LAGAWE, IFUGAO — Seeking to improve the people’s lives through a road improvement project connecting two impoverished villages in Ifugao, Board Member Agustin Calya-en vowed recently to exert his utmost in obtaining funds from the national government, while focusing his attention on the all-out support and assistance of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. for a vital infrastructure venture.
Calya-en’s busy schedules are no hindrance to meeting a challenge for him to work for the passage of Resolution 2019-321, outlining the request for funding assistance from National Security Adviser Esperon for the 7.5 kilometer road improvement project along Barangay Gumhang in Tinoc to Sitio Nampaling in Barangay Namal in Asipulo town. An allocation of Php 190 million is being sought.
The neophyte Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) stalwart started the initiative by seeking the backing of the influential and powerful 11-member august body. The SP unanimously passed the resolution.
“We are working to create a better road network, push forward more opportunities for our people and greatly reduce poverty in distant barangays,” Calya-en told the ZigZag Weekly.
“This road project can make a big impact on the lives of the people,” Calya-en said.
“I’m tired of hearing this problem of unpassable road and the difficulties faced by our people,” he added.
There are signs that good things are about to dramatically take place.
Asipulo and Tinoc are among the poorest towns in Ifugao. Both are predominantly farming towns. Moreover, these towns are located in a ruggedly mountainous terrain. There are 10 and 12 barangays, respectively, in Asipulo and Tinoc.
The folks of these two villages are practically on the same boat. The only chance they have is for National Security Adviser Esperon to extend a helping hand.
The legislated action out of Board Member Calya-en’s initiative easily gave the impression that the national and provincial governments were set to move on a level of cooperation in improving the road system in this part of Ifugao.
Based on official records, there are a number of works involved in the project, basically a farm-to-market road. It includes excavation, aggregate base course and concrete curb and gutter work.
For its stone masonry, it needs a budget of Php19, 404, 495. For subgrade preparation of the project, a Tinoc engineer has estimated its amount to Php 688,636.
Engineer Mabini Nehyeban prepared the project’s program of work. It was checked and reviewed by municipal engineer Ceasario Bahiwag. Subsequently, it was approved by Mayor Samson Benito.
Concerned residents of the two barangays and others in the private sector for many years were still concerned with the safety and reliability of the said road.
“Overall, I do not see meaningful progress in attaining the goal of improving peace and order in the area if the government does not act on the plea to improve our road,” said a Namal resident, who asked not to be named given the sensitivity of the armed conflict.
Both Asipulo and Tinoc are considered areas of concern by President Duterte. The war being waged by the New People’s Army is the longest running insurgency in the world. It has claimed the lives of over 50,000 people and caused heavy damage to property. Peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front have collapsed due to a number of reasons.
Both Calya-en and Esperon are advocates of a just and lasting peace in the rural areas and responsible harnessing of natural resources to spur growth and development.
Esperon skillfully helped President Duterte in his efforts to forge peace agreements with rebel groups in the country. He is widely acknowledged as a leader with dignity, integrity and the courage to do the right thing. Yet, despite his numerous accomplishments, citations and awards, National Security Adviser Esperon has remained simple, humble and unaffected.
Many have increasingly emphasized direct government funding of all-important roads in Ifugao as this one, cutting back on “miracles” by the cash-strapped provincial government.
A fact that deserves to be emphasized is the insufficient resources of the provincial government in pursuing ambitious projects as this one.
Today, concerned Filipinos are willing to stand up and fight the government’s unwillingness to do anything about poor roads or lack of farm-to-market roads in the countryside. Thus, this project increasingly emphasized the promotion of the administration’s infrastructure program. In fact, it is a key component of the eight-point agenda of President Duterte.
While roads in Davao City, Cebu City or in the Ilocos Region are mostly well-paved and considered as sights to beholden, folks of Barangay Gumhang and Sitio Nampaling are bedeviled by the road’s despicable conditions.
