Arterial Road Projects

Cityhood of Maasin

Restoration of the Limasawa Shrine's Historical Relevance

Membership to Various Committees

Other Accomplishments

Congressman Saludo has successfully included Southern Leyte as one of the 20 beneficiary provinces of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund’s (OECF) 23^rd Yen Loan Package. This is part of the Japanese Government program that grants loan to selected provinces in the Philippines to finance infrastructure projects and will be implemented in partnership with the Department Of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The inclusion of Southern Leyte in the said program will fund the construction of the Himayangan-Silago-Abuyog Arterial Road Link amounting to P2.2 billion. On October 12, 1999, officials from the DPWH, headed by Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan, visited Southern Leyte to inspect the existing infrastructure projects in the province in preparation for the implementation of the said project. 

Cityhood of Maasin

Before a crowd of 10, 000 Maasinhons, House Bill 7201, which seeks the cityhood of Maasin, saw its approval by the Committee on Local Government in a public hearing held at the Tunga-tunga Gymnasium in Maasin on October 1, 1999. Principally authored by Rep. Saludo and co-authored by 23 congresswomen/men, HB 7201, has passed the scrutiny of Lower House members and is currently being deliberated at  the Senate. Senator Serge Osmeña, principal sponsor of the Bill (now substituted by HB 8870) in Senate, says that the Bill can successfully hurdle senatorial inquiry and is optimistic that the plebiscite will be scheduled within the year.   

Congressman Saludo formed a blocking force against legislative efforts to change the site of the historic first Christian Mass in the Philippines from the Island of Limasawa to Masao of Butuan City. Before the members of the House of Representatives, through his privilege speech, Congressman Saludo contested such effort saying that historical facts cannot be altered by mere legislation. "A historical reality cannot be changed or modified by an act of the mind", he added. He gained support not only from his colleagues but also from three foreign countries namely, Spain, Mexico, and Portugal. 

 Membership to Various Committees

Even as a neophyte, Congressman Saludo has gained respect from his colleagues because of his active involvement as member of different committees. He chairs the Special Committee on 20 Depressed Provinces which is aimed at alleviating the socio-economic conditions of the 20 poorest provinces in the country. He also heads three subcommittees namely: Subcommittee on Forest Resources, Subcommittee on Natural Resources Development, and Subcommittee on Agricultural Credit. He is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, Committee on Natural Resources, and Committee on Energy. He holds membership in eight other committees, including three of the most influential: Rules, Appropriations and Ways & Means. He was also deputized by the Speaker to be his representative to the Committee on Ethics.   

Other Accomplishments

• His active participation in the Committee on Agriculture enabled the Lone District of Southern Leyte to acquire two modern abattoir (slaughterhouses).

• The pressing need for a local branch of the Social Security System (SSS) was addressed through Congressman Saludo’s unrelenting efforts in establishing the Maasin Branch. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Maasin is currently being processed.

• Being the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, Representative Saludo leads the inquiry into the alleged importation of contaminated carabeef from India into the Philippines.