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By Rolando O. Borrinaga
NAVAL, BILIRAN – A vigilant community, aided by an Internet crowd, has halted a surreptitious attempt to mine and smuggle out bulk quantities of raw mineral resources from this island province.
The issue came to the fore recently when concerned citizens and local pro-environment groups were alerted about an application for a small-scale mining permit to extract white clay, a raw material for ceramics-making, from a 20-hectare public domain in the upper part of Barangay Tucdao, Kawayan, north of the island.
The permit application, filed by Rowena C. Ang of Barangay Balite, Kawayan, was scheduled for public hearing in Barangay Tucdao originally on Nov. 22. This was postponed, apparently in view of the strong opposition from the local residents and their parish priest, which sprouted overnight.
The public hearing was eventually held on Nov. 29, but by then, the mining issue in Biliran had already exploded in the Internet, mainly in the blogs section of www.biliranisland.com.
Sulfur mining in Caibiran
The permit issue reported in the Internet soon exposed the related on-going sulfur mining in Caibiran town east of the island, which was previously unknown to the general public.
On May 6, 2008, the Biliran provincial government through Gov. Rogelio J. Espina issued Small-Scale Mining Permit No. 2008-001 to one Ranulfo F. Kuizon, for the extraction of sulfur in Sitio Pulang Yuta in Barangay Cabibihan, Caibiran.
The sulfur mining activity reached the attention of Fr. Benjamin C. Pantas, parish priest of Caibiran, around June or early July. He visited the minefield to see for himself, and to bless the death of an infant who had died of pneumonia. He also heard about respiratory cases from nearby residents, attributed to the dust and fumes from the minefield.
Father Pantas noted that the area was already “heavily mined” during his visit, apart from signs of an old mining activity. He also saw trucks transporting loads of sulfur-embedded earth material extracted by buck hoes from the ground or cliffs around the minefield towards a segregation area.
A view of the sulfur mine in the upland of Caibiran, Biliran. (Photo courtesy of www.biliranisland.com).
Many of the employed laborers were recruits from Southern Leyte . The mine management also employed child laborers to segregate rocks and soil with high sulfur content and to place these inside straw sacks.
The laborers were issued disposable face masks to protect them from dust and fumes during work, but they rarely use this item, claiming it is inconvenient for their breathing.
The sacks of segregated rocks and soil were transported by trucks to the beach, where a barge would land, load the cargo and transport them towards the direction of Samar . Loading was usually done at night. Laborers in the mines were paid P165.00 a day. and the guards around the area were paid P175.00.
At first the barge landed at a beach 8 kms away in Barangay Manlabang, Caibiran. Later, the landing area was transferred to another beach 10 kms away in Barangay Pinamihagan, Culaba. The owners of the beachfront property where the barge landed were allegedly paid P15,000.00 per landing.
Bureaucratic buffer
In a video footage of an interview uploaded in www.biliranisland.com, Father Pantas criticized the overall secrecy surrounding the sulfur mining activity in Caibiran. He is willing to admit that the operation is legal, but he doubts that the proper procedures were observed in its realization.
He attested that no prior public hearing was ever conducted on this sulfur mining issue in his town. He said he is also not aware of local resolutions that sanctioned the venture.
The priest feared the mining’s effect on the local residents, including the possibility of another tragedy similar to what happened at Barangay Guinsaugon in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte , which buried a thousand residents due to landslides in Feb. 2006.
Father Pantas brought up the sulfur mining issue, his observations in the field, and his opposition to its operation with Governor Espina in Naval.
In due time, the priest was furnished a letter from the governor, addressed to Kuizon, informing him that the issued mining permit was revoked effective Oct. 16, 2008. A complementary billboard installed by the provincial government in Sitio Pulang Yuta also announced that the area was closed to mining.
The revocation letter cited non-compliance of the following conditions: 1) to have the workers undergo medical check-up; 2) conduct reforestation activities within and adjacent the mined-out areas; and 3) non-use of heavy equipment in extracting sulfur materials as provided for in mining laws and decrees.
But when a group of media practitioners and concerned citizens, with permission from the municipal government, visited the heavily-guarded mine site last Nov. 28, they found out that the mining operation was still in full swing.
It was believed by a recipient of the governor’s revocation letter believed that this document looks like a bureaucratic buffer to cushion or hide the official inaction or other plots.
However, another visit by the same concerned citizens last Dec. 10 showed that the mine area has been abandoned of workers and heavy equipment.
