con't... (message board 85)

Name:   Sankay
Address:   Tacloban City
Email:
Date:   March 29, 2009

I disagree with Tony Morales’ assertion that it is us the people of Samar who are to blame for the province’s demise. Internal forces inside Samar are actually pulling Samar off from the mud but it is the government’s policy especially the policy of President Arroyo that is maintaining a desperate status quo in Samar.

Sure, there are promises of billions of infra project but these promised projects are mostly for corrupt politician’s cookie jar where they can stick their hand inside for filling their pockets. Check the airport project to see if Samar really needs it. Check out the road projects if the construction cost matches the absence of quality. Only in Samar where the cost of the road per kilometer is the most expensive in the world and the life span of the road only last a rainy season.

Do you blame the people of Samar? The answer is a big no. Samarnons are smart people in the world. Samarnons are in dire situation today because they just do not have the fighting chance. As guaranteed freedom of speech and assembly by the Philippine constitution, many Samarnons after experiencing failures from dominant political parties year after year, Samarnons have decided to form and switch a new political party anticipating change, better life, and better governance they have longed for many years.

Many Samarnons have switched and joined Bayan Muna and other progressive parties. This is the answer for Tony Morales’ false assertion about Samarnons being blamed for their demise. Samarnons are actively thinking, and looking for many ways to get out of poverty but they are facing government intervention in maintaining the status quo. Bayan Muna in Samar had been bullied and intimidated scaring away Samarnons from joining and taking away their freedom to participate legally in political forum to guide their lives to fit their own free way of living. The government action of wiping off legal political forums, like Bayan Muna and other progressive forums where better order and livelihood are decided locally, have

Name:   Katherine Villanueva
Address:   Bernardo Street, Manibaug Libutad, Porac, Pampanga
Email:   kathnhie_005@yahoo.com
Date:   03/29/09

Hello po I am Kathy nais ko po sanang iparating sa inyo ang aking pakay kaya po ako nag msg dito nais ko po sanang magpatulong sa inyo na matuntun ang aking lolo na nagngangalang JESUS PADOC na taga basay samar daw po.

Mula po kasi mg bata ang aking ina ay di na sila nagkita kahit kami po na mga apo ay di pa namin cya nakita.gusto po sana naming alamin ang kanyang kalagayan kung cya po ba ay buhay pa...nais po namin matulungan nyo po kami na mahanap cya o makita kahit man lang po sana sa maikling panahon ay makasama o makita papo namin cya kung cya po ba ay buhay na. Hindi ri po kasi namin alam ang kanyang exact address. Pero may nakapagsabi po na Basay Samar daw po ang address.

Eto po ang aking contact number 09185031904/09198496849 sana po kahit sa municipyo lang po ay makatulong sa amin paghahanap ang pangalan po ng kanyang anak na amin namang ina ay ALMA PADOC taga McArthur Leyte po. Maraming salamat po.

Name:  Antonio Morales
Email:
Date:   27 Mar 2009

"Sad to say, sa lahat ng napuntahan kong lugar sa Pilipinas sa tingin ko ang Samar ang napabayaan ng ating gobyerno." – somebody from Makati.

An Samar, napabayaan ba han aton gobyerno o napabayaan han mga mulopyo???

Well, the debate as to who's to blame for the sorry state of Samar has consumed 75% of the message board of Samarnews.com. One thing is certain though, the solution is not forthcoming.

Napabayaan ba an Samar han aton gobyerno? O, napabayaan ba an Samar han iya mga mulopyo?

I say that a government is merely the representative entity of the people. No government will rise mightier than its people. To say it bluntly, the government is a reflection of the people. We are, in a collective term, what our government is. When our government is corrupt, it merely mimics us. When our government is ineffective, we sure are like it. Sad to say, our government is "off the people, poor the people, and buy the people" kind rather than the one written on the texts of our Constitution.

