By Anthony A. Araos
At a bridge situated at the border of Bagabag town (in Nueva Vizcaya) and Lamut, Ifugao, I saw this sign at the wall of the river: “I love Lamut River.” For several reasons, I fully agree with the declaration. Lamut River, to my mind, is very important for Ifugao. Like the river, Lamut is steeped in history. If you speak to the old folks in Lamut, they remember the original features of the river very well, and have fond memories and regard for its value to the people.
We start at the town proper’s Barangay Poblacion West area and from here the river flows to a number of villages of this farming town. When the water travels in a perfect cascading motion, everyone still steps out to watch the spectacle. In the early-day history of the town, the river attracts a lot of people. It’s up to you to understand and appreciate the richness of a place where there’s peace of mind and heart each second of your stay. Thus, it is a matter of staying there for a while.
Enjoy a refreshing dip at some portions of the Lamut River. The river is not too deep thus, it relatively safe to swim. I saw a long stretch where the water is calm. Likewise, avoid the strong currents. Of course, having basic swimming knowledge really matters. For short, it is safe for local and foreign tourists if they know how to swim. Tired of just staying around your bedroom practically the whole day is not being productive at all. Go out and visit this place. This is indeed an exciting adventure within reach!
It is, therefore, very important to protect the river from pollution. This task falls on the shoulders of the municipal government officials (mayor, vice mayor and councilors- most especially the chairpersons of the committee on environment, natural resources and waste management as well as committee on tourism, institutional linkages and external affairs at the Sangguniang Bayan) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I’m fearful of recommending the Ibulao River for hygienic reasons. The pollution was so intense that swimming was a torture because of the pesticides dumped into it. And it’s an open secret. This is a common knowledge, albeit their denial.
There is only but one Lamut river. Let’s protect it. Right now! Got to ensure Lamut River’s wellness at all times.
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Again, congratulations to incoming Nueva Vizcaya Vice Governor Jose Tomas Sr.
Dignified, modest, intelligent, hardworking and well-liked by his people, Tomas contributed immensely to the development of the province even in various capacities in the private sector. Considering the monumental success of the Tam-an Banaue Multipurpose Cooperative, the improvement of the lives of the poor as his greatest accomplishment he then sought to help other sectors even though he is not in the government. He is the chief executive officer of this highly-respected cooperative.
Tomas is well known for his business prowess and vision. It is now obvious that his role in the Nueva Vizcaya provincial government should be recognized. Significantly, concrete and positive steps to be pursued by him, as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, are certainly welcome. It will take only a little time for him to adjust in the world of public service.
As Nueva Vizcaya faces enormous challenges in various fronts, Vice Governor Tam-an Tomas looks to the future and build on it with vigor.
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Globally competitive equipment, gadgets and produce should be displayed and highlighted in future editons of the Gotad ad Ifugao’s Agri-Industrial Fair.
Ifugao folks should be given the opportunity to see for themselves world-class products. They can also personally see how they work or operate through a demonstration. It is high time for them to see professional product lines. It is about time for them to actually see and use these products in action for a test run. It is not too late in the day for them to realize that fresh new money making ideas might truly help them boost their earnings in the coming months and in the future. At a reinvented Gotad trade fair, come and enjoy the place and for sure not a few will but something high-tech and modern items. There is no denying that state-of-the art technology enhances life in contemporary times.
Go fast, sorry to remind you all Ifugao folks, it is 2019 and soon it is 2020. You can’t slow down your pace- not with the advent of laptops, cell phones and cable television. Here it comes, I thought, Ifugao folks seeing the great difference in their lives and the upbeat tempo of development in the metropolis.
Today, you can even shop online. In effect, the present-day Gotad fair no longer serves its purpose. For Ifugao to progress, the provision of the best technologies and technical capability enhancement assistance from production to processing and marketing is required. Like it or not, the digital ways of doing things brought forth growth and development in so many provinces in the Philippines. Hmmm. Why then are Ifugao folks who are saying that progress runs counter to their culture are even using the latest models of cellphones? Oh yes, my friend who uttered that line is using a Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) system of Smart in her cellphone. Add to the list, there’s even wireless electricity!
Filipino millennials are into e-commerce. Why are Ifugao folks sticking to the old-school, outmoded mentality? As such, this situation hinders them from fully maximizing their sales potentials.
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The enduring outcome of raising even by a few notches Ifugao’s development under the Dalipog administration is not hard to imagine. This is reflected in the programs and projects to be pursued by Governor Jerry Dalipog thus answer the actual needs of the people in the province’s 176 barangays.
From 2019 to 2022, there is a need for an innovative development planning mode to set the overall goal direction and priorities of Ifugao, where massive poverty still persists. The goal should be improvement in quality of life, reduction of poverty and inclusive development. It is as simple as that. This could be attained through the generation of quality jobs that would reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the widest majority of the populace. Anything less is not reflective of the situation in Ifugao.
Not one to be easily discouraged, I am strongly urging Governor Dalipog and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Carmelita Buyuccan to map out plans to attract investors in the province.
Take the lead to establish economic partnership with the European Union (EU) member states. The EU is a major trade partner of the Philippines. Such action will be seen for what they are: a superb way of establishing thrust of political leadership by the governor.
