By Anthony A. Araos
Mayor Glenn Prudenciano will be busier than usual attending to the needs of the town’s tourism industry in 2017 and beyond. Quite likely, big dividends will come because the potentials of “farm tourism” of Alfonso Lista town are so enormous.
This has reference to the vast cornfields of this bustling town.
Mayor Prudenciano, the “pride” of Alfonso Lista as well as the entire second district and one of the most outstanding officials of the province, should not hesitate to take strong moves to elevate the town’s tourism industry.
Are Alfonso Lista officials not willing to put up more tourism-related facilities?
I wonder who else is saying that Alfonso Lista is not the ideal farm tourism destination in Ifugao. All in all, I’ll give it a score of eight in a rating of 10.
Another noteworthy ground to visit in this town is the sprawling campus (3.9 hectares, to be exact) of Sta. Maria National High School. It was established in 1968 and was named Sta. Maria Barrio High School. Only to be renamed in 1973 as Potia Community High School. Again, it was renamed to Potia Barangay High School in 1975. Finally, the school was renamed to its present one in 1984. Hopefully, the last!
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Those who are still planning for their year-end vacations, here is a listing of holidays for December. Well, there’s Christmas Day on 25, and Rizal Day on 30. On 31, it’s special non-working day. December 26 is reportedly another holiday. A national holiday is declared in order to give Filipinos the opportunity to celebrate a significant turning point in the nation’s history.
On the other hand, January 1 (New Year’s Day) and 2 are holidays. It’s simply a period of long holidays. Only in the Philippines!
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Days into counting for 2017, it’s time to look into one’s health, wealth and success. Doing more always counts. Energy, determination and focus are very important.
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President Duterte is selling something to the people and this is what they want: Change, which is not impossible. Resistance to change is the biggest challenge of the Chief Executive.
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The Mayam-o administration in 2017 should face problems and situations squarely, aptly and skillfully.
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I strongly believe that each and every Filipino should have equal rights, access to basic social services and should be protected at all times from lawless elements.
There could be no growth and development- much less progress, if there’s no peace and order.
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A great lesson in the aftermath of the “non-declaration” of a state of calamity in Ifugao following the devastation of super typhoon Lawin (international code: Haima) is the need for the provincial government to undergo an honest-to-goodness workshop on climate change and disaster management. A workshop needs to be conducted by the private sector.
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His unblemished integrity, intact and strong values dedication and passion for service and hard work have earned him the respect of many.
I’m, of course referring to no less than Board Member Federico Juguiad Jr. of Aguinaldo.
Board Member Juguiad is the chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Utilities. He is an excellent choice and I’m so sure he’ll do a great job until 2019. He has the competence and experience.
Juguiad served as Mayor of Aguinaldo before he joined the ranks of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
He is a quiet and decent man who let his countless achievements speak for themselves, the epitome of an outstanding leader of whom they are but a few.
Politicians have a propensity to grandstand and talk a lot. Board Member Juguiad is not one of them. Thank heavens. Compared with what others are doing, that is no mean feat. He had already done much to improve Ifugao. In his heart, he wants to do more to help others in the province.
Development projects are vital for ensuring the province’s turn around for the years to come. Development and operation of modern facilities are integral in addressing the state of backwardness in various industries. Such urgent action shall ultimately provide employment for operation and construction works.
The Committee on Public Works, therefore should focus in 2017 and beyond on prioritizing an updated architectural and construction.
The Committee on Public Works and Utilities, likewise, should coordinate with the Committee on Tourism on the construction of tourism-related projects.
The Committee on Public Works and Utilities, it is hoped, should go full throttle in realizing the dream of raising the competitiveness of Ifugao.
The Committee on Public Works and Utilities, it is prayed, should set new standards, combining state-of-the-art design with reasonable cost in project works.
Certainly that gives enough comfort if you’ll want to improve the conditions of the people, most especially the poor.
It’s about time that tourism related projects reflect and showcase Filipino craftsmanship. Ifugao is known for the wood carving industry. But lodging houses in Ifugao hardly bank on this advantage.
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This early, many are opposing the plan of the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute condoms to elementary and high school students. To my mind, the idea is simply “ridiculous” and “crazy.” Instead of condoms, the DOH should be giving them free vitamins and medicines.
This opposition is the embodiment of the ideals of the people in pursuit of relevance and responsiveness of government policies to the country’s health problems.
Policy makers look out for an easy, abbreviated way out of complicated situations. But there is a far more pernicious problem with that kind of thinking: its lack of a moral dimension.
It’s a great disservice to the people and at the same time serving as an unhelpful and unreliable basis for containing perceived health problems.
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Life’s oddities: Only in the Philippines! I’ve seen it so many times in Ifugao and elsewhere. Signs declaring: “No parking on both side”, “Clinic upstair” and “Beware of dog.”
How do you say then Filipinos are highly literate, good in English and role models in effective communications while under such spell?
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; drink deep or taste not the castalian spring.” Alexander Pope
“The Napoles scandal showed that some politicians are the same all over the country. They promise to build bridges where there are no rivers.” From the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
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To our beloved readers, a million and one thanks for your continuing support. God bless! Manigong at Makabuluhang Bagong Taon!**
