Last week, I wrote about a friend who has invested in a tourism – related venture in Leyte although this will operate around 2007 yet.

I said I am happy I have a friend like him who has earned his millions abroad and is going to invest part of these in Eastern Visayas.

In today’s column, I'd mention another friend who runs a government facility.

He told me about his plans to make the employees of this facility become more productive (e.g. no more overtimes unless extremely necessary) and be conscious of their duty to serve the public (e.g. attend to the needs of clients expeditiously). He is also putting the financial situation in order and as stable as it can be by paying all indebtedness (which for strange reasons the former manager did not pay) and by maximizing income through the improvement of facilities and elimination of unnecessary expenses.

He is new in his present job but he has adjusted to it quickly and is looking at both the immediate and long-term future of the government unit he is now managing. He is sure he can, within the present resources, improve the services of the facility and then plan a bigger project for long-term development.

Just like my friend the investor, this friend the manager represents that breed of persons who have a heart for the region. Their desire to make life better in Eastern Visayas is worthy of emulation.

Again, I must say in my line of work, I'd always feel at ease with these types of guys.