By Anthony A. Araos
There are numerous reasons why tourists should visit in 2018 the farming town of Mayoyao.
One such compelling reason is that Mayoyao is the acknowledged hub of organic farming in Ifugao province. Organic farming practitioners are likely to play a greater role in agriculture in 2018 and beyond.
Get to see and appreciate the wonders of organic farming in a scenic town not too far from Banaue. What are you waiting for?
Before anything else, it is worth pointing out that it is no secret that organic farming’s phenomenal rise in this town has been attributed to the passion and commitment of four distinguished individuals. Two of them are incumbent municipal government officials. The other two are in the private sector.
The all-out support and assistance extended to organic farming practitioners by Mayor Ronie Lumayna and Vice Mayor Jimmy Padchanan are undisputable. Of course, the same is true with the councilors and countless barangay council officials.
On the other hand, the town is so blessed to have former Board Member Samson Atluna and civic leader Carmen Haywood. They are active organic farming practitioners. The former is acknowledged as a major pillar of Ifugao’s organic agriculture since he authored the Organic Farming Code at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan a few years back. The latter is recognized for her advocacy of shunning pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances in raising crops. The invaluable contributions of Mr. Atluna and Mrs. Haywood are surely heralded all over the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The people are truly happier because of the impact of the work of dedicated civilians like them on their lives. Truly, they are the shining stars of Mayoyao’s private sector. Certainly, they are shining luminously all-night long.
While visiting or vacationing in Mayoyao, it is highly recommended that the local and foreign tourists talk or spend time with these four distinguished leaders. It is something you won’t regret doing. If you don’t buy this idea, then tell me of anyone else?
Relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mayoyao’s landscape while on a vacation this year.
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No public servant in Ifugao represents the much-desired attitude of not engaging in corrupt practices than Engineer Andres Dango of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Ifugao Office. He is a champion of reason and good deeds. He adheres to transparency and accountability thus Engineer Dango is a true believer of good governance. Indeed, he is one of the few remaining good and respectable men of a major government agency long known for its notoriety on corruption. A figure of great importance on the watch of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Engineer Dango holds the distinction of accomplishing tasks at hand with impeccable precision.
His long career at the DPWH is marked by his humility as well as caring ways for his co-workers.
To Engineer Dango: A prosperous 2018! God bless and Mabuhay!
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Those who choose ZigZag Weekly are those who chart a brighter tomorrow.
As I once more extend my best wishes to all our readers, I’m also wishing and praying for the success, good health and happiness of ZigZag Weekly’s publisher and editor-in-chief and all its columnists and staf
The “Guiltless Thoughts” column shall continue to arouse social consciousness and create the necessary support to reformist movements in the public and private sectors. The cause is noteworthy for its value to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), cause-oriented groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) and as a sociological study. It remains ever committed to its advocacy of taking the side of the people on major concerns of the day. Exposing corruption or any excesses in the officialdom or enlightening the people on key issues affecting them are vital tasks of the media. Thus, the commentaries of this column are far-reaching and timeless.
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Agriculture is a mainstay of Ifugao economy. A good number of farmers constitute much of its workforce. Yet, crop production is unsatisfactory.
It is high time at the start of the year for Board Member Noli Maguiwe, chairman of the committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources, together with Acting Provincial Agriculturists Catherine Buenaventura, 11 municipal agriculture officers and other key stakeholders in the agriculture sector to brainstorm on what to do with the ailing agriculture sector in Ifugao. I’m sending a communication to Board Member Maguiwe on this matter with the end view of seeking immediate and concrete actions on the despicable conditions of farmers.
The impact of this proposed activity is derived surely as much from the fact that Ifugao’s crop production is the lowest in the region, as from other mitigating factors.
During the centuries when a tractor was only a fantasy, people developed an understanding on tilling the soil with bare hands and crude implements. Today, backward practices still persist. It’s time to modernize and mechanize the province’s agriculture sector.
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“The Top Newmakers in Ifugao in 2017” of “Guiltless Thoughts” column are worth mentioning. For now, let me skip the top choice.
Honored are Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ifugao Provincial Director Valentin Baguidudol (for saying that Ifugao doesn’t deserve to be described as a poor province in the presence of Governor Pedro Mayam-o), Board Member Clemente Bongtiwon (for his tireless efforts to uplift the plight of the elderly), Acting Provincial Agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura (for being adjudged as the National Organic Farming Focal Person Awardee), Councilor Pablo Cuyahon of Hungduan (for being the guest speaker of the Hong Kong-based Ifugao Association in its Independence Day program), Mayor Jerry Dalipog of Banaue (for steering his town in snaring the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Ifugao Global Entrepreneurs Multi-Purpose Cooperative general manager Godfrey Dominong (for assuming the presidency of the Philipine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Ifugao Chapter), Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan (for his staunch advocacy of improving the education sector), Ifugao SPED Center principal Margarette Dulnuan (for exerting her utmost to up the ante of academic excellence in her school), OIC ASDS Geraldine Gawis (for ensuring the success of Department of Education (DepEd) programs, projects and activities for quite some time, Board Member Robert Humiwat (for hurdling the toughest job of all time: budget of the provincial government), youthful Lagawe-based boxer Carl James Martin (for scoring impressively in recent national and international bouts before a hometown crowd), Alfonso Lista Mayor Glenn Prudenciano (for providing all-out support and assistance to his constituents) and Councilor James Talib of Kiangan (for elevating the Philippine Councilors League (PCL)-Cordillera Chapter to greater heights).
Undeniably, our newsmakers have reinvented the socioeconomic landscape of Ifugao last year. May their acts be replicated elsewhere! God bless and Mabuhay!
Now, the question arises: Who is then is the top choice of this column?
Answer: an Anonymous Ifugao resident who filed a complaint at the Office of the President on the unfinished hospital project in the capital town of Lagawe.
I certainly salute him or her for the courage of bringing to the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte the longstanding problem of the lack of a hospital in Lagawe. Without a doubt, your sentiment on this matter is shared by many others.
Such action was characterized as a legacy of citizen’s vigilance on a vital human need hardly attended by the powers-that-be.
If I’ll get to know and meet him or her, I’ll give this concerned resident a Medal of Valor. Why? Need I elaborate at this point the havoc brought by the absence of a hospital in any place and thereby forestall the promotion of public health care.
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Belated New Year greetings to my esteemed friends in Baguio City: Councilor Faustino Olowan and Engineer Richard Carlos. Godspeed and Mabuhay!
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For our food delights corner: It is time to have my all-time favorite chicken cordon bleu. Get a taste of deep fried of roulade of flattened chicken meat seasoned with butter and cheese. The cheesier it is the better. It is best served with java or steamed rice and mixed vegetables.
For appetizers: vanilla cake, macaroni salad, bananas and chilled pineapple juice.
Just don’t forget to pray for all the blessings at the table your family or loved ones.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “I call as my heart grows faint, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Ps. 61:2)
“Are those real?” a famous pick up line of famous actor Austin Powers
“Plato was so right: The price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” A quote from the late Senator Mirriam Defensor-Santiago
“My daughter is nine years old; they’re innocent at that age.” Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri in opposing a proposal to lower the age of criminal liability.**
