By Anthony A. Araos
It is no longer difficult to understand why Alfonso Lista Tourism Officer Lorena Dulnuan is steadfast in her advocacy to promote the 1,000 Steps site and migratory birds’ sanctuary in her town as major destinations.
Tourism Officer Dulnuan is fortunate to have the town’s highest official on her side. Mayor Edralin Alipio held a strong position to promote Alfonso Lista’s tourism industry.
Yes, I can’t help but keep airing the need to herald the attraction of the dragon fruit farms in Alfonso Lista and its integral role in boosting the town’s tourism industry. On my way to the town proper, for a few minutes I saw some dragon fruit farms at Barangay Potia. I’m so impressed of what I saw there. Wait a minute and I’ll take a different action the next time I’m there, I just told myself.
For quite some time, I’ve been telling local and foreign tourists to include in their itinerary a visit to the dragon fruit farms of Alfonso Lista. I always relate it to my strong interest in promoting the farm tourism program of the government.
Foreign tourists go out of the Big Cities (such as Manila and Makati) in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila. They are on the lookout for farms in the countryside. They really appreciate the unspoiled landscape in the rural areas. Thus, the farm is the best place for them to visit. So I’m stressing the vitality of these dragon fruit farms. It is important for visitors to make or find time understanding and appreciating the essence of farm tourism.
An Italian lady friend of mine said: “So glad you told me something about it and I visited the place two years ago.” Told you, it wouldn’t be a problem. Alfonso Lista is just an hour or so away from Santiago City in Isabela, and I know Alfonso Lista like the place of my birth- the folks there are friendly, hardworking and hospitable.
Certainly, Alfonso Lista is just too much as a major destination of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). For one, there are the dragon fruit farms. For local tourists, they don’t have to go to China. For those who still want to go there the plus factor is definitely an opportunity to see advanced technological modes in raising high-value dragon fruits.
Likewise, the 1,000 Steps site and migratory birds’ sanctuary are must-visit places. Moreover, there is the famed Rancho Domingo at Barangay Namillangan. I’m just too careful not to ignore its importance in the town’s farm tourism, particularly in the cattle farming. So I’ll dissect and discuss Rancho Domingo’s great dimensions in another commentary. Similarly, take on the need for the municipal government to double time in improving infrastructure in these destinations to ensure transformation as major attractions of the town.
Anyhow, there is already ample reason to experience Alfonso Lista through a dragon fruit farm visit.
It is sad that when the tourist chooses just to skip Alfonso Lista for another place in the Cagayan Valley Region. The good thing about the tempting Alfonso Lista vacation is the fact that the town is so accessible from Santiago City in Isabela. Let’s get this trip started by preparing your bags, cameras and some clothes. Included in the adventure-filled trip are instances of meeting new friends and a lot of more! Alfonso Lista town is an ideal go-to-place for rest, relaxation, camping and trekking. That sounds great and so what are you waiting for?
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Many are grateful for the assistance extended by Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Mario Indopia of Kiangan.
In a couple of months, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in Lagawe will be different, but people will still try to make sense of it. What will be around to guide, inspire and motivate them? Who will be there to walk with them?
Hold on, the position of Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer is presently vacant following the promotion of PSWDO head Niwane, who is now occupying a higher post at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Quezon City.
Over the years, Indopia has been supporting and empowering a lot of people through various programs, projects and activities. This discourse is as much about the future as it is about the past.
A workaholic, Mr. Indopia takes care of his personnel well. He is extremely brilliant as well as a visionary. If he succeeds Ms, Niwane, he is bringing a vast wealth of experience and training to the office. In fact, Indopia is bringing the business of faithfully and dutifully well serving the people at all times to the next level. “I want to provide quality services to all Ifugao folks, especially to those who are living in distant and underserved barangays,” he asserted in a program in Kiangan. Through his tireless efforts, interest in helping marginalized sectors increased into the thousands. I’m pretty sure that Ifugao shall be a much better place for living in so far as the poor, sick and the needy are concerned.
He has strong determination to solve problems at hand, perseverance and is known for enduring long hours of work. Discipline at work sets him apart from the other public servants in the province. He is a man of character, principled with a proven track record in public service. I believe that the appointment of Mr. Indopia for the aforementioned position will be beneficial to Ifugao folks.
