Leyte Travel Philippines

Leyte’s vast potentials can be unlocked by pursuing a development strategy that relies less on its natural resources (which have largely dwindled) and place more reliance on new technologies such as the establishment of BPO centres that do not harm the environment. The provincial government is right in now pursuing a development strategy that entices investors into the province without the allure of natural resources except maybe in the area of tourism. The pristine natural beauty of Leyte with its vast mountain ranges, pleasant climate and clear sandy beaches is sure to attract investors willing to put up hotels and resorts that cater to local and foreign tourists. Perhaps an aggressive marketing campaign that will highlight its beauty will do tricks in bringing in those tourist revenues. Its geothermal power generation plants can be expanded further since it is a clean and renewable energy resource. Leyte has many geothermal fields.

future industries in Leyte 
Further strengthening its educational institutions will attract students to enrol in its prestigious universities such as the Visayas State College of Agriculture (VISCA) which was recently renamed as Visayas State University (VSU) after attaining university status. The expertise of VISCA is in agriculture and marine biology studies that rivals that of USC in Cebu City and Silliman University in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental Province. If Leyte can put up other schools of higher learning, it will entice students to enrol there rather than go to Manila or Cebu City. Such an attraction will redound to the benefit of the province since a university town can help in the economy of the place where it is located with an influx of students.
ViSCA / LSU…With Goreous sunsets and beautiful dawns
The one other university in Tacloban which was run by the SVD fathers that also operate University of San Carlos in Cebu City was closed down due to a strike by its faculty and staff. It was an outstanding university that rightly earned a sterling reputation for high academic standards but the strike was never resolved satisfactorily by the government’s Department of Labour. The Divine Word University (DWU) was the biggest Catholic institution of higher learning in both Samar and Leyte and its eventual closure caused great dislocation to faculty and staff as well as students who considered it a cheaper alternative to schools in Manila or Cebu City. At its peak, it had a student enrolment of 14,000 enrolled in 20 different degree courses including law and medicine.

Recommended Sites
Samar Surfing  - My Philippine Adventures  - Discovering Wonderful Web Designs  - Indoor Renovating Tips - Decorating, Remodeling & Contractors  -	The Exciting Restaurant Business  - Reggae Music  - Invest yourself – Real Estate Properties and Home Buying in Finland  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

The floods and landslides in recent years served as a reminder to the people of Leyte to take care of their environment. These natural disasters served to focus their attention on the harm done to the environment since the disasters were generally agreed to be man-made due to indiscriminate logging activities. The Philippines is in the typhoon path and typhoons visit the country on average about 20 times annually. About 10 typhoons that pass by the Philippines are considered Category 3 and this fact should have more urgency with regards to environmental protection programs. Recent examples such as the St. Bernard mudslide and the flash floods of Ormoc City a decade earlier serve to emphasize that Nature will take its revenge when man disregards the environment.

the whole village of St. Bernard, Leyte
The ever-present threat of these twin disasters is due to the wide denudation of Leyte’s once lush forest cover. Today, less than 10% of its mountains have sufficient cover that can be considered as rain forest. The rest of the mountainous areas have been cleared to give way to sugar cane plantations, banana plantations and pineapple plantations. Mudslides are now recurring with alarming frequency due to the soil erosion after all trees was cut in a certain area. Population growth has also impacted on the environment with the proliferation of subdivisions. The provinces and local government units have belatedly undertaken reforestation programs but it will be years away before anything resembling the original forest can grow.
one of the tragedy victims…

Today, various mitigating measures are being implemented to prevent a repetition of the same tragedies. For one, the government must be alert enough to prepare for floods and landslides by using satellite data that can be disseminated to the local populace to warn them of impending disasters. For another, the government must have the political will to go after illegal loggers who denuded the thick forests of Leyte. This is a bit difficult to do since most of the illegal loggers are powerfully connected but a movement from the lower masses to be vigilant is the only effective antidote. Only a few people really benefited from the riches of Leyte’s forest resources but a new alternative livelihood program is now in place that makes local people also stakeholders of the forest areas near their place. It is a safeguard only.

