LAGAWE, IFUGAO — Ifugao Governor Jerry Dalipog made a strong pitch for the provincial government’s programs and projects in 2024 during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the capitol building in Lagawe.
Gov. Dalipog expects to sustain the province’s growth momentum in the remainder month of this year and second half of 2025. A long time partner of the civilian sector, Dalipog emphasized the importance of affording the citizenry experience of the social and economic prospects of Ifugao since the growth momentum of the province is in “good track.” Dalipog said well-planned blueprints for development have been delivering efficiencies that have resulted in better conditions of Ifugao folks. It was achieved through dynamic arrangements in the streamlining of government operations. “We’ve done so much together and I look forward to collaborating with you all again and nurturing the relationships we’ve built,” he said in an exclusive inter-view.
Let’s see some of the details. For many months prior to the SOPA, certain offices understood that it would be important to be productive. The Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) and fore-runners of the Tertiary Educational Assistance Program (TEAP) have proved that they were correct. Good performances prove the capacity of officers to manage government funds effectively and efficiently. Positive performance should be rewarded. Dalipog proudly underscored the high marks of his admin-istration in terms of delivery of public goods and services even as the governor unveiled other plans at the just-concluded SOPA.
In putting devel-opment first, the Dalipog administra-tion truly needs a mas-ter-planned, future-oriented road map to make a turnaround for this largely poor province. At the end of his speech, the les-sons are very clear, leaders in the public and private sectors have to stand united toward a common goal in order to bring about the best inside all of folks. Above all, a leadership that thinks and acts be-yond politics.
Nevertheless , NGOs continue to play an important role in shaping up policies and influencing the “directions” of pro-grams designed to put more emphasis on the poor.
Efforts recognized by several quarters in infrastructure development, is an “honor.”This will re-ally impact us to be even more creative in engaging various communities,” Jess Toribio said in an-other interview. He is the punong barangay of Calupaan in Alfonso Lista town. Dalipog said he’s proud of a number of key road openings and improvements in the province as well as a highly-touted sports complex facility. For example, he stressed the completion of road improvements at the Sto. Domingo to Hapid Road, a major artery also traversing the villages of Halog, Maguitawa, Dulao and Tupaya. It is an eye opener because public funds are being utilized to trans-form people’s lives.
This is on top of “accomplishments” of the third-term-seeking governor. In-roads in health and sanitation as well as education, peace and order, agriculture, so-cial welfare, environ-ment and governance were highlighted. Their concerns and many others provided a wealth of informa-tion of the immediate fact and are consid-ered helpful for folks to help them “learn and grow” in the near-distant time line. One accomplish-ment to another, to another were lauded. It easily jumps for-ward. That is great to see happening be-cause it is quite diffi-cult to gather a large crowd except during the inaugural address of the governor. And it is even harder to list down one’s plans to surpass one’s prede-cessor.
The SOPA is an important tool for sus-tained discussions between the governor and different stake-holders so that the general public stayed informed about the government’s devel-opment thrust. It is also essential for the governor to bring to-gether the public and private sector through his role to link the efforts with the national govern-ment.
Many were even elated that the gover-nor discussed vital priorities of his ad-ministration unbe-knownst to them. The SOPA is just one event to power with loud cheers and applauses. This is bet-ter than only one side of the story.
For sure, there are always pros and cons in an issue. Be not in-different, open one’s eyes and seek solu-tions to problems. Poverty incidence across the province remains high. Ifugao remains one of the most unequal in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with income shares of the poorest and richest portions of the population practically stagnant because for decades poor flea market vendors pay “ unthinkable ” kwartais fees. Its abolition will not only improve their way of life, but also reduce prices of commodities, thus, strengthening the purchasing power of consumers. How about the plight of chronically under-paid teachers and low-income folks, like jeepney and tricycle drivers? Truth to tell, poor folks will not be happy because they are hungry. At least, the problem will only persists for a longer time.
In other places, things were different too. At the Lagawe flea market, by 8 a.m. a young girl be-gin to sell banana chips. While an old woman was begging to buy medicine for a sick loved one in Lamut. Malnourishment was another complaint in a Hungduan village. There’s so much uncertainty ahead of folks insofar as the burden of the high cost of living is concerned. Are they looking for a vibrant leader?
“Governor Dalipog is a hardworking leader. His track record speaks for itself,” former Banaue Councilor Chester Bahatan said. Bahatan also exhorted others to sup-port the office of the governor, saying “I hope that we, all together unified, can push the agenda of the government.”
What other officials provincial, municipal and barangay levels need to do is to step up and help out in any way they can, serving as an inspiration to many others to also do their share for everyone in need, above all, abide by the spirit of service by keeping their hands off from politics. Don’t delay prioritizing the poor. Thinking of their welfare is key. If not, the province will further surely suffer. **By Anthony A. Araos