After negotiating it for a very long time motorists are left to themselves, the driver and passengers look at one another with consternation. A few moments pass this section as the realization of this journey and all its implications slowly dawn upon them.
“I can see,” one declares disappointedly, “that you are going to tell this to somebody at the provincial government for appropriate action.” “Well, be sure that you don’t.” “The more, the official is not coming!” A real-life conversation, and a plan is required to make sure every Ifugao resident in these localities will have freedom to dream of finally passing a concrete, all-weather road. This is how folks fully know the situation there.
Many have expressed their misgivings on the conditions of this road for so many years. It is beyond description.
“The conceptualization of the envisioned road improvement project is just the beginning, we are cognizant that the proposal needs the all-out support and assistance of the Office of the President,” Calya-en asserted.
The project was conceived months back in line with municipal and barangay government officials’ drive and commitment to help bring progress to these remote villages.
Part of that turning point was fueled by Board Member Calya-en’s genuine desire and intention to curb the mounting poverty problem in these areas. Prior to joining the SP last year, Calya-en served as vice mayor of Tinoc for two terms.
If approved by the national government, the fastest date of construction is within the second quarter of next year. All of which, shall be completed within the term of President Duterte. Once completed, the road will be the preferred route of motorists going to Barangay Namal from Barangay Gumhang and vice versa as this will seamlessly connect these villages to the rest of the province.
Improving the two villages’ infrastructure network, particularly this farm-to-market road is paramount. Upland crops are transported at the quickest time thus, it increases incomes of farmers, promotes inclusive growth and reduces poverty incidence.
This unattended People’s Road reflected the problem of Filipinos living in wrenched conditions below the poverty line. Many times, clearly it does seem that way. Prompt action gets to the heart of the high-stakes push for this project. Without well-paved roads, Ifugao cannot realize its dream of inclusive development. It shall remain mired in underdevelopment.
Good governance has deep roots. Public works reform would require fundamental changes in the way the government responds to the needs of the people. It is all about vision, commitment and competence to lead the people towards prosperity. In this case, it started with progressive legislation at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and is expected to culminate with the affirmative action at Malacanang Palace.
At the same time, this development will also serve as a solution to the sleepless nights experienced by Gumhang Punong Barangay Andres Jose and Namal Punong Barangay Grace Tayaban as a result of this longstanding problem. They can’t respond quickly and effectively due to lack of funds. Their efforts, however, like those of all the others who have tried before them, are in vain. Pronouncements of support of politicians are plenty, but what the project really needs is cold, crispy cash for labor and materials. Grandstanding won’t do them any good anyway. This time the need to “change the mindset” arises.
The story of the quest for a better road passageway in these two underserved villages is one of enduring faith inspired by the fight for the passage of this important measure. Today, the resolution’s chief author and villagers of said places are looking forward to better times. Their optimism remains firm that the aspirations for a People’s Road will be fulfilled. The road will dauntlessly show that the future is brighter still!
So much is at stake and the highly-placed officials at the helm are so kind. Timidly, yet hopefully, the resolution itself gives voice to the “poorest of the poor” farmers in these underserved communities: “The current state of the road, muddy/dirt and with deep potholes, adversely affects the timeline of agricultural production of farmers as the delivery of inputs for production and transport of farm produce to the market takes a long time.”
Officials in the national, provincial, municipal and barangay levels then deem well in declaring worthy of credence the need for swift and decisive action on this road project. Is this not the best way of lessening the burden of poor farmers? A simple question often leads to discovery.
Based on Executive Order No. 5 signed by the President on Oct. 11, 2016, the government aims that “by 2040, the Philippines shall be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor.”
Many of the road’s beneficiaries are earnestly hoping that President Duterte, National Security Adviser Esperon as well as Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar are simply being there for them, whose welfare and interests have long been neglected by the powers-that-be. Past officials were not even slightly bothered about that. Indeed, this was a too serious matter to ignore. It’s clear that the government should stand by its mandate: to provide services to the Filipino people. **By Anthony A. Araos