As a friend, I am so honored and privileged to endorse Mr. Indopia’s plan to succeed Ms. Niwane. Without a doubt, he gives utmost care to women, elderly, children and youngsters who chart the history of the nation. From Monday to Friday, he goes to work with the goal of firming up an office for public benefit, to be truly responsible to society. It’ll probably be a while before Ifugao gains from well-meaning public servants like him.
Our life has several journeys. This is one for the books for Mr. Indopia, brings him new experiences. At the end of the day, he shall realize how far he has made it despite the challenges he faced along the way.
As vibrant and dedicated, Mr. Indopia deserves the position he is seeking for. He possesses the will and the capacity to participate in the overall development program rolled out by Governor Jerry Dalipog and the national vision and agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Young, devoted, articulate and competent as he is, the stewardship of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office must be entrusted to an individual like Mario Indopia.
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For our food delights corner: Make way for a delightful meal at dinner time with the family or loved ones. There is beef with oyster sauce as main item at the table. Best served with fried race, fried tilapia (fish) and asparagus soup. For appetizers and dessert: almond jelly in sugar syrup, yema cake and chilled apple juice. Don’t forget to pray for all these blessings and more in the days, weeks and months to come. Yes, definitely it pays to be grateful to the Almighty Creator for the food at meal time.
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You’re not only the one who has a plan or right to partake another delicious meal tomorrow. Sadly, the prices of basic food commodities are quite high. In fact, most Filipinos are complaining of sky-high prices of rice, chicken, vegetables, pork and fruits. Now, there is even a report of a plan to increase the price of canned sardines. Truth to tell, the high cost of living has taken its toll on the poor and the middle class. They spend more, or even their entire income on consumption. Higher income groups spend less, if at all. The cost of living measures how one family cam live decently.
Currently, income tax exemption is based on the minimum salary. Are you kidding? It should be based on the living wage.
Recently, I met a street sweeper in Lagawe. The woman in her 50s has to take care of her husband and four children. Her daily salary is PhP300 only. According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), a family of six needs PhP1,200 a day for a living wage to survive. Generally speaking, in this case, this poor street sweeper is obviously in big, big, big trouble.
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Did you know? That corn trading is very important to Alfonso Lista town folks. Trade outflow is, however, affected by the lack of a processing center in the town. Losses by farmers are unmistakably huge. Processing costs have become relatively high. Thus, Alfonso Lista corn has become less competitive compared to the others in northern Luzon. Corn is still being dried at roads. It doesn’t negate the fact that this farming practice is backward. I tell you, dear reader that this is crude, to say the least. Post-harvest drying practice has been just that. Locally raised and traded corn commodity deserves a better deal. We need to do an intervention! It makes you wonder: who in the private sector shall help the municipal government?
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Evidence of spiral growth of SMEs in Alfonso Lista was pretty thin during the town’s mini-food fair. Small businesses must be aided in accessing capital and provided guidance on marketing their produce. This is the best formula of freeing thousands of town folks from poverty.
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Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: A long, long, long time ago, when men are cursing and beating the ground with sticks, it was called “witchcraft.” Now, it is called “golf.” Who needs to be re-educated?
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Of course, you’re off course: A high-ranking Ifugao official is known for cracking jokes at meetings and programs. Many in the audience are surely laughing and giggling.
Except in one instance and here it is: “Some of my constituents in a certain remote barangay are just waiting for their daily dole-outs because they are jobless and are even asking for a Christmas bonus,” the official said. No one was laughing this time. Well, jokes about unemployed folks are not funny. They just don’t work anymore!
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our readers: “There is nothing wrong with pork barrel. The term has a bad connotation because of the Napoles scam.” Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza
“Look to the Lord and his strength: seek his face always.” 1 Chronicle 16:11
“Rise up, O God, bring judgment in the earth.” Ps 82: 3-4
“Higher salaries without tax reform means these government employees would go to higher tax brackets, pay more taxes, and take home less pay.” Sen. Edgardo Angara
“Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work.” Management consultant Peter Drucker **
