By Anthony A. Araos
Experience the unique adventure of bird-watching at the famed migratory birds’ sanctuary at Alfonso Lista town.
Be that as it may, people will ask: How long are these migratory birds likely to stay in the said site? My answer is: As long as the place is safe for them.
These birds seek warmer temperatures out here in the Philippines. Thus, birds from China, Japan, Mongolia and Taiwan where extremely cold temperatures are recorded in the winter season, seek refuge in the country for obvious reasons. It is more important to know what these birds are looking for at Alfonso Lista’s environment rather than the largely bitterly cold weather in these Northeast Asian countries.
These wonderful birds are just like airplanes. The migratory birds arrive in Alfonso Lista at a certain time of the year and subsequently have return flights.
Bird migration is a major indicator of the ecological balance of the birds’ places of origins and the area where said birds are finding this sanctuary.
Of course, there are many other salient features of the continuing commentary on migration behavior of birds. It would be necessary to determine the characteristics of Alfonso Lista migratory birds’ sanctuary as a critical site for conservation.
The focus almost primarily is the thermal air currents found in the aforementioned site.
But have all gotten it crazy, silly and misled by thinking these points are not interlinked with the conditions of the environment. For short, this strictly and urgently calls for the municipal government of Alfonso Lista to enforce sustainable tourism laws and protect the said site at all costs from deterioration. Particularly, this has reference to curtail throwing of trash and the ban on the use of plastic.
For sure, the stakes are so high. It may be too late for the municipal government to realize the impact of neglecting the environmental conditions of the site. Truth to tell, no tourist- local or foreign, would like to visit a filthy place.
Ensuring the sustainability of a major tourist destination significantly as this one is vital in drawing these migratory birds to Alfonso Lista.
This is an excellent place for bird-watching activity. See these birds seek a place to rest and feed for a limited period of time.
In the meantime, my three friends from Cornwall, United Kingdom (England) are planning to visit Alfonso Lista and are looking forward to see Chinese sparrow hawks at this site. I strongly recommended the migratory birds sanctuary of Alfonso Lista for them to visit.
Likewise, I’m hoping and praying that the Sangguniang Bayan enact a law for the declaration of the site biodiversity area and a Philippine Biodiversity Conservation priority of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Everything else, should translate to more, more and more migratory birds coming to Alfonso Lista. In turn, more, more and more tourists are going to the town.
Safeguarding the migratory birds sanctuary from violators of pertinent environment laws and ultimately developing it would help create additional jobs for the tourism sector as new businesses will be created.
The success or failure of the tourism program particularly in this part of the town depends to a very large extent on the degree of commitment to enforce environment laws.
My wish list: For the Sangguniang Bayan to deputize SangguniangKabataan (SK) officials and other youth leaders as Environment Scouts to deter environmental degradation.
Deputization of the youngcreates additional jobs for the tourism sector as new businesses will be created. Deputizing the young as Environment Scouts is a good start but the councilors must ensure that they are given adequate training and equipment. Funds must be allocated for their operations. Councilors must really work on the environment scouts’ supplies or provisions. These are investments not expenditures.
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Over the years, provincial government officials are so silent on addressing the all-important issues of sustainability, food security, global competitiveness and agricultural resiliency. In a scale of one to ten (with the latter as the highest), I’ll give them a rating of two. This attitude is likely to change under the Dalipog administration.
Ifugao’s agriculture sector is particularly poised for growth should Governor Jerry Dalipog directly links up with farmers’ organizations. Translation: for instance, there is a project in a distant village pursue it along the line of a venture between the Office of the Governor and the farmers’ organization. Keep off all these line agencies and so forth! Functionaries of these agencies should not meddle in these projects and thereby bring about the desired fundamental changes in fast-tracking the implementation of the projects which will ultimately redound to the improvement of the quality of life for the impoverished farmers. The Ifugao farmers’ physical well-being and health are critical to ensure inclusive and sustained economic growth. In the long run, productive farmers can alleviate rural poverty.
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In Alfonso Lista, the tendency to promote the welfare of the town’s out-of-school-youth (OSY) is through a holistic approach. A case in point: The OSY Got Talent program was conducted recently with resounding success. In summary, this approximates to an encompassing way of upgrading the conditions of these youngsters in all proportions.
