By Anthony A. Araos
Having the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) Federation of Ifugao is definitely a valuable aid to promoting ecotourism and a working tool to the economic growth of the province. Moreover, it is easy to tap the young for drawing the tourists who are seeking fun and adventures in this part of the country.
That is why I see the need to harness the energy of youthful leaders such as SK Federation head and concurrent Board Member Aezel Dumangeng of Kiangan in finally raising the ante to aggressively promote the ecotourism program of Ifugao. Sadly, a well-meaning ecotourism blueprint even hardly exists. The tourism sector remains the laggard among three major industry groups in Ifugao. There are but a handful of tourists attracted to visit this upland Cordillera province. Yet, there are many destinations.
It is a great challenge for incoming officials of Ifugao to work hand-in-hand with Dumangeng to revive and spur the growth of ecotourism.
Again, why ecotourism in 2019? Given the fact that Ifugao’s tourism industry is driven primarily by its natural attractions, it is essential to balance economic benefit, conservation and respect for local communities’ practices and traditions.
Ecotourism surely promotes development and balanced and healthful ecology.
Furthermore, it is time to raise the consciousness and awareness of the young on the dangers of environmental degradation. For instance, the continuous cutting of trees for flimsy and silly reasons. It’s high time for them to raise their voices against this. Kaingin (slash and burn farming practice) is also rampant in Ifugao. Who shall appreciate the sight of a bald mountain? Without a genuine tree-planting program to address this, it will also lose its ecotourism potential.
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I was honored and privileged to interview former Ifugao Vice Governor Nora Dinamling in Lagawe at the launching program of the senatorial campaign of former presidential assistant Christopher “Bong” Go. Various issues related to the advocacies of Mr. Go were explained by Ms. Dinamling, who is also running for board member in the province’s first district, under the ruling PDP-Laban party. Mr. Go is a party mate of Ms. Dinamling.
Go is presently doing well in the surveys conducted by both Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Station (SWS). Mr. Go’s advocacy for the creation of more “Malasakit Centers” elicited strong support from Ms. Dinamling. At various occasions, Go made a strong pitch for prioritizing the health agenda.
Subsequent conversation with Ms. Dinamling was a valuable experience. In the past, I heard a lot of stories of how she interacted with the people, most especially the poor.
During her incumbency as Ifugao’s second highest official, Dinamling visited far-flung villages. Villagers and leaders of people’s organizations (POs) said they were fortunate and felt important because they were visited by a highly-placed and caring official. Thus, she brought the government much, much closer to the people. Moreover, Dinamling pushed for projects with high positive effects on the daily lives of the people.
If elected, I am asking Ms. Dinamling to consider revisiting current laws. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) review of existing laws should include even implementing rules and regulations (IRR) as well as department orders and memorandum circulars of pertinent bodies of the provincial government.
I am also suggesting the inclusion of a sunset clause to proposed laws to allow for timely review and recommendation on the applicability and effectivity of the same. This consequently leads to appropriate actions, which include repeal and amendments, among others, initiated by the SP, as a responsive law-making body.
It is important to track whether or not existing laws are still addressing key relevant issues and producing the desired results. Of what good is an antiquated and outdated law if it is not for the well-being of, let’s say, those of differently-abled persons, the elderly and indigenous peoples? The quality of laws should never be compromised with obsolete and onerous provisions. It is as simple as that!
Rationalization of its primordial function of pushing for quality legislation, the SP’s penchant for approving resolutions commending winners of sports competitions and the like should be a thing of the past. Commending so-and-so, left and right at every SP session will not address the mounting people’s problems on poverty and unemployment but instead it will promote mediocrity. Gone were the days when congressmen and senators heap praises for Manny Pacquiao after a Las Vegas bout because thanks to CNN, HBO, ESPN, ABS-CBN, GMA-7 and TV-5 the world knows he’s an outstanding boxer and legislators are not being paid to sing Alleluyah for a self-made man from Saranggani province whom they worshipped like God. Quality legislation gives importance to improving the living standards of the people, particularly those in underserved communities. This is the embarrassing truth: there is even a race among board members with the most number of resolutions commending Juan, Pedro and Maria. And the winner is?
It is further hoped that Ms. Dinamling should be at the forefront of ensuring the security of tenure of job-ordered personnel. In short, stop the layoff of OJTs right after the Christmas season! Likewise, it is prayed that Ms. Dinamling focus on the longstanding problem of unemployment and underemployment in the province. Ifugao is still one of the poorest provinces in the country. This is because of the lack of employment. Instead of creating decent and good-paying jobs based on the needs of the province, the provincial government intends to force its people to work abroad for technical-vocational jobs as a short-term, narrow and cosmetic solution to the lack of employment opportunities in Ifugao. What’s the solution of unthinking provincial government officials to the joblessness problem: Job fairs, job fairs and job fairs. And for that, I love them even more. For short, The more job fairs, the merrier. Hehehe!
