By Anthony A. Araos
The Philippines and many other countries throughout the world reported staggering losses in their tourism industries as a result of the mounting cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. All told, the country’s tourism industry is presently gasping for breath.
Well, it is nothing new for Ifugao’s tourism industry. Over the years, tourist arrival numbers in the province’s 11 towns were undoubtedly alarming. In short, Ifugao is not earning. It is doing otherwise.
For instance, during the Holy Week period of 2019, only ten foreign nationals went to a popular site in Alfonso Lista. Local and foreign tourists usually travel to a number of destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Metro Manila (or the National Capital Region) residents generally try to escape the grueling and scorching heat of the sun in the metropolis during the Holy Week. So they head to known destinations in the country. This is a reason for Alfonso Lista officials to grab the opportunity of attracting travelers to their scenic town.
Unfortunately, practically all public sector figures are too much preoccupied with something else. Particularly, they are focused on the town’s Ammung fiesta. But, the Holy Week’s socioeconomic significance is far bigger than the Ammung celebration. It is hard to deny that the Holy Week sojourn is nowhere in the agenda to draw tourists here.
Better planning is most helpful in the long run to boost the tourism industry in Alfonso Lista and the other towns of the province. No ifs and buts!
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May I profusely commend the Councilors Billy Gonsadan and Noel Prudenciano, DILG OIC MLGOO Florita Narciza and Dr. Laurice Guillen of the DOH for conducting recently an emergency meeting on COVID-19 Task Force and Local Health Board. Clearly, they and the others got a good reading and pulse of this pressing concern. While Mayor Alipio was attending to another important meeting, he sounded his full support to the efforts of the group to address the problem. I am glad that there are still public servants who are selflessly devoting their time, energies and resources to deal with the problem.
While I understand the sincerity of the doctor, nurses, midwives, teachers and policemen to help the public to confront COVID-19, the meeting fell short to address head on the very core of the problem. Why? Believe it or not: Potia District Hospital, Level 1facility, has only four doctors. It is a 25-bed capacity hospital and has one ambulance. The other, unfortunately is under repair. There are no masks available, if required. Of course, it is needed. I went to the hospital myself, Jesus Christ, it is undermanned and under-equipped! According to one of the task force, in case person under investigation (PUI) drops by the hospital, there is no way for their personnel to manage the problem, meaning the PUI shall be sent elsewhere.
With or without COVID-19, it is high time for the national government to infuse additional funds for much-needed medical equipment. For their part, hospital administrators should consider upgrading the hospitals operational level.
Moreover, doctors, nurses and other health personnel are ironically overworked but underpaid. Thus, they should be given better wages. Higher salaries and additional benefits (such as hazard pay) meant to commensurate the high cost of living is clearly the call of the day.
Again, I salute the organizers of this all-important meeting intended to promote and protect the people’s well-being. I am sending a letter President Duterte informing of your exemplary actions. God bless and Mabuhay!
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It is indeed high time for the Department of Tourism and Industry (DTI) to set up a Negosyo Center in Mayoyao, Ifugao. This action augurs well with the over-all development program of Mayor Jimmy Padchanan Jr. Mayoyao is a predominantly framing town in the second district of the province.
Presently, there are Negosyo Centers in Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Kiangan, Lagawe and Lamut.
The addition of Mayoyao in the list shall certainly lead the town to the best way of advancing its economic goals in 2020 and beyond. No doubt, it is a step in the right direction to be taken the DTI Ifugao Provincial Director Valentin Baguigudol as a means of propelling Mayoyao’s progress.
Make it 7-11! Meaning, Mayoyao as the 7th town of the 11 municipalities in Ifugao, with a Negosyo Center. It is timely, relevant and doable. Please do so!
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What is the connection between “young farmers” and “organic agriculture”? Is there really a pressing need to set even a reason to study this matter?
Young farmers obviously refers to tiller of the soil in the younger age bracket. They are in the youth sector. While organic agriculture is a strand at the junior and senior high school program of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Well, “young farmers” are already vanishing. Most farmers are their elders. Young Ifugao folks are no longer interested to engage in farming. Thus, the need to reorient and re-educate the young that there is indeed life in farming.
What is the connection between “young farmers” and “organic agriculture”? Is there really a pressing need to set even a reason to study this matter?
Young farmers obviously refers to tillers of the soil in the younger age bracket. They are in the youth sector. While organic agriculture is a strand at the junior and senior high school program of the Department of Education.
