By Anthony A. Araos
LAGAWE, IFUGAO – Ifugao’s “Muyong” system not only enriches cultural practices, but also stabilizes water supply in the province.
Vice Governor Prudenciano has recently convened a meeting of interested parties from the government and private sectors to look into ways of strengthening this system. George Dean Baywong, a noted environmentalist and officer of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ifugao Chapter is one of the participants.
The participants welcomed the opportunity to revisit the “Muyong” system and saw it as a challenge to put their ideas together for the preservation of the Ifugao culture and the protection of the environment.
“We are happy that stakeholders like you have the motivation and initiative to continue and maintain our “Muyong” system during these challenging times,” the vice governor said.
For years, the “Muyong” system had sustained the lives of the Ifugao but because of neglect and a slackening in the maintenance of the “Muyongs”, people have started to feel the problems brought about by this.
The provincial government and the private sector need to come up with measures to improve the situation.
The problem is that the Ifugao of today do not really understand the important role the “Muyong” system plays in their lives. They do not understand the importance of forests and watersheds. Is this the effect of poverty, or ineffective education?
The ancestors of the Ifugao did not have the sophisticated education people have today but they developed an effective system to manage their land.
Vice Governor Prudenciano’s efforts to revive and strengthen the “Muyong” system by enlisting the help of the community are highly lauded by the advocates of the system. The involvement of the Provincial Agriculture Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) as well as that of distinguished figures from the civilian sector is an impetus for the success of this project.
There is an urgent need to bolster the economic, social and educational opportunities in this province. Enhancing the environmental protection program will surely help. The Ifugao must learn from their ancestors, improve their skills and pass them on to the next generation.
Vice Governor Prudenciano should tap the NGOs, people’s organizations, civic and professional groups and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in making every one in the province aware of the importance of salvaging our environment by maintaining our forests and watersheds through the “Muyong” system. Remember, people power is immense!
On the plus side, the millennials, Board Member Aezle Dumangeng and a good number of SK officials in the province’s 11 towns are worth tapping in this drive. They’re dynamic, idealistic and extraordinarily creative.
The Millennials- a whopping 34 million, the biggest generation of all, and is hard to ignore. They are techo-youngsters, glued to their cell phones, laptops and iPods. They have grown up in a world forming their thoughts through the Internet. The vast advantages of the social media and social networking sites are not to be ignored. They can help recruit volunteers for a “Muyong”-related project Using Facebook or Twitter, the millennial can become an advocate for a better Ifugao.
Vice Governor Prudenciano expressed his gratitude to all who attended the initial meeting. It is hoped that a clear roadmap to safeguard forests and watersheds will be laid.
Reviving and reinforcing the “Muyong” system has dragged on for years with no progress. Now, with Vice Governor Prudenciano and Mr. Baywong as advocates for the ‘muyong’ system, more and projects geared on saving the environment have increased. Vice Governor Prudenciano has touched and changed the lives of many through his genuine support for environmental protection.
The just-concluded meeting certainly supports the advocacy to ensure a better environment for present and upcoming generations of Ifugao folks. Many have been affected by depression and frustration over the problem on environmental degradation. Ifugao has a voice that’s very real. Vice Governor Prudenciano is uniquely in a position to share his passion and pride for the ‘muyong’ system. **
