By Anthony A. Araos
Tinoc is a promising tourism site where you can also be a vanguard of protecting its rich and scenic environment. A point of interest is the town’s lush forests and colorful birds. So Tinoc is a wonderful ecotourism adventure site in this part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Trek to its mountains for an energetic exercise long needed by the body. Unknown to many, Tinoc is also a trekker’s delight because of its natural settings. It gives local and foreign tourists easily an opportunity to venture on several portions of the town most of the time of the year.
The town’s terrain, landscape and forestland promise one that no matter how he or she frequently visits Tinoc, the traveler will always feel relax and invigorated.
Apart from trekking, hiking, camping and studying the town’s agriculture sector are other reasons why tourists include Tinoc on their itinerary.
But, how do you get to Tinoc? There are daily van trips from the capital town of Lagawe. It passes the farming town of Kiangan. Tinoc is approximately three hours from Lagawe. During the wet or rainy season in the Philippines, it is advisable to travel to and from the town in the morning.
Bring along your cameras and cellphones and take snapshots of this upland town where residents primarily dependent on agriculture for their living. Thus, the town can be yours through memorable photographs. And perfect glimpse of its hardworking and friendly people.
It’s hard not to be charmed by the emotional intensity of the wonders, attractiveness and many times sheer uniqueness of eco-tourism in seemingly distant land out in the countryside. Tinoc is after all a perfect place to understand and appreciate the splendor of eco-tourism.
That is why I hate this wholesale destruction of forestlands in Ifugao that’s going on by misguided, hard-headed and uneducated folks. I’ve seen so many trees cut for no reason at all other than for the wood to be used for cooking their food or constructing houses. They can just use Solane gas instead!
Thus, safeguarding Tinoc’s mountains and forests for ecotourism’s sake as a legacy to present and even incoming generations inevitably is an act of leaving no stone unturned in the task of protecting Mother Earth. Undoubtedly, these days it is also a feat of courage. This is what I call an important twist to increase the level of satisfaction on all matters related to environmental protection on the daily lives of the people.
One of the most striking findings in a study at the University of the Philippines is that a major cause of environmental degradation in Ifugao is widespread kaingin (slash and burn farming) practice. This suggests that environmentalists and concerned residents have opportunities to address unmet and unanswered demand and clamor by taking stern actions on those who cut trees in the wilderness.
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With the 2019 midterm polls just about less than a year in the counting, aspirants at all levels should really be prepared to act fast. Your schedules will be a top priority. You will visit a lot of villages (barangays) and do things to expand your base. Enjoy and learn a lot on this fast-paced time prior to the 45-day (for local candidates) and 90-day (for national bets) campaign period.
A good friend of mine in Lagawe, who is reportedly running for a key post next year, is spending three hours conversing with an illiterate who apparently is not even a voter in the town. After 180 minutes of talk, the old folk didn’t understand a single thought. In fact, they didn’t even understand each other. They just giggled most of the time. In my case, all I need is a minute or two. And I have discussed so many matters in such a short span of time. I call it time management.
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In what is turning out to be an exciting and unpredictable race for vice governor in Ifugao in the 2019 midterm elections, many questions on various concerns of the people are likely to be raised by the electorate. By the way, the contenders are Board Members Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut and James Frederick Dulnuan of Banawe and Alfonso Lista Mayor Glenn Prudenciano. All are serving their third and last terms.
Board Member Dulnuan is running under the ruling PDP-Laban and is the running mate of Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw. Mayor Prudenciano is the candidate of the opposition Liberal Party (LP) and is teaming up with Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. Board Member Bunnol is reportedly being courted by a major political party to be its official candidate for the province’s second highest post. Hold on folks, you’ll get to know it soon!
For now, they’ll feel edgy to face each other in a debate or two during the campaign period for the purpose of arriving at an “enlightened decision” on election day. I describe a debate as a “competitive practice” in the political arena. Here you simply separate the men from the boys. It is largely dependent on intelligence, wits and preparedness on issues likely to be tackled during the debate. Perhaps “pa cute and pa pogi” antics aren’t really among the major considerations in picking on who’s on top of these debates thus, determining invariably on who is the best guy for the said job. But, maybe wisdom of the mind and heart should finally prevail.
Anyhow, I’m looking to the possibility of asking the three candidates the following questions. How do you regulate tourism activities severely impacting our natural resources, indigenous peoples (IPs) and culture? How do you ensure inclusive economic development in tourist attraction communities? Of course, what is premium tourism market? What are the concerns of this market?
Ascertaining the “very best” choice among these candidates often requires cross-sectoral introspection of their platforms and even basic and updated knowledge of premium tourism market vis-à-vis its relationship to local customs and practices.
