MANILA, Philippines — Independent observers were the first to take notice of the paradox that abounded when Typhoon Juaning unleashed its fury in the Bicol region a few days ago.

The big irony was when DoST-PAGASA was praised by President Noynoy in his SoNA last Monday. He has big words for it as now possessing high-tech equipment in weather forecasting. It was received with ebullience by the agency’s officials and employees.

But the presidential back-pattingwas short-lived. A day after the SoNA, PAGASA was at the receiving end of brickbats from provincial governors of the Bicol region. Accusing the agency of inefficiency, among others.

Just what caused the provincial executives hopping mad?

Albay Governor Joey Salceda squarely blamed PAGASA for failing to inform him and his provincial staff of the coming strong howler, Typhoon Juaning. “It did not even include Albay among those under typhoon signal No. 1,” he complained.

Albay, prominently its capital city Legaspi, was inundated by heavy rains for three days, even up to yesterday. What compounded the destruction was that the rains brought down the lahar deposited on the slopes of Mayon Volcano.

The entire Bicol region was pitifully in a sorry state, as pictured in nightly TV news programs.

Non-Bicolanos watching the news footage, particularly, the denudation of Camarines Sur, was just appalling: Highways in neck-deep water, raging flood uprooting residential houses and government buildings and wreaking havoc on agriculture. Almost the same disastrous situation was repeated in adjoining Albay.

But the deluge became doubly tragic to the natives of the two provinces. There were no high officials of the two provinces directing relief operations!

What the outside world saw as reported in media were volunteers from civic groups and local organizations.

Ironically, a few days before the typhoon, Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte was all over town guesting in media interviews telling all and sundry how his domain has risen to become one of the Top 10 rich provinces.

More horn-blowing: “I expect some 45,000 visitors and delegates that will attend a forthcoming advertising congress in Pili, the site of the wakeboarding sports,” he told a radio talk show last week.

(A cynical listener later remarked, “Those delegates will be thrice the size of the annual Councilors League of the Philippines convention that DILG used to convene in the previous administration!”)

Irony No. 3:

If he had his way, Congressman Arnulfo Fuentebella of the Fourth District of Camarines Sur would have none of that. He successfully obtained a majority endorsement from his House colleagues for his measure dividing the province into two (the envisioned new territory will be known as Nueva Camarines). He said he will transform the new region into a financially robust province.

But here’s what takes the cake.

The devastation that happened in Camarines Sur and Albay, unfolded before a nationwide audience, was doubly painful to the Bicolanos – there was not a single provincial official was there to direct relief operation.

They were conspicuously absent to give comfort, offer food, or direct the victims to evacuation centers.

Where were they? That is the question many Bicolanos would want to know.

For one, they now know that it is easier to discern that an economist for a governor is misplaced in a province that faces all kinds of natural disasters several times a year. And not being able to tackle real tragedies and disasters on the ground.

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‘PREMIO TOMAS’ LITERARY CONTEST. University of Santo Tomas officials who are organizing the literary contest that writers from all over the country look forward to in joining – ‘Premio Tomas’ – have extended the deadline for the submission of entries to August 31, 2011.

The competition has four categories: Epic Poetry, Novel, Full-length Drama or 3-Act Play, and Expanded Creative Non-Fiction or Essay Collection. Grand prize for each category will be no less than R100,000.

The essay collection entries are expected to weave around the Quadri-Centennial theme, “University of Santo Tomas: Building the Church, Building the Nation Our Birthright and Destiny,” according to UST. Also, the literary contest will cap the literary side of the 400th celebration of the university this year.

Contestants can secure entry forms from the General Education Office, UST Main Building, or through UST Website www.ust.edu.ph. Dr. Joyce L. Arriola, chair of the literature department, will entertain inquiries through telephone numbers 749-9779; or 786-1611, local 8428.