By Anthony A. Araos
Thanks to the rice fields and a farm lot at sitio Banao in Barangay Poblacion East in Lagawe, I got the much-needed relief from the noisy, annoying and irritating campaign jingles around the province. I’m glad that I made the right decision to take a hike at this scenic place.
Welcome to a tranquil and fertile farm land of the town’s premier village. It allows one to breathe because it is suffocating in the town proper where the landscape is enveloped by streamers and tarpaulins of candidates of all persuasions. It is not yet too late to escape from the maddening of a once immaculate landscape now splashed by momma and splattered by dirt.
After the May 13 polls mayhem, it’s time to go back promoting something more sensible like farm tourism in this part of the province.
Here I found a very good explanation why farm tourism is so important in the nation’s economy. Small wonder, the list of Senator Cynthia Villar’s farm tourism adherents is increasing each day. Thus, incoming provincial government officials should take this as a cue in order to invigorate Ifugao’s economy. After all, Ifugao is still one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
I truly enjoyed my farm tourism trips in many parts of the country. This is no exception. It changes a lot of my perspectives on the linkages of the agriculture sector and the tourism industry. It is my hope and prayer that better incoming provincial government officials see the light in crafting a new tourism masterplan. There is no sense whatsoever in sticking to an obsolete and outdated tourism masterplan. For farm tourism promotion, in particular, I am looking forward that the next governor, vice governor as well as board member (who shall chair the Committee on Tourism, Arts, Culture and Special Events) shall consider sponsoring a familiarization trip for tour operators and travel agents from Metro Manila, Cebu City, Davao City and other countries. Last April 15, I met two young female teachers from London in Mandaue City. I told them to visit farms in Ifugao, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija and Isabela. Fact: 173,299 tourists from the United Kingdom visited the Philippines in 2016, according to the Department of Tourism. How many of them went to Ifugao? Forget it, the record is dismal. But let’s give it another try. A trip to this place and other farm tourism sites in Kiangan, Hungduan and Mayoyao is an excellent idea. I am most willing to help you guys! How about a Sitio Banao Farm Trip Plus More Tour Package?
Expect a breathtaking view of farm lands and unparalleled dedication of farmers as they attend to their fields each day of the week. Could you find sitio Banao easily? Yes! It is located along the main highway on the right side on your way to Hingyon of you’re coming from Kiangan town.
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Four outgoing mayors in Ifugao are running for higher positions in the May 13, 2019 midterm polls. One of them is Hungduan Mayor Hilario Bumangabang. Mayor Bumangabang is running for board member in the first district of the province. He is an independent candidate.
Bumangabang is a five-term mayor of Hungduan, a fourth-class municipality with 6,283 voters.
Mayor Bumangabang has been recognized and honored in the past for showing outstanding performance and tenacity in developing successful programs and projects for this town. I’m most impressed by his determination to spur greater innovation in the administration of the daily operations of the municipal government.
Ifugao folks certainly need more of him in the legislature to help shepherd the implementation of development programs. In terms of transparency and trustworthiness, in a scale of one to ten, I’ll give a score of nine. To my mind, Mayor Bumangabang passed the test of leadership competency in flying colors. Outstanding leadership is Mayor Bumangabang’s trademark. He is a passionate advocate for better conditions in the agriculture sector. If elected, I’m confident that Mr. Bumangabang shall immediately roll his sleeves and buckle down to work as a wide array of opportunities that ensue from committing solely for the people’s well-being await him. He vowed to maximize the strength of the law-making powers of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to provide more meaningful benefits to farmers especially those in remote and underserved villages. It has been said time and again that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has the potential to be a key driver in economic development if only allowed to be composed of competent, caring, compassionate, intelligent and well-meaning board members. No doubt, one of them is Hilario Bumangabang. I trust that most Ifugao voters now acknowledge this. Mayor Bumangabang continues to be an able partner in inclusive growth, in bringing about rural development, and in helping in the fight against widespread poverty. I’m optimistic that if he wins, with everybody’s support and cooperation, Ifugao folks will finally prevail and achieve their vision.
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The distribution of seats at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is presently blatantly lopsided and unfair, Lagawe has three board members. On the other hand, Hungduan has no representative and this is unconscionable, to say the least. The same is true for Asipulo and Tinoc towns.
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The three outgoing Ifugao mayors are Gerry Dalpipog of Banaue (who is running for governor under the NUP), Glenn Prudenciano of Alfonso Lista (for vice governor under the LP) and Joselito Guyguyon of Kiangan (for board member in the first district, independent). Finally, some Ifugao politicians have shown a good degree of maturity and learned the true meaning of “graduation.” To graduate simply means going up in the ladder. Largely, Ifugao mayors who completed their third and last term just run for vice mayor in the next elections. Thus, I’m commending Mayors Dalipog, Prudenciano, Guyguyon as well as Bumangabang for seeking a higher position after serving well their constituents. ADVISORY to all Ifugao officials: Running for a lower position is not hazardous to your fortune if you have done a good job in office!