Now, this: Dinamling even vowed to reject any “pork barrel” allocation from the powers-that-be. I salute her for such a “gallant” act, for it contravenes the ruling of the Supreme Court that states the provision of the same is unconstitutional.
This move will have paramount importance and a transcendent effect, especially with the other members of the SP. At the very least, presumptive Board Member Dinamling is about to set a good example at the SP. Will the board members again be allowed to dip their hands into the controversial “pork barrel” funds?
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Is change really coming to Ifugao on May 13, 2019?
There appears to be a glimmer of hope in certain towns in this impoverished province. One such municipality is Hungduan. For Councilor Pablo Cuyahon has opted to run for mayor in the forthcoming midterm polls. He is an independent candidate.
Cuyahon is an energetic and articulate public servant. He has been widely recognized for his efforts to uplift the conditions of farmers and dedication to public service. Residents have seen positive developments with regards to protecting and promoting the welfare of the men and women in the agriculture sector in Hungduan over the years. In the past several years, Cuyahon has taken some important steps to safeguard the rice terraces and promoted the tourism industry.
In considering the town’s socio-political dynamics, Councilor Cuyahon (just like the other worthy aspirants) has a good chance of winning the said position.
The winner of the mayoralty race in Hungduan should address the problem of lack of basic needs for health, education and employment. Hungduan is one of the poorest towns in Ifugao. Voters have no choice but to choose the most competent and dedicated one. Future problems and difficulties are likely to occur if voters make the wrong decision. For Hungduan folks- young and old alike, the stakes are so high on May 13, 2019. Is there a reason for them to rejoice with Councilor Cuyahon seeking to become the town’s highest official? Only time will tell.
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Asipulo’s economic output generally comes from its agricultural sector.
A very promising find like this so early in the vice mayoralty race here of two distinguished men with the same first name, “Clarence,” should end up being quite an exciting and challenging one-on-one match.
The big question to the folks of this scenic upland town is if and when Clarence Dupingay emerges winner?
All too often, candidates here and elsewhere project themselves as pro-farmer and pro-poor. Councilor Dupingay, an independent candidate, is one of them. Councilor Dupingay, who is serving his third and last term, presently is the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Livelihood, intends to prioritize the construction of farm-to-market roads and irrigation systems.
If realized, the agriculture shall grow significantly. Like many other towns in Ifugao, the farming is suffering from a poor to negative growth.
I cannot stand how the legitimate demands of farmers for post-harvest facilities are taken for granted and thrown outright in garbage cans. Because of that, it was easy to understand the difficulties faced by these sunbaked farmers. Agricultural production in Ifugao towns and the rest of the country suffered a setback as a result of the influx of imported produce that include rice, vegetables and pork. Bad policies wreck the agriculture sector. On the fundamental side, Asipulo farms are too small and lacking in implements to respond to the growing needs of the province. The lingering problems in the agriculture sector here can be traced to the outdated framework for agricultural development. These are solvable problems.
I wish Mr. Dupingay well, and invite him to a round of chocolate (I’m footing the bill) in order to convince him that insensitivity to the needs of farmers undermine confidence in government by creating the notion that it doesn’t exist at all. Asipulo voters deserve a campaign season that makes the problem of low productivity among farmers the priority in a debate between the two protagonists for vice mayor.
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Voting wisely is voting out of good wisdom and good conscience. It means casting a ballot not influenced by money, and to share a better future with others by dreaming of having competent, caring and compassionate officials at the helm no matter how poor the candidates are. The result is obvious- in most places in the Philippines the level of the playing field during an election is not equal. Incredibly stupid voters among the ranks of uneducated and little educated folks allow themselves to be bought by moneyed politicians. Erring crooks do engage in vote-buying schemes because there is vote-selling among the cash-strapped masses. Unintelligent votes, therefore, denies real development. Ifugao voters should not waste this opportunity to make a turnaround for the province on May 13, 2019.
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For our food delights corner: Noble people of Chinese descent are present around this month of the Chinese Lunar New Year festivity to offer great assistance and advice in your time of need at the kitchen. In addition to my all-time favorite of crispy boneless Peking duck with Chinese pancakes- enriched by a tasty scallion, garlic and Chinese soy sauce dip and steamed fresh crab claw with egg white in hua diao Chinese wine, is crispy pata with steamed rice.
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Belated “Happy Valentine’s Day” greetings to all our readers and in 2020 try recalling the following thought: To love someone, feel it through the heart. Send text messages instead of expensive gifts. In Japan, it is the women who give gifts to men on Valentine’s Day. Do I hear a Honda or Mitsubishi car?
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights. They are what makes a man human. Deny them and you deny man’s humanity.” The late Senator Jose W. Diokno
“I do not show favoritism in My Family.” Eph 6:9
“Prayers can move mountains.” A favorite of mine since my childhood days in Metro Manila**