How do we solve a problem like ours? Start with the people and the government will follow suit. I have one thousand and one suggestions but here are some ways we could get out of this quagmire:

1. Educate our people that "Thou shalt not sell your vote" is the 11th commandment. When you sell your vote, you seal your mouth to protest. When you sell your vote, you seal your right to demand quality government services. When you sell your vote, you sell the future of your province and your country.

2. Inculcate honesty and integrity as core values. Emphasize in our homes, in schools, in churches, in governments that there is no right way to do a wrong thing. That, the end does not necessarily justify the means.

3. Increase our participation in community affairs. When we are indifferent and apathetic, then we all agree to allow some few balasubas to run the affairs of our state. We do not merely curse the darkness, we should light a candle or even still turn on a flashlight. The sin of omission is as heavy as the sin of commission.

4. Expect excellence from everybody. The foolish "okey na yan" syndrome must be thrown to the bowels of hell. We should expect our children, our young people, our government officials, our subordinates, and ourselves to do our best. We are in the gutters of oblivion because we allowed ourselves to accept mediocrity. The Japanese "kaizen" philosophy is inspiring. It is about continuos improvement. Like the motto of the Olympic Games, we should always strive for "Citius, Altius, Fortius." Faster, Higher, Stronger! The founder of the Olympic Games said that "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." When we say okey nala iton hi Mila bisan bulhog an usa ka mata (with pun intended), when we say okay na la ito hi Gloria bisan pira na kayukot and iya nakuha, when we say okay na la ito hira nga mga pulitiko bisan waray aram basta kusog humatag hin kuwarta, then we relegate our future to the back burner. When we shoot for the moon and fell short, at least we may land in one of the stars. Disney was not founded on wishing upon a stone in the baybayon, it was founded by Walt wishing upon the star. We should strive for excellence and expect excellence. Being average after all is being the worst among the best and being the best among the worst. It is just like saying pinakagwapo ka han mga magraot or pinakamaraot ka han mga gwapo.

5. Adhere to meritocracy. Our problem lies in our inability to let go of our craziness to kleptocracy, kakistocracy, and all kinds of incompetent forms of governance. We seem to gravitate to padrino system & kamag-anak system. The best filipinos are going abroad and making the waves abroad because they felt rewarded when they do well at work. The best nurses in the US, UK, NZ, Ausie are filipinos. The best domestic helpers in HK, Singapura, and KSA are filipinas. The best entertainers in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are pinoys. The best engineers in UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain are filipinos. Why do we excel in other lands? In the Philippines, if you do your work well, you are "pasipsip" and "OA."

Now, I am now addressing the molupyo to change or we shall have the same kind of government now and for a long time.

Who's to blame? You and I? That's better.

Name:   Minero
Email:
Date:   March 27, 2009

"Back in 1980’s, the memory of the destructive effects of mining is still fresh in the minds and hearts of every Samarnons. The land is still feeling the effects of the wounds left by Bagacay Mines who strip-mined for copper part of the Hinabangan town, in Samar. The people of Bagacay, who once enjoyed the brief benefits of jobs offered by the mining company, are now left with a gaping hole in their backyard, robbed of the development options they now need because the land lays dead...."

It lays dead as you think but it is not. Bagacay mine was 40% mined but because of continue opposing to operate again it will be there only waiting to be mined. How I wish some Samarnon will wake up Samar is big wide province and the Bagacay mining area is a small portion of non-agricultural land at the heart of Samar if allowed to operate it will generates jobs for Samarnons.

Name:   Anita Schon
Address:   Bremerton, Washington State 98311
Email:   anitasese@gmail.com
Date:   3/26/09

I have not seen the latest message I sent you. Are you being selective?

Name:   Mar (Nitoy) Hernandez
Address:   Chicago, USA
Email:   nitoy_h@yahoo.com
Date:   March 26, 2009

PRAYER IN OPPOSITION TO THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL OF 2008 (HB 5043)

Loving Father, through the intercession of San Lorenzo Ruiz, we beg You not to allow us to be deceived by the wrong directives of laws that do not give value to family and to life. May we see the hidden truth behind the seemingly good but deceptive arguments that will bring about widespread destruction of the morality of the Filipino family as well endanger the innocent life of the unborn child.

