By Anthony A. Araos
Trees have been wantonly and brazenly cut by hard-headed and ill-disciplined folks in numerous mountains in Ifugao’s ten towns. Fortunately, the situation is still far different in Mayoyao town.
To date, Mayoyao’s mountains are largely untouched. It is still blessed with lush forests. Thus, it is not difficult to discover countless of such lush forests and other hidden wonders in this predominantly farming town.
This provides the backdrop for an ideal eco-tourism adventure trip to Mayoyao even late this year and the coming years.
There is a wide variety of eco-tourism adventure activities offered by the town’s 27 villages. Of course, I am quick to recommend Nattum as a barangay to consider for such activities. The village is undoubtedly scenic. Trekking, hiking and camping are just some of these worthwhile activities in this part of Mayoyao. All I am reminding our readers is a little understanding of the fact that the village is a remote place. Surely, distance and time are no problems to the trekker- local or foreign. Knowledge of this fact is ocean deep to the trekker, in the first place, I supposed.
Horse-back riding is also ideal in many of the town’s villages. It is a good exercise for health buffs and sports enthusiasts.
During my brief stay at a lodging inn at barangay Poblacion, I saw the breathtaking view of the mountains. Seemingly perched on the top of the village, at the veranda I saw neatly the surrounding views of the town. Mayoyao is indeed a wonderful refuge rediscovered.
What a nice surprise to see the majestic views of the rice terraces while taking a short walk to the municipal hall. Mayoyao due to its location and natural attributes is an excellent choice for an eco-tourism adventure trip.
Stay a bit longer in Mayoyao to explore its natural wonders. There is no reason to regret it because the town certainly holds the distinction as the “eco-tourism adventure capital” of Ifugao.
Here’s a way to avoid worrying about where to take a relaxing vacation this Christmas season. Take a break! Visit and learn more about Mayoyao.
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I just spoke with four European tourists (two of them are from Germany, another one from France and the other is from Czech Republic) and two others from Canada during my recent trip to Manila. I recommended that they include Mayoyao town in their itinerary while they are in the country. I mentioned a couple of destinations in Mayoyao for them to visit. The six ladies were all excited to travel to Mayoyao this October.
Present and incoming municipal government officials of Mayoyao should cultivate their friendship with foreign tourists and think of ways to further strengthen their ties for mutual benefit.
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Given the growing demands for improving the infrastructure of Ifugao’s tourism industry, I believe that rather than letting the public sector craft a blueprint for it, the incoming provincial government officials should commit to realize it with the assistance and support of the bright men and women of the private sector.
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Presidential spokesman Harry Roque is reportedly running for Senator in the 2019 midterm elections. Roque, also a lawyer and former Kabayan partylist Representative in Congress, was even discouraged by President Duterte who advised him instead to stay in the cabinet. President Duterte apparently told him: “You’re not going to win. The soldiers are not going to vote for you!”
Atty. Roque surprisingly uttered nothing on this matter. He should have replied: “With due respect, Mr. President there are many other voters. What about the farmers, teachers, businessmen, professionals and students?”
Atty. Roque is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines. He also hails from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), particularly from Benguet province.
People nowadays still give a premium to the track record of candidates who are running for Senator. This is good news for Atty. Roque. No offense to the powers-that-be, but it looks like that the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party’s main man and top honchos are not likely to campaign hard, all-out for him. This is not good news for Atty. Roque. Indeed, I am suggesting that one of the best prospects of having another intelligent Senator and to separate the “competent” and “incompetent” bets of the PDP-Laban is for Atty. Roque is to engage the others in a debate.
How pronounced are the “most favored” candidates of the Palace for the Senate had become shall be known sooner and not later. Factional alignments frequently cut across a political party. The administration PDP-Laban party is no exception. Atty. Roque should be aware of this.
Given the seemingly lukewarm attitude of some quarters, Atty. Roque should simply run as an independent candidate.
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One other good news is: Third-termer Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog is running for Governor of the province in the 2019 midterm polls. I am glad that Mayor Dalipog is willing to accept challenges and obstacles if he gets elected as the next governor of Ifugao, I strongly believe that he can surmount the same with the presence and leadership of an official with the guts to exercise political will at all times that shall work with the same spirit of dedication to duty and compassion for the poor that has been the hallmark of his tenure as Banaue’s highest official for so many years. In 2017, Banaue was adjudged as a national awardee of the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
If Mayor Dalipog is successful in his bid to lead the province and a make a turnaround from its distinction as one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, the Office of the Governor should see to it that relevant policies and programs are actually implemented throughout the province. It should be virtually implemented by a dynamic and dedicated Governor as a way forward in building a province where the problem on the poor are becoming poorer each second shall be a thing of the past.
