By Anthony A. Araos
Not being an Ifugao, (I’ll never be one), I had to look up exactly what a “successful businessman” means in this poverty-stricken province. Here’s what I astonishingly found.
Left and right business establishments are closing for various reasons. Thus, the number of jobless folks increases. Well, to date there are still a few jobs in the so-called “underground economy” of selling second-hand clothes known as “ukay ukay” at the flea market. Add to the list trade fairs for a couple of weeks or so during the Christmas season.
Most business owners are saying that losses are huge. Sales are slow and insignificant. This took place in the yuletide period of 2024 and so there’s nothing even remotely to think positive by January 2025 since Filipinos already went to a buying spree at the year-end holidays. In Lagawe, many entrepreneurs simply felt bad about it. After all, they also experienced the harsh effects of the high cost of living.
Moving around here and across the province truly gave me an opportunity to meet diverse group of businessmen to fulfill the sourcing needs of this one-of-a- kind “study” Alas, I found one a soft-spoken, decent, God-fearing well-established businessman who aptly fits the description in this part of the Cordilleras. He’s Romeo Buhong of Barangay Poblacion South, one of the few business exemplars in Lagawe.
With him as a role model, I’m confident to drive this point, thereby helping intensify the drive to inspire and motivate others to take a similar direction.
So, I opted to say something good of him, a heaven-sent “new” acquaintance, to IGEMCO general manager Godfrey Dominong only to hear, “Wala yan” (That’s nothing). All this sounds too far off, it is sobering to note that Mr. Dominong-another friend of mine for the longest time, has a rift or conflict with my “new” friend over issues on the cooperative he operates.
The horrifying truth is that, so far as ties of Ifugao business owners is concerned, no one is willing to take the second slot. They’re into a pulling each other downwards “war”. There is too much “crab mentality” among Ifugao folks. Such connotation for showing the ill-character of large numbers of hitherto “me first, not you” thinking people could become, in effect, transform Ifugao into the “crab capital” of the country in which individuals help shape their own destinies through distrust. Imagine, there are many others like this one. That would suck. It is with a heavy heart that I’m describing the situation out of here. But that’s the truth.
Yet, I’m fervently praying for the resurgence of the business sector in Lagawe with well-meaning businessmen like Bahong at the forefront.
This is in large part to the challenges prevalent in this sector. Competitiveness is a key factor in economic prosperity. In the Cordillera Administrative Region alone, the capital town of Lagawe must work triply hard to catch up with the rest of the capital towns of the region. It is far, far, far behind Bontoc of Mountain Province.
The private sector plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth in Lagawe and elsewhere. Many are looking forward to dynamic business leaders like Buhong and they should be ready to help the “incoming” administration in Lagawe, ready to help collaborate on an economic agenda that will be conducive to immediate business recovery.
Already credited for a number of development projects and reportedly a planned hotel in the pipeline, Buhong is ever committed to work proactively and harmoniously with the municipal and provincial government to realize the vision of providing employment, eradicating poverty and achieving a resilient economy.
Town folks are now speaking up. It gives them a “source of pride” for having a goal-oriented and kind-hearted businessman in the person of Romeo Buhong, for he supports nongovernment organizations and professes his philanthropic philosophy in many ways for senior citizens and women.
With excellence, leadership, integrity and passion, Buhong- who is neither a politician nor a candidate in the May 12, 2025 midterm polls, is n a position to encourage others to work hard for a better future. Why should this be true? For courage grows with each small step you take.
With Lagawe poor folks now dramatically experiencing untold economic suffering amid skyrocketing prices, the town is in dire need of businessmen with a “conscience” and a “new” mayor- who is highly-educated and experienced to take care of the people’s needs. The forthcoming electoral exercise is presenting a golden opportunity for them to make a genuine change. If offers them an obvious and decisive choice.
For decades now, the costs of dismal business performance of a town are similarly borne by business owners and community even though, as is often the case, the sources of economic malfunction are traceable to individuals in the executive and legislative departments.
In my observation, business and public sector leaders need a new mindset. Listen to the voices of young professional leaders. They know exactly what Lagawe needs.
In terms of exports, technologies, productivity efficiencies, costs of doing business, red tape and many other yardsticks, Lagawe’s economy should ideally, really be globally competitive. Fundamentally, this requires the adoption of proactive measures geared to understand and prioritize the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To those at the municipal hall, if you don’t know that MSMEs make up 99.5 percent of businesses and generate millions of jobs for Filipinos, it is not too late for you to go back to Lagawe Central School. I’m sure Mr. Buhong (as well as others in the business community) shares this sentiment.
Henceforth, let him inspire others to give Ifugao folks better than benchmark outputs through active and better business operations and management practices. This is fueled by Buhong’s optimism that the nation’s economy will sustain its growth if the people’s welfare is first and foremost. By proactively taking part in project opportunities that will bolster progress and economic growth, Buhong just reinvented the future. Simply told, tomorrow is here! Success will be yours over, over and over in 2025 and beyond. Your initiatives had considerable influence on the people. You have inspired others to strive to be the best versions of them.**
