By Anthony A. Araos
Former Board Member Nora Luglug has staged a comeback at the provincial government. Not at the SP but, at the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) as its head. Her second stint as Ifugao Cultural Heritage Officer was based on the intrinsic merits and visible impact of works in the past. Indeed, Governor Dalipog made the right decision to once more tap her expertise. More importantly, it brought forth the relevance of the interconnection between tourism and cultural heritage.
Going back to a former job is a very serious task. It is the path to greatness. More often people do not see the whole path in front of them, but they can take the next step. Luglug, also a former Lagawe councilor, took a simple action when the governor asked her to go back to public service. She chose to go back to the same position.
All told, Mrs. Luglug remained under the radar despite her impressive portfolio. In other words, she remained humble all these years.
Along with her staff, there is no doubt that the ICHO will pour in more inspiration, motivation, time, resources and efforts to promote the objectives of the office. Of course, there are obstacles along the way. Nevertheless, Mrs. Luglug is known for doing her best at all times. Let me say that many folks will continue supporting the ICHO so as to chronicle the richness of the province’s culture to the whole world. But it doesn’t stop there right now. As it is, there is interconnection of the ICHO and tourism promotion. I am not talking about tourism promotion not only in arrivals of foreign travelers but in services as well. And I have seen it many other provinces in the Philippines but also in other countries. This kind of interaction between the tourism industry and ICHO will surely serve the best interests of Ifugao and its people.
There is virtue in interconnections of tourism and ICHO. Strengthening links would increase job generation, provide livelihood and augment local folks’ quality of life. If this is deemed as act of raising too much expectation, so be it. Everything boils down to promote “greater goal” or “greater good.” I may add ensure a “greater ICHO” and “greater Ifugao.”
Because of this development, I am looking forward at having new outlook and approach to raising the ante in bringing the ICHO closer to the people, most especially the young. Watch out for incoming developments as I’m forwarding some recommendations to her office. Recently, I urged Mrs. Luglug to consider the conduct of the “Ifugao Weaving Festival” as one of her tasks in her first 100 days in office. There is no better event to think of than to hold the “Ifugao Weaving Festival” and rediscover what better way to understand and appreciate the fact that the best weavers in the country are in Ifugao. And yes, it’s possible to hold one even with global-class brand.
While Ifugao folks think they should be “happy and proud” with their woodcarvers in the background, the weavers here actually for so long have been giving them good reasons to stand ten feet tall.
The underlying principle here is for the ICHO to adopt a new mindset as a means of taking into consideration of modern-day realities, while laying down the mechanisms to ensure that awareness and consciousness of the youth of their culture are raised. The challenge for the new ICHO leadership is to not just be a custodian of age-old tribal tools but stand side-by-side with other meaningful institutions and entities in the private sector in promoting growth and development. I share the belief in the effectiveness of ICHO to advance development and alleviate poverty.
It’s time to rediscover ICHO, reinvigorate the woodcarving industry and make use of murals to ensure untidy walls are pleasing to the eyes to tourists. Opening an ICHO Satellite office (let’s say in Mayoyao) for this purpose is also recommended.
In this regard and in the interest of the tourism industry, prayers should be offered for ICHO’s success in the next three years. I also offer my prayers for the office. May this commentary inspire Mrs. Luglug and her staff to teach the youth about love of God and country. I think they are about to engage in an important work and face monumental challenges. To the staff: for your commitment, I salute you! Stick with your boss. Let us also pray for them because they need all the energy, commitment and devotion they can muster at work. I foresee opportunity of continuing success at the ICHO for the stance of promoting Ifugao’s cultural heritage is undeniably firm and unmovable.
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At the just-concluded “Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Forum” (also billed as “Ifugao Forum on Good Governance II”) at Don Bosco High School Gymnasium in Lagawe, Budget officer Virginia Farro showed her superb knowledge of the budget process, I was not to be disappointed with her explanations, but may I add can anyone really not be disappointed if Board Member Ceasario Cabbigat, chairman of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations, only attended this all-important activity sponsored by various religious groups. Of course, not!
That said, I see the need for board members, most especially those who comprised the Committee on Budget, Finance and Appropriations (such as vice chairman Orlando Addug as well as members Agustin Calya-en, Noli Maguiwe and Perfecta Dulnuan) to buckle down to work to ensure the timely passage of the proposed provincial government budget for 2020. By doing so, this early, I’m commending them for giving utmost consideration of Governor Jerry Dalipog’s budget proposals as it could happen before the yearend. For short, SP members have to expedite their work on various vital outlays.
I, therefore, see the need for Budget Officer Farro to extend her helping hand to the Committee on Budget and Appropriations as it prepare, scrutinize and approve the proposed provincial government budget for next year in a transparent manner. In other words, conduct a community hearing or meeting under the public’s shadow. No, no, no- committee meetings on the budget should not take place without the presence of the people. Listen to the sentiments of the citizenry and let them take part in determining the allotment of public funds. Let them have a say of their fair share of the pie. After all, these funds are primarily derived from their taxes.
