By Anthony A. Araos
It is so easy to see why foreign tourists are falling in love with Banaue. There are so many wonderful sites to visit at any given time of the year.
Apart from its world-famous rice terraces, local and foreign tourists should see the Banaue Museum and the Museum of the Cordillera Sculpture. These are surely great places to better understand the region’s history and culture.
Indeed, there are so many reasons to celebrate the goodness of nature. So it’s worth celebrating the value of Banaue’s sites– well, even during the rainy season. There is so much richness of the natural environment everywhere. You’ve got to feel and appreciate it each second of your stay in Banaue.
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Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog and Vice Mayor Joel Bungallon should be commended for their efforts to upgrade the tourism industry.
Likewise, I’m praying for the continued success of Councilor Ulyses John Balanhi, chair of the committee on tourism, culture and arts of the Sangguniang Bayan of Banaue. Hopefully, that by the end of 2016, initial projects and programs of the government, have been implemented. Vice Chair is Councilor Orlando Addug. Members are Councilors Hygelac Cayong and Donald Mongolnon. I hope all of you shall serve as a catalyst for growth of the tourism industry. God bless and more power!
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May I laud the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte on his plan to issue an Executive Order on the Freedom of Information (FOI) concern.
Clearly, former President Aquino has not mustered the political will to assure the passage of the FOI bill despite the fact his party, the Liberal Party controlled the House of Representatives and Senate. He refused to certify it as urgent.
In 2011, the Philippines joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP). When Mr. Aquino finally left office on June 30, 2016, the Philippines remains the only one of the eight founding members of the OGP that has not enacted an FOI act.
To address the mounting problem on all forms of corruption, the FOI measure is badly needed.
Make no mistake about it, the FOI is so important to address the problem on the rampancy of corruption.
There is no excuse whatsoever not to pass the pro-transparency FOI bill. The right to information is a fundamental mechanism to undercut corruption and ensure broader and informed people’s participation.
It is never too late for Congress to take a strong, clear-cut action to stamp out corruption. President Duterte already took a very big step in promoting transparency, accountability and public participation. It has triggered a vigorous move from various sectors to press the passage of the FOI bill in Congress. To put it another way, President Duterte has affirmed his strong-willed hand in handling the FOI issue. This means, he knows how to exercise political will.
It bears stressing that the FOI matter is clearly a significant part of the people’s right to know or be informed of transactions in government.
Sadly, the allies of former President Aquino whose passion for secrecy conveniently blocked the passage of the FOI bill to shield the corruption- ridden Aquino administration prevailed. Inaction on the FOI bill is tantamount to tolerating graft and corruption. To the Senators and Congressmen: What have you got to lose this time?
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It is such a huge honor and responsibility to lead the Sangguniang Bayan of Banaue, Ifugao.
Banaue residents are truly fortunate to have Vice Mayor Joel Bungallon at the helm of this vital legislative body.
Banaue, still Ifugao’s top destination in the tourism industry, needs caring, competent and compassionate officials like Vice Mayor Bungallon to maintain standards of good and just governance and bring esteem and respect to all those who are in the field of public service.
Apart from serving as the municipal council’s presiding officer, the vice mayor is an integral part of the town’s overall development thrust of the sitting mayor.
With enormous responsibilities, I would like to wish Vice Mayor Bungallon all the very best in the next three years.
Further, it is hoped and prayed that Vice Mayor Bungallon be blessed to also serve as the next president of the Vice Mayors League of Ifugao, in recognition of all his vital and unselfish contributions to elevate the standards of the Sangguniang Bayan even beyond the ordinary.
Vice Mayor Bungallon is well-known for his advocacies for the rights and welfare of the people, most especially the poor.
It is not difficult to find a well-meaning vice mayor in Ifugao. Just go to Banaue. Have you experienced being unattended or neglected by the vice mayor? Not in Banaue.
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The Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ifugao from 2016 to 2019 shall be chaired by Board Member Noli Maguiwe of Aguinaldo.
Undoubtedly, he is the best choice for the job of steering the province’s agriculture sector to greater heights.
On this note, may I propose that Board Member Maguiwe get a consultant to help him chart a better future for farmers of the province. Further, I respectfully recommend that former Board Member Samson Atluna of Mayoyao be accorded this position due to his qualification, training and experience.
With Mr. Atluna’s guidance, I see no reason why Board Member Maguiwe shall not be in a position to address the problem of unemployment in ifugao by improving the agriculture sector. There is no other way to do it but by modernizing agriculture. There is also a pressing need to provide subsidy for farmers to meet their needs such as fertilizers and seeds.
I also urge this committee to spearhead appropriate and timely information dissemination campaigns to farmers (as well as to fisher folks) in preparation for the ill-effects of climate change.
Like Mr. Atluna, I am willing to share my thoughts and share a helping hand to Board Member Maguiwe on this matter.
For instance, why not tap idle lands in Ifugao for the agriculture sector. My recommendation: Undertake a massive production of cassava. Why? Cassava is a high-yielding and highly drought-resistant crop.
Cassava or kamoteng kahoy is a basic staple to 500 million people throughout the world, most especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It has the potential to reduce hunger because it is a cheap substitute to rice. It is also used for animal feed and starch products.
The Philippines is one of Asia’s major exporters of cassava. Others in the list are Indonesia, India and Vietnam. Thailand is the world’s biggest exporter.
And so, what is Mayam-o’s administration waiting for? By the way, Board Member Robert Mangyao is the vice chair of the Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Board Members Clemente Bongtiwon, Albert Binlang Jr. and Robert Humiwat are members. They are simply the best guys to handle the job!
Going back to my proposal to appoint Mr. Atluna as consultant, may I further suggest that he be paid a Php 1.00 a year consultation fee for professional services rendered. Now, who is saying that the provincial government has no funds for this noble purpose? Oh com’on, stop saying this nonsense.
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I am extending my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Guillermor Badangan of Hingyon. He is now the Sports Development Coordinating Officer in Ifugao. His journey as a key public servant of the province has just begun. Surely, the responsibilities are one to many. Rest assured of the full and unqualified assistance of Governor Mayam-o and your staff, as well as that of my unflinching support.
An unsolicited advice: Prepare the Ifugao athletes for the municipal and provincial meets, CARAA, Batang Pinoy and Palarong Pambansa and refrain from cramming-up and training them 15 to 20 days before competition time. Believe me, it’s not going to work. That is simply ridiculous and utterly crazy. It’s a surefire formula for a debacle of unimaginable magnitude.
Sir Gimi, as he is fondly called by many, I wish you success in your plans and programs. God bless and Mabuhay! **