Touch and guide the hearts of our law makers. Assist them in the path of renewal that they may bring about the dream of society towards honorable and peaceful way of living in accordance with the culture for life and love.

Help us Father, we who are burdened by the struggles of these modern times. Grant us the courage to fight those forces that threaten the peace of the family. Help us to offer our individual crosses for the good of the Church. Through the power of the cross of Jesus, may all our decisions and works be in accordance with Your will so that we may be worthy of your blessings.

We ask this in the name of Your Son together with the prayers of our Mother Mary.

Amen.

(An English translation from the Pilipino text courtesy of the Diocese of Pasig)

Name:   Ricky Bautista
Email:   trexpelunker@yahoo.com
Date:   March 26, 2009

A rejoinder to the posts made by Mano Olin, Anotnio Morales and Yengskie:

Samar being robbed of gains again?

The province of Samar, which formed part of the third largest island in the country, one of the richest biodiversity centers in the country; one that has the largest and last remaining contiguous patch of virgin forest is not supposed to be one of the poorest municipalities in the Philippines.

We are not supposed to be because we live in a land of exotic sights and beauty few have ever seen. But in contrary, the people in this “Land of Plenty” have long been impoverished, deprived and denied of everything we desperately need in this time of global crisis.

Let’s discuss this slowly. Well, I am optimistic that some of you will agree that the list of government neglect to our people can be described as very “long like a winding road,” and too familiar to us all why.

Firstly, the tourists and investors are complaining that our provincial roads are “swamps” when it rains and “dustbins” when the sun shines. In year 2001 and 2002 alone, the provincial government of Samar spent some P56 Million on cement, but where are the projects? The COA report said the fund was misused. And I knew you knew it as this was made public.

Our provincial hospital is in miserable condition, and expenditures on public health do not conform to the budget. There’s very little money for medicine, and even so, that is being stolen. Yet we spent millions on Christmas lights and decors and keep on manicuring the park every year.

More than half of our children never finish elementary education because there was no clear accounting of how the Special Education Fund is being spent. Majority of our teachers are municipal paid, underpaid and overworked. Our children cannot study hard due to lack of textbooks. The Day Care centers in the barangay seldom get support from the LGU. Yet we tend to spent millions of the people’s money on electric fans and raffle them away.

Our farmers cannot produce enough to feed their families because 96% of our lowland farms are not irrigated – despite the fact that Samar has so many springs, rivers, and streams.

Our young men and women cannot find work because one of the biggest sources of employment in a poor province like Samar is public works – and the funds for public works are rarely used for public works. And maybe, just maybe, the report of the World Bank on conspiracy between the DPWH, the contractors and our local officials, also applies here.

As for the squandering of our taxes, we are not only talking about public funds that are lost to graft and corruption. The province of Samar has hundreds of millions a year in development fund. That is supposed to be the people’s money, should be spend for the people and by the people, especially the poor. But, sad to say, the poor people of Samar are not consulted on how this money should be spent. That’s why a lot of it lost to graft and corruption. And the few being left is spent on projects that do not truly benefit the poor.

In some places, they are practicing a system of allocating development fund that protects it from graft and ensures that the projects actually benefit the poor. They call it the Cost-Sharing Scheme. Under this system, the barangay officials will ask their constituents what project they think will benefit the whole barangay. The barangay and the province will share the cost of the project. And the people in the barangay will implement the project themselves. If the municipal government joins the Cost-Sharing, which is recommended, the budget for the project will be tripled.

If this happens, the people in the barangay get the projects they need, get more money for the project, and they earn extra income by providing labor for the project. This resolves our problem on unemployment, graft practices, unnecessary projects and the “SOP” on projects.

The benefits do not stop there because money in the hands of the poor is spent on goods and services that are provided by local merchants and traders – and goes on to stimulate the local economy especially now that a “global economic crisis” is being felt everywhere. While the money that is lost to graft benefits only the corrupt officials, and is used to invest in their Lending business and other enterprises outside Samar – like buying condominiums in Manila – and stimulates only the economy in those places.