Mr. Dalipog is regarded by many as among the most outstanding mayors in the CAR. If he gets the nod of the electorate in 2019, Mayor Dalipog is bringing to the office a track record replete with utmost competence, professionalism and integrity thereby raising the standards of governance akin to developed provinces such as Albay, Bulacan, Cebu and Pangasinan which is acknowledged and emulated in many parts of the country.
Tremendous gains in youth and sports development, promotion of the welfare of senior citizens and increased productivity in the agriculture sector has been attributed to Mayor Dalipog. Needless to say, the tourism industry experienced an unprecedented growth.
To Mayor Dalipog: Good luck, God bless and Mabuhay! Kudos, I think Ifugao voters should really look into the credentials of the candidates. This is quite evident, since Ifugao is lagging far, far and far behind the other provinces in the CAR in terms of development.
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Rehabilitation efforts of a disaster-stricken town or province should take into account the need for the government to respond immediately to the needs of the people. Over the years, the declaration of a state of calamity and subsequent release of the so-called Quick Response Fund of the national government would foster or facilitate quick action on the problems faced by the populace in the aftermath of the calamity.
I have discussed in my previous commentary the matter on the failure of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ifugao to declare a state of calamity following the damages brought by the recent typhoon Ompong (international name: Manghuk) in the province. It is nearly a month after the typhoon hit Ifugao and still there is no declaration of a state of calamity. Ifugao is generally one of the poorest and least developed provinces in the Philippines. President Duterte already declared a state of calamity in the CAR. To the Board Members and Vice Governor Gullitiw: What additional information do you need to finally be able to declare a state of calamity? Prolonged inaction on this matter will cause negative long-term effect on Ifugao folks. This will be remembered and considered by the electorate in next year’s polls. The provincial government should be finding solutions to the suffering of the typhoon victims instead of adding to their burden.
There are lots of opportunities since September 15 when Ompong hit Ifugao, up to October 15 to declare a state of calamity in the province. The hurtful truth is that the legislative wing of the provincial government squandered this chance. This is when the much-needed state “intervention” mechanism known as “declaration of a state of calamity” comes into the picture.
Is it too much in the asking if even one of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan deliver a privilege speech outlining the need to declare a state of calamity in Ifugao ASAP! My best bet and hope lies in the hands of Board Member Robert Humiwat!
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I am pinning high hopes for the incoming Vice Governor to take the cudgels of members of microfinance institution (MFI) in elevating them to greater heights as a foremost partner in poverty alleviation.
There are three aspirants for vice governor of Ifugao in the 2019 polls. They are Board Members Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut, James Frederick Dulnuan of Banaue and Alfonso Lista Mayor Glenn Prudenciano. I simply want to ask them a question regarding the MFI matter vis-à-vis less fortunate Ifugao folks. My query: What do you think as Vice Governor you’d be doing to improve the conditions of the poor?
Likewise, I am asking them, what are the steps you’re contemplating to raise the standards of microfinance operators? What measures are needed to eradicate unfair and abusive practices of some lenders? MFIs should continuously contribute in spurring growth and development through microfinance programs. Carrying out the thrust of empowering the Filipino poor through microfinance is essential.
There is also the issue on the practice of providing agricultural inputs through centralized procurement and this only breeds corruption. What is your position on this matter? How do you intend to tackle this problem of cash-strapped farmers?
Bottom line: I want the three aspirants to engage in a debate over strategy on upgrading the plight of the poor and farmers.
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The incoming chairman of the committee on education and public information at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should strive hard to improve the interdisciplinary use of Filipino language such as in Social Sciences, History, Philosophy, Psychology and the Sciences. Fostering the significance of the Filipino language, most especially, in the tertiary level is vital.
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A blooper in Ifugao: Believe or not: in a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan I came across the following words- “beautiful harvest.” It should be “bountiful harvest.” Aren’t there enough problems for the board members to handle like tardiness and lack of interest of the people to even attend their sessions, and now, this “confusion” on describing the farmer’s harvest.
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A tip for success: The key to a healthy life is moderation in everything you’re doing. This is quite self- explanatory.
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For our food delights corner: here is a supper yummy treat for your family and loved ones at lunch. Let’s bring out the best of paella, a fully-loaded one at that. Meaning, complete with chorizo, chicken and seafood cooked the traditional way over charcoal and firewood. You may possibly add the following “recado” to make the paella truly unique: batutay, Cabanatuan City’s version of garlic longganisa. For appetizers and dessert: there’s kesong puti, sliced avocado and chilled mango juice.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “I will show God’s salvation to the upright.” Ps 50:7**
