By Anthony A. Araos
This is ridiculous! Many are still silent in Ifugao on the issues presently being faced by highly-placed officials in the government. This has reference to issues on corruption, flood control anomaly and difficulties experienced by the people due to the high cost of living.
My friends reminded me that this attitude is a reflection of a mindset deeply rooted in a landscape mired in ignorance and poverty. “Wala yan,” (that’s nothing). I keep on hearing that from my friend Godfrey Dominong. Well, I finally realized that there’s a limit to what no brainers in marginalized localities in the countryside can do.
Overall, it still gives us an opportunity to better understand what’s happening around the country. Is this a poor country pretending to be rich? Or is it a rich country where poverty is in abundance?
Whenever there is news on the “ghost project” we also open a new revelation of another corrupt congressman and erring contractor. Projects were never completed. Yet, they enriched their pockets with millions of public funds. This is very alarming to keep folks not far from the streets in indignation. Every peso they are paying by way of taxes truly matters.
Where corruption rears its ugly faces in project, all poor Filipinos took a direct hit, including cash-starved tricycle and jeepney drivers, market vendors and farmers.
For short, they are bearing the brunt of their wrong doings because they are using these “substandard” facilities. Delivery of basic services for the poor conversely suffers. Rich politicians hardly used rural health centers. Government-operated hospitals and related facilities have been envisioned for the poor Filipinos. Currently, there are councilors who moonlight as contractors. Maybe my Ifugao provincial government friend’s words “conflict of interest” had a different interpretation from which I grossly mistakenly understood.
Fortunately, at a distance away from these “no brainers” individuals their stupid conjectures have not affected my appetite at meal time.
Why are these incompetent congressmen and their ilk at the crocodile infested DPWH still around? Public service has suffered so much from the handiwork of the “bobotantes” for so many years. They have the numbers; they have no inkling for “voting wisely.” And they only carry a craving for crooks and clowns. Polls in 2022 and 2025- and even before witnessed hands that prayed to God. Does God really want these “unwanted, moneyed politicians” to win?
I’m sure that many in Baguio City and other parts of the Cordilleras are presently investigating life in search of a purpose and direction to lead the change for change. This is the narrative on how belief for good governance and from commitment of pursuing the same interacts. Only an energized and enlightened electorate can provide this.
Congratulations to Paul Jason Perlado and the NAFPC, a cooperative in Barangay Sto. Domingo, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao for launching a tourist food market. It is a vital facility. This will help maintain the freshness and quality of farm and fishery produce as well as increase the income of fisher folks. Food markets, which may integrate processing and storage-facilities, allow buyers and sellers of agricultural raw materials, products and food to directly interact and facilitate exchange on wholesale or retail basis. In this case, I don’t see why you can’t say no to their export-quality tilapia-based best sellers.
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