Rank’s Bob Arum.

However, if Cotto hits a jackpot by trouncing Pacquiao, he might elbow out Mosley from the sweepstakes since Cotto had already beaten Mosley on points.

PGMA pledges funds for new Diosdado Macapagal Provincial Hospital in Southern Leyte, says Gov. Mercado

By BONG PEDALINO (PIA Southern Leyte)
September 24, 2009

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has assured to contribute an unspecified amount for the construction of a new provincial hospital to be located in a sprawling vacant lot at barangay Dongon, some five kilometers to the interior portion of this city.

This was revealed by Gov. Damian Mercado, who said the new health facility will be named Diosdado Macapagal Provincial Hospital to honor President Arroyo’s late father, the country’s President in the 1960s.

In a chance interaction with local media at the Governor’s office last week, Gov. Mercado said he had met with the President last Monday, and in that meeting the Chief Executive made her assurance for financial support.

As to the particular figure, the Governor declined to state any speculation, saying only that the assistance can be coming soon as requested before the President bows out of office when her term ends next year.

“The new hospital will be constructed within this year,” Gov. Mercado categorically declared, adding that the provincial government has allotted P100 Million ready budget from its own coffers to start the construction work.

The rough estimate for the overall project cost was P240 Million for a two-storey structure, Gov. Mercado said.

During President Arroyo’s visit to this city last month, she had viewed a tarpaulin image of the hospital’s perspective in one side of the terminal complex where the ceremonies were held.

Sources privy to the conversation had said the President was amused and enthusiastic about the project as she watched the pictures, an architect’s rendering of the proposed structure.