The Office of Research & Development, and Extension Services (ORDEx) of Eastern Visayas State University-Main Campus has successfully launched its second episode of the Haiyan Conversations with the topic “Economic Resilience-Relief to Recovery: The Leyte Experience” on the 8th day of December 2021, as the episodes launching are scheduled every 8th of the month to commemorate the Typhoon Haiyan experience held on the 8th day of November, 2013. The activity was conducted virtually through Zoom, at 8:00-9:00 in the morning.
The university president, Dr. Dennis C. de Paz, addressed a welcome message to the 2nd episode’s resource person, Gov. Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” L. Petilla; hosts, Dr. Alvin Culaba and Dr. Ma. Cristina I. Caintic; conversants, Hon. Mayor Pelagio R. Tecson Jr, Mr. Eugene A. Tan, and Lourdes Cruz; event organizer, Dr. Pearl Aphrodite B. Carnice as the Event Chair and Co-chair, Prof. Faustito A. Aure, and with the EVSU ORDEx personnel; participants, EVSU faculty and viewers from all over the world.
The Leyte Governor, Hon. Petilla shared a remarkable story of resilience in Leyte after the onslaught of the world’s strongest typhoon named “Haiyan” which wreaked havoc in the Visayas particularly in the islands of Samar and Leyte. Afterward, the first conversant, Hon. Mayor Pelagio R. Tecson Jr., mayor of Tanauan Leyte, expressed his gratitude to the Leyte governor, Hon. Petilla for his massive support to the development of the municipality of Tanauan. “Haiyan was the greatest test that we had”, said Hon. Tecson. Comparing Leyte before and after Haiyan, he mentioned that, “…I think, and everybody would agree that the province of Leyte is so much better now than before it was Yolanda.”
Mr. Eugene A. Tan, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tacloban-Leyte, Inc., was the event’s second conversant. Mr. Tan lauded the outstanding leaders for their contributions to Leyte’s resiliency. “I think we are quite lucky enough with the leadership of the governor that has been able to extend to the people of the province of Leyte, our people right now, and even in the economy, we can see it now the growth that is really impressive”, quoted from Mr. Tan.
Lastly, the third conversant of the Haiyan Conversations episode 2 is a national scientist and has been a strong advocate and providing leadership in the future of Earth’s Philippine Program, Lourdes Cruz, quoted from her statement “I commend Leyte for its post-recovery efforts and these efforts also to learn from the Yolanda experience so that, you know…Leyte will be prepared for the future…”
ORDEx extends the same invitation to you once more. Episode 3 of the Haiyan Conversations features guest Mr. Michael Siao of the Tzu Chi Foundation, who discusses resilience and sustainability in the wake of the disaster this coming Saturday, January 8th, 2022 at 10:00 AM.
To register: https://bit.ly/HaiyanConversationsEp03