Recommended Sites
Home Radiators and Tools  - More about Projectors - Image, Multimedia & Projector Technology  - Myspace Layouts  -	The Joys of a Holiday in a Villa  - Womens Dress Trend  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

Besides people engaged in politics such as former First Lady Imelda Marcos and former speaker of the regular Batasang Pambansa (1984-1986) Nicanor Espina Yniguez (he filed the bill creating the province of Southern Leyte), there are also personalities in other fields such as media and entertainment who made their mark on the nation. Foremost among them is Tessie Tomas who has made a profession of imitating Imelda herself from her hairdo to the shoes to the way she speaks and carries herself. This quintessential comedienne pioneered the art of “stand up comedy” and has done some 100 impersonations with astounding effect.

Tessie Tomas

In the field of science, agronomists and scientists from the Leyte State University (LSU) were able to isolate the cause of a disease affecting sweet potatoes (“kamote” in the vernacular) which had confounded people from other countries who also plant sweet potatoes. The identification of the virus greatly helped in mitigating the adverse effects on crop yields since this root crop is a lifesaver for many poor people.

Leyte State University…With fruitful fields and verdant lawns
Very few people outside of Leyte may have heard the name of Colonel Ruperto Kangleon. He was the famous guerilla leader during the Japanese occupation of the country during World War II. Although he had done a lot to help the American forces by organizing underground resistance and also providing valuable intelligence information, his career was not without the usual detractors who questioned his motives. He was once captured by the Japanese forces and imprisoned. However, many believed he was freed by his captors to become a double agent who also provided intelligence to the Japanese forces. In short, his military career is shrouded in controversy even to this day as historians have a hard time placing his whereabouts on certain important days and events during the war. Col. Kangleon is Leyte’s most famous son and he was posthumously given the rank of brigadier general 36 years after he died. He had previously served as the Secretary of National Defense and also ran and won as a senator of the republic.

Recommended Sites
Home and Office Plumbing  - Childrens Health  - Famous Painters in the World  -	Golf Sports And Equipment  - Commercial Real Estate  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

Leyte has produced its share of prominent politicians in Philippine history. The most famous (or infamous) is former First Lady Imelda Marcos otherwise known as Imeldific. This curious and funny adjective has joined the local vocabulary to indicate something that is done in excess of which Imelda certainly qualifies. With her penchant for grandeur, she undertook massive infrastructure projects during the Marcos years and more so when she became the first ever governor of Metro Manila (a post that was specially created just to satisfy her political ambitions). She was the one who constructed the first ever light rail transit system in the country to ease the traffic congestion of Manila’s streets. She also put the Philippines on the world map by undertaking massive projects such as the Cultural Centre of the Philippines to showcase Filipino talents in culture and arts. She also pushed hard for the reclamation project along scenic Manila Bay. For evil or good, she had left her mark on Philippine politics. Her hometown in Leyte was renovated during her heyday as First Lady.

former First Lady Imelda Marcos  The province is not immune to politics Philippine style. This includes a tacit violation of the country’s constitution which prohibits the perpetuation of political dynasties. But there is just so much at stake at the local levels that politicians often treat public office as an heirloom that can be handed down from generation to generation. An example is Imelda whose nephew ran for governor in the province last year. The governorship position was previously held by the father of Imelda and by her brother in the 1970s. But it is no wonder that political dynasties persist because even the current Philippine president is herself a product of a dynasty. Her sons ran and won as congressmen and even her brother-in-law also won as congressman. The intent of the Constitution was never followed because at any one time, at least more than half of all sitting congressmen of any congress come from families that have held political power for several generations. A former speaker of the house came from Leyte and several illustrious and brilliant senators during the glory years of the Philippine Senate hailed from Leyte.

