LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – As quick, relaxing and easy as taking a modern jeepney ride from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, it takes only an hour and a half to two hours for a visitor to reach the capital town of Ifugao currently offering fresh rambutan delights- ripe and ready to be relished at any time of the day.
This town of 20 villages has typical stores and business establishments in various forms and sizes where you can savor these seasonal and highly- sought rambutan fruits- easily the best produce of this far away town.
Years old rambutan trees sprawl across Lagawe- even in remote villages. Backyards supposedly are dotted with such trees. Yet town folks give little attention to them. This childish behavior certainly resulted in simply falling in the ground and placed so much in the tally of losses in production on business owners who had to even borrow money for their operations.
Presently, rambutan is selling at Php 50 to Php 60 a kilo here. There is everything to gain in each stop. The point is, frankly, the villages of Burnay, Caba and Cudog are known for rambutan raisers.
Believe it or not, a store at Barangay Poblacion East just along the main highway posted this sign- Php 1 per rambutan for sale. This practice is so disgusting that it should not be copied elsewhere.
Rambutan has a huge export potential to diversity and expand the country’s agricultural exposit earnings. First and foremost, of course, is that all phyto sanitary requirements refer to rules and regulations that certify that any agricultural products being traded is free from any posts and diseases and does not pose any threats to human, plant and animal health.
Small business owners are still presently having difficulty recapitalizing their businesses. They are in due need of a stimulus packages and linkages to a wider market, especially in the field of agriculture and tourism.
Its high time supporting livelihood ventures to alleviate poverty.
“Educating our folks on the merits of registering a business entity as a Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) is so important,” a former Poblacion West kagawad said.
Requirements for the issuance of BMBE certificate of authority is free, as provided for by Republic Act No. 9178. This approach aligns with the practice of helping entrepreneurs with limited resources.
In time for the Yuletide season it is timely for concerned individuals in Lagawe to talk about plans of increasing incomes out of bountiful rambutan harvests.
The most exciting experience surely would be conducting a Rambutan Festival. True to test the true rambutan lover!
Educated folks are optimistic about the prospects of holding one in December or in 2026 thus scaling up the town’s gasping economy. Many of them are calling on officials to take immediate action to reduce poverty.
During the festival, producers and buyers shall interface to strengthen the capacity to overcome joblessness and related problems at the same time draw tourists.
In this first-ever festivity, make no mistakes that Lagawe- with the all-out backing of Mayor Lesli Roy “Bambi” Nahayangan, is going all out to welcome each visitor- local or foreign.
Collective efforts are needed to address current challenges. Time to enhance productivity, efficiency and resiliency of startups! Also utilize agricultural lands known for its fertile soil. This would directly benefit the near-poor Lagawe folks through subsidy or aid. **By Anthony A. Araos