Well, “young farmers” are already vanishing. Most farmers are their elders. Young Ifugao folks are no longer interested to engage in farming. Thus, the need to reorient and reeducate the young that there is indeed life in farming. Organic agriculture teachers have an integral role in giving the young a better perspective of agriculture. After all, agriculture is the primary industry in the countryside.
Sadly, youthful Ifugao individuals have more time in billiard halls instead of planting rice, corn, vegetables, fruits and other cash-crops.
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Where are they now? Former Ifugao governor Albert Pawingi is now working at the office of Nueva Vizcaya Vice Governor Jose “Tam –an” Tomas Sr.
Pawingi earlier served as provincial administrator during the past administration.
Pawingi hails from Hingyon town. A lawyer, Pawingi is a humble, hardworking and approachable person.
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Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ifugao Chapter president Jasmin Deleso of is so fortunate to have a dedicated and intelligent officer in her administration in the person of George Dean Baywong.
Mr. Baywong’s views should be given premium. This shall strengthen the consultative brand of leadership of Ms. Deleso and the other officers of the PCCI-Ifugao Chapter. Views on how to spur the economy of Ifugao are vital. The economic problems of Ifugao require swift and decisive actions by Governor Jerry Dalipog and Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano. Moreover, strong sectoral support is highly called for. The PCCI-Ifugao Chapter is in a vantage position to guide and assist Governor Dalipog and Vice Governor Prudenciano as well as Sangguniang Panlalawigan members on issues related to unemployment, underemployment, underdevelopment, rising poverty incidence in distant villages and low productivity of the business, trade, manufacturing and agriculture sectors. I see no justification whatsoever for the PCCI-Ifugao Chapter to act as a mere bystander amidst these problems. Spending much time at the Gotad trade fair just to distribute brochures about the PCCI-Ifugao Chapter is utterly nauseating, to say the least. Surely, past officers are capable of doing far better things than that. To the incumbent PCCI-Ifugao Chapter officers: It is high time to level up and Think Big!
By the way, the March 1, 2020 issue of the Philippine Star (on page B1 to be more exact) carried a photograph bannered “PCCI Vows Support To DOF Initiatives.” PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico and other top officers took the rare chance to meet with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and expressed their support for the Sulong Pilipinas roadshows, the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act.
These developments and measures as well as other pressing concerns should elicit reactions from the officers and members of the PCCI-Ifugao Chapter. Why waste precious time with petty matters. In the past, the PCCI-Ifugao Chapter spent so much time for the Gotad trade fair and Christmas party. Nothing of sorts to attach an iota of significance to a noteworthy project in between these two activities.
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Nice to know that plans are afoot to promote an eco-tourism site at Mount Kalawitan.
A good portion of Mount Kalawitan straddles at Hungduan and Tinoc, both towns of Ifugao.
The aforementioned plan is well-worth supporting at any given time of the day. As it is, Ifugao folks have still to hear something from their board members on this plan. They are possibly up against the voices of officials in the provincial level in the provinces of Benguet and Mountain Province. What are the plans of the Ifugao board members? Are they amenable to the idea of a joint venture or partnership in developing the said site? Got to make a clear decision soon on this issue. I hope they don’t enter or allow any agreement riddled with onerous provisions. In other words, provisions considered disadvantageous to the interest of Ifugao and its people.
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Unlimited thought unloaded: “If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal.” Surely, the goal is good o well-motivated, the tick to it no matter what and make adjustments to your plans. Come up with a Plan B, Plan C and Plan D. Don’t give up easily. Planning is so important at the end of the day. It spells success or failure. It shall test your mettle and character. Dig deep into the reservoir of wisdom.
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For our food delights corner: it is a perfect time to have hash brown, egg, mashed potatoes and toasted bread for breakfast. Then for lunch, consider bacon and mushroom chao fan. For appetizers and dessert: strawberry cake, avocado and chilled pineapple juice. Share these delicious meals at the table with your family, loved ones and friends. Again, don’t forget to pray for all these blessings. Keep track of the blessings and graces from the Almighty Creator all-day, all-night long.
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Brainy tidbit: Drink six to eight glasses of water daily to ensure a good health. This is a timely reminder against the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak and all other deadly ailments. It pays to be fit, safe and healthy each day of the week. Also, take your vitamins. Exercises- from running to combat aikido, are essential. You’ll never know, public places are seemingly no longer safe. Hospitalization and medicines are just too costly if hospitals are around. In Ifugao, of course, it is entirely different story. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, medical equipment are lacking.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our dear readers: “I press forward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
“I would be so happy, if only I were happy.” Woody Allen
“Men who love wisdom must be inquirers into very many things indeed.” Heraclitus**
