Samar needs more Nachuras - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Here’s another letter I received from a fellow Samareño, Denn A. Meneses who says he’s from Catbalogan, Western Samar with relatives from my hometown, Borongan, Eastern Samar. I am printing here part of Denn’s letter.

".... Your column today touched a very raw nerve, and I couldn’t agree with you more when you said that the island has been abused by many generations of politicians and colonists. Even strangers who come bearing gifts so to speak. Its "beauty, wilderness, mystery and strength" are largely lost or alien, to the rest of the Philippine population mainly because it has been sorely neglected by the very people tasked to take care of it.

True, it is no longer a "howling wilderness" which, come to think of it, is the island’s only claim to fame – that is, the infamous Balangiga Massacre which is treated like some footnote in Philippine history books. True, some well-meaning organizations have set up shop in Samar, most notable of which is the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) which, over the years, has devoted itself to among other things, introducing various livelihood programs to the local folk and resuscitating Maqueda Bay to its pristine and prolific glory.

But is it enough? Despite the fact that it is the country’s third largest island, rich in human and natural resources, bursting with pride and promise, resilient to change and misfortune, it wallows in poverty, obscurity, and stagnation. Why is it so? Should we, its people, allow it to be so, forever? Should we, whose fortunes brought us away from its unspoiled shores, leave it, forever, at the mercy of avaricious politicians and indifferent public officials?

Our family knows Congressman Nachura personally and our elders can attest that he is a good man who can make a difference. What better testimony to his sense of values than the fact that he was the only Congressman, as far as I know, from the three provinces of Samar who signed the Articles of Impeachment against the deposed president. His participation at the aborted impeachment trial as one of the 11 prosecutors further boosts the perception that he can be depended on to take up the right cause and do the right thing.

But one good politician alone can never hope to do the Herculean job of turning around a province that has been ensconced in the doldrums of ages. Congressman Nachura himself said that it takes a lot of ranting and raving, begging and cajoling, before a concerned government agency, could, or would, act on a request for repair of infrastructure. Bureaucratic red tape is a curse, a plague that needs to be eradicated if this country is to advance at all.

The new administration has made it very clear that it is giving much focus on Mindanao. And rightly so. But this direction in governance should not necessarily deprive Samar of the same, if not equal, heed from the government. Leyte had its chance with Imelda as benefactress but "blessings" never trickled down to its "sister" province. Samar has always been the proverbial poor relative, the decrepit but unavoidable stretch of depressed countryside linking the more progressive regions of Luzon to the vast hinterlands of Mindanao through the Maharlika Highway...."

Denn, thank you for following my career on TV. No, I didn’t start on RSVP the late night show of my friend Dawn Zulueta with Ariel Ureta. I started in Show and Tell (SAT) with another dear friend of mine, Gretchen Barretto.

Denn, thank you for your kind words. I’m equally proud of my fellow Warays who work hard to make a difference in their lives. Yes, I have remained loyal to my roots, always ready to announce that I come from Borongan, a small town of Samar. Why shouldn’t I? It may not be Provence in France – but what is beauty if it is not yours? Borongan is mine – and I belong to my little town – that is part of the third largest island in the country. It is also one of the most neglected. But in my heart it is beautiful.

I can only write, talk, rage, wail, about our province. I’m not even sure if I’m in the right direction. Rest assured that I shall continue to do what I can do. But I cannot be the voice that you’re talking about. I don’t have the political will. I don’t even have the vision. Not yet, anyway. My awakening has just started.

I know that something must be done now. I don’t even know how and where to start. Therefore, I throw you back the challenge. You seem passionate enough to be of service to the island. Why don’t you start an NGO – that truly understands Samar and the Waray culture. I would support you or anyone who would take on this challenge.

Together, we can seize the moment.