Initao town to honor homegrown hero seaman

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

OFFICIALS of Initao, Misamis Oriental are contemplating on officially declaring 48-year old homegrown seaman Rudyard Payusan as a “local hero” for saving 22 passengers and six crew members of ill-fated M/V Manzan fromTalibon, Bohol.

Payusan’s cousin Daisy Joe Bagares said Initao Mayor Enerito Acain V is pushing the approval of the resolution.

Bagares said a hero’s welcome also await Payusan on his return.

“Naghulat na kami dinhi og preparado and tibuok barangay nga motabo kaniya sa iyang pag-abot,” she said.

Payusan’s heroic deed cost him one of his feet when he led other crew members of Landing Craft Tank, a barge, and saved passengers mostly vendors from Bohol and six other crew members of sunken M/V Manzan along the waters of Liloan town in Cebu City.

Unfortunately, Payusan got himself entangled in the rope which cost him his right foot.

Bagares said residents of Barangay Poblacion are now preparing for Payusan’s arrival on Friday. He is scheduled to arrive by plane at the Laguindingan airport and would be met by some local officials who provided him with an artificial feet.

The seaman’s daughter Regine would accompany him on his return from Cebu.

Bagares said Rep. Juliette Uy of Misamis Oriental’s 2nd District has coordinated with the office of Cebu Rep. Gwen Garcia so help could be extended to Payusan for some of his expenses.

Uy has also agreed to provide full scholarship grants to Payusan’s daughters who are enrolled at the Initao College taking up education courses.

“Aid has already started pouring in. The shipping company paid all the hospital expenses, and for his return,” Bagares said.