Internet exposés
In an editorial of concern titled “This land in mined” posted in the Internet, an unnamed blogger lamented that “some decision-makers at the Biliran Capitol do not seem to run out of stealth in their attempts to steal from the patrimony of the Biliranons.”
The blogger noted that the recent mining controversy came on top of alleged scandals involving overpriced hospital equipment and computers; Capitol equipment, materials and paid labor that went into the construction of a private resort; and the exhaustion of the loan potentials of the provincial government with the banks.
Related attempts in the past to report these anomalies could not be published because efforts to get the side of the Biliran provincial government were met with absolute silence, not even a denial.
Within days of the posting of the editorial, a blogger named Aquarius posted an item informing that a Navotas-based company, Regentjef Intl., had advertised in 2007 in www.alibaba.com, a global trading website, offering to sell large volumes of volcanic yellow sulfur from Biliran.
Sulfur with purity of more than 99.7% was offered at $550.00 per metric ton. Huge volumes were offered with a deliverable quantity of 1,000 metric tons per month.
Another product item from Biliran offered for sale in the same website is white clay, with a supply ability of 20,000 metric tons per month.
Bribery, dummy
A reliable source had revealed that the sulfur mining permit in Caibiran was worth P2.5 to P3-Million in goodwill money given to the signatory. However, this alleged bribery was denied to have occurred by Sofronio Dacillo, Jr., environmental management specialist of the provincial government, who in turn asked if the information came from a priest.
Dacillo was sent as the governor’s representative to a conference held last Dec. 4, sponsored by the Diocese of Naval to thresh out the stand of the local clergy on the mining issue.
Another conference resource person was Anthony Marlon Mecaral, webmaster of www.biliranisland.com. He briefed the priests about the cyberspace discussion on the Biliran mining issue in his website and his reporter’s observations in the field.
The priests eventually decided to oppose mineral mining in Biliran.
It turned out Kuizon is just a dummy in this sulfur mining venture. Reliable sources said his mining rights have been bought by a Raffy Salazar, a Tacloban businessman with known family links in Almeria and Naval towns.
Refusal of the provincial government to release documents stalled efforts to report about the real corporate and other personalities involved in this mining venture in Biliran, who allegedly include “big people” in government.
Bleak prospects
The entire sulfur mining area in Caibiran looks vast and wide at the ground level. But a Google Earth map of the Caibiran grid shows that the four active vents and volcanic cracks that produced the sulfur cover only a total area of about one square-kilometer. The largest area being mined measures 300 ms x 100 ms. Road tracks on this site are visible in the close-up of the Google map.
Three vents are located along a wide, barren lava field of the 1939 eruption of the Biliran volcano, the only active volcano in Eastern Visayas .
The Caibiran sulfur field was known to have been mined by Spanish prospectors in 1877. It was abandoned in due time reportedly due to marketing problems.
A Bureau of Science report published in 1907, complete with geologists’ estimates and cost-benefit analysis, had it that an investor in the Caibiran sulfur field would earn a net profit of only about P1,500.00. Even if multiplied a thousand times to adjust to the present day rates, the amount would still not equal the alleged bribe in exchange for the permit.
The Internet-posted editorial expressed belief that the seven-month old sulfur mining activity in Caibiran has already exhausted the viable supply of the raw material for now. It would probably take decades for the sulfur deposit to be replenished by the volcanic vents to its pre-mining quantity early this year.
The blogger noted that the revocation of the sulfur mining permit and its flimsy reasons were anti-climactic.
Although rumors have it that the sulfur mining activity is earning millions of money for its investors, there are local observers who believe that this equipment-driven venture has failed.
White clay alternative
The sulfur mining failure might have forced the diversion towards white clay mining, which does not require expensive intermediate processing compared to sulfur.
But when the public hearing in Tucdao was announced, the local communities have been primed to a level of vigilance. They displayed their version of “people power” in opposing the mining permit application during the thrice-postponed hearing last Nov. 29. It was attended by scores of people coming from neighboring barangays and towns.
It was discovered during the hearing that the permit applicant could not even present a feasibility study for their proposed project.
On Nov. 30 the editorial “This land is mined” appeared in the Internet. It must have stung the governor, because his environment officer inquired about the identity of its author from the website owner at the diocesan conference. The answer was, “I don’t know.”
Last Dec. 2, Governor Espina wrote a letter to Rowena Ang, expressing that he cannot issue the permit because of the strong opposition of the local population, which he had to heed.
