By Anthony A. Araos
To give the public a more nuanced experience of Ifugao, I am providing readers of what is life is in a barangay nestled in this upland Cordillera province. Instantly, get a good glimpse of the impact of tourism and agriculture on the people, extending way beyond economic to the cultural fibers of the villagers.
With a keen knowledge of rural life, most especially of folks’ hopes and aspirations, I now rise to the challenge of giving you all rare insights of life situations of villagers who yearn for progress for so long.
Barangay Burnay of the capital town of Lagawe (in Ifugao) is truly scenic but doesn’t have a great deal of note beyond the mountains and numerous rice fields. For decades, folks felt the effects of under development.
The village is composed of mostly of ethnic folks. Although the barangay is officially part of Lagawe, the influence of the neighboring Hingyon town is unmistakable, since it used to be a part of it.
Today, it is a predominantly farming village. Small enterprises such as sari-sari stores are also important economically.
Too bad, tourism doesn’t really mean much in this part of Lagawe, has only a few local and foreign tourist come to the barangay, which is not too far from Barangay Poblacion North, so travel time is rather short.
Since cultivation of rice is the main economic activity, with some poultry business around the barangay, it is an ideal place for researchers. It is a fair bet that it will not be difficult and long before IFSU (Ifugao State University) agriculture students should consider this because Burnay is an important hub of agriculture. Unfortunately, municipal and provincial officials pay little attention to the barangay. It’s time to put Burnay in the economic recovery roadmap. Such a move would definitely add to the attractions to the Burnay’s landscape.
It’s good enough for the “next” mayor of Lagawe to consider Burnay’s abundant natural destination. So, it’s easy for visitors to be drawn here. Additionally, one may include retirees. It is a great destination for them at any given time for the year.
More than educating the public of Burnay’s vast tourism potentials, I shall strongly push for putting of signages about the tourist sites of this barangay. By May 13, 2025, to the newly-elected mayor: Do it within 60 days of office!
And make sure that these signages are in English. Why?It easily simplifies the process of integration, creating a conducive atmosphere for foreign tourist to engage with the local community, conduct business and navigate daily life with relative ease. Another “smart” guy may advice the incoming” chief executive to use Ayangan or Tuwali. Well, it’s a disservice to the town and the people.
Moreover, holding a Lagawe Biking Challenge here is a very good idea. It is a way of providing jobs in the puroks the route passes through. The route itself is of great interest since the route is concrete and winding. Think about it, riders are environmental and forest advocates. Indeed, I believe that this project is most helpful to the cause of environmental protection. After the race, interaction with the bikers marks a turning point in our quest to safeguard the environment.
Tourism promotion in rural Philippines is a task that goes beyond “the numbers game” – for increasing tourist arrivals. We must seek to create long-term value for the people and communities you care for. In short, it is our responsibility to build a world, future generations can thrive in. Filipinos need to be aware and conscious of this fact.
The “next” mayor, barangay council and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, private sector leaders and folks of Burnay have a vital role on the preservation and regeneration of the village’s environment.
By prioritizing environmental sustainability, the “next” mayor shall ensure a better future for the people.
Given the fact that Burnay is blessed with a number of attractions, can the call for aggressive tourism promotion even be ignored? With this development, one simply feels that a visit to Lagawe is no longer complete without going to Barangay Burnay. For instance, there is the West Bulludna Resort to drop by.
In addition to tourism, Lagawe’s incoming mayor should do something concrete to uplift the conditions in the agriculture sector. Undeniably, farmers are among the “poorest of the poor.” Principally, my recommendations are the following: Teach farmers how to produce high-value, high-quality crops, create price tiers, post-harvest facilities, provide multipurpose grain seeders, use of rainwater for raising crops- due to the lack of reservoirs and catch basins since the Philippines uses only 4 percent of rainwater for irrigation, and expand marketing linkages.
If the municipal government is truly sincere in its pronouncements that it is committed to helping impoverished farmers, soil tillers should be economically emancipated thus, raising their standard of living. I think that’s a serious thought for many to consider this Christmas season and May 12, 2025.
Expeditious infusion of more funds for the Department of Agriculture in the 2025 General Appropriations Act(national budget) to enable timely purchase of tools, gadgets and equipment aimed at modernizing agriculture thereby increasing agricultural production.**
