By Anthony A. Araos
Barangay Duit in Kiangan town truly possesses a wealth of beauty and resources for incoming municipal government officials (as well as provincial government officials) to understand and appreciate in order to elevate the tourism industry to greater heights.
In this scenic village, human and natural resources serve as vivid testimonies of the tangible and intangible heritage of the province. Bring home photographs of the rice fields and playful children and see the brilliance of a jewel embedded in an unspoiled landscape.
Stories from my friends and their insights easily confirm personal belief about what it takes to break into the global market, which can be distilled into two words: competitiveness and communication.
You thought this is just an ordinary village. It isn’t. Local and foreign tourists are likely to be attracted by lush sceneries. There are butterflies and birds. A friend of mine from Torku, Finland, who visited the village some years back was fascinated by the sights of this place. She said: “I can’t believe Filipinos have yet to fully appreciate the value of the rich environment. Obviously, most folks in this part of the country don’t think green.
In one of my trips from Asipulo town to Lamut, I saw picturesque views of rice sheaves at a place not too far from Duit Elementary School. This is precisely the reason I told my friends from Galveston, Texas to visit the place. They’re planning a trip next year.
Well, I think it is about time to consider a trip to barangay Duit as it guarantees a pleasant, relaxing and learning experience to all.
No need to wait for 2020 to visit this village. Experience the gift of beauty and bounty of barangay Duit now. Explore more with a Duit trip along with your family.
It is a rare privilege for a tourism and environment advocates like me to strongly endorse the inclusion of barangay Duit in Kiangan’s tourism program for the remaining period of 2019 and beyond as the “next destination” to Mayor-elect Raldis Bulayungan, Vice Mayor-elect Michelle Baguilat and Councilor–elect Janni Albano- the best choice to chair the Committee on Tourism at the Sangguniang Bayan.
Every action or work done by the incoming municipal government officials in Kiangan to improve the plight of their constituents and invariably thank God, such as putting up of a signage at the boundary of Kiangan and Lagawe and at the town proper or poblacion area to show how far barangay Duit is, is an essential element of promoting good governance. Just a reminder!
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May I commend Atty. Romeo Aguilar Jr., acting provincial election supervisor II of Ifugao, for the conduct of the elections in the province last May 13.
He belongs to the league of outstanding public servants willing to lay down the foundation of protecting the sanctity of the ballot. His courage and love of country, as well as the dedication and hard work of his personnel at the Comelec office in Lagawe, served as a guiding torch for the successful conduct of the polls in the midst of great challenges.
I am optimistic that this feat will be replicated in the other provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in 2022.
In tracking progress in counting the votes, canvassing the election returns and proclaiming the winners, I have no doubts whatsoever that the success should be attributed to Atty. Aguilar and his devoted staff. As I witnessed their actions- for instance, painstaking work of Jhoy Lunag during the canvassing at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, it became clear to me why these personnel were recognized by many for what took place at the crucial stage of the electoral exercise. To Atty. Aguilar and the men and women of his office: I salute all of you. Mabuhay kayong lahat!
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If possible, I am willing to confer a special award to the Parish Pastoral Center for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) for its participation in the just-concluded polls. How would I rate its level of operations? In a scale of one to ten, I’ll give the PPCRV a grade of eight. The story of the PPCRV’s engagement in Ifugao, for example, demonstrated the Catholic Church’s resolve to ensure the conduct of free, honest and orderly elections, and it is essential if Filipinos intend to attain political maturity during election time. I am looking forward to the possibility that the PPCRV puts more premium on voters’ education program in the 2022 presidential elections. It should wage a massive information education campaign (IEC) on this matter at the grassroots level. By doing so, will allow the people to reap what the PPCRV is actually seeking. Again, congratulations to the PPCRV volunteers in Ifugao, particularly Leo Umilia of Hingyon.
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The dwindling number of foreign tourists in Ifugao is seen to further widen after the summer season when the rainy season ushers in by next month or June of this year. Of course, the main factor is the lack of a sound, updated and well-attuned tourism program. For short, it largely aggravates the problem. This reflected the need for the provincial government to craft a new tourism masterplan as a means of addressing the tourism industry’s dismal record.
Governor-elect Dalipog and Vice Governor-elect Prudenciano should prioritize the need to revive the tourism industry. In today’s highly competitive environment, tourism-related businesses are constantly working under heavy pressure to maintain a steady cash earning flow. Any loss can harm the owner’s revenue stream which may easily lead to bankruptcy. Unfortunately, the provincial government is still stuck with age-old mindset on running the tourism industry. Last year, I asked an official if there is a plan to put up an airport in Ifugao and he replied: “No need for one because of the Bagabag airport.” Stupid, the province has 11 towns and Bagabag is not one of them. Bagabag is a municipal of Nueva Vizcaya province. Besides, the Bagabag airport hardly operates. There is no airplane. Well, there are only cats and dogs at the short runway! Such beliefs are not only prone to human error of misjudgement but are also prone to negatively impact economic productivity as they don’t generate jobs and income.