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In a recent conversation with Board Member Clemente Bongtiwon of Banaue at his office, he disclosed his plan to sponsor a resolution seeking to redress the complaints of a number of senior citizens who were not included in the list of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s pension beneficiaries. I commended him for such a noteworthy action. I told him: “Excellent move, it is a step in the right direction!” The Sangguniang Panlalawigan should take the lead in resolving this matter, in what clearly appears to be a vital initiative for a much-sought after social concern reform as in the case of numerous senior citizens excluded in the said list. Absent any assistance through the pension program, social security reform will be toothless, unimaginable and unsustainable. It is good and fortunate that Board Member Bongtiwon is around actively battling for increased pension for the elderly sector. Unfortunately, a few of his colleagues are supporting him on this score. The powerful and influential Sangguniang Panlalawigan must act without delay. Other board members must heed the call!
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I read with great interest a notice of meeting of the Personnel Selection Board (PSB), dated August 10, 2018, furnished by a friendly source, regarding the interview of applicants for a number of positions including but not limited to the provincial agriculturist.
Of course, the said position caught my attention. It’s back to square 1 for the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO). The provincial government is once more on the lookout for someone to head this all-important office.
Earlier, then acting provincial agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura was ranked first by the PSB itself. Mrs. Buenaventura, a multi-national awardee of prestigious competitions of the Department of Agriculture, was bypassed by someone else who even ranked bottom last. All told, the reason was the wide latitude of discretion by the appointing power. I call it a case of wide latitude of poor discretion. The problem easily stems from the fact that in Ifugao the selection of key and other positions in the government is no longer attributed to the merit system. A friend of mine who applied at the Schools Division Office of the Department of Education suffered the same experience. The definition and essence of “excellence” is so important, because it can determine how to run the officialdom in an efficient and effective manner. Sadly, many in the corridors of power are insurmountably ignorant of the fact that is how it works in many other places outside of Ifugao, a province where poverty is still rampant as a result of the ineptness of the powers-that-be. Many of them are seem oblivious of the ways of meritocracy.
At one time, I asked Mrs. Buenaventura- with exemplary service record, if she has an M.B.A. to count. She quipped: “You mean Master in Business Administration? None.” I immediately retorted: “No, I refer to May Backer Ako!” I caught her flat-flooted and she smiled and nodded quickly.
When our officials and leaders will have embrace the value of excellence in work to stand on the side of pursuit of good and responsive governance, then we shall have untied the Gordian knot known as inefficiency. Incompetence will then be something we can await as a relic of the past.
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Congratulations to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Ifugao Federation president Aezle Dumangeng of Kiangan and Association of Barangay Coucils (ABC) Ifugao Federation president James Buhulon Sr. of Lagawe, who are now the newest members of the Sangguniang Panlalwigan.
Board Members Dumangeng and Buhulon are the chaipersons of the committee on youth and sports and barangay affairs, respectively.
Expectations are quite high on them since they are to serve the people in the next two years. Like the other board members, fat paychecks are awaiting these two neophyte legislators. Please buckle down to work immediately! Problems of the youth sector and barangay government officials are plenty. It’s time to lift the veil that surrounds incompetent and inept officials in poor and underdeveloped provinces like Ifugao. It is not difficult to understand the people’s frustration over the government’s ineptness in dealing with drugs, criminality, corruption and other crimes. This is a call for them to discharge their functions and responsibilities dutifully and faithfully well at all times. Make yourselves accessible to your constituents in your offices. Be visible not just during sessions on Tuesdays and committee hearings on Wednesdays. Set a good example to your colleagues at the SP like Board Member Bongtiwon.Take heed!
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Ifugao folks are paying their taxes for the construction of private rooms of the Panopdopan District Hospital in Lamut. Facts: District Hospital is a government-operated facility. The capital town of Lagawe is still badly in need of a hospital. The Panopdopan District Hospital is congested and is lacking in equipment, supplies and even doctors and nurses.
Government funds should be utilized judiciously at all times for the benefit of the people, most especially the poor. Ifugao is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. Rich, affluent and well-to-do Ifugao folks have access to the newly-built, privately-owned Salubris Hospital in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya and other private hospitals in Nueva Vizcaya, Baguio City and Metro Manila.
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Tips for success: It’s always good to know what’s happening or going on around you most of the time. This is true at the office or school. Don’t be a loner. This is certainly a part of growing up or maturing at some point in time of one’s life. This is part of the all-important learning process.
Likewise, it pays a lot to stay focused and do your best if you wish to go far. Got to believe in yourself and exert your utmost at work or during school-based undertakings
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For our food delights corner: It is a perfect time for a Japanese meal treat. It is all about Katsu Pork Ribs.
Make some modifications for Philippine and American flavors at dinner time. It is best served with fries, coleslaw and rice. Japan is known for its pork and shrimp dishes. You’ll have a hard time resisting pork cutlet- coated in potato breadcrumbs, deep-fried, always crisp on the outside yet so tender in the inside.
For appetizers and dessert: take a chance of having vanilla cake, sliced papaya and chilled watermelon juice. A great meal for the family and loved ones and it is complimented with my signature advice of prayer before meal. There is a feeling of greatness each second at the table.
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Some thoughts for our readers: “All ten were cleansed, were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Luke 17:12-17
“The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.” Ps 98:1**
