By Anthony A. Araos
When it comes to receiving more blessings from the Almighty Creator, the name of Banaue town in Ifugao easily rings. Why?
Word is out that the national government, through the efforts of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Ifugao Provincial Director Valentin Baguidudol, is putting up a Go Negosyo Center in the scenic municipality of Banaue sometime in December of this year.
This underscores the critical importance of improving the business climate to the nation’s progress and development. It is widely expected as well to boost the town’s business competitiveness. It must therefore be central to the agenda of Mayor Jerry Dalipog and the municipal government.
This surely calls for more support from the private sector, most especially those engaged in tourism- related businesses. A Go Negosyo Center is truly needed in Banaue.
This simply means entrepreneurs or businessmen will get more assistance from their officialdom. At the Go Negosyo Center, they can receive much-needed guidance on how to go about their operations. So this augurs well for Banaue, as this will jump start businesses and trade activities. It will complement the development programs and projects in Banaue.
Through the support of the DTI, the Dalipog administration will be able to bring the government closer to the people and become truly relevant to them.
It could be that people who are engaged in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Banaue and elsewhere, such as sari-sari stores, eateries or restaurants, souvenir shops and computer outlets, have a lot to say in invigorating the economy. After all, the MSMEs constitute 99.6 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines.
It is for this reason that the Go Negosyo Centers have become the focus of direct policy interventions.
I’m glad that Ifugao DTI Provincial Director Baguidudol went to great lengths in order to establish Ifugao’s third Go Negosyo Center in Ifugao.. The others are situated in the capital town of Lagawe and Alfonso Lista.
I have no doubts whatsoever that, in turn, the municipal government of Banaue shall take the necessary steps to make sure that the public has full access to the Go Negosyo Center every step of the way.
I would have thought that it is much better to divulge more information on this matter. Other than stating that the Go Negosyo Center is a game changing tool to Banaue, in particular, and Ifugao province, in general, I’m leaving the rest of the mechanics of the project to both Mayor Dalipog and DTI Provincial Director Baguidudol.
Of course, I’m tempted to say that once established, the Go Negosyo Center undoubtedly will raise the town’s tourism competitiveness.
Like most other towns, Banaue is experiencing increasing urbanization. Money, cash flow, receipts and earnings are coming into the picture in the months and years to come. Initiatives between Go Negosyo Center stakeholders and the public sector will be mutually beneficial. So once it’s there, buckle down to work immediately and let’s get things done.
So by December or around the Christmas season, the Go Negosyo Center should be another point or place of interest in Banaue for local and foreign tourists. Visitors can also look forward to staying in the town for two to three days. There are several sites to see and enjoy. Banaue is accessible with picturesque and peaceful communities.
By the way, isn’t it but fitting and proper to invite President Rodrigo Duterte during the launching rites of the Go Negosyo Center in Banaue? Any oppositors? I am willing to refute all your arguments.
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It would now be more prudent for the Mayam-o administration to prepare and scout for a location of Ifugao’s fourth Go Negosyo Center. Up next? My wish list: Lamut, Hingyon, Mayoyao or Aguinaldo. Any of these towns is an ideal site. What then is the choice of Governor Pedro Mayam-o?
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez is reportedly all set to establish 70 new Go Negosyo Centers throughout the country in the first 100 days of the Duterte presidency. Presently there are 252 Go Negosyo Centers.
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This is one for the Guinness Book of World Records. Seven is greater than Eight. Only at the House of Representatives. During the election for the Speaker of the House, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. got eight votes, while Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez obtained seven votes. Today, Rep. Suarez is the minority leader at the lower chamber of Congress. Admittedly, I am not good in mathematics. But how did this happen?
The minority leader is one who loses in the race for speaker and minority or opposition block leader. Well, Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez won the speakership race. Easily, you may draw your conclusion.
A friend of mine argued that Rep. Suarez should not be the minority leader since he even voted for Rep. Alvarez. Somehow, I agreed.
To my mind, there is an even bigger and more compelling issue. The Liberal Party of which Rep. Baguilat is a member, has 30 members at the House of Representatives. Where are the 22 others when he needed their votes most? Shades of the saying “Walang iwanan.” (No matter what, let’s stick together.”)
On the other hand, Navotas City Rep. Tobias Tiangco who earlier expressed his plan to contest the minority leader post, resigned from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) after failing to get the support of 14 members of his party. He is now an independent. Needless to say, you may or may not draw a similar conclusion.
President Rodrigo Duterte said recently that he wanted the party list representation at the House be abolished. Well, how about going a little bit further. Abolish the political parties. The Liberal Party is now the Lipat Party. The Nacionalista Party is now the Nailipat Party. The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP)- Laban is now the Punta Dito Party and so forth. Well, if you’ll ask me, I’ll just settle for one party: Birthday Party! Where all are bona-fide members for a lifetime!**