Here’s an everyday problem of the poor. I don’t know if our officials are thinking on how to address the problem that some of our poor people and their children have denied access of sanitary toilets especially those people living in the uplands? Some of them eats only twice a day – a coffee and pandesal around 9 a.m. and a budget meal on around 4-5 in the afternoon because of the crisis.

Yet, no one from our leaders admitted these facts. No one has showed solution to end this messy plagued. No one suffered the consequences in committing graft and corruption and no one dared to go against this system in this province, not even one of our trusted public officials. Instead, they learned to ride on the system. As the saying goes, “if you cannot beat them, join them.”

Our environment also suffers neglect from our government. For 50 years rewind, the island of Samar was ravaged by giant logging and mining firms. Our forests disappeared, rivers were poisoned, timber and mineral riches were looted, leaving us licking the environment wounds inflicted by alien corporate avarice and again, neglect!

Back in 1980’s, the memory of the destructive effects of mining is still fresh in the minds and hearts of every Samarnons. The land is still feeling the effects of the wounds left by Bagacay Mines who strip-mined for copper part of the Hinabangan town, in Samar. The people of Bagacay, who once enjoyed the brief benefits of jobs offered by the mining company, are now left with a gaping hole in their backyard, robbed of the development options they now need because the land lays dead.

At one time, Samar Island was partitioned into a jigsaw puzzle of mining concessions proposed by at least 41 large-scale mining companies. In another robbery, with the destruction wrought by the massive illegal logging of forests in the late 70’s and 80’s, the full force of nature fatally stricken us with heavy rains surged down treeless hilltops swelling mighty rivers and submerging homes, farms, schools and churches. Samarnons were roused from that deep collective stupor called apathy in 1988 (or is it in 1989?).

Our government never acted heartily in favor of our beloved Samar. Not until a series of an echoing howling of protests by Samarnons that quickly raised the specter of an ecological catastrophe over the loss of the island’s forest cover. From there, an alliance emerged from the deluge. Civil society groups in Samar, swayed by torrents of appeals from thousands of Samarnons made former Pres. Fidel Ramos to declare this island Samar Island Forest Reserve in 1996. This was our first victory.

Then in year 2003, another cry of the Samarnons did not go unheeded. When people across the island – students, elected officials, vendors, priests, media, public workers, men and women -- came together in a historic show of solidarity to support the establishment of the Samar Island Natural Park and oppose destructive mining and logging in the island, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed her PP 442, declaring the 333,300 hectares of our island’s remaining forests as a “Protected Area.” This is again another victory for us.

But those victories remained in papers only. Corporate mammoths on mining and logging companies, who were put to sleep by the present moratorium, is now kept on stirring a desperate attempt to continue their mining and tree-cutting business. With this, let’s keep our eyes wide open.

Just recently, the 30 thousand board feet of buried logs previously left by the San Jose Timber Corporation is again being retrieved by an influential individual for other places consumption. Without our knowledge, they slipped through behind our doors and get those belong to us. The approval of DENR Secretary Jose Lito Atienza to retrieve these logs and gave it to others is another form of robbing us, digging and holing our places, taking our precious woods to the satisfaction of only one stranger. He should, instead, consult first the Samarnons and the civil groups who fought – by tears and blood -- for these in the past before easily inking a piece of paper that will again rape our forests and hurt us. Even so, he should instead order his men to retrieve these logs, if it is true that this can be more damaging if remain buried, for the consumption of Samar – to our provincial roads and bridges, school classrooms, day care centers, churches, government entities like our provincial hospitals. I am sure we badly need these lumbers for it cannot only save us our development fund, but also save the needs of our poor people who use these structures.

We felt being robbed again when they invited only thirty participants for a dialogue when in fact we are thousands that represents our beloved island. Obviously, we cannot say no for that piece of paper signed by Atienza as we were law abiding citizens. We can do nothing but to ask how about us? I hate to ask this question about “how much” is involved in this system because I hate to think it that way, as others surely think it is.