Think about opening up markets of handicraft and woodcarving products in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. In the end, this is the solution to the province’s lingering economic woes. People right now find it hard to understand that they still have to work abroad to provide the needs of their loved ones because gainful employment is nearly impossible in Ifugao. Sadly, meaningful and concrete measures are not being taken by the provincial government to address the problem.
I fervently pray that Governor Dalipog and Mrs. Buyuccan heed this call and aspire for even greater challenges and opportunities ahead as a means of reviving the drive to keep Ifugao a competitive investment destination.
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Unemployment problem still persists in Ifugao. This another major challenge to Governor Dalipog, Again, stop thinking of holding job fairs. The best option is to attract investors. The creation of livelihood ventures towards developing the province’s human resources and achieving decent and productive jobs that will contribute to economic growth should also be aggressively pushed. Both options are practical and do-able. With Governor Dalipog, who is known for his dynamism and is full of energy, now at the helm of the provincial government, real changes may happen soon. The significance of these developments should become more apparent when the Dalipog administration strives to improve Ifugao’s competitiveness. They should provide clues as to where the province would go. This is essential to maintain strong economic fundamentals that remain supportive of growth. Just have to make sure things are going to move, especially in the infrastructure side. This simply means creation of jobs, jobs and jobs.
Hopefully, Governor Dalipog adopts a new approach to invigorate Ifugao’s economy. Engaging in a costly foreign trips and returning home without attracting an investor to put up a business in Ifugao should be a thing of the past. Because it just doesn’t make sense!
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Providing all-out assistance to poor farmers and fishermen in Ifugao is indeed a big challenge to Governor Dalipog. I’m particularly referring to opening credit assistance for them since they obviously need to gain better access to credits. Facts: About 53 percent of farmers and fishermen are able to get loans exclusively from banks. Nearly 40 percent still borrow from private nonbank lenders while the remaining 7 percent borrow from both formal and informal sources. Loans released by banks to the agriculture sector account for only 2 percent of their total loan portfolio. Only 0.6 percent goes to production in agriculture.
I see very strong growth in the agriculture sector if such assistance is extended by the Dalipog administration. Along with Rep. Chungalao, Governor Dalipog has found himself at a pivotal position to address this problem and many other concerns of cash-strapped farmers and fishermen. For the past several decades, the growth of the agriculture sector in Ifugao has been far from satisfactory. Now, there has to be a genuine change. Like in the entire country, government statistics showed that Ifugao farmers and fishermen are among the poorest Filipinos. Let us put a stop the continuing impairment of their welfare. The voters have spoken. It is time to transform the lives of farmers, fishermen and their beneficiaries. There are surely thousands of them from underprivileged families who are willing to contribute to the task of nation-building.
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To ensure the promotion of the youth’s welfare, the Duterte Youth party-list group was established not a long time ago. Alas, it won a seat in the last May polls. But, there seems to be a big problem. Its nominee, Ronald Cardema is overaged, according to former Comelec chair Atty. Sixto Brillantes and veteran poll lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
In Lagawe, at the HQ and house of independent mayoralty bet Godfrey Dominong, I saw a huge tarpaulin of the Duterte Youth. The Duterte Youth, obviously an ally of President Duterte, obtained 95 votes in Lagawe. Dominong, who was spurned by the ruling PDP-Laban as its official candidate, apparently campaigned hard for the Duterte Youth group. Otherwise, why put that tarpaulin there? Dominong is a self-proclaimed avid supporter of President Duterte. He garnered 1,115 votes in his losing bid to re-electionist Mayor Martin Habawel (PFP) who obtained 8,020 votes.
“I shall vote for a candidate for whatever position who shall also vote for me in return,” he said aloud in a conversation in Quezon City shortly before the campaign period. “Godoy,” as Mr. Dominong (who also listed “Chumin” as his nickname in his certificate of candidacy or CoC) is fondly called here, is telling me that it’s alright to be with those who walk in the corridors of power. I was getting ahead of myself again. Giving him positive pointers on how not to repeat the debacle when he ran for mayor in 2016 (he placed third in a three-way race). It was a bad and obstinate habit of mine. For one, I told him to value and manage time. He talks to a seemingly uneducated guy for three long hours and they don’t get to even understand each other. Bottom line: I knew you don’t need me to remind you how important it is for you to talk with the most number of people around. At the start of the campaign period, I just said: “If he wins, Godoy is intelligent and I’m the opposite.” The rest is history.
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For our food delights corner: It is so nice to have something special after a day of hard work at the office. It also pays superbly to increase one’s gastronomic tastes by having La Paz Batchoy at the table during dinner time. Well, it is not really difficult to prepare it. Ingredients include pork, liver, miki noodles; chicharon, salt, garlic, pepper, onions and hard-boiled egg (make it three to four to meet family size). La Paz Batchoy is one of Iloilo’s well-known dishes. It is indeed a very delicious soup that warms up an empty stomach. Bet you, it’s a great dish during the rainy season. Don’t forget to have some fruits like bananas or avocado on the side. If a red lady papaya is available, don’t hesitate to get one. Chilled mango juice is an excellent addition. A refreshing cold potato salad with sliced cucumber is also worth serving. Above all, say a prayer for God’s unending blessings for another wonderful meal time.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “One who walks in another’s tracks leaves no footprints.” An Italian proverb
“Weaponize social media during the political campaign by delivering context so engaging that the individual netizens will be motivated to share it.” Late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago
“I will shower My Spirit and My blessings in your offspring.” Is: 44:3