The governor also wrote: “I have strongly resolved that I shall never issue a mining permit or allow any mining operation in the Province of Biliran throughout my remaining tenure in office.”
But like his earlier revocation letter for the Caibiran sulfur mining, few people seriously take the governor’s word in his letter pertaining to white clay mining in Kawayan.
An anti-mining advocate told this reporter that a farm-to-market road project that reaches the white clay mining area, has already been contracted to Ang’s father-in-law. This development contradicts the governor’s refusal letter.
On his part, Biliran Rep. Glenn A. Chong has issued a statement regarding the mining issue. He said, “I add my voice to the increasingly clear voice of the people of our people rejecting these kinds of mining operations within our still-pristine islands.”
“Mining is not a sustainable driver of our economy,” he added.
A vigilant local community, supported by pro-environment groups, the local clergy, Internet bloggers and their congressman might have scored an initial upset victory in stalling mineral mining activity in Biliran. But it remains speculative how long this victory could be protected and sustained in the future.
(With a report and photos from Anthony Marlon Mecaral.)
I was informed by a reliable source that the sulfur mining permit in caibiran was a sole act of Gov. Espina without the knowledge and concurrence of the Provincial Board or Sangguniang Panlalawigan. My informant said, the members of the board knew the mining operations only when it was issued an order to cease operation.
Maybe Gov. Espina had enough reason not to inform the provincial board because of the grease money he received.
After all, when his political stint in Biliran will be over, he will go home to Manila and live happily ever after.
#1, that’s the result of having a DYNASTY mentality.
Just thinking all the time…me me me me me…I…I…I… I.
Good for him and bad for mankind.
Good information you all and, people. please let’s do it everywhere, around the world, round the clock…
To be silent these people sa trono think it’s ok for us.
Let’s tell them point blank they are wrong!
We may have dr before our names or what’s that title after? – but we are not the IDIOTS!
Sulphur mining in Caibiran is really deplorable but I’m afraid the reporter should verify his facts and must make sure that his sources are correct. RE: RAFFY SALAZAR DID NOT BUY THE MINING RIGHTS AS CLAIMED BY THE REPORTER. For your information, Mr. Salazar is Director of the Energy Development Company-Alternative Fuels Corp. (EDC-AFC), a government owned and controlled corporation. DIRECTOR SALAZAR WAS NEVER INVOLVED AND WILL NEVER INVOLVE IN ANY MINING IN THE PROVINCE OF BILIRAN AND FOR THAT MATTER ANY MINING ACTIVITY ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. Director Salazar’s efforts are geared towards the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy, alternative fuel, and protection and preservation of the environment, as part of his responsibilities as director of said corporation. Any attempt to malign or besmirch his name is pure mudslinging, unfair and unjust. At present, Director Salazar is focusing his energies to launch a citizens’ organization known as Responsible and Informed Servant-leaders for an Empowered Biliran or RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN, which seeks to advance the well-being of the citizenry, empower the people and youth, act as a true catalyst for change and advocate for good governance and environmental protection and awareness. I hope you were enlightened about this. RISE BILIRAN! MABUHAY BILIRAN!
madlangbayan,
Talaga? ang galing..
pagsabihan mo si Raffy Salazar na umuwi nalang sa kanila. waray man ngani hiya makadaog ha iya kaugaringon na lugar. didi na ba ha biliran.
E deny man niya, klaro gihapon na hiya usa ka mastermind ha mina hin solfur.
Madlangbayan 3,
Nagbura-bura lang nang imong baba sa pagbinuwa. Bad baya na!
Dunay nakaestorya si Dir. Salazar nga importante nga tawo, iyang amigo. Nag ingon kono siya nga mas maayo ngani nga minahon una ang sulfur ug ang gold (kung duna man ngani gold), una musulod ang geothermal drilling dinhi sa Biliran.
Para ngano? Aron moganansya ang tanang mga korporasyon sa minahan nga nagpaluyo niya. Everybody happy diay sila. Ang mga gagmayng Biliranon ra intawon ang dili malingaw aning balitaa.
Musuwat ka ug unfair ug unjust. Mas unfair ug unjust ang pagpakahilom ni Gov. Espina bahin sa nahitabo nga sulfur mining. Wala pa siya makareport ug pilay naabot nga gross income, operational expenses, ug buhis nga nahatag niini sa probinsiya. Wala pod siya magpagawas sa gipangayo nga mga papeles publiko bahin sa small mining application. Naa kono dinhi ang mga ngalan ug pirma sa mga dagkong tawo nga apil sa pag-ukab sa natural resources sa Biliran. Mora ra ba kono ug naa si Dir. Salazar sa lista.