I don’t know till when my province will suffer this repetitious robbery of our long decade gains. I love this province and the people who live here. I am hurt when I hear somebody is corrupting the public funds intended for the poor. And I knew there are a lot of you out there who also love our beloved province and protects her from any kinds of robbing attempts. I encouraged you to voice out too.

Come on, lets continue to stood still and claim our rights, even so they are claiming their corporate rights. Let us take our pen mightier this time. Let us shout to the world, that Samar no longer want to be robbed again. NO, NEVER AGAIN!

Name:   Anita Schon
Address:   Bremerton, Washington State 98311
Email:   anitasese@gmail.com
Date:   03-25-09

Dear all Samarnons,

The news is buzzing in all directions about Presentiables, there are so many of them. We need a change, and bad. Let us please vote wisely, forget the POPULARITY CONTEST, and most of all ignore those money being showered in SAMAR.  We can never change our government, our corrupted officials if we keep getting their money. My masseuse came from Calbayog, she was paid P4500.00 when she turned 18 which happened during the last election. She went home and voted and did not even know who she voted for. The candidates are not promising reforms instead, they are already corrupting people's minds that it is ok to vote if you accept the money. Where are these supposed leaders coming from?

Please help me educate our youths about good citizenship. We only have one country and we are the only one who can save and love her, the Philippines.

Anita Schon
of ANITA'S KITCHEN a project of
OVERSEAS FILIPINO COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL

Name:   Bong
Address:   Hen. Tinio St., Makati City
Email:
Date:   March 24, 2009

Sad to say, sa lahat ng napuntahan kong lugar sa Pilipinas sa tingin ko ang Samar ang napabayaan ng ating gobyerno. Ang sama ng kalsada ng Samar from Allen to Calbiga, sayang at sa aking pagkakaalam napakadaming tourist spot n maaring idevelop sa lugar n yan. Pero sino ang mangarap pumunta sa Samar kung kasumpa sumpa ang dadaanan mong kalsada bago mo marating ang Samar. Sino b gobernor nyo jan nakakahiya.

Name:   Basilio Longara
Address:    Brgy Silanga, Catbalogan, Samar
Email:
Date:   March 21, 2009

Tokayo Basilio,

Ha sige ko nga pag binasa han imo mga gin papahamtang dinhi, BAGA mauapay gud an imo mga plano. Pero BAGA sobra na liwat hin kama sumo pag binasa nga balik balik mo gin ba banggit an mga termino nga kawatanis, trapo etc.

Ha yana kay aada ka pala ha ngaran hin pag pakilala yana nga ti abot nga eleksyon, baga sige la an imo pag pa impress nga usa ka nga limpyo masyado nga tawo.

Damo na nga mga kandidato an pareho han imo mga tinuha kon hira na ngangam panya pala. Pero kon aada na hira ha pwesto, limot na tanan an ira mga gin pan luwas han ira pangampanya.

Ayaw ipa agi hin sobra nga pag impress han imo kalugaringon kay kon aada ka na ha pwesto masisilaw ka gihapon han mga kahugaw ha politica. Waray pa gud politico nga nahibaru-an nga perpecto an iya kalimpyo ha larangan han politica. Bisan an nga rico, siring naton nga diri makurakot kay rico na, pero ano it nahitatabo? Asya la gihapon kay siring pa "there are no angels on earth"

Kon kusog gud masyado ini nga imo inop, Action ka agad! ayaw na ipa agi hini nga internet kay pira pira la an may mga computer ha Samar. Bisan ngani hini nga site diri 100% an na abuyon ha imo. Ibaha an imo strategy para diri masumo pamati-on.

Amola ngan GOD BLESS SAMAR!

Name:   Maria
Address:   Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Email:    maria_219@yahoo.com
Date:   March 21, 2009

Hay naku kayo puro lang kau panira kay Balasbas, tulungan ntin cia, malay natin pag nanalo cia tutuo nga ung cnasbi nia, lets try.wla nmang mwawala sa atin un kung tutulong tau sa kanya.

