LAGAWE, Ifugao – – The Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) of Ifugao truly ranked among the most highly-performing offices of the provincial government of this upland Cordillera province in 2016.
Ifugao’s PAENRO, under the able and strong stewardship of Catherine Buenaventura, pulled off the hat for the second consecutive year, Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Lorenzo Caranguian noted recently in an announcement.
According to a communication to Governor Pedro Mayam-o, seven regional winners of the Outstanding Achievers in Agriculture and Fisheries are from Ifugao.
The awards program is scheduled on June 29 at Hotel Supreme in Baguio City.
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Gawad Saka winners include Aguinaldo 4-H Club “Outstanding Young Farmers Organization,” Ifugao Provincial and Fishery Council “Outstanding Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council,” Hungduan Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative “Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (non-LGU managed) and Moreno Dango of Lamut town “Outstanding Fisher folk” in the fish culture category. Mr. Dango is a recipient of a certification of citation.
On the other hand, the ifugao provincial local government unit (PLGU) “Outstanding Province,” Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura “Outstanding Provincial Focal Person” and Villafuerte Camat of Lamut “Outstanding Small Farmer” (individual) were recognized for their exemplary achievements under the Organic Agriculture Achievers Award. Gawad Saka Search is a measure of farmers’ and fisher folks’ capacities to uplift their conditions and is given by the Department of Agriculture.
They are to receive plaques of recognition and cash incentives.
Over the years, Ifugao was a bottom dweller of this competition. Now, a turnaround was witnessed under the forward-looking, result-oriented brand of leadership of Mrs. Buenaventura who certainly elevated the agriculture and fishery industries in Ifugao to greater heights.
“We said we will invest heavily in our farmers and fisher folks to improve Ifugao’s production in agriculture and fishery,” Mrs. Buenaventura recalled.
In an exclusive interview with the Zigzag Weekly, Mrs. Buenaventura stressed the importance of the competition in boosting farm production in the Philippines and building the capacities of all those involved in farming and fishery.
“We think Ifugao has been one of the success stories in the region over the last few years,” Buenaventura said, noting that this should contribute in expanding the province’s economy. Ifugao is still one of the poorest provinces in the country. Most farmers are poor. Neglect by the government brought forth immeasurable misery and burden to the soil tillers. Backward practices and unfounded beliefs are other factors for their underdevelopment. For instance, many cling to the idea that “tinawon” rice can only be planted once a year.
“Workers in the agriculture and fishery sectors are likely to face a more challenging year ahead as the PAENRO works hand-in-hand, side-by-side with Mayam-o and others in the national government for higher yields or outputs. This is driven by the prospect of continued support and assistance by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piòol, and of course, President Rodrigo Duterte, himself,” she added.
But as far as the outlook in performance is concerned, only the PAENRO was seen registering “positive” by many while others in the provincial government had “stable” or below-par outlook.
Thus far, the Ifugao economic picture is extremely bright on the back of strong and vibrant growth driver as the PAENRO.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has chosen to look at this development as a “good indicator” that a highly-performing office of the provincial government as this one is acting in the best interest of the people.
The powerful and influential Sangguniang Panlalawigan is composed of ten board members. Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw is the presiding officer.
Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan said programs and projects of the PAENRO were “realistic’ given existing conditions in the province.
“The selection of seven entries from Ifugao at this prestigious competition means a lot for the province, for it really motivates and inspires our people. I’m so sure it is part of Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura’s commitment toward making PAENRO’s operations and functions sustainable and responsive to the people, as the province prepares to handle a lot of challenges ahead,” he declared.
Board Member is the chairman of the Committee on Education and Public Information. He is a staunch advocate of organic farming.
Buenaventura said the PAENRO was working “toward the provision of tangible benefits of good governance- poverty reduction, job generation, income increase and inclusive growth.”
Life is indeed filled with so many rewards- moving up the ladder in a government office out of merits and not connections due to political payoffs, enjoying a luxurious trip to Boracay or Hong Kong and being able to mingle with the rich and famous for an hour or two. But out of these memorable pursuits, the most cherished and fulfilling reward remains to be helping those in the marginalized sector. Among them are the cash-strapped farmers and fishermen.
A welcome development as this one has been highly anticipated as it would strengthen the case to pressure the provincial government to provide substantial support those are in the farming and fishery sectors, which have become the new centerpieces of the Mayam-o administration since the governor is a holder of a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the Benguet State university in 1983 prior to becoming a lawyer.
Henceforth, Governor Mayam-o is highly obligated to exert his utmost to uplift the people’s well-being, most especially the poor. For short, this necessitates the exercise of political will to get things done.
With a leader who is dedicated, honest and transparent at the PAENRO, the farmers and fishermen are strongly resolved to work harder for the sake of future generations. Many are tightly watching this development unfolds. It is a subject of immense interest of the people who considered it as a gauge of separating good and well-meaning public servants from despised traditional politicians.
Mrs. Buenaventura delivers on what she promises. “We are highly optimistic that the initiatives of our PAENRO head and the contributions of all others will be put into good use by our ever-hardworking farmers and fisher folks in the coming years,” Roselyn Montoya pointed out. Mrs. Montoya is the president of the Alfonso Lista-based Pinto Vegetables Growers Association. **By Anthony A. Araos
