By Anthony A. Araos
Improving connectivity between tourism industry stakeholders and local and foreign tourists, on one hand, and the triumvirate of Congressman-elect Solomon Chungalao, Governor-elect Jerry Dalipog and Vice Governor-elect Glenn Prudenciano and Ifugao folks, on the other, in many ways, should go even beyond 2022.
Basically, this is the direction that the new officials need to come up with a determined push to propel growth and development in this impoverished province.
Therefore, I see a great push for infrastructure projects in Ifugao under the administration of Mr. Dalipog, a civil engineer by profession. For instance, in the tourism front, new facilities are badly needed to draw tourists. A strategic plan should be spelled out immediately. Hopefully, this will solve the headaches, woes and downsides of the tourism industry and hopefully something that incoming administrations are to continue.
To upgrade the tourism industry more funds are needed by the provincial government. The incoming officials, for practical reasons, need to touch base with MalacaHang to attain this goal. They have to see the wisdom of connecting with President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. A lot of funds are required in improving the tourism infrastructure in Ifugao. I really see the pressing need for the incoming governor to seek the assistance of the Chief Executive on this matter. If not, provincial government officials have to live within their means, and just do their job well.
Now, in the same spirit of continually formulating forward-looking strategies to invigorate the tourism industry, I am urging Governor Dalipog to pursue a program outlining the establishment of hostels in Ifugao’s 11 towns. Government-operated hostels are badly needed. It is a collective wish and prayer that soon tourists from other countries are going to stay a day or three at provincial government-managed hostels after enjoying the attractions of an Ifugao town- whether in Hingyon, Tinoc, Hungduan or Aguinaldo. Good and comfortable accommodation for a foreign tourist is shortcut to success in the tourism industry. For example, an Italian tourist could never forget her stay at a hostel equipped with modern-day amenities and assisted by a friendly and courteous personnel- all for an affordable rate. Welcome the young lady tourist from Milan with a smile. At the hostel, show her that management gives premium to her visit and will exert its utmost to make her stay comfortable at all times. It matters how you treat this visitor during her stay in the province. A hostel with a unique trademark of high standards of service and facilities is most helpful in reviving the province’s tourism industry.
At a hostel, enjoy an unforgettable stay with your family. If creative, the owner may offer cultural performances and challenging board games of chance and strategy. Make it a wonderful experience in a unique way for your loved ones.
If considered, make sure the hostel is in a strategic location, complete with facilities and amenities for holistic “staycation.” Put elements, such as WiFi connection, cold and hot bath shower and massage chairs, that provide a new lifestyle experience for first time and frequent visitors.
Special attention should be given to the tourism industry in the next three years, as it is perceived as a key player in generating jobs and raising revenues. I see that the Dalipog administration’s economic agenda drifting in the direction infrastructure spending. Henceforth, putting up hostels is a priority initiative that will allow Ifugao to sustain economic growth which is inclusive. It is therefore vital for the Dalipog administration to be able to successfully implement its economic agenda, as this will determine the fate of Ifugao’s economy and invariable the people’s plight. Ultimately, therefore, the objective is bit to serve the best interest of the people. Particularly, those that come in contact with the Office of the Governor in the discharge of its functions as executive arm of the provincial government and this is the stark reality. Oddly, the province’s poorest households mistakenly view it as a charity ward. I see a sequel in the making. Long line of folks applying for jobs in the first three weeks of the incumbency of the new governor and most of them are supporters and campaigners.
Tourism is of growing importance as a source of foreign exchange in the provinces of Cebu, Albay, Ilocos Norte, Batangas and Zamboanga del Norte. But not in Ifugao by any means. A hostel is a key fixture in the tourism industry. Ifugao has hostels in Banaue, Kiangan and Mayoyao. The province is in a bind. So much still has to be done. Avoiding unnecessary delay in pushing for the construction of hostels in Ifugao is simply absurd and ridiculous.
I cannot overemphasize the urgency. The time to put up hostels in Ifugao and modernize the tourism industry is now.
Upon getting a glimpse of the future in the tourism industry, Ifugao folks get to see the real winners and losers in the last elections. Remember they are equally entitled to living a good life as officials are obligated to serve them dutifully and faithfully well at all times.
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I remembered it vividly that on May 16, 2017, Tribu-tau dancers of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya performed to a small crowd at Bagabag Airport to welcome the inaugural flight of Wakay Air from Clark (or the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga). It was a bright Tuesday morning.
Ifugao officials proclaimed that the Clark to Bagabag flight shall boost the province’s tourist arrivals, stressing that travelers are heading straight to Banaue. I admit that I’m one of those confused and clueless individuals on why the flights of this obscure South Korean budget-carrier apparently were halted and the tiny airport hardly operates at all. Figures come next, particularly busloads of tourists going to the world-famous rice terraces of Banaue. Only, a handful of tourists from Europe aboard Ohayami Trans buses from Sampaloc, Manila and Baguio City were seen.
The celebrations by highly-placed officials and visiting Department of Tourism officials at the plush Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel in the afternoon and evening highlighted the jovial mood of May 16, 2017. Two years after, they found themselves clueless what went wrong. Look at the numbers and facts and realize the blunders committed by those who walk in the corridors of power. It is pretty clear to me as to where the failures lie. Ifugao folks can ill-afford of such mistakes. Put such mindset in the garbage bin!
