By Anthony A. Araos
Mayoyao is indeed a land of beauty and bounty. In the past, I discussed at length the merits of recommending this scenic town for local and foreign tourists to visit not just during its town fiesta, but also throughout the year. To this day, I still hold this sentiment.
There are numerous attractions of Mayoyao. Rice terraces, waterfalls and nature trails are breathtaking, to say the least. Of course, the Mayoyao town festivity is so colorful and spectacular. In a recent trip to Makati City, I met two Canadian tourists and recommended to them several places in Mayoyao to see this summer season in the Philippines. Recalling exactly what I told the two ladies from Toronto: “Take time to consider Mayoyao in your itinerary this April. Take a vacation to a wonderful get-away like no other.” They replied. “Well considered!” “There’s enough reason for us to pack our bags and head straight for Mayoyao,” they added. I’ wastotally elated.
Thinking about getting there soon is the best takeaway you get from summer. For a sun-kissed, sunbaked summer bring a lotion and don shades to protect your eyes from direct sunlight. Or just get carefree and relax this time of the year in the panoramic town of Mayoyao.
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Well folks, that’s the answer to the query on what’s the second top destination (after Banaue town) in Ifugao. Other towns are still in the thick of the fight for the third spot.
Congratulations to Mayoyao! Incoming officials of Mayoyao should keep up the excellent work to maintain the record.
The town’s next officials should introduce innovations to the annual fiesta and the famed Lenong Festival. For example, Mayoyao should hold a pageant, exhibition basketball and volleyball games and agricultural fair showcasing organically-raised vegetables and fruits. There should be interactive events featuring Mayoyao’s tourism attractions and destinations from rice terraces to Ifugao native huts.
It is also time to develop new destinations in the villages of Alimit, Banao, Chumag, Epeng, Nattum, Malbu and Talboc.
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The crucial role of the private sector in expanding sustainable tourism development is hard to dispute.
This is the key in resolving the tourism industry’s problems in Ifugao. Tapping the expertise of the men and women in the private sector is the best way of invigorating the tourism industry in this part of the country. We must harness the potentials of more knowledgeable individuals in the private sector because they are aware that the tourism industry contributes to the country’s employment and sustainable development.
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Years of underdevelopment across Ifugao fueled hopes of a prosperous new era. To many, the candidacy of Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog for governor is a welcome development. They say it is good news!
As Ifugao’s economy shows no sign of improvement and interest of most officials to make a turnaround wanes, many Ifugao folks are ending up as members of the poverty incidence club, quickly. Ifugao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Ifugao could have gained from the fact that Governor Pedro Mayam-o aligned himself with President Duterte shortly after the 2016 polls. He used to be with the then ruling LP before joining the administration PDP-Laban. It was seen as a wasted opportunity that failed to lead to economic development. Many argued that Governor Mayam-o could have asked Malacanang to build infrastructure that would have furthered growth and development. The PDP-Laban abandoned him and chose Timmy Mondiguing as its candidate for congressman. Mayam-o is running for the same position as an independent.
Hence, the candidacy of the so-called “President’s Man” in Ifugao is no guarantee of salvation. Slumping economies of Ifugao’s 11 towns have underscored the province’s vulnerability to the obvious preferential bias of Malacanang to Mindanao. More so now, with all eyes focused on rebuilding Marawi City and the establishment of the BangsaMoro Autonomous Region in Southern Philippines. What incoming provincial government officials need is a change in the way they approach the Chief Executive. You get from Malacanang Palace what you ask for! If this can be done by Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, who is with the Nacionalista Party and not the PDP-Laban, why can’t this be done in Ifugao? When this happens the province will never be the same, so to speak.
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Mayor Dalipog has shown outstanding performance and tenacity in developing successful programs aimed at upgrading the conditions of the people.
I found Mayor Dalipog to be a person who really knew what the problems of this province are and what is needed to fix them. If elected, Mr. Dalipog should explore ways to build factories and spur industries that would create jobs.
A brighter future of Ifugao as an important player of developing the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) may have just begun. I am confident that the Almighty Creator shall guide Mayor Dalipog in the pursuit of all efforts that can help make Ifugao more sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
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Poblacion West (in Lagawe) is celebrating its Barangay Fiesta on April 3 to 5. While I salute Punong Barangay Simplicia Dipia-o and the other officials for holding this festivity in order to foster ties among their constituents during the three-day period, I can’t help notice something intriguing with the fiesta’s theme of “Strengthening cultural practices amidst modernization.”
Don’t get me wrong on the following observation. I’m fully supportive of the efforts for the promotion of culture and the arts as well as preservation of heritage, customs and traditions and promotion of cultural activities which instill moral values. But for the nth time, Ifugao folks should be reminded that culture is evolving. For Ifugao folks, backpedaling is a sign not just of weakness, but of ignorance, exactly the reason that brought forth the conditions of underdevelopment. It is time to move on. It may be accurate to say that it is going to be very difficult for villagers to refrain from using their cellphones, laptops, computers or television sets from April 3 to 5 as a means of shunning the effects of modern-day age of information technology. It is wishful thinking!
I’m wondering why Ifugao folks despite their exposure to modern rationalities of doing things are still hampered by cultural hang-ups. In fact, a barangay council official can now promote and sell a handicraft item in a borderless economy he or she thought couldn’t happen four decades ago. So there is a pressing need to modernize things. You can and you should!
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Poblacion West Barangay Council officials, led by Punong Barangay Simplicia Dipia-o, should be lauded for their commitment to uplift the conditions of the people. Their noteworthy actions truly serve as an inspiration for their continuing commitment towards being an active and responsible partner of the national government. I’m impressed with the attitude of the officials in making sure that nobody gets left behind, most especially the marginalized sectors of society. They make sure that the poor get to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the council’s programs, projects and activities. To my mind, it makes sense to present and future generations of villagers here.
Relatedly, may I commend Barangay Treasurer Xyra Tayaban for demonstrating her leadership, sincerity, competence and commitment in incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for individuals, organizations and communities in the way they do business with the Poblacion North Barangay Council. Just like Punong Barangay Dipia-o, Ms. Tayaban has attended to the needs of villagers by offering them sufficient accessibility. To Ms. Tayaban: Congratulations, God bless and Mabuhay!
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Ifugao folks continue to say that moneyed politicians are likely to engage in vote-buying schemes in the coming elections. That’s the reason why the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting or PPCRV is in existence. It stands squarely against electoral fraud. The key to curbing this scheme and other anomalies is heightened vigilance and stronger community efforts of every household by PPCRV volunteer members. Ifugao folks have no choice but to continue to hope for an end of this practice.The solution toward curbing incidence of vote-buying lies in educating the people, most especially the young. This is a call to action for the PPCRV.
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Joblessness is a major problem in Ifugao not just because politicians reneged on their commitments to provide jobs to the people, but these officials are not even knowledgeable of the fact that what is truly needed are decent and high-paying jobs on a long-term basis, not merely jobs good for two to three months or so.
At the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), the practice of hiring personnel for a period of three months only is prevalent. For short, “contractualization” of employees still persists. The provincial government is calling them as “job-ordered” personnel. The incoming SP should ban any form of “contractualization” of personnel in the provincial government to show that it is for the full implementation of the program of President Duterte to end the so-called “endo” (end of contract) practice.**
