By Anthony A. Araos
With the success of the “homestay” program in so many municipalities of the Philippines, the time to adopt it in Lagawe (as well as in the ten other towns of Ifugao province) has finally come.
This view was underscored by civic leader Godfrey Dominong who is also the general manager of the Ifugao Global Entrepreneurs Multipurpose Cooperative (IGEMCO).
He recently discussed ways to strengthen long-term development strategies geared at boosting the tourism industry of this upland Cordillera province.
Mr. Dominong said the adoption of this noteworthy program signals the commitment of the private sector to partner with the government on this score.
According to the articulate and hardworking businessman, the main idea of the program is to let the public know that there is money in the “homestay” thing, not just another gimmick but a business and a way of life, providing income and greater cultural exchanges.
Hundreds if not thousands of homeowners from all over any particular town shall surely benefit from this program. Respected community leaders, teachers and all those who truly understand and appreciate the wonders of the tourism industry should be enlisted to take part in the homestay program.
Our discussions also drifted to the merits of pursuing community-based tourism. He asserted that such effort means tapping the entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities a barangay (village) has to offer. It’s the perfect formula: to attract visitors, one (local or foreign tourist) gets to enjoy cultural presentations or making delicacy, then go home with photographs and fond memories of their new-found friends in the Cordilleras.
The lack of hotels and lodging inns here is an obvious reason why the issue of promoting the homestay program is hard to downplay.
At current rates, tourists are likely to stay longer due to the more affordable homestay packages.
“We assure the Department of Tourism, in particular, and the national government, in general, that we will show the very best in terms of Filipino hospitality and attract more tourists to contribute to the growth of the local economy,” he pointed out.
I grew up seeing the tall buildings in Metro Manila and the United States and was so used to the hustle and bustle of the urban trappings of a metropolis.
On a clear sunny day, the view on a cool mountain top site in Banaue or Asipulo is simply spectacular. After only a few days upon reaching home in Pasay City or Makati City, one is already yearning for another weekend getaway from said towns.
Asipulo, for example, is immensely endowed with numerous rivers, springs and waterfalls for water source development. Escape is only an hour away from the capital town of Lagawe.
This is the best time for local folks to become a key part of the tourism industry.
Indeed, our discussions were warm and productive. It also, once more, showed that Mr. Dominong has dedicated himself to the greater good in 2017 and beyond. Without a doubt, he is building for the people’s future. I’m so impressed by his underlying vision to help the underperforming tourism industry in Ifugao.
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There are numerous scenic spots in Barangay Burnay in Lagawe town where local and foreign tourists are likely to see and enjoy.
I visited the village on December 31- just before noon, of 2016. Agriculture is the main industry here.
The barangay is in dire need of well-paved roads. About 95 percent of the roads are uncomfortable, undesirable. The government should build roads that lead to tourist destinations. Farm-to-market roads are also badly needed.
Good roads reflect good policies in order to mitigate the mounting incidents of poverty in underserved far-flung barangays. Good roads give further impetus to peoples’ initiatives that focus on sustained growth.
For so many years, the burden of travelling daily on rough roads in remote barangays fell on the shoulders of poor villagers. Sadly, the government has not mustered the political will to improve these vital roads.
Public service is a challenging task. Where rural poverty is so high and pronounced a conscientious, disciplined and responsive official is needed to attend to the people’s needs such as the aforementioned one. But local and even national officials appear more concerned with other matters with no “high-impact” on the populace, most especially the impoverished.
Are these observations justified, or are government leaders in denial about the difficulties that rural folks continue to face? After all, no voice was heard from them since the May 2016 polls.
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Have it ever crossed your mind why the line at Landbank is so long at certain days? Reason: Recipients of the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program are there to get the money from the ATM machines.
At one time, I counted nearly 200 of them lining up early in the morning. I got tired counting them.
Is the CCT program still needed? Is it working at all?
The CCT program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) provides grants to poor families if they send their children to school, visit health centers and attend family development sessions.
To be fair, some are saying that the government initiative is good. But, I still hold a different opinion.
Anyhow, it’s high time to revisit the program. Here’s why.
The present Php 1,400 a month a family is receiving (or Php 15,000 anually) is way below the Php 4,300 a month extra income that every family needs to get out of the poverty cycle based on the 2009 Family Income and Expenditure Survey of the government.
Why not increase is to Php 4,300 a month (or Php 46, 200 a year)?
Currently, the education grant is Php 3,000 per month. While the nutrition grant is Php 500 a month. I see a pressing need to increase the grants to Php 9,000 and Php 800, respectively.
The low budget allocated for each family is precisely the reason why the CCT program is a dismal failure in so far as making a real dent in the country’s poverty alleviation program.
Today, the CCT program is under the scrutiny of many. There is an urgent need to pick out only qualified beneficiaries to ensure these funds reach only the targeted families. Likewise, beneficiaries worry about obtaining their benefits at the mercy, whims, caprices and dictates of political officials.
These all threaten to undercut the CCT’s noteworthy goals. It also risks exacerbating the government’s poverty reduction program considering that the program itself, by enlarge, is merely a dole-out scheme.
To my mind, it’s time for the Duterte administration to address head on the issue of providing honest-to-goodness, concrete ways for the poor to later stand on their own feet.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers. “We sometimes, go hurriedly over the words of Jesus. We do not allow it to stay with time to think about them, we never spent time in our life enjoying the nourishing Word of God. Perhaps, it is a good time to brush the dust in the shelf and start reading the Bible today.”
“Is there a good politician? Is there an honest burglar?” Quoted from the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
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Again, a million and one thanks to the readers of ZigZag Weekly. The good, the bad and the ugly! I just love it. The ZigZag Weekly simply presents it right. No more. No less.**