In the past, SP committee meetings were conducted in closed-door sessions, with only department heads or their representatives in attendance. This is shocking, to say the least. The past is definitely different from the present.
For her part, Mrs. Farro should now deal on macroeconomic assumptions and principles required in putting together a well-attuned budget for the impoverished province.
The way budget of developed provinces in the Philippines is prepared is unique, it goes beyond filling in the blanks for Personnel Services (PS) and Maintenance of Operating and Other Expenses (MOOE) items. It is important to realize that knowledge of macroeconomic theories is essential. It’s very evident in the law that the provincial government’s budget is intended to promote the common good. That’s why the people should be there during these committee meetings. I asked twenty folks the following query: “Do you think they’ll agree to allow the people to attend these committee meetings?” Only four said yes, two have no opinion and the rest obviously answered in the negative. But not everyone has given up hope, just yet, not me!
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So what do you say on the issue of Ifugao board members being tasked to identify projects?
Father John Habawel said: “It isn’t the job of the board member to do so.” I fully agree with him. To my mind, they should just concentrate on their legislative work. For short, just legislate laws.
Can you imagine a board member telling the crowd that a communal irrigation system in a distant barangay with 400 voters should be prioritized in the funding program? When lawmakers make pronouncements regarding the need to provide funds for a project rather than another, we can’t pretend everything is OK, in order to keep his or her constituents happy and invariably win there in the next elections. The act of identifying projects shall push the provincial government into a fiscal cliff of bankruptcy.
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Josefina can hardly make both ends meet with the Php300 her husband earns a day as a tricycle driver.
To support the needs of four children, Josefina, 40, had to work as utility to a board member at the SP.
Josefina, however, was not rehired because she merely worked there as job-ordered personnel. Clearly, she needs to find a job at this point of time.
Poverty incidence in Ifugao is mounting, despite the vehement denials of some key figures in the provincial government. The problem is that these people have high-paying jobs and are enjoying the comforts of their air-conditioned offices. They are living in elegant and decent houses, driving government-issued cars and eating delicious and expensive food. They are obviously detached from reality. How about the poor? These moneyed people should try living in a far-flung barangay for a week or so in order to experience the life of a downtrodden. It is high time for provincial government officials to see the despicable conditions of folks in remote, underserved villages and utilize them to plan better, genuine and concrete programs to ease or end poverty. The most common question among the people has to do with the poor, sick and the needy narrative. Tales of difficulties of the worst kind are buzzing in the air. Get out of your offices and you’ll really see what’s out there in depressed communities.
Sadly, many of these highly-placed public servants don’t even know the meaning of poverty threshold. It refers to the minimum income level for a family to meet its basic needs.
If you are receiving the minimum wage and you are more than three in the family that means you belong to the poor, It is only “proper” that if another forum is to be conducted by Fr. Habawel and others in his group, the discussions should be centered on poverty, what transpired to the covenant signed by winning candidates before the last May midterm polls and more participants being attracted from the private sector.
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Belatedly, (last August 1) may I express Happy Birthday greetings to my esteemed friend, Board Member Agustin Calya-en. Calya-en, a resident of Barangay Impugtong in Tinoc, Calya-en one time served a Project Coordinator of BCYA-UNFPA (2005-2010). Not only will this contribute to helping him get a fuller picture of the resources needed to finance relevant programs for the youth. I also served as consultant for adolescent and youth reproductive health of the Baguio Center for Young Adults and learned a lot from its Directress Marlene de Castro. Experience is priceless!
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Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: There are two flags in peaceful coexistence in Asia, particularly at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). What did the South Korean flag say to the North Korean flag?
Nothing at all, it just waved!
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Last July 24, seven persons died and three others were wounded in a road accident in Sitio Montanop, Barangay Chalalo in Aguinaldo, Ifugao.
I wish to see an inquiry, in aid of legislation, conducted by the SP on this matter. However, there’s no committee on transportation to even possibly look into this accident. It is indeed most unfortunate that based on said circumstances that SP is not in a position to investigate the road mishap.
The unabashed toleration of overloaded jeepneys make passengers squirm in their seats. Aging jeepneys and buses are still roaming Ifugao’s roads. I cannot overemphasize that the SP should play an instrumental role in safeguarding the riding public. If you want to prevent the occurrence of more accidents, start a SP probe now—before it’s too late!
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “The eradication of hunger and poverty should be our utmost priority.” Vice President Leni Robredo
“Peace does exist. It exists in your heart and soul.” Sharon Stone
“When you walk through the fires of adversity, you will not be burned.” Is 43:2**