Pls support Mr. Balasbas, wag na tau magpaloko, na luko ng nga tau tpos magpapalo ulit tau, tama na ta gcing na kau. Para naman to sa lahat eh heheheh, d lang nman to kay Basil, para nman to sa lahat ng tga Samar na ikakaganda, heheheh.

Name:   Rosa B. Tocenares
Address:   Brgy Canlapwas, Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   March 21, 2009

Mr. Morales,

Ka babasa ko pala han imo article basin han ti-abot nga regodon han politica han samar, particular na ha Catbalogan.

Daku an akon kalipay nga nangaranan hi HANNIA (my classmate) dinhi hini nga imo mensage. Hi Hannia dri la ka vice mayor, unta ka mayor o mas hataas pa nga posisyon gud an iya pag kandidatohan. Pero may usa ako nga daku nga paki-ana (?). Ma kandidato ba hiya ka vice mayor (o bisan ano nga position) ha linya ni Mila? Ha akon kasabot diri ito hiya maruruyag dara kay ini hi HANNIA ma prinsepyo ini nga tawo. Diri ini hiya pareho kan Mila Tan, bisan pa ini hira mag hipag.

Mas maupay pa ada kon komandidato hi Hannia ka gobernador o ka congress woman. Seguro an pag-asa han Samar aada na ha iya kontra kan Mano Basilio nga diri ngani kinikilala ha Catbalogan.

Kon baga ma-aghat man hiya mag kandidato hin bisan ano nga posisyon, kon pwede asya ini an naton buligan.

Mr. Morales akon gad la ini opinion kay sayod ako hini ha iya labi na han konsehal pa hya han Catbalogan.

Amola, ngan maupay nga aga ha iyo ngatanan. Mabuhay an Catbalogan!

Name:   Marcial Ocenar
Address:   Salug, Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   March 20, 2009

To Mr. Tony Morales:

Hannia Ayllon Tan is already a teacher in Samar National High School.

Hope she'll stay as a teacher because my son (who is under her) said she's a good teacher. At least ma dugngan hin maupay nga teacher an SNS. I guess you also knew her also (?).

Thanks and God bless!

Name:   Rogelio G. Endic
Address:   Bulacan / Isabela / Cagayan Valley
Email:   roger.endic@snapgeneration.com
Date:   20 Mar 2009

To Dong and Beth

HOw are you na mga tol, Musta iton Catbalogan. Pasensya na kamo di na ako nakababakasyon ha Catbalogan sagipo ako masyado. Musta ang mga pamangkin kong pasaway at makukulit?

Update me about the new developments of Catbalogan. Is the road condition of going to/from Tacloban ok na?

I Love You Guys! Reply to my email add. Thanks! See you both in a couple of months, GOD WILLING!

Name:   Fe Macawile Matiga
Address:   Batangas
Email:   fe08_19@yahoo.com
Date:    3/19/2009

Maupay nga adlaw ha aton ngatanan...ako hi fe Macawile Matiga, 19 years old…pruod ako nga usa ako nga waray. Kinakamusta ko ngayan it akon mga paryente ha Cabunga-an, mga Matiga family ngan Macawile family.

Name:   Mano Olin
Address:   Brgy. Sulangan, Guiuan, Eastern Samar
Email:
Date:   19 March 2009

To All Samarnews Readers

Mahintu-ngod pa gad ine hin nga hiruhi-mangraw more particularly in connection to which sector in our society deserves government spending priorities. As timely cited by Yengskie in his/her message of 13 May, 2009, government funds could well be spent instead to the amelioration and rehabilitation of our provincial hospitals that have long been neglected. This is in lieu of any on-going or proposed construction of domestic airports that would only be for the convenience of the few that can afford the fare.

But to add more suffering and misery to our people, the recent storyline in one of our major dailies that a hospital built and financed by the United States Veterans administration during the early fifties intended for medical attention and care of war veterans of World War II and their next of kin, had closed down and the land where these dilapidated hospital buildings stand was sold to a business conglomerate to give way to high-rise commercial establishments.