Thus, my recommendations: Hold a People’s Consultative Summit to jumpstart the tourism industry in the province. In attendance are owners of tourism enterprises and front liners. Specifically, owners of rest areas, restaurants, hotels and lodging inns, eco-lodges, homestays, tourist shops, specialty shops, tourism recreation establishments, agritourism farm sites, ESL (English as Second Language) schools and travel and tour agencies. Don’t forget the mountain and tour guides as well as heads of tertiary hospitals and head of the Philippine Red Cross-Ifugao Chapter.
Please hold this activity with Governor-elect Dalipog, Vice Governor-elect Prudenciano, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member who is the chairman of the Committee on Tourism and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Carmelita Buyuccan in attendance. No need for so many department heads in attendance. Think of the enormous money you’ll save!
It is high time to modernize the operations of establishments related to providing accommodation for tourists. It is not simply too late in the day of providing facilities with high-quality beds, hot and cold shower, bath and bedroom amenities, free WiFi and buffet breakfast for guests. Online booking system should be considered as it is an attraction for tourists. Rates are usually cheaper the earlier a client or guest books. The concept of operating bed and breakfast establishments is also worth looking into. This well-planned blueprint is indeed a welcome and winning development with distinct competitive advantage aimed at offering foreign travelers hard to resist extra mileage during their stay here. This is the most opportune time to make sure that the tourism-related facilities in Ifugao pass the Department of Tourism’s qualifications and standards. A push for modernization for whom? All of the news that there were 1,034,396 arrivals from the United States in the Philippine in 2018 and yet, a few hundredths went to Ifugao leads us to ask, “For whom?” Such action is integral to raise the occupancy rate of Ifugao’s lodging inns. It should help owners entice more tourists.
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I never doubted the capacity of Board Member-elect Agustin Calya-en to serve beyond the confines of the Tinoc municipal hall. About two months prior to filing his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for the said position in the first district of the province, at a meeting of the Kilos Pagbabago (KP) at Martinez Restaurant in Lagawe, I pleaded my case for him to run for board member instead of throwing his hat in the mayoralty race in Tinoc. Calya-en served as vice mayor of Tinoc. I told him that he shall be in a better position to help his impoverished townmates if he makes it in the provincial board. “You have a perfect opportunity to serve them even further through the passage of laws that champion their well-being and advance the overall development of Ifugao,” I stressed. All told, Calya-en agreed. It was witnessed by Emerita Dunuan-Allaga of Lamut, another key KP officer. In the May 13, 2019 polls, Calya-en obtained 17,529 votes and placed third in a field of 16. I was not surprised when he even outvoted two reelectionist board members. He worked very hard each day of the campaign period. I told him to concentrate on the various cooperatives. After all, Calya-en is the head of the Tinoc-based Kalanguya Cultural Community Multipurpose Cooperative. It is hoped that Board Member-elect Calya-en focuses on an in-depth study of the mounting poverty problem in the province in order to strengthen an action agenda plan to ease the people’s difficulties brought about by economic deprivation.
Focus on the economy not on Kulpi and Gotad. Election spending is over. This phenomenon is good because it provided a boost to consumer demand, helping keep growth levels up. Sadly, it only offered meager allowances to volunteers and poll watchers. Now, it is back to reality. Many are poor. Many are jobless. The goal of eradicating poverty will require structural reforms that lead to higher investments in infrastructure, health and education. Infuse funds for the construction of farm-to-market roads, resolution of the Ifugao General Hospital controversy and public school facilities instead of floats for the Gotad ad Ifugao.
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Believe it or not: Atty. Joan Shielah Nalliw of Mayoyao, Ifugao topped the senatorial race in Ifugao. She obtained 70,602 votes and even fared better than re-electionist Sen. Cynthia Villar, who emerged on top of the “Magic 12.” In other words, Nalliw won in a province but lost in the other 80 provinces. Certainly, she is well-positioned for a 2022 run in Ifugao for a highly-placed post. At best, she should continue advancing women’s rights in the province. I hope she stays at the very core of the reason for championing the people’s inherent right to be able to contribute to nation building. Her decision to run as an independent and battle moneyed politicians ignited the commitment to give voice for the voiceless, to be heard and to act on matters that concern the society and nation.
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“Thank you” streamers and tarpaulins of winners of various positions in the last elections are all over in Ifugao. Of course, their expression of gratitude is understandable. I even saw one saying, “Thank you for your unending support,” as if to infer that there is a lingering thought of staying in power forever. Well, the words “Thank you,” sadly are defined as being expressed only by a few Ifugao folks. The attitude of not saying “Thank you” passed from generation to generation. It is time for the province’s incoming top three officials to lead in re-educating folks, most especially the young, to say “Thank you” when a favor has been extended to them.
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For our food delights corner: Welcome to a wonderful lunch time treat of chicken barbecue. Make sure to have it marinated for quite some time, with soy, garlic, pepper, salt and a generous serving of some other special herbs. Served best with java rice, macaroni soup and mixed vegetables. Then pamper yourself and loved ones with avocado, mocha cake and chilled apple juice. You’ll agree it is a totally yummy meal at the table. Still, in the evening this chicken BBQ meal is best paired with spaghetti. Guiltless Thoughts column certified: Good to the last piece. This is absolutely an unmatched meal. Just don’t forget to pray for the Lord’s blessings for the day.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
“We wait for the blessed hope- the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13**
