LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – Just a few weeks after super typhoon Uwan brought massive devastation to Asipulo, Ifugao, this village of Haliap has found a way to help farmers fast track their recovery in conducting a Farmers Workshop and Orientation..
Kagawad (councilman) Bonie Bangad underscored the accomplishment once more, in an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of three very knowledgeable individuals- two in the public sector and another in the private sector, as their resource speakers for the one-day activity. They were Josel Kate Bantuley of the Municipal Agriculture Office, Janet Kimayong of the Department of Labor and Employment and journalist Anthony Araos.
Bangad is the chairman of the committee on agriculture. Lawrence Patac is the punong barangay of Haliap Barangay Council.
Officers of the village’s seven farmers organization are expected to attend the workshop on December 5,. Venue is the barangay hall.
“Despite our limited resources, we made do with what is available,” Bangad said.
“We would not have been pushing for this project without the full support of Punong Barangay Putac who has inspired and motivated us to work hard in promoting the welfare of our farmers,” he added.
The activity includes lectures on key concerns of the farming sector, significantly enhancing the farmers ability to meet the sector’s growing needs.
This first-ever activity and other related actions of the barangay government in the past easily exemplify Punong Barangay Putac’s dedication to the agriculture sector’s upliftment, investing in sustainable growth and empowering farmers.
Haliap’s main crops are rice and vegetables. Most farmers are poor. Asipulo is one of the poorest towns in Ifugao.
Problems of these soil tillers were voiced during the activity including huge damages to crops by typhoons this year.
Participants should now brace themselves for the incisive, pulse-pounding insights by the distinguished lecturers. It is certainly an exciting take on one of the most difficult chapters of a life of a sun-baked, cash-starved farmer.
By disseminating the know-how to address numerous problems and sustain farmlands, this program is without any doubt timely and meaningful, enjoying a farmer close and personal engagement at a crucial time.
“We often remembered the saying, ‘ang magtanim and di biro (planting rice is not a joke). Even as I may add. “Ang magnanakaw ng pera ng taumbayan na tulad ng ginawa ng mga Senador, Congressman at contractor sa flood control fiasco ay napakasamang biro (stealing the people’s money as done by the senators, congressmen and contractors in the flood control fiasco is a cruel joke), Araos said in another meeting with farmers.
Araos provided insights on crafting projects and sourcing out vital funds from the government and others in the civilian sector in the Philippines and abroad.
Understanding the farmers group objective, before delving into writing and sending the project proposal will help non government organizations such as a peasant association- usually described as rural-based organizations or RBOs, navigate through the types of ventures and equipments which ones would not only best fit farmers needs but would also make the best use of the money earnestly sought for, Araos explained.
Whether it is a farm-to-market road, communal irrigation system or post-harvest facility, farmers usually cited their difficulties to pitch for assistance.
The cruelties of subsistence farming had desensitized even the few remaining senators. Many concerned Filipinos are still thankful that a few of them are indentified with opposition truly worked for the passage of pro-farmer laws. Today, many are still pressing for instance, the provision of full insurance premiums to subsistence farmers and fisher folks.
Parallel to this, Araos called on the government to exert its utmost to boost agricultural production along with the recognition of the essential role of farmers in society.
“With this in mind, let’s focus on the workshop’s goals, full of optimism of what we can achieve in 2026 and even the years beyond it,” he stressed.
“By holding the activity, Barangay Haliap Council can best recognize the contributions, hard work and dedication of our farmers and raise awareness and significance, agricultural productivity competitiveness and food security by honest-to-goodness support through technology,” he motioned.
So when will the highly-placed government officials start pursuing such policies? Araos is hopeful Filipinos are now speaking out against corruption. In the coming years, policies and programs should be guided by what is good for the Filipino people. Do what is good for farmers. Increased budgetary for this sector is so important. Improvement of the food value chain approach is a must-from farm to plate. **By Anthony A. Araos