BiliranIsland.com Web Poll Comments
Are you in favor of Mining Operation in Biliran Island?
as of Jan. 26, 2009
NO 86.00 % (467)
YES 14.00 % (76)
Joseph Sablada posted: 19-Jan-2009 12:29
Please don’t exploit our remaining natural resource for personal gain only!
Mark Anthony Del Rosario posted: 20-Jan-2009 13:18
wag ipatupad ang mining pagkat d natin alam ang mangyayari sa susunod na generation, mark31
HALF-BLOOD PRINCE posted: 21-Jan-2009 18:13
ayoko talagang magkaroon ng mining operation jan sa probinsya ko dahil masisira lang yung likas na yaman ng munti kong province!!!!!
ndi talaga ako papayag!!!!!
hoi Governor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ano ba’ng ginagawa mo???
May Pinag-aralan ka naman ‘di ba???
janice baco posted: 22-Jan-2009 17:37
why we have to that…it will just ruin the nature of the biliran island….
Jabez posted: 23-Jan-2009 11:16
Mining is not bad per se so that it important the detail of such business endeavor. No one want it to be like what happen to a mining scandal that happens in southern Luzon involving an Australian company/owner/operator. No or yes it depends, for fear one would opt for no because of unforeseeable disastrous results..
Daisy posted: 25-Jan-2009 20:17
ang mining ay nakakasira sa ating kalikasan, kaya wag na buksan ang mining sa biliran….
michael angelo floralde posted: 25-Jan-2009 22:01
don’t agree on dat.. ur onli destroying our ecosystem…so just be #”$%#$ backoff…
Sulphur mining in Caibiran is really deplorable but I’m afraid the reporter should verify his facts and must make sure that his sources are correct: FOR THE RECORD- RAFFY SALAZAR DID NOT BUY THE MINING RIGHTS AS CLAIMED BY THE REPORTER. Engr. Salazar is Director of the Energy Development Company-Alternative Fuels Corp. (EDC-AFC), a government owned and controlled corporation. DIRECTOR SALAZAR WAS NEVER INVOLVED AND WILL NEVER INVOLVE IN ANY MINING IN THE PROVINCE OF BILIRAN AND FOR THAT MATTER ANY MINING ACTIVITY ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. Director Salazar’s efforts are geared towards the development of alternative renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy, alternative fuel, and protection and preservation of the environment, as part of his responsibilities as director of said corporation. Any attempt to malign or besmirch his name is pure mudslinging, unfair and unjust. At present, Director Salazar is focusing his energies to launch a citizens’ organization known as Responsible and Informed Servants for an Empowered Biliran or RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN, which seeks to advance the well-being of the citizenry, act as a true catalyst for change, empower the people and youth, and advocate for good governance and environmental protection and awareness. We hope you were enlightened about this. For the people-RISE BILIRAN! MABUHAY BILIRAN!
Sometimes, people tend to quote people out of context. Everyone seems to know what everyone is saying but when one hears it from another source, then it becomes hearsay, not unless you were personally there and heard what transpired. Please research about geothermal energy development and drilling and probably one will understand. Probably Director Salazar was explaining the geothermal process in drilling which if you will research involves the disposal of sulphur which is a highly toxic substance. Since Director Salazar is well versed in geothermal exploration and development as he was once a director of the PNOC and has visited and inspected the Tongonan Geothermal plant, he will therefore not recommend mining that mineral because in the goethermal exploration process, the removal of sulphur is a highly technical process. Although please be assured that in geothermal energy development all these process are monitored by the DENR and that a professional environmental compliance certificate are prepared and undertaken by competent foreign as well as local experts in that field. Thank you. For the people, RISE BILIRAN,MABUHAY BILIRAN.
We at RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN, believe in democracy and the freedom of expression. We certainly respect your right to be heard. However, we make it a point to stick to the issues and never malign anyone. FOR THE RECORD: we condemn sulphur mining in Biliran and your vigilance on this matter is commendable.We join you in your crusade as fellow Biliranons. It is but right that we protect Biliran and its environment.