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A candidate for provincial board member of Ifugao stood out from the rest and gave the seemingly embattled Sangguniang Panlalawigan a big boost during the just-concluded “Ifugao SP Candidates Forum for Good Governance” at Don Bosco High School Gymnasium in Lagawe. I refer to former Vice Governor Nora Dinamling.
She declared that “some people believe that the use of pork barrel in the legislature is a virtue.” But that’s a wrong notion, she said. Pretty well said, Ms. Dinamling who is running under the PDP-Laban in this 16-cornered race in the forthcoming polls and many in the crowd applauded her for her uncompromising stand.
After she filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) last year or long before the start of the 45-day campaign period for local bets, she vowed to reject any pork barrel offer from the powers-that-be. A lot remains to be seen if many others are genuinely sincere when they sign a covenant at the said forum and likely to join her in this noble cause. Frankly, I don’t believe a miracle is to occur and someone has to tell me what they have done about it in recent past. Make it easy for me to understand it and I’d gladly listen for a minute or two. It is not hard to do and so give it a good try.
Pork is pork no matter how some quarters describe and hide its form! It is a malevolent manner of going around the intent of the Supreme Court decision in declaring as unconstitutional the pork barrel system.
Again, presumptive Board Member Nora Dinamling was correct in her assertions on this matter. May your tribe increase a thousand fold.
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I’m glad the forum challenged incoming SP members to do things right. Well, criticism is part of public service. To this time, albeit the explanations of some quarters during the forum, the issue of pork barrel funds remains yet a very sensitive and contentious issue. From 2016 to 2019 it was a case of pork barrel everywhere and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. of the April 30 forum it was nowhere. Hehehe! What recommendations do I propose in order to make this engagement successful? I would like to advance some recommendations. First and foremost, the next Governor should commit himself not to offer pork barrel funds to the board members.
There were arguments presented in defense of the pork barrel system. The thought didn’t sit well with me for various reasons. The wanton abuse of gasoline allowances and profligate abuse of service vehicles have to stop now! Outgoing Board Member Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut, who is running for vice governor under the PFP, disclosed that he is personally paying for gasoline expenses for trips outside of Ifugao. It did not help much assuage the anger of the people because it appeared as an isolated case. Well, it fell short of an admission that something is awfully wrong somewhere at the SP.The debate on the gasoline allowances perk has been going on for years, and will go on. If a referendum is made, the issue will be settled. Ifugao folks should have spoken loudly. My fearless forecast: it will be overwhelmingly rejected. For now, my win-win solution: Just allocate five thousand pesos a month gasoline allowance to a board member. Fair enough!
Board members are reportedly also enjoying load allowances perk. How many lowly-paid employees at the SP and the rest of the provincial government are enjoying this privilege? I wonder what Fr. John Habawel, a forum convener, would think when he hears that job-ordered personnel of Board Member-so-and-so has to stretch her meager budget just to get a thirty pesos load.
Patronage politics only perpetuate and keep most Ifugao folks forever poor. It has brought unimaginable harm to the lives of the people. Its eradication is left to the vigilance of the people, and attendance at the forum should be seen as an encouraging initial step. When that happens, there is a relief over the brazen attempts to fool the people on their hard-earned tax money. Ifugao voters better ask themselves what will happen to them by 2022. At the forum, there were, of course, traditional politicians who gave them traditional promises. Organizers have no choice. They have to deliver them come hell or high water one way or the other.
Participation of churches and broad-based formations of NGOs and POs speak for the success of the overall effort to strive toward the greater possibilities that still await Ifugao folks. Thus, I see the compelling need to convince more Ifugao folks to exercise vigilance.
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Blooper in Ifugao: At the Ifugao SP candidates’ forum on good governance, a candidate said: “I shall be a corruption booster at the SP, if elected!” Correction: “buster” of course. Even outgoing Board Member Robert Mangyao of Lagawe heard it.
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For our food delights corner: I’m serious and this is no coincidence. It is a great idea to have grilled pork chop in sweetened banana and guava sauce. Served best with steamed rice and sinigang na hipon (shrimps). Make sure the pork chop is marinated for about four hours. The secret in the marination comes from the garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper and herbs and little bit of chilling time. Just add bananas and chilled pineapple juice. Relations with the family or loved ones are important and that’s why it is vital to bring out the best meals at the table. Don’t waste this opportunity. Pray before enjoying this meal.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Example is better than precept.” Zhuang Zi, a Chinese philosopher
“I made the heavens by My Word and I breathed the stars into existence.” Ps 33:6
“A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he comes to it!” Late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago**
