15 days and counting

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend. Yes, we are 15 days away to the 100th Birthday of the Diocese of Calbayog. Among the events slated for the celebration are the Priests’ Congress, the Calbayog Clergy Concert and the Diocesan Centennial Awards.

Holy Week is almost there so I have reserved my acerbic comments on the world around me after Easter. In the meantime let me give you some updates on Calbayog.

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Local news. Last Monday, the City Government of Calbayog cited the secondary and elementary students who won medals in the recently concluded EVRAA 2010. Mayor Mel Sarmiento was joined by DepEd Calbayopg PESS Supervisor Bobby Diomangay in distributing the cash incentives to the young achievers at the City Hall Stage.

Winners in the individual category received 2,500 pesos (for gold), 1,500 pesos (for silver) and 800 pesos (for bronze) 800. Winners in the doubles category received 3,000 (for gold) 2,000 (for silver) and 1,000 for bronze). Group events winners received Php 3,500, Php 2,500 and Php 1,000 for gold, silver and bronze respectively. More than 20 athletes were present to receive their rewards. After congratulating the young achievers, Mayor Sarmiento also thanked the various local sports associations of Calbayog for the support they have given to the young athletes.

During the same occasion, the City Mayor called on the City Solid Waste Management Office and COMELEC Calbayog to form a team that will tear down campaign material that are posted or placed in areas other than the common-poster areas.

After the awarding program, the Mayor proceeded to the Handumanan conference Hall where he delivered a message during the opening of the Seminar Workshop on Disaster Management for the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) and the Disaster risk Management Office (DRM). The event was done under the auspices of the German GTZ program.

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Last week the Calbayog City Water District sent an El Niño Advisory to various institutions in Calbayog. It called on all concerned to use water wisely.

"Calbayog City Water District is expecting significant reduction in its raw water supply in the coming months as a result of El Niño. We wish to assure our concessionaires that we are making necessary preparation and linkage with the concerned government agencies to manage the situation and minimize concessionaires' inconvenience."

"We must remain vigilant in preparing for the possible continuation of drought cycle. Thus, the CCWD Management appeals to the general public to CONSERVE AND USE WATER WISELY."

"We will provide the public with regular updates regarding the effect of El Niño on our operation and service delivery so we can better manage our water supply."

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Calbayog City will observe Earth Hour 2010. The LGU through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the City solid Waste Management Office has prepared a 3-hour program tomorrow at the City Hall Stage. Various NGOs were invited to the event. Fr. Iluminado Paulino will lead the Opening Prayer. The officials invited to speak during the event are Congressman Reynaldo Uy, Mayor Mel Sarmiento, Vice Mayor Ronald Aquino, Councilor Susano Salurio. CENRO OIC and Earth Hour 2010 focal person Lorenzo Ras will give a brief talk on how to conserve energy. The SOS Youth will perform a Hands Play entitled “The Mission”.

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Greetings. Congratulations and Best wishes to Bryan David and Gina Chambers. They will get married tomorrow. Fr. Bart Dumalag will preside over their wedding mass at the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Trinidad, Calbayog City. Reception will be held at Marju Krisel Resort Hotel.
Happy Birthday to Mr. Pio Santos. He will turn a year older tomorrow.

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This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!