By Anthony A. Araos
After visiting the rice terraces in Banaue, some of the toughest challenges are the ones related to the query “Is there another site to see in Ifugao?”
A friend of mine said it’s a water falls in Lagawe. Particularly, Mun-ahuk Falls at barangay Burnay. Another friend is saying otherwise. Apparently, the falls also straddle a portion belonging to Barangay Anao of Hingyon town. Well, I’m inclined to say that site may be jointly enjoyed by both barangays. The place is rather far. To many, Burnay itself is a remote village.
Can you trust my friend’s advice? Help for a decision to see Mun-ahuk Falls can start with some good information. Here’s some. The village is adjacent to barangay Poblacion North, an important village of the municipality. Burnay is accessible each day. There are tricycles from the main barangay Poblacion East area. The loading terminal is near the public market. Upon reaching the village, trekking is advisable. The challenge starts at this juncture. Imagine yourself in such a far-away, tranquil place. Mun-ahuk Falls is truly blessed as a natural wonder. Believe it or not, the site is nestled within virgin forests. Small wonder, it’s an excellent place where to relax and even fine-tune plans for a project or two.
It’s high time for Burnay Barangay Council to prioritize the development and promotion of Mun-ahuk Falls as a major tourist destination. Consider the advantages of doing so. Apart from enhancing the tourism value of Lagawe, it will also generate an additional employment opportunities for the local communities (particularly, puroks) in the village.
I’ve been to barangay Burnay and it is indeed a uniquely great place to see in the coming months. To my mind, the village has become agriculturally important to the capital town.
The prime consideration with respect to boosting the village’s tourism industry is the improvement of the lives of those in the marginalized sector. This is best accomplished by a strong partnership of the Burnay Barangay Council and the private sector.
This now calls for the introduction of tourism facilities in distant villages as this one. A project (such as building a hostel for local and foreign tourists) is surely going to put not only this barangay but the entire town in the business tourism map.
If realized, increased revenues for Burnay Barangay Council will prove that such an investment is badly needed.
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For the 2018 edition of the CARAA, Ifugao athletes should be given more time for their training.
I heard a lousy excuse that the already short period of time to train them was further hampered by the rains at the crucial stage of the preparation. Yet, the weather conditions were just about the same in Baguio City, Benguet, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga and Mountain Province.
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Farmers and fisher folks wanting to improve their plight should form cooperatives.
A cooperative is in a better positon to deal with the government. Access to resources provided by the government is easier and accountability is observed.
In Ifugao, the issue goes even beyond that. Acknowledging and understanding the importance of putting up cooperative banks for the agriculture sector easily arises. This is most helpful in identifying new opportunities in the said sector. Of course, establishing a cooperative bank is no easy task. One has to consider credit risks. This emphasizes the need to promote sound credit risks management among lenders. To all those who are already planning on this matter: My prayers for God’s guidance. May they have a deeper knowledge of ways to strengthen the earning capabilities of small holder farmers and fisher folks.
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I can’t see any logical reasons why it is not difficult to understand and appreciate the essence of ZigZag Weekly’s editorial (“We cheer Gina’s massacre of the 75 mining companies”) on its February 19, 2017 issue.
My initial impression from a perusal of the editorial assuming that all contentions therein are true is indeed to accept the assertions as stated. This is for the reason that these views are correct and insightful.
DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, known for her unflinching commitment to protect the environment, took 75 mining companies to the task for blatantly violating environmental laws – an accusation that these firms have repeatedly and flatly denied.
None of these beleaguered firms are going to give up without a good fight. Of course, the moneyed owners are expected to argue that Environment Secretary Lopez’ action is highly disadvantageous to the nation. I beg to disagree.
Mining is one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the Philippines and all over the world.
Mining clearly has adverse effects both on humans and the environment. Apart from adding toxic chemicals to the ore, it strips off large areas of top soil of all flora and fauna.
Mining destroys the natural beauty of the environment. It displaces communities. It causes landslides. It pollutes water sources. Likewise, it contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.
To my mind, there is simply no such a thing as responsible mining.
A closer look at these mining communities, the future of Filipinos is looking bleak. And sadly, their lack of protection from nature’s wrath would be passed on to their future children continuing the cycle to the next generation.
Take your pick: Gold, silver or bronze? Mining is a tool that can be used to enrich a few and bring misery to many. To safeguard the future, President Rodrigo Duterte should exercise political will in this issue. Failure to impose sanctions as recommended by Secretary Lopez shall only breed the kind of impunity that resulted in the degradation of the environment in many parts of the Philippines. We cannot protect the people from the ill-effects of mining, so long as the officialdom doesn’t take a strong and firm hand against these erring mining firms. Thank goodness for the uncompromising stand of Secretary Lopez who has been championing the cause of environmental protection for so many years. To recall, it was her who took up the cudgels to shield Palawan province from crooks and ill-motivated individuals. And that makes me feel so good and proud about what we- at ZigZag Weekly, stand for.
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With garbage disposal still bugging the 11 towns of Ifugao, it’s time for the provincial government to go back to basics to resolve this matter.
Given the fact that open and controlled dump sites are no longer allowed to operate, I’m optimistic that 2017 would be the best time for Governor Pedro Mayam-o to act on this longstanding problem.
Faceseal Marketing officers (who are based in Cavite province) are more than ready to step into the gap since they have the capability to provide gadgets, equipment and machines on solid waste management programs. They did put enough thought, attention, time and detail into every nuance of their products.
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Question: Last year, Governor Mayam-o went to Israel for important matters. For quite sometime, I haven’t seen Israeli tourists in Ifugao (unless they come in as Mossad agents, not kidding). How do you then explain this?
Fact: according to the Department of Tourism (DOT), a total of 8,776 Israeli tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2014, up by 14 percent from 7,675 in 2013.
At a University of the Philippines class, I learned the word “reciprocate”, meant to make a return in kind.
And for those who may actually be skeptical about the situation, I still have sound advice: Governor Mayam-o should pursue farm homestay programs to draw them into the province. After all, Atty. Mayam-o is a farmer by heart. He should also eye cultural exchange programs. You’ll see the difference by looking into community-based programs focusing on, but not limited to agri-tourism and ecotourism. The governor should invite Israeli officials and businessmen to discover and experience a good variety of attractions in the province. I’m most willing to help Governor Mayam-o on this score. There are a thousand and one ways to make the other guy reciprocate. Discussions about it will surely be productive and vigorous, all in five minutes time. Or, it may be less.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “There is approximately 3.5 billion young people all over the world. Meanwhile, in our country, 60 million Filipinos are below 30 years old, which comprise approximately 58 percent of the total population.” Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher De Venecia who is a member of the House Committee on Youth and Sports and the Committee on Basic Education and Culture.**
