By Anthony A. Araos
It never really crossed my mind that the great attractions of rice terraces to local and foreign tourists are merely limited to Banaue. Honestly!
“Where else to visit if one is on the lookout for panoramic rice terraces?” I asked recently a friend.
“Aguinaldo,” she quickly replied.
For several years, tourists have seen the grandeur of the town’s six rice terraces. I’m referring, of course, to Bulinit, Ducligan, Henalong, Jacmal, Lupong and Pajpaj rice terraces.
These sites are becoming increasingly popular. Each one is welcome to the charm of these rice terraces.
The rice terraces of Aguinaldo are just as majestic, offering attractions in equal profusion with the other ten towns of Ifugao.
Make sure to bring enough supply of food and water for the trip- whether one is coming all the way from Quezon City, Mandaluyong City, Baguio City, Lamut or Asipulo, both in Ifugao or even in San Jose City in Nueva Ecija. The trip is rather long.
Imagine touring Aguinaldo and enjoying highland trails without worrying about the hustle and bustles of urban life. Honestly, a trip to this town makes you feel alive!
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Over the years, the six rice terraces of Aguinaldo have stood as prominent landmarks in the province.
I am confident that these rice terraces are to be known as a historic landmark in a not-so-distant time, when something else positive is done.
It is for this reason that I wrote recently Board Members Noli Maguiwe and Federico Juguiad Jr. for the purpose of initiating legislated action with the end view of declaring Aguinaldo Rice Terraces as a national cultural heritage site.
The communication, forwarded on July 20, 2017, reads as follow: “In addressing the issue of elevating the tourism industry of Aguinaldo town in Ifugao, may I respectfully seek your support on my initiative of declaring the Aguinaldo Rice Terraces as a national cultural heritage site. It is composed of Bulinit, Ducligan, Henalong, Jacmal, Lupong and Pajpaj Rice Terraces.
The Aguinaldo Rice Terraces have been built several centuries ago using bare hands and crude implements. All told, this man-made wonder embodies and exemplifies the richness and abundance of the history and culture of Ifugao and its people.
Construction of these rice terraces is not a task for the modern-day engineer or architect, so there is a need to recognize its distinction. Undoubtedly, these rice terraces are solid proofs of the ingenuity of indigenous skills, workmanship and industriousness of the villagers.
To my mind, the Aguinaldo Rice Terraces are truly unique as outside of the world-famous rice terraces of Banaue, there is something concrete to look forward to this panoramic destination, which is why it has to be declared as such.
It may be prudent for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to support the idea of declaring the Aguinaldo Rice Terraces as a national cultural heritage site through an appropriate legislation.”
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The Mayam-o administration should invigorate the tourism industry by redrawing its tourism plan. Efforts should be pursued to draw visitors to the sight of almost pristine forests. Campsites should be developed.
Governor Pedro Mayam-o has arrived at a major juncture of his tenure. He should be valuing the numbers potential in so far as tourist arrivals in the Philippines. I am a strong believer in the capability and capacity of those in the private sector to craft a better, well-attuned tourism program for the province. Ifugao’s tourism industry is in a dismal state. It can’t be business-as-usual for the next two years.
To Governor Mayam-o: It’s really time to aim high! Make Ifugao the third most preferred domestic tourist destination in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) after Baguio City and Sagada in Mountain Province.
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Governor Mayam-o should seek out the formulation of comprehensive and integrated plans and program to promote public health care. More than a year into office, the issue on the Ifugao General Hospital has not been addressed yet. Those who stood up and raised their voices loudly in the past for the issue’s resolution should not loosen their guard against inaction by those who walk in the corridors of power.
Reorganize the Task Force on the hospital by appointing more individuals from the private sector (from the NGOs or CSOs) and not from the public sector. Common sense tells us that a public servant is already handling too many tasks.
Besides, a public hospital as this one is being patronized more by those in the private sector, most especially the poor. Well, the moneyed politicians and officials are generally seen at privately-operated hospitals in Nueva Vizcaya and Baguio City.
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For the second State-of-the-Province Address (SOPA) of Governor Mayam-o in a matter of few weeks’ time it is hoped that he shall finally spell out his agenda for fisher folk of Ifugao. Construction of more fishponds has an impact. You’ll have the freshest catch right here in the province. No need whatsoever of getting them from neighboring provinces.
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Another vital item in my wish list: putting up Farmers Market in the 11 towns of Ifugao. This is surely a revenue-generating undertaking aimed at boosting the income of cash-starved farmers.
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On the budget hearings, may I strongly urge Board Member Robert Humiwat, chairman of the committee on budget and appropriations, to conduct and coordinate massive information dissemination campaign on the provisions of the law and detailed budgetary requirements of all the departments of the provincial government, preferably with the participation of non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and people’s organizations (POs).
Likewise, establish and maintain a database on municipal government budgets to be shared among local government units (LGUs).
Moreover, complement the shared government information system relative to expenditures of municipal governments and ensure that proper provincial government offices conduct continuing research and study on the patterns and schemes of underspending or overspending. Above all, develop the mechanisms to ensure the timely, coordinated and effective response to implementing key programs and projects of the present dispensation.
If it is not then too much in the asking, may I further ask Board Member Humiwat to closely look into the linkage between investment programming and budgeting. I am most willing and ready to share a lot of insights on this score.
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It has been said that well-meaning, right-thinking and intelligent officials in Congress- some but not all, have a long and storied tradition of listening to as well as acting on the people’s problems.
Here’s one longstanding problem of public school teachers. They are receiving only Php 2,000 for their personal emergency relief allowance (PERA). It comes as a no surprise at all; many of them are still hard up in making both ends meet in these difficult times.
If the government is really serious in scaling up its anti-poverty drive, I see the urgency of raising the PERA to Php 6,000 to commensurate to the high cost of living. Without a substantial increase of the PERA, there is no real solution to the mounting difficulties of public school teachers to the ill-effects of high inflation rate. Mind you, the price of canned sardines even increased by one peso.
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Congratulations to Romeo Sixto, director of Crimzone Training and Review Center. The center posted an 80 percent passing mark at the recent criminology board examinations. The center surpassed the national average rate of 24.9 percent. The review center is located at Lamut, Ifugao.
Mr. Sixto is a highly-dedicated, hardworking entrepreneur and God-fearing individual. He is an esteemed friend of mine. Again, congratulations. God bless and Mabuhay!
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For our food delights corner: It’s time to bring out my all-time favorite barbecue ribs. Add to it is seafood spaghetti, and I’d say it is a heavenly meal. Enrich this meal with bread or rice.
For snack or merienda time: I’m strongly recommending Hawaiian burger served with pineapple and teriyaki sauce.
Also, for your snack or merienda time, for the following day: How about Chinese-style fresh lumpia, Make sure there’s a sauce (consisting of water, brown sugar, garlic, peanuts, cornstarch and soy sauce) for it. Lumpia is best eaten right away to savor its freshness thus, it is called fresh lumpia.
Whether it is lunch time or a snack break at the office, have chilled apple or guava juice. Chocolate banana shake is a perfect bonus. This is indeed an excellent food trip. More importantly, don’t forget to pray for God’s blessings on the table.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “We should really call all politicians actor.” Marlon Brando, a popular American actor
“Everyone is entitled to his own stupidity.” House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
“With men, it is impossible, but not with God; for with God, all things are possible.” Mark 10:27**