The closing down of this hospital does greatly impact not only for our ailing war veterans and their families who live in the Metro Manila area but such closure does affect the dwindling number of war veterans from provinces like from Samar who would seek medical attention in the city rather than endure the scarce and limited resources of our provincial hospitals in Samar. Any right thinking person in connection to this issue, would only have this in his mind. That those individuals and government officials responsible for the closure and loss of this hospital had only made good sense of their actions and decision. And that is to best serve their selfish interests and greed.

Naglili-nobo it aton pupulasyon (92.2 million as of latest count) nga imbes mag-tindog pa hin bag-o nga mga hospital para hin nga mga ta-wo nga nagti-tika damo, iine hira nga aada ha gobyerno nga nag-iinop siguro nga di na magkaka-sakit it mga ta-wo asya in pagba-ligya hini nga Veterans Memorial Hospital ha Quezon City. In our case in Samar, we've got nothing to complain about because the present condition of our provincial hospitals has remained the same as it was in the past and up to the present time...pathetic.

In a not too distant future (target year is 2020) which is just 11 years away from now) we have been told by the current administration that the Philippines will turn and become from a 'Third World' to a 'First World' country. The Philippines current infrastructures (roads, bridges, tele-communication facilities, water catchments like dams, etc.) for all we know are wanting of upgrades to a status worthy to a Third World country of what we are. Incidentally, the country does not have a 'waste water' treatment facility in the urban areas inclduing Manila, because the water that we use every morning after taking our showers, flushing our toilets, washing our dishes, etc. either go straight to holding tanks (pozo negro) or to open canals that flow and drain to nowwhere... But most often waste water finds its way to the nearest and lowest part of the area be it in an estuary (estero), river, stream and worse of all, when it goes straight to the open sea where such untreated waste water and contaminants kill marine life.

The absence or lack of these modern-day facilities including well-equipped government hospitals and other infrastructures in our communities does not get us even closer to a 2nd World category. 11 years of this length of time in all probability that the Philippines would not turn into such status even if we received the most gargantuan financial infusion from wealthy countries for us to join a 2nd World class nation. It is nowhere near or remotely possible.

Any one who entertains the idea that the Philippines will become a 'First World' country in 11 years time is kidding and engaging himself to a 'child talk' or a flibbertigibbet'.

Name:   Tonyboy Morales
Address:   Catbalogan
Email:
Date:   03/18/09

Of airports and what have you... Back to basics…

I am glad that Basil Balasbas is still adamant in pushing for his candidacy for governor. The latest scoop I got from my sources in the capitol is that the incumbent governor is not in good terms with the vice governor. Redaja's temporary rise to power while Mila was suspended for 90 days created some animosity between the two allies. Redaja's not so obvious ambition to be governor someday doesn't sit well with Mila's own game plan. Even Chito Roño (or Chita to some) has decided to back out. So, Redaja is trying to woo the support of the first district politicos to propel him to power and of course the support of the balding Cata Figueroa and Nelip Figueroa, conjugal politicos of the first district. Mila still has the clout because she controls the barangay capitanes both in the first and the second district.

Mila and Tekwa, the mag-balayes, mended their disagreements. I heard that Mila is now contemplating in running for congressman while daughter Sharee Ann gun for the governorship. Tekwa remains unopposed in Catbalogan unless Redaja runs against him. If that happens, Tekwa, the high school dropout will go down in history to have toppled two former three-termer mayors of Catbalogan: Erning Arcales & Jess Redaja. It is noteworthy that the two also served as vice governors. History repeats itself? Only history will tell. Vice Mayor Van Torrevillas seem to have nowhere to go except maybe to run for vice governor under Sharee Ann. Well, Mila can concoct some recipe for her own family to survive in politics. I heard that even the governor's sister-in-law, former councilor Honey Ayllon-Tan is also being groomed to be Tekwa's vice mayor to the dismay of Jay Yulo a competent councilor who is the most competent councilor in Catbalogan and who should have been mayor or vice mayor. Anyway, in the land of politics the worst can always claim the prize and the best oftentimes are not elected.