Recommended Sites
Bags  - Mobile Downloads  - Enhancing Your Kitchen Doors  - Types of Doors, Modern, Asian, European  -	Tile Designs, Tile Manufacturing  - Bathroom Lighting, Wall Lights  - Home Tools, Construction Tools, Garden Tools  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

Although the rich soil of Leyte is conducive to the growing of various commercial crops, its location near the Pacific Ocean has made it prone to strong typhoons which destroys crops. The government can help in this regard by providing crop insurance protection especially to subsistence farmers in the province. A U.N. commissioned study in conjunction with the experts from South Africa and Australia has highlighted the need to put up some networks that utilize human capital from individual members. This is to ensure that available resources are managed in a sustainable manner through the sharing of the expertise and experience of individual members. This is to maximize industry innovation and improvement that individually cannot be attained otherwise. A particular concern is the use of pesticides by rice farmers which adversely impacted on their health.

working in the sugarcane
Leyte’s agricultural lands are better suited to sugar cane planting and other commercial crops that should be undertaken by big agri-business firms. This approach will utilize the advantages of economies of scale which is not available to the ordinary farmer. This large-scale view of tackling the problems of unemployment and underemployment also applies to fishing if done correctly. The island is surrounded by rich fishing grounds that teem with many fish varieties and only large-scale commercial fishing can access this bounty. We must remember that Leyte has its more than usual share of typhoons that are dangerous to small sea crafts.
the tree of life – coconuts
The degraded environment is best seen from the air where the thick forests once stood. Rapacious logging activities had led to deforestation of large mountain areas in most of the island and belated reforestation efforts will take years to reverse the denudation. Most of the previously forested areas were cleared for planting and production of sugar cane but damage to the environment is very hard to reverse and will take several decades to undo. The coconut industry has suffered too due to cutting of these trees to be used and sold as coco lumber. A renewed effort to re-plant coconut trees of the early-fruiting variety is being undertaken by some plantations. The establishment of additional coconut oil mills has been deferred due to the tight supply of coconuts.

Recommended Sites
Latest Celebrity Entertainment News  - Golf Clothing and Accessories  -	Automotive Parts And Accessories  - Facility Management  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

The local economy is agriculture-based and 60% of Leyte’s total land area is classified as agricultural. Main products are abaca, coconuts, palay, corn, sugar cane and pineapples. Mining is limited to nearby areas of Isabel for the phosphate and copper mines. Majority of Leyte’s towns are located near the coast so fisheries and shrimp/prawn production is significant. Some inland municipalities have resorted to culturing bangus and tilapia which are highly saleable local varieties of fish. There are just few large-scale industries in Leyte despite its rich mineral and natural resources. The big industries are limited to only two: mining for copper, phosphate production and industrial lime which are mineral-based. The big industries which are agri-based are the production of sugar and molasses, copra oil and pellets production and abaca production. Other than these, most industries are small scale furniture making, ceramic moulding, food preservation, various metal crafts and handicrafts such as toy making, gift making and souvenirs.

Leyte Provincial Capitol
The large-scale industries employ only a small proportion of the local populace while the small-scale enterprises employ more people but offers lower wages. The strategy for Leyte should be based on what it has such as pristine natural beauty ideal and historical landmarks for tourism ventures or leapfrog into the 21st century by building a modern ICT infrastructure as previously discussed. Its over-reliance on agriculture is shown by statistics: 54% of the province’s income comes from agricultural activities. Industry provides just 11% of its income while trade accounts for the remaining 35%. Local trade is mostly in the hands of native Chinese-Filipinos but they are not as aggressive in their investment strategies as their counterparts in other regions of the country such as those in Manila or Cebu who expand on good times and bad. The local population can be enticed to be more entrepreneurial by providing tax incentives and other inducements.

Recommended Sites
Fun in Games – Creating, Rating, Video Game Genre & Platforms  - Types of Bags, Designer Bags  -	Designer Clothes  - Human Diseases Due To Animal By-Products  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

The present provincial government of Leyte is making a tremendous effort to change its image as a mainly agricultural area into an upcoming investment hub in the Eastern Visayas region. Its traditional agricultural industry based on abaca-processing and coconut-processing industries will soon be augmented by new industries. These industries alone will not be enough to sustain a rapid population growth in a degraded environment. Although these two main economic activities have a slew of downstream livelihood opportunities, these are all relatively low-value labour-intensive jobs. For abaca, the main sub-industries are “sinamay” making, cordage production and pulp manufacturing. For the coconut industry, the activities under it are coco milk processing, copra cake production, activated carbon, coconut coir production and oleo-chemical processing.

