Maupay nga adlaw sa atun ngatanan.
Let me begin by saying thank you to your group for extending an invitation for me to be part of your regional convention here in Calbayog City. Activities like these tell us that something good must be happening in Calbayog; and that people outside our area are taking notice of it. On the other hand, it also serves as a reminder for us to do more to make Calbayog even better.
If my memory serves me right, the last time I delivered a welcome message during a regional meeting in Calbayog was last February. It was during the Management Conference of the DENR. And when I deliver speeches like this, I always end up sounding like a salesman trying to sell Calbayog.
And let me sell Calbayog by bidding you welcome to the city of many identities. Name it and Calbayog is it: a city of waterfalls; a city of natural wonders; a city of talented people; a city of vibrant cultural tradition as shown in its performing arts; and yes, it is in Calbayog where you can find the best-tasting tinapa, humba and pili-nut delicacies. Lately we have been announcing another identity for Calbayog, that of Calbayog being a city on the rise to progress. Late last year, some officials from neighboring municipalities were quoted as saying that Calbayog is the next big thing in Eastern Visayas; that Calbayog is the next city to see in Eastern Visayas. Indeed, big businesses have taken a close look at Calbayog. In a few months’ time, malls are to rise, and we expect more establishments to set up shop in the city. Of course all these are good news. And to our guests from outside Calbayog, please tell your friends back that as of December last year, as per PNP Region 8 report, Calbayog is the most peaceful city in Region 8. Sa dagmit nga sumat, wara magsala an mga opisyales ug mga miembro san EVASS-PLEASES san iyo pagpili san Calbayog para san iyo Regional Convention yana nga tu-ig.
Your decision to hold your meeting in our place is of great help in our effort to put in place systems that will add another name to Calbayog, that as a Convention City of Samar and hopefully, region 8. Kumbaga, tikang na ini san amon mga pitad ka-parte guihapun san amun pagpalangbo san turismo dinhi sa ciudad sa Calbayog.
If I may inform you, aside from nutrition and health services, as well as peace and order, tourism is also high in the agenda of the LGU for year 2012 and onwards. Hopefully, our guests from Eastern Visayas who are present today can help us spread the word that Calbayog is worth visiting; that it is more fun in Calbayog; and that Calbayog (also) spells G-R-E-A-T.
Again as I said earlier, when I deliver speeches like this, I always end up sounding like a salesman trying to sell Calbayog. And forgive me if I am going to do it again today. Calbayog is a city of natural wonders. We have a good number of waterfalls, among which is Bangon Falls where nature-trippers and hikers can have a good time. Those who enjoy spelunking (or cave exploration) will appreciate the beauty of Guinogo-an Cave. For the beach bum, Malajog beach is a few kilometers away from the city.
Yes, I bid you welcome with an enumeration of the good news that is Calbayog. But on the other hand, we also acknowledge the sad reality about needing to do more for our constituents who do not have much in life, especially on health services. And, just like the rest of the world, we are also aware of that latest development which affects all of us – climate change. (Joke: kun nanu ka-importante ini nga issue, kun atun oobserbaran, pamati ko bisan sa mga beauty contests, an guin yayakan na san mga contestants dire na about world peace, kundi climate change and care for the environment).
I understand that during your plenary session this afternoon, your guest of honor, Congressman Mel Sarmiento will be giving a keynote address on the environment, particularly the issue on climate change. If only to give you some idea about the local scenario, I would like to cite some actions that the local government unit of Calbayog has done to care for the environment which translates to doing something to curb climate change. To name a few:
- The City of Calbayog went beyond the annual Earth Hour celebration. We have passed an ordinance which made it a nightly event, wherein we encourage out constituents to put off their lights, or at least minimize usage of electricity for one hour every night. We still need to see the result of this ordinance, but surely this is one good step toward caring for the environment.
- The observance of a plastics-free weekend in Calbayog started with a mere Executive Order issued by my late predecessor. Late last year the observance became mandatory after our Sangguniang Panlungsod passed an ordinance which called on everyone to observe cellophane-free or plastics-free weekends in Calbayog.
- For a good number of times, some quarters called for the phasing out of the iconic PD cabs in Calbayog, or the “traysikol” as many of us here would call it. But in this era of calls for less gas emissions, I think the “traysikul” will have to stay. What we did was to regulate that number of these which ply the city.
- During our recent farmer’s congress, we once again emphasized our advocacy by encouraging our famers to make some natural fertilizers out of their “uhot” (dayami) instead of burning it.
- The City Solid Waste Management Office and our garbage collection service provider have strictly implemented their “no segregation-no collection” policy with regard to solid waste in the various barangays of the city. I heard from some of our employees that they have started to segregate their waste products right in their own homes.
- The same office is also busy with their advocacy campaigns on environment protection.
- Together with some private individuals, we have put in place the “Save the Calbayog River Movement”. Under the auspices of this group and other private individuals, we have put in place the Linis Estero Program.
- Through the CENRO, we are still on the frontline in our fight against illegal loggers, especially in the watershed area of Calbayog.
Talking about our watershed area, I told this to our friends from the DENR last February, and I think I would like to tell the same thing to you today, considering the theme of your convention this year. We have noticed a change in the tracks of storms that visited the Visayas area. From being a typhoon-prone city, Calbayog it seems is now out of “harm’s way” unlike other areas in Samar and Leyte. We have always been thankful to the almighty for this. Together with our faith came an explanation which made us more determined to protect the environment, especially our water shed area. This happened a few years ago, during a “Climate Change Conference” held in Calbayog. In that conference, a resource speaker took note about the recent change of path of the various typhoons or tropical depressions that hit the country, particularly Eastern Visayas. He explained that this phenomenon was brought about by the fact that the presence of a healthy watershed area made Calbayog cooler and thus put her out of the storms’ path in the past years. Yes, at least in region 8, Calbayog still tops them all in terms of a healthy watershed area.
Having enumerated some of our modest successes with regard to the environment, we also acknowledge that much still needs to be done for the environment, especially here in Region 8. And it is nice to note that you have considered caring for the environment and addressing climate change as part of your agenda in this convention.
Whatever actions, thrusts, programs or policies you may come up with in the next few days, and in your future gatherings, always think about our constituents in region 8. Always consider how you can be more of service to the people of Eastern Visayas.
Lastly, let me go back to my earlier statement about the many identities of Calbayog. Kun akun pa pag dudugngan an akun kanina guin say-say nga mga mag-upay nga butang sa Calbayog, akun liwat i-guin kakalipay pagpahibaro sa iyo nga dinhi sa Calbayog an pinakamarasa nga Tinapa sugad man humba. Sanglit, niyan o buwas, ig-request sa iyo host nga serbehan kam san humba, ug antes kam bumalk sa iyo tagsa-tagsa nga lugar, pag-request kam sa iyo host nga pabalunan kam san Tinapa sugad man san pili-nut delicacies tikang kan Man Aking.
Hina-ut unta nga magin malinangpuson ini nga iyo aktibidad yana nga adlaw. Hina-ut unta nga ini nga pitad mag resulta san mas maupay o mas epektibo pa nga serbisyo ngadto san atun mga igkasi taga siniringan bisayas (Eastern Visayas), ngadto san atun mga lumulupyo sa rehiyon ocho (8).
Sa utro, an akun pagpasalamat san iyo pagkanhi sa Calbayog. Salamat ug Maupay nga adlaw sa atun ngatanan!
