SEMIRARA’S MODERN SPORTS FACILITIES
THE SPORTS complex in the island of Semirara, Caluya, Antique is the best and most modern in the country.
Its new swimming pool is the biggest that we have ever seen so far. It is even bigger than that of the Rizal Sports Complex. It is covered by a colossal façade with grandstand where the audience can behold swimmers performs.
The main grandstand overlooking the sports field and the rubberized oval are fabulous.
We were told that buildings which would house delegates and visitors around the complex will soon rise on a scenic place within the island that mostly contains coal deposits.
Spending hundreds of millions of pesos for sports facilities, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. under the sterling management and leadership of Victor Consunji is also giving priority to other projects such as Class-A school buildings, roads, and public edifices.
Tree planting, mangrove preservation and proper care of the environment and marine life are priority items in the list of the company’s programs.
Contrary to false reports being peddled by ignorant individuals, the coal extracted by the mining firm is not being washed before it is loaded to ships. That is why there are no tailings washed to the sea.
Like a wound that naturally heals, the island is properly preserved. Whatever soil extracted is being filled to the excavated pits. Semirara Mining and Power Corp. is the best managed mining firm so far. We urge Ms. Gina Lopez, whose obsession against any form of mining is in her blood, to visit the island and see for herself the truth.
IT IS NOT only the waste materials and the putrid garbage that make the air in the island of Boracay disgustingly unpleasant and embarrassing.
There are dozens of drums filled with varied hospital and medical waste thrown to the garbage area in Barangay Yapak.
These drums were dumped there during the previous administration of Mayor John Yap.
Untreated, these drums are now leaking. They have become attractive abodes of all forms of bacteria and other microbes.
This summer, flies are rapidly multiplying and contributing to the malodorous air enveloping the entire island.
It appears that cleanliness and a healthy environment is never a priority of the municipal government.
Exacerbating the deplorable situation is the presence of green algae on the shoreline. They indicate that the water is loaded with all forms of bacteria.
WVMC is in a pitiful state. It lacks competent personnel, necessary medical equipment, organized management, funds, rooms, medicines, qualified and understanding doctors, etc. Even its ventilator is portable and hackneyed. And where are the stretchers?
The prime government hospital could not attract the services of good doctors and nurses due to lack of funds for incentives and other benefits.
Many patients die there – not because of their serious physical condition brought about by their illness and/or condition but because of poor management and lack of competent personnel.
Since many patients come from the hoi polloi, it is indeed lucky if they come out from the hospital alive. Sometimes it is true that it is a sin to be poor. ALREADY, 100 government officials and key personnel have been dismissed from the service due to corruption.
We note that most of these fired government officers had been lashed out by media on account of their tomfooleries.
Recently, we were informed that Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Nilo Gavia assigned at the Dumangas Engineering District, Iloilo received a letter of termination that took effect immediately upon receipt thereof.
The guy was not able to say goodbye to his subordinates. He immediately packed his things and went out of his office – lonely and sad.
Such disgrace was never expected by the man because he thought that, being a member of the Mason and having many good friends in power – including judges, military and police officers – he is untouchable.
WE HAVE been asked by many people, particularly from the province of Antique, whether there is truth to consistent talks that Mayor Genevive Gumban Lim-Reyes of the island municipality of Caluya plans to run for the House of Representatives in the 2019 elections.
Inasmuch as we cannot foretell what the future holds, what we can only say is that 2019 is still too far away. Nobody can be sure about the future as things today might be different tomorrow.
All we can say is that the popular lady mayor has the exclusive right to expand the frontiers of her ambition and broaden the scope of her public service.
It is the majority of the people who will finally decide and demand for her congressional candidacy.