By Anthony A. Araos
Alfonso Lista town is said to be the gateway to the second geographical district of Ifugao, if you’re coming all the way from Isabela province.
For so many years, birds from other countries also found it applicable for themselves this assertion. Today, birds indeed have a sanctuary of sorts at Alfonso Lista.
Nestled at a strategic location, a famous bird-watching site is situated not too far from the town’s teetering plateau and rolling hills landscape. Yes, this is a thriving destination of Alfonso Lista’s tourism industry. In short, it is a “gem” to reckon with.
Locals call it a “bird-watching site.” I’m more inclined to describe it as “migratory bird sanctuary adventure.” This is such a wonderful place. Students and teachers should be encouraged to conduct eco-lectures out here. Even young professionals and business executives and their personnel are enjoined to hold their team-building activities in this place.
For students, teachers, principals, professors and even researchers, the migratory bird sanctuary is the best place to have a bird study. For one, answers are to be elicited to such questions as “How many species of birds you saw in the said place?” or “What are the common names in English of these birds?” Easily, these rare birds have caught your attention. Isn’t it the opportune time to tell something about the size, colors and movements of each bird?
A sustained multi-sectoral effort to protect the sanctuary creates a shield from violators of laws on the environment. These in turn can substantially contribute to overall growth of the tourism industry in Alfonso Lista and the province as a whole.
For as long as this place can be transformed as a major attraction, Alfonso Lista folks have no other choice except to really protect is surroundings.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the young and those in the academe to see how the birds are in Alfonso Lista. Actual field study is intertwined with knowledge through books. What do you expect?
Alfonso Lista folks should be kind to Mother Nature at all times in and around the sanctuary because if they protect the environment it is for their own good. They should be smart and proactive environmentalists with regard to migratory bird’s sanctuary. The sanctuary is virtually the birds’ second home, so they should take care of it the way they do in their own homes. The end-result is quite clear. More and more birds will surely come to the sanctuary. Invariably more and more revenues and adventures will also come..
Are you on the lookout for an outstanding natural attraction in northern Luzon? Make no mistake the place is Alfonso Lista. Find ample time to enjoy a bird-watching activity here..
For the young Filipino grader who didn’t go to Japan or China for these birds, she just went to Alfonso Lista!
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I’m so glad that Alfonso Lista farm tourism advocates finally buckled down to work the second time around to make a dent in advancing their cause. A recent meeting (to be more exact, on November 7) brought various stakeholders together on a common platform to drive interactive discussions and promote synergy of initiatives. On this memorable occasion, the Tourism Office, Municipal Agriculure Office and farmers forged firm ties for the sake of farm tourism. This marks a strong partnership in building for progress. I also spoke briefly at the meeting.
Now with farmers from a number of Alfonso Lista’s villages, I earnestly hope this core group shall continue to expand its reach and step close to achieving the vision of becoming a prime player in the development of farm tourism.
Again, bureaucratic red tape and other problems must be addressed by the government at the soonest time if the Philippines can be competitive in attracting visitors to farm tourism sites in Alfonso Lista and elsewhere.
Just applying for the certificate involves a long, tedious and difficult process. Let alone, the fact that the certificate is expensive.
Nevertheless, I’m hoping that the integration and exchange of views, knowledge and best practices will contribute to propelling the farm tourism agenda in Alfonso Lista. I’m praying that in the not-so-distant future there is marked improvement in the lives of farmers who converted their lots into farm tourism sites. I have strong faith in the men and women who are now in the forefront of advancing the cause of farm tourism in the town. They are self-made individuals imbued with idealism, discipline, dedication to work and strong faith in God.
The contention that the comfort room to be constructed in the farm tourism site should only be simple so as not shell out too much cash is simply laughable. Do you expect the foreign tourists to use “tabo” when relieving themselves?
A favorite explanation and excuse of officials is that “there are no funds available” for the construction of a comfort room or a road for the farm tourism site. But there are funds. Lots and lots of them, in fact. The truth is no more eloquently expressed by the PhP10.2-billion Inclusive Partnership Agricultural Partnership Project of the government. It was strongly and easily endorsed by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board. Enough of excuses and alibis!
Don’t forget that good road condition is so important in not just attracting tourists to these mostly far-away farm tourism sites, but also in maintaining the quality of high-value agriculture or fishery produce as it is being transported in the supply chain.
Henceforth, the goal of reducing production cost and increasing incomes of farmers were not attained in the areas where roads were badly or poorly constructed thus, it reduces the quality of farm products transported resulting in the incurrence of heavy losses to farmers.
Farmers and the government should be partners in the quest for rural development and weed out poverty.
Farm tourism drives economic productivity- create jobs, riase income level of farmers and beneficiaries and create access to international marketing networks. The government should pursue the aggressive expansion of the farm tourism program but not at the expense of cash-starved farmers. Sadly, agriculture is in dismal state, with the resulting non-inclusive growth. There are 12 million people employed in the agriculture sector. Yet, they belong to the country’s poorest. A 2014 report of the NEDA on rural poverty indicated that the Philippines had the highest poverty level in Southeast Asia at 40 percent. Thailand registered at 30 percent.
Bangar village lies some five kilometers from the main Poblacion area of the village of Sta. Maria and provides a good glimpse of rural life and organic farming. There are other villages of the town where trees and paddies also create a lively atmosphere.
If realized, a farm tourism site in Alfonso Lista (and possibly others in Ifugao’s ten other towns) will create a new life, a new dimension and a new beginning for the farmer.
It is quite possible that farmers who answer the call to transform their lots to farm tourism sites be aided significantly through the ambitious Build, Build, Build program of President Duterte. Innovative use of public funds to reach the cash-strapped folks in these farm lands is clearly the call of the day. This fact may be enough to force a substantial number of farmers to support the farm tourism program.
This could also raise the confidence of investors as the contemplate destinations in the town that offer affordable facilities yet quality services.
Everything is a possibility, including an earthly calm feeling for a traveler while sipping “buko” (coconut) juice at one of these farm tourism sites.
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It’s more than work. Always maintain physical wellness and mental health. Meantime, in some towns in Ifugao, Zumba enthusiasts are actively exercising at various public sites. The Zumba program indeed drew participants from diverse backgrounds, all carrying a message of physical fitness and happiness. And always think of Zumba (jogging and other forms of exercises) as a worthwhile activity with a higher purpose in life!
Light to moderate exercises are essential these days. Why? It is not something that people must do, or have to do. It should be something that they should enjoy doing. Find out something that you’re going to appreciate regularly.
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Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: When your boss is mad at her husband, don’t ask for a promotion or salary increase.
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Did you know? The suggested buying price (SBP) for palay means that traders will observe a base price and a ceiling price in buying produce in order that farmers will be protected and that there will be no uncontrolled ‘pricing war’ in palay which may cause prices of rice stocks to go up.
While the suggested retail price (SRP) for palay will simply ensure that the retailers and traders don’t sell rice at prices which are unreasonable based on the buying price of paddy rice.
State-operated National Food Authority sells government subsidized rice at PhP27.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our dear readers: “Take care of those who were with you on your way to success.” Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domogoso
“When they go low, we go high.” Former United States First Lady Michelle Obama
“May the name of the Lord be blessed be evermore!” Ps 113:1b-2
“At 92 years old, I still wake up early and I still love to do what I’m doing. I still know everything that is going on in my company. I still love to learn and am always reading books, and now online stories in the new digital age. I always tell my children, my grandchildren and my colleagues: Love your country. Never stop learning.” Late taipan-philantropist John Gokongwei Jr., owner of Robinsons and Cebu Pacific **