Coir is made from coconut fibre
But the provincial government wants to shift away from these two mainstays of the island’s economy. Other prospects such as tourism-related ventures and ICT services are being vigorously pursued. Leyte has a lot of nature’s allures, rare historical landmarks and a rich diversified culture. Any tourism-related investment is welcomed by the government such as hotels, resorts and other tourism assets. The much-awaited annual festival similar to a mardi gras is the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival that brings tourists even from abroad but the problem is the lack of suitable accommodations. In other potential areas for business, the government has pushed for the upgrading of its information and communications technology infrastructure by using fibre optics and satellite facilities. These twin developments make Leyte ideal also for BPO services such as content development (animation, transcription services, engineering design and data search services), core IT services (website design, software applications development and computer systems design) and back room operations (finance, accounting and legal services, HR functions, data encoding, recruitment and training services). A ready availability of adequately trained manpower pool of college-educated graduates from its excellent universities and colleges makes all this possible to make Leyte the next outsourcing hub.

one of the good source for Geothermal power in Leyte
Other potential areas for investment are in real estate development, seaport expansion, mall-type buildings, commercial buildings, recreational facilities and economic zone development. Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) is the sole eco-zone in the whole province that has wide areas of land still undeveloped. This 435-hectare industrial facility in Isabel can still accommodate other industries similar to Clark and Subic. At present, it is felt by many that it is being underutilized. Power generation is another prospect such as expanding the geothermal plant located in Ormoc City. It is the third-largest geothermal facility in the country after Tiwi in Bicol and Mt. Apo in Davao. But sheer consumer demand from the population is not enough to entice business investors. The people of Leyte must have their incomes increased considerably for them to have the purchasing power.

custom USB

Recommended Sites
Event Organiser  - Global Marketing Basic Idea - Strategies, Evolution & Challenges  - Career Planning  -	Free Games Online  - Business And Money  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

Anyone with a passion for the arts and crafts should visit sometime the beautiful country of the Philippines and Leyte Island in particular. Filipinos’ curious blend of different cultures makes the production of various crafts a delight to behold. This shows in the fine handicrafts that reflect the rich history and long tradition of these sunny islands. Although its economy is mostly agricultural, there are plenty of arts and crafts that are unique to the island of Leyte alone. Leyte is rightfully earning the reputation of being the place where inexpensive shopping gets the most value for your money. Handcrafted products include weaves and baskets made from native vines, intricate brasswares and figurines, hand-embroidered cloth and wedding gowns and even custom-made shoes and “antique” hardwood furniture.

Coconut Shell Tea Set
Other than fishing which is the primary source of livelihood for most people, the collection of non-wood forest products contribute to the income of these people. Primary of these NWFP is rattan which is abundant in the rain forests of Leyte’s mountains. However, rattan is has diminished lately due to indiscriminate logging which even resulted in floods and landslides. Furniture made from rattan is very expensive due to its durability and also to its versatility in design since rattan can be shaped into any form after it is heated and treated properly. Second in importance to fishing is coconut farming especially in the mountainous areas. Coconut shell craft making is a significant income source for these enterprising farmers who export them.

Handicrafts
The making of handcrafted products and souvenir items from seashell is another major activity for the inhabitants. Fashion bags, placemats, trays and hot pads made from abaca and other native plants are also exported. A perennial favourite among tourists is the local “banig” or mat made from a sturdy weed called “tikog”. The Philippine government has implemented various mitigation measures designed to eliminate the need for logging and other rapacious activities that tend to reduce forest cover in areas prone to floods and landslides. The policymakers are focused on the population growth-environment nexus to reduce poverty incidence by the promotion of sustainable development. The proximity of good fishing grounds allows the people to develop good sea-based cuisine and their specialties are a hearty fare of fresh fish (newly-caught!), luscious shrimps and giant crabs. There are also available marine products such as dried fish, dried squid and even preserved shell-fish meat year round. Two famous delicacies are “binagol” and “humba” (pork dish) which every local and foreign tourist should try.

