Maasinhons and Southern Leyteños speak either the Cebuano or Boholanodialect.  Their cultural and linguistic affinities tend to differ them from those who reside in Cebu, Bohol, and the western coast of the province of Leyte.  Most of the people are farmers and fishermen who are noted for their hard work and frugality.

Approximately 90% of the people are adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, but traditional folk beliefs and superstition still influence some of them.  Some farmers still hold on to pre-Hispanic and conservative beliefs in making offerings and sacrifices before planting season starts.  At times, chicken or pigs are ritually sacrificed to ensure that the spirits or the elementals of the land will allow a good harvest.

Maasin City is Southern Leyte's commercial and cultural showcase.  An important edifice that brings pride to the Southern Leyteños is the notable Spanish-era church - a relic of time when churches were the only true refuge of the people, both spiritually and physically.  The church is adorned or embellished with an ornate altar and beautiful images of saints, and became a testament to the continuing religiosity of the people of Southern Leyte.

Maasin City is accessible by land and sea.  Regular boat trips from Manila take 27 hours while fast watercraft services from Cebu bring travelers to Maasin in just two and a half hours.  Buses plying the Maasin City-Tacloban route usually take five hours.  Southern Leyte has a total land area of about 173,480 hectares and a growing population of about 321,940.

Topography

Southern Leyte is characterized by relatively flat lands along the coastal areas where population centers lay, but rugged and mountainous towards the interior.  It has numerous small rivers in addition to, at least, eleven major rivers which include Canturing River in Maasin City, Amparo River in Macrohon, Divisoria River in Bontoc, Subang Daku in Sogod, Lawigan and Hitongao Rivers in St. Bernard, Camugao River in Hinundayan, Magcasa River in San Juan, Das-ay and Pondol Rivers in Hinunangan, and Maag River in Silago.

Climate

Even though March-May timeframe is considered hot and dry with temperatures ranging from 22-32 degrees Centigrade, in general terms, the province actually has no dry season.  This is due to the fact that rainfall is, more or less, distributed throughout the year.  June to October is mostly rainy; whereas, November to February is cool with temperatures ranging from 22-28 degrees Centigrade.  Year round, average humidity is about 77%.

Roads

The existing road network crisscrossing Southern Leyte consists of major arterial highways that link to the province of Leyte, passing through two major outlets - on the western part, the Maasin-Mahaplag-Baybay route; and, on the central part, the Mahaplag-Sogod route via the Maharlika Highway.

Airport

The province has only one existing airport which is located in Panan-awan, Maasin City.  This airport is considered a feeder airport with a total runway length of 1200 meters and a width of 30 meters.  At present, however, the airport does not service any commercial flights.  It has no terminal and can only accomodate general aviation aircraft weighing up to 12,000 pounds during daytime hours.

Seaports

Of the twelve seaports in Southern Leyte, two (Maasin City and Liloan) are declared as national ports while the other ten are considered municipal ports.  Travel by sea from Cebu to Maasin, and vice-versa, by ship takes about six hours, and about two hours by Supercat and Waterjet.  A ferry boat from Liloan to Surigao takes about three hours.

Bus Terminals

There are five designated bus terminals in Southern Leyte: Maasin, Liloan, Sogod, Hinunangan, and Silago.  These terminals are just open spaces used by buses as parking/passenger waiting areas, and not equipped with buildings and other facilities.

There are at least four bus companies taking the Manila-Maasin route: Philtranco, Cedec, Inland Trailways, and Ciudad. Bachelor takes the Ormoc-Maasin-Davao route.

From the Maasin City, by land, it takes approximately five hours to travel to Tacloban City; twenty three hours to Pasay City or Quezon City; and, nineteen hours to Davao City via Liloan ferry boat.

Power / Energy

The principal source of power / electricity in Southern Leyte is the Tonongan Geothermal Power Plant in Ormoc via National Power Corporation through the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO).  The major power transmission lines in the province emanate from 69 KV Tolosa, Leyte which is connected to 69 KV Bontoc, Southern Leyte then to Maasin City, and 69 KV Baybay, Leyte to Maasin City in case of power failure.

A mini-hydro electric power plant in Hinabian, Catmon, St. Bernard was developed with a capacity of 810 KW to serve the Pacific towns particularly St. Bernard and San Juan.