The continuous progression scheme is designed to provide each one the educational experience through the Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) program that will insure his or her optimum growth.
Main convenor and organizers of the program are indebted to the invaluable assistance extended by Councilor Virginia “Ebing” Dinagtuan. Councilor Dinagtuan is a retired public school principal. A multi-awarded educator, Mrs. Dinagtuan is known for her commitment to raise the standard of education in the province.
The so-called OSY problem is largely due to poverty. Still, a few pupils from middle and upper-income brackets of society who fail develop negative attitudes toward learning, as well as a feeling of inadequacy and emotional instability. They tend to identify themselves with failure not only in their studies but also in other activities, thus end up in the ranks of OSY.
Enrichment of the ALS curriculum and its adaption to the needs and problems of the OSY sector should be prioritized by the Department of Education.
I commend Councilor Dinagtuan’s unflinching advocacy to help all children grow, most especially the OSY.
Along with former Alfonso Lista mayor and now Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano, Mayor EdralinAlipio and Vice Mayor Agapito Dominguez Jr. who likewise supported the project, I wish Councilor Dinagtuan every measure of success in her present and future undertakings. A Dangal ng Bayan national awardee of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Councilor Dinagtuan has the imagination and vision to see the demands and needs of not just the youth sector in her town, but also the entire province of the present as well as the unfolding future. Haven’t you heard that there is only one female Board Member in Ifugao at the moment?
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The convenor of recently-held OSY Got Talent program at Alfonso Lista also cited the invaluable contributions of the town’s Bureau of Fire Protection personnel as well as Lereen Lorenzo and Jeanalyn Binsay to the activity’s huge success.
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A highly-respected public servant of Alfonso Lista, Councilor Karl Marx Aliguyon joined- along with Mayor Alipio, Vice Mayor Dominguez and Councilor Dinagtuan among others) the delegation of the town during the opening parade and ceremonies of the just-concluded Ifugao Sports Selection Meet in Lagawe.
Like the other municipal government officials, Councilor Aliguyon was there to attend to the comfort of the pupils, students and teachers who are dedicated in their task of training and coaching these young and promising athletes. The Alfonso Lista competitors, who were billeted in far-away Boliwong Elementary School, once again easily topped the annual sports meet.
Equally true, over the years, youth and sports development program and the agenda for the alleviation of poverty in distant villages have accelerated as Aliguyon exerted his utmost to help the executive wing of the municipal government. Therefore, Alfonso Lista folks- young and old alike, need to support well-meaning officials like him.
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For our food delights corner: With Christmas Day or Dec. 25 fast approaching, find time to prepare delicious meals for your family, loved ones or friends at lunch or dinner time. Make this season of joyous dining with a rare treat of creamy mushroom fish fillet. Add braised squid and crab and corn soup. Served it with seafood fried rice, sautéed with shrimps, minced with onions and flavored with Chinese sausage. For appetizers and dessert: Strawberry cake, bukopandan salad and chilled pineapple juice. Your special ones surely shall not forget this great meal for many years to come. Don’t forget to pray for more blessings to come each day of the week.Your meal is a derivative of your prayers.
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Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: Leave your unfinished work at the office. It is essential to differentiate work at the office and chores at home. Make it a point to attend a personal or family matter at home after leaving the office to maintain your sanity. Your house is not an extension of the office!
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Did you know? While Ifugao folks (and all other Filipinos) are singing “Bayang Magiliw” (the Philippine national anthem)in the Philippine national language, they are singing their so-called “Ifugao hymn” in English. For several years, they are professing their immense love for their culture. Of course, there is really nothing wrong about it. Except, most of the time they speak in their Ayangan or Tuwali dialects. Isn’t it high time for them to sing their Ifugao Hymn in their own dialects? It really makes a lot of sense!
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our dear readers: “ It’s up to you if the parties would honor (the term sharing agreement), I’m not favoring anybody, to take a stand. It’s your choice because the agreement and the choice is yours, because you can make the Speaker.” President Rodrigo Duterte
“For one, it’s always worth working for something we believe in. I believe that I can contribute a lot in the campaign against illegal drugs.” Vice President Leni Robredo
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” Proverbs 21:3
“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches.” Luke 16:11 **
