By Anthony A. Araos
By constantly raising the awareness and consciousness of the people on the panoramic view on top of Mt. Pulag, experts raised the standards of mountain climbing in this part of the world.
It is extremely difficult to dislodge Mt. Pulag’s ranking as the most popular destination among mountain climbers. This is easily the top choice of local and foreign tourists for so many years already. Henceforth, the competition is merely limited to the second or even third places.
This is where the generally unheralded mountains of Ifugao province come into the picture. For seasoned mountain climbers the choices are mountains in Asipulo, Banaue, Kiangan, Hingyon, Hungduan and Mayoyao.
The more you think of the breathtaking views atop these mountains, the more you want to engage in mountain climbing. But, it is not only that to consider, of course. The feeling of conquering the heights and thin air is a truly unique experience for a few selected individuals. There is something different in embracing the scent of a fog up there in the mountain. Last thing you’ll remember is that you’re in cloud nine, so to speak. Without a doubt, this is the best time to feel the brunt of the cool months of the year.
The main concern of well-meaning people in Ifugao is how to address the ailing tourism industry in the province. Here comes an excellent way of tackling this longstanding problem on low tourist arrivals in Ifugao. It is high time to promote mountain climbing activities. Pursue aggressive promotional campaigns to draw mountain climbers and other enthusiasts, which can be achieved through enhancing people’s awareness by providing information on locations and related facilities.
In essence, mountain climbing presents an exciting prospect for all stakeholders of the tourism industry. Consider the revenues and many other opportunities for the people, most especially in remote villages. Focus is on the far-reaching benefits of drawing the visitors to the province’s destinations. In other words, the provincial government should finally wake up to realize that tourism is valuable in as much it generates badly-needed jobs and income. Consider and wrap up excellent ideas from the private sector to invigorate Ifugao’s tourism industry this early of 2018. The provincial government does have a serious problem in attracting domestic and foreign tourists for so long. It can no longer be ignored by Governor Pedro Mayam-o. As a way to give voice to stakeholders, a consultation meeting with those in the private sector should be conducted. To Governor Mayam-o: Open any door, because the future is in your hands!
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According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourist arrivals posted a 4-percent increase to 956 million in the first nine months of 2016. In short, tourism is one of the fastest economic sector in the world. Sadly, Ifugao is not cashing in on this development. In truth, many in the provincial government are not even aware of this information. The officialdom’s awareness of the issues of the tourism industry should be largely improved. There should also be multi-sectoral participation in the preparation of a new tourism blueprint for Ifugao.
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The discussions on the shift to a federal government and “no-el” (no election) scenario in the Philippines are on the roll. Many are asking my opinion in Ifugao on these matters.
At a recent meeting with friends and associates at the University of the Philippines, I readily expressed my views.
President Duterte is hell bent on getting his wish for federalism during his tenure, albeit the poor support of the people. He has the numbers at the House of Representatives and a fairly good number of Senators. But the process is tedious and lengthy. Even if amending the constitution is by way of the Con-Ass mode, deliberations are simply too long. Time is not on the side of the proponents.
This brings us to the matter of not holding the polls in 2019. For starters, let me point out the facts that barangay and SK elections are scheduled by May of this year. Local and national candidates for the 2019 polls are to file their certificates of candidacies (CoCs) by October of this year too. Thus, to scrap the 2019 polls, the federalism bill has to be enacted before October.
Now, here is the problem. If the bright boys and girls of President Duterte at the lower chamber opt to elevate the impeachment case against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to the Senate the inevitable will take place. The Senate becomes an impeachment court. Expect a very lengthy impeachment battle there. It will definitely be not an easy walk for the allies of President Duterte to win a seemingly “weak” and “ridiculous” case against Chief Justice Sereno.
It will get down to the reality that Senators would have to work like “carabaos” day and night on the impeachment case against the nation’s fifth highest official as they would also be saddled with other headaches on their legislative agenda. To mention a few of their concerns: death penalty bill, General Appropriations Act of 2019 and the BBL measure for Muslim Mindanao. In other words, send the impeachment case to the Senate, and then it’s bye-bye to the no-el scenario. It is as simple as that. It is precisely the reason why someone at the lower chamber suddenly applied the brakes on the oust-CJ Sereno train.
Catch more of my commentaries on this matter in the coming issues.
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Only in the Philippines: During an emergency situation at a flight of the Philippine Airlines (PAL), the pilot asked the stewardess to prepare their passengers for an emergency landing or the worst by fastening seatbelts.
Pilot: Please give me an update. Stewardess: Most of them are praying. Some are crying. Many have fastened their seatbelts. Pilot: So everything is OK. Stewardess: Not really. Pilot: Why? Stewardess: Six passengers are doing something else. Pilot: What are they doing? Stewardess: The six lawyers are still giving their calling cards.
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No matter what angle one looks at it, something is wrong somewhere. Especially for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Ifugao Chapter and is clearly so.
It is headquartered at the third floor of the Provincial Engineering Office building in Lagawe, Ifugao. It has a staff and conducted a number of successful projects and activities. Among them were the assembly meeting and an election of the board of directors. Elected were ten luminaries of Ifugao. Furthermore, the provincial government even earmarked Php 500,000 for it last year to augment its operational expenditures.
Now, this: the PRC-Ifugao Chapter is only a sub-chapter of another one in Nueva Vizcaya province. Say what? It makes no sense at all to figure it out for such an unthinkable status, unless one sees nothing wrong with it. Undoubtedly, its status is ridiculous and downright silly, to say the least.
Need it be given a full-fledged status as an independent chapter? Yes, in fact, it should have been accorded one a long time ago. It is high time to allow the PRC-Ifugao Chapter head in the rightful direction. It takes courage, reason and wisdom to realize this. And deal with it when the time comes. The time is now!
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Utter lack of sense of value for time of people does not express the kind of province that Ifugao over the long term wants to be. This is true in transactions in and out of the government. You’ll have to wait for eternity just to talk or see an official.
If this were the United States of America, those who are at fault would already be in big trouble.
But this is not the U.S.A.—this is Ifugao where being not conscious on the value of time is a virtue.
I friend of mine from Lamut who now lives in New York City was just as pretty blunt and pretty frank about this. Many like her are deeply disdained by this attitude of most people in Ifugao. By the way, I tried to look for an answer to the query as to why this is taking place in most places here. I don’t understand why most wall clocks in the province are not working. That doesn’t make much sense to me. But, I finally got an answer.
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I bought recently a popular soft drink at a grocery in Baguio City. From Php10.75 it went up to Php13.50. Reason: the just-passed TRAIN tax law increased the prices of commodities. The law’s proponents said revenues generated by the measure are helpful to the poor. Oh yes, it’s helpful in making the poor get poorer.
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May I express my heartfelt sympathy to the victims of two vehicular accidents in Aguinaldo town. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan should immediately conduct an investigation on this matter.
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For our food delights corner: Your loved ones should still be treated to a sumptuous meal this month. So bring out the best of roast chicken relleno with creole sauce and raisins. Great with pork barbecue, corn tuna chowder soup and java rice.
For appetizers: chocolate cake, bananas and chilled guyabano juice.
Don’t forget to pray! It is so easy to feel that it’s so important to be thankful for all the blessings on the table.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “The cup of salvation I will raise, I will call on the Lord’s name.” Ps 116:12-13**
