By Anthony A. Araos
When you buy make sure you have a quarantine pass. Do not expect the pharmacist to go to your house for the much-needed medicines. You’ve got to buy it yourself. All told, the quarantine pass serves as a ticket to move around in the neighborhood.
Also in the 1880s, the Spaniards effectively made use of the “cedulas” to curtail the movement of their Filipino subjects, then called “Indios.”
What the hell was the cedula personal for? It was proof of the onerous tax paid by every Filipino- even a child is no exception. It also served as a passport, meaning to travel from one’s hometown to another. When entering even a government office, the cedula personal would have to be presented to the Guardia Civil (civilian guard of the colonizers). At a sentry, a cedula personal is handed to the Guardia Civil. The imposing guard reaches out and touches a trembling hand. Failure to produce it led to arrest and imprisonment. Scores were even killed by ruthless elements of the colonizers. Andres Bonifacio led a number of Katipuneros at Pugad Lawin in Balintawak in tearing up their cedulas personales. That act symbolized the desire of Filipinos to end Spanish oppression at any cost, including by force. Justice was later served by the bolo-wielding and other armed Katipuneros to these brutal guards who also left thousands seriously wounded after enduring torture under their hands. The rest is history.
Currently, the quarantine pass and checkpoints are interrelated. It is truly shocking to see streets in the barangay barricaded with all sorts of wood, steel, tires, GI sheets and the like. What happens if there’s an emergency in the middle of the night? Overheard someone say: “If something happens to my family, you’ll pay dearly for it.” I would think allowing these idiots and morons from contributing to the “uglyfication” of these streets is utterly detestable.
Compounding the problem is the fact that these checkpoints are manned by incompetent personnel of the barangay council. They don’t have the capacity to operate these checkpoints even for a second. These individuals should have acceptable intelligent quotient (IQ) and emotional quotient (EQ) to discharge even in discharging these petty functions. They do not have the mandate of the people to be abusive and arrogant.
The primary duty of government personnel is to render efficient, competent and courteous service to the citizenry. Remember your salaries are coming from the taxes paid by the people.
Cedula in the past. Quarantine pass in the present. Nothing really changes!
-o0o-
The closure of ABS-CBN is indeed a big blow to press freedom in the Philippines.
I support the passage of Joint Resolution 11, a measure sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, which extends the franchise of ABS-CBN until December 31, 2022, as a means of resolving this problem. Granting ABS-CBN the franchise to continue operating increases the private sector’s confidence and ability to operate independently. A report that about 17 to 19 senators are supporting the move of Senator Drilon is very encouraging. Simply put, the Senate has a responsibility to help ensure that press freedom is safeguarded at all times and speak out when there are threats to its practitioners. Press freedom must never be curtailed. Its curtailment is an assault to democracy.
Excuses and alibis are now flying in the air to justify the clampdown, all of them are only co-incidental. Some guys showed evident bad faith in padlocking ABS-CBN. Evidently bad!
The administration seeks to reduce poverty incidence to 17 percent by 2022 from the current 26 percent. At stake are over 11,000 jobs of the network’s personnel nationwide. What about their families? This has the elements of injustice in the making of unimaginable proportions. It’s about a monumental interest to address unemployment, hunger and poverty problems rolled into one. It is hard enough to say that the COVID-19 crisis already caused the unemployment ranks to swell significantly and there are fears that it will be even be frightening with this development. What I am saying is that this is not the time to lose a job.
-o0o-
The move of Banco Lagawe to provide some relief provisions in terms of rice and tuyo (dried fish) to depositors is indeed laudable. It was intended to mitigate the conditions of individuals (mostly middle class) affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The bank’s action truly brought the message of hope, assuring patrons of continuing support. Anyhow, I’m encouraging all others in the private sector to do the same. This gives one a clear picture how good is the bank. After the COVID-19 crisis, don’t put your money elsewhere. Be smart!
-o0o-
Let’s get over with the COVID-19 problem is the prayer of tourism industry stakeholders in Ifugao and elsewhere. Please, add more prayers.
When foreign tourists are finally back to see and enjoy destinations in the province, the issue on the lack of hostels and lodging inns is likely to hit the high pitch all over again. The problem is real and the solution is nowhere in the minds of “highly-paid” tourism officers in the municipal level. They say building a hostel is expensive and there are no funds for their construction. So, just dismiss altogether the idea of finding a solution to this longstanding problem. I don’t agree with your contention. I’d rather look at another option. I’m referring, of course, to the homestay program. For now, that is.