As for Director Salazar’s intention for running for public office, we believe that any person has the right to run, vote and be voted upon and it will be up to the people to decide. However, let me leave you this point to ponder on: What is important is character. And if one has the character one has to have a heart. One may not be born in Biliran but his heart stays with Biliran. If one’s parents are from Biliran, doesn’t it make him or her a Biliranon too. If one marries a Biliranon, doesn’t it make him/her a Biliranon too. So goes with his/her children. When a person is introduced to you isn’t it that usually you ask him/her, who’s your father and mother and from where do they come from? And it isnt necessarily true that when a person is born in a particular place that will already mean that he or she will be a good leader. It takes character to lead, it takes heart to do good for the people. These are the qualities we should look for in a leader. For the people, Responsible and Informed Servant-Leaders for an Empowered Biliran-RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN!
HADLA BAYAD 9,
NAKABATI NA MI ANANG IMONG TONO SA PAG BLOG DINHI. PANGUTAN-A RA SI BANDIDO NGA PUGAK. MAO GAYUD NA ANG IYANG PANGATARUNGAN SULOD SA 12 ANYOS. DAH! LOOY LAGI ANG MGA BILIRANON. NANG HILAM-OS KARON SA DAKONG UTANG SA MGA ESPINA NGA BAYRANAN SA KAPITOLYO UG SA MUNISIPYO SA NAVAL.
NING RISE NA BITAW MING TAGA BILIRAN, SUKAD SA PAGPUSIL-PATAY KANG ANHING GOB. DANNY PARILLA. WA KA SEGURO DINHI PAGKA PILDI NI PUGAK NO? UNSAY PAGTOO NIMO SA MGA FREEDOM FIGHTERS DINHI, IRESPONSABLE UG KUWANG SA ALAMAG? TINGALI UG NAGDAMGO KA UG UDTONG TUTOK.
ASA RA BA TO SI UTIP? NIAY GUSTO SA IMO MAKIGTIGI, TIG SUPORTA UG LAING KUMAKANDIDATO GAWAS KANG DOK RABBIT. APILA DAW NI SIYA SA IMONG BANAT.
We at Responsible and Informed Servant-leaders for an Empowered Biliran or RIISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN, for short, join you in your crusade for good governance and transparency. We believe in the good efforts of the Honorable Congressman Chiong much as we believe in any good thing that Gov Espina may have done. We do not discriminate and we will not discriminate. We will fight for just causes and debate on issues, condemn corruption and fight it much as we believe in your efforts to rise for Biliran, we do not question that. In fact we commend you for fighting for just causes. We participate and join hands for the truth to prevail. We banded together, a group of concerned, enlightened Biliranons to join all freedom loving citizens to fight for worthy causes, that is what we at RISE Biliran,Mabuhay Biliran believe in. We are here to complement a good cause and lead in any fight against corruption and oppression of the people. We are for good governance and transparency. Mabuhay kayong lahat na freedom fighters. For the people-RISE BILIRAN-MABUHAY BILIRAN
HADLA BAYAD 11,
KUNG AKO PA NIMO, MAGTOON KA PAGSULTI UG PAGSUWAT UG BINISAYA. TINGALI PAREHO KA LANG SA MGA ANAK NI BANDIDO PUGAK DINHI NGA GIPANGGUNGIS NA LANG UG PAGPINANGAWAT DIHA SA ILANG PUWESTO, KABANG LANG GIHAPON ANG SINULTIHANG BINISAYA. TAGALOG RA GIHAPON ANG TEMPLA.
PA WURO WE-WE KA PA RABA. PAREHO KA LANG SEGURO KANG UTIP, NAG INUSARA NA LANG INTAWON PAGPANALIPOD SA TIGHATAG SA IYANG SUSTENTO SA KINABUHI, UNYA MOINGON NGA DAGHAN SIYA. GIHIMO LANG ANG IYANG BLOGS DINHI NGA SITE NGA BASIHANAN SA IYANG MADAWAT. NANUNDOG KA SEGURO SA IYANG COTTAGE INDUSTRY NO?