So, Basilio Balasbas, my advice is for you to become more visible in Samar if only to pursue your cherished dream to serve the people of Samar.

On airports, I think that the airport in Buri is nothing but a mere example of how incompetent politicos pursue projects not with the long-term viability of the project but how much they could get for their commissions. It is an airport full of air with no airplanes.

Going back to basics, the fact remains that most people in Samar could not afford flying to Manila and that an airport that remains to be the biggest rice-drying facility in Samar is not a well-thought project. What are the things that could improve the lives of the people of Samar? Livelihood opportunities? Creating a culture of entrepreneurship? Food security? Agricultural productivity? When we compete without having a competitive advantage, we are merely hurting our selves. The two operational airports close to Catbalogan are Tacloban and Calbayog. Having an airport just so we can compete with Calbayog and Tacloban is nothing but a wrong strategy. The best thing that we could do is to support the ability of our people to be productive members of the economy. Most Samarnons are either fishermen or farmers. We should focus our attention on how these two groups can improve their productive capacities so Samar can rise and be worthy of an airport. When we put the carriage before the horse then we will never go somewhere. Back to basics and everything else will simply follow.

I heard some complaints from our poor neighbors that they have nothing to eat. The sad part is that they have a backyard that is not productive. Why can't they plant some ganas, alugbati, kamatis, dulao, tarong, sitaw, patola, upo, karabasa, kapayas, saging, kamote, and others. Food security is vital for economic prosperity. When we import everything from other provinces because we are too dependent on coconuts, then there is something wrong with our handling of our economy. Again, let us go back to basics and everything else will simply follow.

Can we first learn to walk before we fly?

Name:   Boy Tan
Address:   USA
Email:
Date:   March 18, 2009

Mr. B. Balasbas,

Komusta ngan maupay nga aga.

Ha akon pagbasa dinhi hini nga Samar News site, baga tama gud an gin sisiring ha imo han mga tag surat nga pag huna-huna hin maupay hito nga imo mga plano. Bisan la dinhi hini nga site baga damo na it diri na abuyon ha imo. An imo kusog baga aanhi manla nimo gin bubuhos hini nga site.

Huli na ito nga imo plano kon aada ka la ha Luzon na ngangampanya ngan dinhi hini nga internet. An imo mag kusog nga mga suporters aanhi la liwat hini nga site. tubtub la hira hin pag encourage ha imo pero kon oras na han eleksyon diri man ito hira mauli para la pag suporta la ha imo. Kon manguli man ito hira diri man liwat ito hira mabuhi han ira kwarta para ha imo kandidatura.

Kaya pag huna huna gud hin maupay, bulig nala ha mga kablas kon ano an imo makaya. Sorry ngan ayaw la ika bido ini nga akon mga na sabi ha imo kay concern la ako han imo. God Bless!

Name:   J. Marco
Address:   UK
Email:
Date:   March 17, 2009

To Basilio Balasbas:

Maupay nga oras ha imo, sugad man ha ngatanan nga contributor hini nga web site.

Ako, waray gad mara-ot nga intensyon bahin han imo larang o plano ha politika. Maupay gad an imo plano kon asya gud ito an imo hingyap ha imo kinabuhi. Siring pa waray gad ako (kami) labot kon ano man ito nga imo mga plano kay baman ka-upayan gud ito han aton mahal nga probinsya han Samar.

An akon manla ha imo kon kakarawaton mo an sagdon nga diri ka mag padayon kay sayang an imo kwarta ngan kalo-oy han imo pamilya kon sumolod ka hini nga mahugaw nga politika. Akon la gin ootro nga tago-a nala ito nga imo tinirok para han imo pagka lagas ngan ha imo pamilya.

Kon gusto ka maka bulig ha mga waray swerte nga mga Samarnon, damo man an pa agi hin pag bulig, kon mayda ka gud sadang nga ika bulig. Pero kon asya gud ito an imo mga inop go on and good luck! Siring pa nasa huli ang pag sisisi.

Good luck han imo mag upay nga inop han SAMAR!