By Anthony A. Araos
Over the last three days, I’ve gotten a very good picture of the money-driven character of elections in poverty-stricken Ifugao.
It’s not my first time to interact with so many candidates at the local level across 11 towns of the province. It means there’s a lot of vote-buying and vote-selling. Moreover, folks all over the province are placing bets. The bets are a strong indicator that this is the most expensive elections in Ifugao’s history. Of great interest: The congressional race between incumbent Rep. Solomon Chungalao, a lawyer of Mayoyao and challenger Engineer Francis Cuyop of Lamut. Chungalao is the candidate of the Lakas-CMD while Cuyop is with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Apparently, Cuyop is mounting a serious challenge. How serious is it? If the winning margin is slim, I expect long-drawn poll protest. For now, each is claiming the upper hand.
Campaign expenses for aspirants in posts like mayor, vice mayor and councilor are equally sky-high. See how many things never change! After the polls, the moneyed candidates are still rich. Poor folks are still poor- wallowing in hand-to-mouth existence in underserved remote villages. After assuming office, these “traditional politicians” (who are addressed as “Honorable”) are just going to recoup their huge expenses in preparation for the 2028 elections. There’s a lot of room for corruption schemes. Thus, these so-called “development” projects suffer. Proof: substandard roads in detriment to the welfare of the people, especially the poor.
Well, folks are finally close to witnessing an end of this crazy exercise of suffrage. Imagine barangay treasurers soliciting “financial assistance” of a congressional bet for their “swimming” trip. End of days for free shirts, caps and other freebies for the bobo-tantes. End of noisy campaign jingles. End of drinking sprees here and there at caucuses. End of mudslinging. End of the sing and dance antics of pulpul-iticos. No debates- for voters to know and understand the issues thus, no means for enhancement of “informed choices”. Above all, end of the circus!
Governor Jerry Dalipog’s development flagship project is a multi-storey multipurpose building in Lagawe and is anchored on proactive governance. It’s success will redound to the growth of the province and its people. This potential can only be achieved if efforts are done to undercut underdevelopment project and push for modernization.
The building offers ample parking space. Lagawe’s longstanding lack of ample parking space easily turns off visitors. The building would definitely boost the tourism and economy of Ifugao and at the same time allows folks easy access to government services.
As much as possible, the proposed “Tourism Center” of Engr. Francis Cuyop is worth looking into. Problem is in his sleek “One Ifugao” campaign booklet, there are no details of its site and cost. It pointed out to the “establishment of the Tourism and Transportation Center”. But, there is already a Vehicle Terminal in the Ifugao Sports Complex. Quality of communication mode determines the result of an election. Going back to my earlier commentary “ long-term tourism perspective,” I urged for the formulation of a Tourism Development Plan. Since then, individuals in the private sector expressed their support for the idea.
A seminar on women with disabilities was held recently in Lagawe. Ironically, no effort was made to implement the Accessible Polling Places (EAPPs) program in Ifugao for elderly and PWDs, continue each day. Unthinkable, very unthinkable indeed!
Over at the Ifugao flea market, I’m calling for scrapping of the “kwartais” fees on vendors. It will dramatically ease their economic suffering and high cost of living.
Matter of days, the elections is finally over, but the quest to attain sustainable and inclusive economic growth continues each second of the day. End of the tarpaulin and TV campaign ads of “showbiz” politicians, but certainly not skyrocketing prices, widespread joblessness and depressed wages. With consistency in actions of a still few well-meaning officials- driven by an accountable, inclusive and transformative governance, perhaps, will help secure a breathing space for the widest majority of have-nots the dream land known as “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines)**