Unsa imo gusto binisya ug winaray. Salamat kanimo pagpahinumdum nga magsuwat mi sa binisaya. Ug maayo unta kun an ato mahimo nga dili mag ininsultuhay an kada tagsa aron dili mag-inaway an kada tagsa. An amon prinipyo diri nababligya sugad man an amon mga ungara para han amon probinsiya nga hinigugmaon an Biliran. Bisag unsaon amon la gihap ipahimutang ug iplastar ang amon mga ungara ug mga damgo para sa kaayuhan han Biliran. Salamat kaayo. Para sa MOLUPYO, RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN
TULISOK,
HINAY-HINAY LANG PASAGDI LANG GAD SI MADLANGBAYAN PAGPAGAWAS SA IYANG MGA KOMENTO,KAY IYA POD NA KATUNGOD PAG-KIGBISOG SA IYANG GIDAPIGAN…SAMA GYOD NIMO?FOCUS LANG GUD TA SA MGA ISYU?AYAW LANG GUD UG YAWIT NGARI KUNG NAG-INUSARA LANG MI?ANG AKO LANG NAA KOY OBSERBASYON NIINI NGA FORUM,KUNG NGANONG UBAY-UBAY MAN SA AKONG MGA COMMENTS NGARI, GIDISKITAHAN MAN LAGI UG ERASE?NAG INUSARA MAN LANG KAHA MI,PERO NGANONG INGNOONON PA MAN MI UG TRATAR NGARI?DILI NA GYOD NA MAAYO NGA PRACTICE NI NGA FORUM?PAHALATA LANG GAYOD NGA MAY GIPADAPIGAN…
WARAY DIAY NI SA HADLA BAYAD NO? KIWAW ANG IYANG BINISAYA. DILI TAGA NAVAL. DILI POD LUMAD NGA BILIRANON.
DUDA KO ANING ILANG SLOGAN. ANG RESULTA ANI, SUMPAYAN NA NILA. MAHIMO NA NGA – MIRISI, BILIRAN!
MAO NAY RESULTA UG MUTOO TA ANI SA ILA. GIPANG MIRISI NA RA BA TA TUNGOD SA NAHITABO NATONG TANAN UBOS SA MGA BANDIDO. NAPUTOS NA TA KARON UG UTANG. GIAKHAB PA GAYUD ANG ATONG MGA MINAHAN.
Ngano kaha nga kinahanglan man panamastasan ang pangalan sa usa ka tao kung mohatag sa iya opinion. Tanan tao naay katungod mopadayag sa ila kaugalingon nga opinion kay democrasya man kaha ning atong nasod. Pra mkatimbangtimbang ang mga katawhan kung unsa ang maau angayan maminaw sa opinion sa uban. Dili dayon husgahan kay aron dili mag away tungod lang sa pagdiautay sa pagkatao. Mao bitaw nga gitagaan ta ug duha kadunggan ug usa ka baba kay aron unta mas kamao ta maminaw kaysa sa magngabngab ug tudo labi na sa pagpakadaot sa usa ka tao. Kay ang tao nga maau maminaw mas maau ang ila pagtimbang timbang sa mga sitwasyon.
Pareho man ang ato tumong nianing atong probinsya. Ang kaayohan, kalamboan ug pagkundinar sa pagpangilkil sa gobyerno.
Dili ko motoo ang mga tawo naka pahunong sa mina,ang tinoud ana kay doul na ang election,nahadlok ang mga politico kung ipa dayon ang mina basig walay mo butar sa ila panahon sa election.naki sakay lang sa mga sympatiya sa tawo ang mga politico
wala gyud mo kabantay nga kana c madlangbayan mao na c raffy salazar nga ningtubag kaninyo hahahahaha
As always what is best for the people is best for us. The need for a new brand of leadership and politics exemplifies the need of our country for pro-active, progressive and dynamic leadership as well. We at RISE BILIRAN,MABUHAY BILIRAN embrace the ideal of servant-leadership. A servant leader who leads by inspiration, industrious by heart and is not afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of social commitment and determined to lead with a noble cause. A servant leader who is a man of few words but with utmost sincerity, compassion and spirit to inspire others towards a purpose-driven life. The three cornerstone of which are and the most important thing in life are: faith in God, commitment in serving and helping the less fortunate people and sharing one’s part for improving the quality of life in our society. These things we believe in. For the people, RISE BILIRAN, MABUHAY BILIRAN.
This is 21st century and all these people in public office are educated. PUBLIC OFFICE is the keyword here…without the citizens to elect these people, they would not be in such position. Public servant should also look after the wellbeing of the citizens. Don’t these people learn from other poor countries and history in politics….most are corrupt!!!! Always have that mind set of “what’s in it for me?” Why not reach for the stars…the wellbeing of our citizens and of our nation. Caibiran / Biliran has plenty of untouched natural resources…we should PRESERVE this. Hurray to Father Benjie who looks after the citizens of Caibiran / Biliran and neighboring town. I still don’t understand this kind of selfish mentality….kurakut…or corrupt politics that seems to be still all over. Why not help the less fortunate?