Backpacking German tourists usually enjoy trekking amid nature trails, for instance, at Barangay Sto. Domingo in Alfonso Lista and Barangay Duit in Kiangan. There are also natural trails for trekking to see at Barangays Bangar and Dolowog, both in Alfonso Lista. It is not difficult to entice them to avail of the homestay program. Let them stay for a night or two there and learn the culture of the people.
Homestay allows the visitor- domestic or international, to understand and appreciate the people’s unique way of life.
Breathtaking hills are like magnets for tourists who give premium to photography. Kiangan and Alfonso Lista are known for having villages that have been preserving their authentic native traditions. Take it from Councilors Virginia Dinagtuan and Janni Albano of Alfonso Lista and Kiangan, respectively, who have learned to love the advocacy to promote natural attractions and heritage sites- even when they didn’t really dream to become globe-trotting tourists. By the way, they both chaired the committee on tourism at their municipal councils.
Through the years, I’ve also realized that the homestay program is a continuous learning and evolving experience. A homestay advocate has to constantly study new trends in order to keep up with the changing times.
Think about it, when you get across a message from a Fort Worth, Texas tourist to a family in rural Philippines: Thank you for the privilege and opportunity to share your story and life with me!” This image easily capture the special bond these individuals of different cultures had with one another. In more ways than one, cultural exchanges and interchanges are most helpful in bridging gaps even in their own little ways.
Homestay means a lot to a lot of people. To my mind, it means that the tourist and the host family are both growing as individuals. It allows Filipinos to interact with foreigners. They get to know the culture of their visitor. In turn, the visitor share his or her experiences in a good-natured, enjoyable and comfortable conversational atmosphere. Memories of the tourist linger for a long time and will tide through until they meet again in the future.
After a lung busting trek tourists become trapped in a survival mode. Looking for a chic hostel? It does not have to be that way.
Homestay is one of tourism’s innovative gifts and many are thankful that foreigners are truly experiencing the hospitality of the people.
This stoked me to arrive at the foregoing thoughts, emotions and dreams on the homestay program. The barangay government would do better by strengthening the homestay program.
-o0o-
It is high time to tackle the issue on providing more budget to the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program in Ifugao.
Provincial government officials often say that they are always for the conduct of activities intended to promote the welfare of out-of-school youths (OSYs). But they need to do more for what they can be expected for, like increasing the budget of the ALS program. For short, the OSYs should be given importance and not be considered insignificant.
How much is the allocation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the ALS program? Who among them stand side-by-side, hand-in-hand with the OSYs, always ready to help them that could benefit more indigent families?
The ALS is a solution to a dearth of youngsters who should be aided by the government in order for them to enjoy the benefits of inclusivity in society. Their welfare and interests have long been neglected. It aims to bring back the OSYs to the mainstream of the educational system. By doing so, adequate education is provided as a right to make them competitive with the rest of the world.
The challenge becomes more daunting with the mounting incidence of poverty in the country. Ifugao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Today, there are some officials who are sugarcoating the ALS situation. Most of the OSYs belong to poor families in the rural areas. The growing number of OSYs is becoming a major social concern. Underinvesting in the education of the OSYs is an utterly despicable move. The call for increased budgetary allocation for the ALS program is meant to further draw more nuggets of social consciousness and responsibility from our public servants.
-o0o-
According to the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), China sent 138 million kilos of garlic in 2015, but the Philippines monitored only 23.6 million kilos- a difference of 114.4 million kilos. Translated: the difference refers to smuggled garlic. There are now so many reported cases of smuggled rice from China. There have also been thousands of cases of local rice being mixed with low-quality smuggled rice. This makes a very compelling argument for the government to act on this concern.
-o0o-
For our food delights corner: Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak is too expensive, so just go for breaded pork chop. Alaskan While Salmon is just as costly. An alternative is panggasius. Be generous with spring onions for the fish meal. Served with mixed vegetables and steamed rice. For appetizers and dessert: ube cake with rich chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Plus, chilled mango juice. Your loved ones will surely adore this yummy meal. Don’t forget to pray for all these blessings.**