Recommended Sites
Music Entertainment  - Photography Arts And Services  - Bar Stools, Kitchen Bar Stools, Anything About Stools  -	Movies  - Stage Presentation, Stage Design, Trade Show  -

• Leave a comment... (0)

The twin islands of Samar and Leyte form the core group of the East Visayas region. Both offer excellent natural harbours for ancient seafarers coming in from the Pacific Ocean. Not much is known of the islands’ pre-Hispanic origins due to lack of archaeological diggings in the area. Its remoteness contributed to its isolation from pre-Spanish trade and commerce with China. But most people agree that the same group Negritos settled in the islands some 30,000 years ago. These people walked over land bridges from the regions of Borneo and Sumatra. Arab traders originating from Borneo and Sabah are believed to have introduced Islam and their developed culture beginning in the 14th century well ahead of the first Europeans. However, their influence did not take root since these traders did not stay long enough to intermarry with the natives. The nature of their trade was to exchange artifacts and items for precious metals such as gold and silver and then leave when their business was done.

Reflections in the twin islands
However, recent diggings point to an established society a century before Magellan arrived. Broken pottery shards showed that the people were trading with merchants not only coming from China during the Ming Dynasty period but also with traders from Siam (Thailand), Cambodia and Vietnam. When Magellan arrived in 1521, excavations in the coastal town of Cabalian showed it was ruled by a local chieftain named Malitik who was a tributary (a lower-ranked chief who pays tribute) to King Siagu. Another example of a well-established society in pre-Spanish times was the Malayan town of Ormoc (old name was Ogmuc) with its own laws and customs. The culture then was centred on the main business of survival in hard times. Carigara was another ancient township that had a thriving agriculture due to the crude irrigation system introduced by migrants nearby Bohol Island.Large fragments of earthenware jars seemed to indicate that jar burial was practiced in Leyte because of the accompanying human skeletal remains. An aberration during this time was the proliferation of slaves since next to gold, a man’s stature in society and personal wealth was measured by the number of slaves under him. Generally, these settlements were just small barangays of informal groupings that constantly wage wars with the other groups nearby. Each group was in constant preparedness due to incessant raids, ambuscades, slayings, robberies and slave capture. This very fierce independent stance led to constant hostility that prevented settlements from coming together in friendship, mutual assistance and military alliances to repel foreign invaders.

I shall return
The Spanish expedition led by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the Philippines in 1521 and constituted the first contact ever with the Europeans. Magellan dropped anchor in the small island of Homonhon in south-eastern Leyte. His arrival was close to the holiest of all holidays which is Lent. So on that Good Friday (some 2 weeks after arrival), he sealed a kasi-kasi (blood compact) with Rajah Kolambu who was the emissary of the King of Limasawa island. The first ever Catholic mass in the Philippines was celebrated on that succeeding Easter Sunday. The implicit political pact did not last long since successive Spanish expeditions met with hostile native reception. The death of Magellan in the Battle of Mactan was like a warning bell that tolled far and wide throughout the archipelago. Most of the recent history of Leyte was similar to the other Philippine islands which were close associated with the Spanish efforts at evangelisation. There was a brief native revolt against conscription of Bisayan shipbuilders being sent to Cavite shipyards constructing galleons but quickly put down. During the war for liberation, the Commonwealth Government under Pres. Sergio Osmeña was established in Tacloban under Gen. MacArthur’s orders. Present day Leyte is remarkably progressive without the accompanying dirt of urban sprawl. Its large area is still sparsely populated and still has room for growth. It is a matter of marshalling the resources together for progress.

Recommended Sites
Pet Care Supplies, Pet Pampering  - Covering them with Pet Insurance  - Pet Insurance  - Consumer Finance  -	Personal Finance Guide - Money management & Wealth Investing  - Types Of Loans  - Best Travel Insurance  -

• Leave a comment... (0)