By Anthony A. Araos
Is there a connection between a Pasalubong Center and the tourism industry? Obviously, the answer to the query is Yes.
In fact, the interrelationships between them are so strong, pronounced and intertwined.
I supposed that I have mentioned countless destinations in Ifugao for local and foreign tourists to visit at any time of the year. To my recollection, various sites in Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lamut, Lagawe, Mayoyao and Tinoc towns.
So, this time around, I’m dwelling on a place where they buy souvenir items as gifts to their loved ones or friends upon coming home after a memorable vacation here. It’s commonly known as the Pasabulong Center. Presently, there are but a few notable pasalubong centers in this upland Cordillera province.
Oh well, going to these pasalubong centers is all about buying smartly and well made goods at reasonable prices. Remember to fill your travel and shopping bags with items of immense value. Forget the unnecessary ones.
So finding the pasalubong center at the right place and right time is the key at this point in time of my discussion. I must admit it’s a great challenge for me to cite one.
Dee Bees Pasalubong Center in barangay Bolog in Kiangan is surely a class by itself. There are rare items made in Ifugao on display. Clothing and food novelties are for sale.
Get your cherished gift items here. Buy them for your loved ones without worries about going over-board with your budget and time.
Buy a bottle or two of “Baya” rice wine, “Tinawon” rice, or distinctly-crafted broom at this pasalubong center. Because, nothing can be more special than the ones you love, it’s time to express your love with truly special gifts for them. For short, when looking for handicraft or other great souvenir items, this is the perfect place.
May I also cite this pasalubong center’s attentiveness, being gracious, prompt and courteous.
Likewise, it is essential to point out that its personnel are speaking in English and are ever smiling. Of course, it makes a lot of sense having a literate populace when dealing with foreign travelers.
A longtime distinguished public servant in Ifugao, the pasalubong center’s owner, has enhanced the image of a reputable business entity. The owner goes beyond earning money for herself thus, proves herself a big winner in the game of upgrading the standards of the province’s tourism industry. Clearly, she has a strong business sense. And I refer, no less, to Catherine Buenaventura.
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Is the Mayam-o administration aware of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016 to 2022?
I asked four provincial government officials this question. All of them answered in the negative.
For the only a few who are aware of it, it is hoped that they should do something to accelerate the development of destinations in Ifugao since it easily meets the requirements of being a poor or underdeveloped province.
Under the latest NTDP, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is targeting to increase international tourist arrivals to 12 million by 2022 from 5.36 million in 2015.
Sadly, I have not even heard anything close to a whisper of this figure by tourism officers in Ifugao.
It’s time for Governor Pedro Mayam-o to realize the urgency of adopting a new tourism masterplan to ensure a turnaround of the ailing industry. All told, there is a need for marked improvement in tourist arrival number, receipts and number of new destinations to be developed as well as facilities to be improved.
The tourist arrival number is so low. Ifugao has a good number of tourism and hotel and restaurant management (HRM) graduates. Yet, many of them are unemployed. Decent jobs related to their courses must be generated if the provincial government is really serious in curbing the high poverty rate. This requires investing in infrastructure. This is the challenge facing Governor Mayam-o. Improving the tourism infrastructure should be among his priorities.
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Governor Mayam-o should seriously look into the possibility of formulating a forward-looking development plan stressing on the growth of the tourism industry (if and when the provincial government comes up with a new tourism masterplan crafted by the private sector). He should, in particular, look into strengthening the Pasalubong Centers. The provincial government should provide them tax breaks. It would also be a big help if Pasalubong Centers owners hire tourism or HRM graduates, if not take them in on a job training (OJT) basis. Tapping their expertise and qualifications may be useful in the center’s operations. It is utterly ridiculous to waste their talents and skills, thus, invariably making them idle.
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Whether President Duterte denies it or not, the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao is likely to pull down the island’s tourism industry. Foreign tourists are going to stay away from the conflict-torn island out of the Marawi City siege. For one, the British Embassy in Manila has already issued a travel advisory for its nationals. Other embassies are expected to issue their own advisories.
So, foreign travelers have no other choice but to consider Cebu, Boracay, Baguio City, Sagada in Mountain Province or Tagaytay City as their destination. How about Banaue in Ifugao? Is Governor Mayam-o preparing a plan for this eventuality? I’m most willing to help since his closest aides are in no position to do so.
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Barring unforeseen circumstances, Kagawad (councilman) Ericson Inhumang of Barangay Poblacion North in Lagawe, Ifugao is likely to seek a major position in the scheduled barangay elections of October this year.
He is well respected in the village’s puroks. Kagawad Inhumang is hardworking, dedicated and articulate. Much of his success is credited to his ability to listen and empathize, two skills empowering him to be described by many as a leader.
Guided by the values of discipline, integrity and courage, he has emerged as one of the most admired and promising officials of the grassroots level in Lagawe.
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In relation to the barangay council elections, voters should be reminded that the fate of their villages are in their hands, thus, make it a point to exercise the right to suffrage, noting that skipping altogether the polls would defeat the purpose of putting into office the people’s choice.
This columnist would continue to adequately inform the people of developments related to the barangay polls as I urge each one to be vigilant on what is happening in your community.
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Believe it or not: There is a councilor in the region who spent a great deal of his time attending weddings as a sponsor. He is a godfather to 600 couples. Yet, he only authored three resolutions (no ordinance for that matter) in nine years.
Small wonder, his colleagues ridiculed him by saying that he’s the chairman of the Committee on Matrimony.
Obviously, this practice has been going on for many years in aid of election. Despicable, indeed!
As a result, political patronage rears its ugly face in many places to the detriment of public interest.
I said, right in the beginning of my column, there is something awfully wrong in the way or manner officials are voted into office. It’s democrazy in the Philippines that prevails, generally speaking.
A law should be passed disallowing officials to stand as a “ninong” (godfather) in weddings. This is the best way of definitely leveling up the playing field in electoral exercises.
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Congratulations to Kazzy Nagulman for a job well done in so far as the handling of the technical preparations of the just-concluded, highly-successful Forum on Organic Farming in Lagawe, where I was a speaker. Mr. Nagulman also served as a program facilitator and emcee. God bless and Mabuhay!
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Having recognized the importance of organic farming, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte sent recently his message to the participants of the aforementioned, all-important forum at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. It was e-mailed to me by the Office of the President. My prayers were answered. After all, I requested the message thru a hand-carried communication.
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For my food delight corner, let’s have rellenong bangus (milkfish) with crab and corn soup. Of course, this comes with rice.
Add chicken barbecue. A slice of chocolate cake is an excellent idea. Serve with avocado and chilled apple juice. This is what good food is all about. Make this a must-do chore tonight as a special culinary offering to your family or loved ones.
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Some thoughts for our readers: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find,” Jesus Christ while preaching to the people.
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Jesus Christ in his preaching.**
