Village chairperson disappointed over Duterte visit cancelation in Leyte

The 3,000 barangay chairmen from Eastern Visayas were disappointed on the cancellation of Pres. Duterte’s on their gathering held at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo,Leyte. (By Joey Gabieta)

PALO, Leyte — A village chairperson expressed her disappointment over the cancelation of President Duterte’s visit to this town on Friday afternoon.

The President was to speak before 3,000 barangay chairmen from the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and Samar at the Leyte Academic Center, this town some 11 km away from the regional center, Tacloban City, for a regional summit on peace and order.

“We have traveled for more than four hours just to reach here and we have concerns that we want to tell him, ” said Teresita Briton,55, and village chairwoman of Barangay Da-an of Pintuyan town, Southern Leyte.

Among these concerns is their appeal to increase their monthly honorarium.

In her case, Briton received P4,800 as honorarium, which is not enough to help her support her demands as village leader.

Interior Sec. Eduardo Año, who was supposed to introduce the President, spoke before the regional village officials and read Duterte’s message.

The President, in the read message, expressed his gratitude for the support of the barangay leaders on his administration as he assured them of his full commitment to advance the country’s common good.

Año expressed his regrets for the cancellation of Mr.Duterte’s visit saying he has an equally pressing commitment.

“Let’s understand the President. He is always busy and lots of work to do,” Año said.

In his speech, Año discussed federalism and the fight against illegal drugs.

He also urged village officials to help the government in the fight against the insurgency.

Año, a former chief of staff, also asked the rebels to return to the fold of the law and enjoy the rewards extended by the government for rebel returnees.

He also asked his audience to support the anti-terrorism campaign of the government as he revealed that an Indonesian couple aided by members of Abu Sayyaf members, who was responsible for the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu.

He also asked them to help in the fight against corruption.

“We are all public servants. We pledged an oath to serve,” Año said.
He also appealed to them to help on the cleanup of waterways in their respective areas.

“Ito ay tuloy tuloy at magawa nating disiplinado ang ating mga kababayan,” Año said, saying lack of discipline among the public in properly throwing their garbage contributes to the garbage problem.

Present during the gathering were Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and Samar Gov.Sharee Ann Tan and several DILG Undersecretaries./lzb