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By12:01 noon of June 30, 2019, Solomon Chungalao, Jerry Dalipog and Glenn Prudenciano have already assumed the positions of Representative, Governor and Vice Governor, respectively. It is not going to be a walk in the park for them. Many are watching them. On hindsight, May 13, 2019 provided them the opportunity to serve in such lofty positions. Well, someone has to remind them: People just got back the government!
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By 12:01 noon of June 30, 2019, it should no longer be “Business as Usual” in the Ifugao government. The provincial government should expand. Actions and initiatives must take a new breadth, depth and magnitude in 2019 and every year thereafter. May there be more changes to come!
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By 12:01 noon of June 30, 2019, the demand for good governance grows. The men and women under the Dalipog administration should be told: Better governance means better services!
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By 12:01 noon of June 30, 2019, Representative Solomon Chungalao, Governor Jerry Dalipog and Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano need not look back to a bitter past. It will only be counterproductive!
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By 12:01 noon of June 30, 2019, Representative Chungalao, Governor Dalipog and Vice Governor Prudenciano have to undertake major adjustments in strategy and program of actions to save the province. Otherwise, dissatisfaction among the populace is not going to dissipate!
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Congratulations to Kenneth Yang of Hingyon, Ifugao, one of the 261 graduates of the Philippine Military Academy. The program was held at Fort del Pilar in Baguio City. He is a member of the “Mabalasik Class of 2019.” I wish Cadet First Class Yang be blessed with the uniform of righteousness and the full armor of God while serving the people.
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I wish Board Member-elect Joselito Guyguyon good health so that he will be able to realize his vision to lift Ifugao folks from decades of hunger and difficulties. I pray that the outgoing Kiangan mayor finds wisdom in the people’s demands to spearhead reforms at the provincial board that continue to drag the poor deeper into poverty.
Instituting good governance at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should result to the reversal of the “failures” of the august body related to the issues on the alleged misuse of “pork barrel” funds. The idea of discarding the practice of dangling “pork barrel” funds to board members was taken from a “covenant” signed by candidates during a forum on good governance in Lagawe shortly before the polls. Many signed it. I recalled Mayor Guyguyon also affixed his signature. It was a welcome development. The optimism is not at all unfounded. If the winners (who at the same time signed the historic paper) keep their word and carry the same spirit of innovation for genuine change, people can expect better things from the lawmakers and make their promises to make their lives better happen.
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It’s good to know what happened in the past and learn from it. A case in point: Competitiveness stature of Ifugao. I got it from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ifugao Director Valentin Baguidudol that Ifugao’s last ranking was 50th according to the National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
I have said time and again that Ifugao has the potential to be a key driver in the nation’s economic development if its leaders are competent and visible at most times. With effort and dedication, Ifugao will become a competitive province. Is it possible? Of course, Yes! How do you do it? Exercise strong political exercise in pushing competitiveness in Ifugao’s 11 municipalities. Governor-elect Dalipog has no choice. If he doesn’t build strong local government units (LGUs), he cannot build a sustainable, competitive province. It is as simple as that.
To join the ranks of the “ten most competitive provinces in the Philippines,” Ifugao must make the grade based on an index that gauged a local government in terms of economic dynamism, efficiency and infrastructure. May Governor-elect Dalipog take on this challenge and serve as a leader and inspiration for all municipal government officials in the province. I am confident that the incoming governor shall meet the challenge. The story of the Seal of Good Local Governance Award conferred to Banaue under the tenure of Mayor Jerry Dalipog is a story of competing, creating and connecting. It is a story of painstakingly nurturing and growing a town in rural Philippines.
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Something is crazy out there in Lagawe. An independent candidate for councilor, youthful Denmark Butic really impressed me of his credentials. He’s a national finalist of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2018 and international youth ambassador at Rangsit University in Thailand. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but Butic is a man blessed with an outstanding academic performance, leadership and involvement in community development. At a campaign sortie in Barangay Poblacion West I asked someone if Butic is in her list of preference on election day. The woman in her 40s answered: “I am not voting for an intelligent candidate.” Butic got 3,993 votes and placed tenth in a field of 15. Sadly, he lost. No matter how you see it, the impression that a bright candidate stands no chance of getting the support of incredibly stupid, lowly-educated voters is hard to refute. All told, the bobotantes prevailed!
Young professionals (Butic is a senior high school teacher at Ifugao Academy in Kiangan) in other places in the country that performed well in their careers will be recognized and honored by their town mates. But Lagawe folks did not have that orientation. They were unappreciative and unprepared.
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For our food delights corner: Let’s have a serving of tuna sandwich, French fries and chilled mango juice for snack time. Make sure that you’re generous with the mayonnaise. Add onions, pickle relish, salt, pepper and sugar. Home-prepared tuna sandwich is a great treat to your loved ones this summer. Just choose the best “pan de sal” or loaf bread from the bakery. The result is a signature tuna sandwich. If you have something else in mind at this time of the year, begin your full day on June 1 with this hearty treat. Treat yourself with this delectable merienda item. Complete it with a prayer for the blessings at the table.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our readers: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts and so never, never, never give up.” Late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
“I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.” Ps 30.2, 5-6**