A major breakthrough in power generation is the Southern Leyte Geothermal Project in San Juan with a capacity of 50-100 megawatts commissioning in year 2003.  It is anticipated to sustain an estimated economic life of 25 years.  Activities involving Pre-operation Phase was already initiated.

Communication

Postal communication system is the major means of communication in all municipalities of the province.  There are five telephone exchange companies operating in the province to provide domestic and international calls namely PLDT, PT&T, RCPI/Bayan Tel, Evtelco, and the Bureau of Telecommunications (Butel); two radio stations - DYSL in Sogod, and DYDM in Maasin City.  Other modes of communication include SSB radios for government offices, and cellular phones for government and private entities.

Health Facilities

In 1996, the health and medical needs of the province were provided by eight government hospitals, six private hospitals and clinics, twenty rural health units or municipal centers, ninety three health stations, and ten outpatient private clinics. The total bed capacity of government hospitals is 265 while that of the private is 110. A current tally of health facilities in the province is still being determined.

Manila and Cebu Ports of Entry / Exit

The cities of Manila and Cebu are the international gateways to and from the Philippines.  Manila is served by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with more than thirty airlines which fly to different cities throughout the world. Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, links to Manila to twenty six cities in nineteen countries. 

Meanwhile, Cebu City is served by Mactan International Airport (MIA) which handles regular flights to and from Japan, Singapore, and Australia, as well as charter flights from Hong Kong, the United States, and other major travel markets.  Both international airports host adequate traveler facilities that include duty-free shopping centers, souvenir parlors and shops, tourist information centers, hotel and travel agency representatives, and rental car services.  The NAIA has banks, postal service, a medical clinic, and a baggage deposit area.

Porterage

Travelers arriving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport may use the convenience of available rental baggage carts for US$1.00. Porterage fee upon departure is P5.00 per baggage.  At Mactan International Airport, porters are compensated P2.00 per baggage.

Entry Regulations

Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic ties, all visitors with valid passports may enter the country without visas, and may stay for twenty one days provided they have tickets for outbound departure.  Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits.  Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine Embassies and Consulates.

Currency

Unit of currency is: Peso (P) = 100 centavos.  Bank notes: P5, P10, P20, P50, P100, P500.  Coins: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, P1, P2, P5.

To get the latest conversion rate of your currency to Philippine Pesos, you may use Xenon's Universal Currency Converter.  Ensure to select PHP - for Philippine Pesos as your option.

Traveling visitors carrying more than US$3,000.00 are required to declare the amount at the Central Bank of the Philippines reception counter located nearby the customs area.  Upon departure, any outgoing foreign currency must not exceed the amount that was brought in at initial check-in.  Ensure that all exchange receipts are kept as proof of transactions.  Departing travelers/visitors may not possess more than P1,000 in local currency.

Health Regulations

A certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required for travelers from infected areas.  Children under one year of age may be subject to mandatory isolation if or when deemed necessary.

Customs Requirements

Traveling visitors are required by Customs officials to complete a Baggage and Currency Declaration Form prior to disembarkation.  Allowable duty-free articles are as follows: personal jewelry and toiletries, reasonable amount of clotheswear, 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco, and two bottles of wine or alcoholic spirits of not more than one liter each.

Airport Transfers and Shuttles

Taxis: Avis is the only accredited taxi service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).  Coupons are available at the Avis service counter at the Arrivals lobby. At the Manila Domestic Airport, C&S is the only authorized pre-paid coupon taxi company.  Metered taxi rates in Manila or Cebu range from P60-P70 from the airport to the city proper, contingent upon prevailing traffic and/or rush-hour conditions.

Hotel Shuttles can be arranged with hotel representatives at designated customer service counters at the Arrivals lobby of the NAIA and the Mactan International Airport.

Rental Car or Limo Service by reputable rental car companies is also available at NAIA.  At Mactan International Airport, a trip to the city proper by hired car costs about P100, payable directly to the driver or at designated customer service counters at the airport.

Airport Fees

Ninoy Aquino International Airport: P500.00
Mactan International Airport: P500.00
Domestic Departure Fee: P30.00 (Manila); P7.00 (Cebu)
(Payments are accepted in Philippine pesos only)

Business Hours

Governmental and/or private offices are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  Some private companies hold business hours from 9:00 AM through 12:00 noon on Saturdays.  Shopping centers, department stores, and supermarkets are open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.  Banking hours are normally from 9:00 AM through 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  Credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express, and BankAmericard are accepted in major business establishments.