By Anthony A. Araos
In continuing with my previous commentary on Ifugao’s rice paddies, may I now particularly cite vibrant places at Barangay Poblacion South in Lagawe where these rice paddies are situated. Here one can easily see how blessed the area is. The most convenient way to reach these rice paddies is to take a hike just after the barangay hall. It only consolidates a learning experience that agriculture is the fundamental component of the town’s economy. The bigger picture is that rice paddies are ultimately to make an important contribution to tourism. The whole picture will involve farmers and their beneficiaries as well as tourists and other stakeholders.
It’s easy, the, to see that these rice fields and paddies are safeguarded from land conversion schemes. For it is related to the task of attracting more tourists to the province.
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If I had ten pesos to wage a bet on a town in Ifugao where it’s best to cover the mayoralty race in the last May polls, I’d say it was in Kiangan and I’d be a winner. But kidding aside, it ended up with a winner and a non-winner so to speak between two worthy contenders.
To accelerate things, may I once more congratulate Raldis Andrei Bulayungan, a lawyer, who is the mayor-elect of this largely farming town.
Mayor-elect Bulayungan has a strong reputation as a hardworking and highly-dedicated public servant. Undoubtedly, he is a person of integrity and competence. As a councilor, Bulayungan made himself available to the people on concerns affecting them. Periodic consultations and interchanges with villagers offered an opportunity for him to feel the pulses of the people, most especially the poor.
His exposure to the operations of the Sangguniang Bayan is truly beneficial to the new territory he is heading to soon. It’s a good tip to be significantly reminded of the immediate past. The benefits of the training at the legislative branch far outweigh the doubts, worries and pains about taking charge at the Office of the Mayor in the initial three months or so. Experiences each day go hand in hand with the commitment to serve the people dutifully and faithfully well at all times. But that’s not all, for the incoming mayor is vibrant and is full of spirit to achieve economic dynamism. Until when should Kiangan folks wait to realize their dreams of having a better future? Well, Mayor-elect Bulayungan is about to lead them to such direction. He’s so passionate to make things work in the next three years.
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Provincial and municipal officials should exercise strong political will to see to it that the merit system, which is the hallmark of public appointment, in public service, is followed in the selection of their personnel. Is better said than done? Is such a thing as political payback practice in Ifugao? But if you want to improve efficiency in government operations, there is no other choice but to adhere to meritocracy. The best way to do that is to conduct and aptitude examination and interview in selecting your staff. Then you’ll have not just good, not just very good, not just the best, but the very best applicants around and consequently obtain excellent results. If you want progress and curb backwardness, officials have to bite the bitter truth and start upholding the time-honored tradition of excellence in public service.
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Here is the composition of the incoming Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of IfugaoFirst district’s board members are Ceasario Cabbigat (independent), Joselito Guyguyon (independent), Agustin Calya-en PDP-Laban) and Geronimo Bimohya (independent). While in the second district, the board members are Orlando Addug (independent), Petra Dulnuan (independent), Noli Maguiwe (independent) and Clemente Bongtiwon (independent). Board Members Aezel Dumangeng (SK), James Buhulon (ABC) and Maximillian Luglug PCL) are still around. The PCL Ifugao Chapter is schedules to hold its polls later and shall determine the fate of Board Member Luglug, a councilor of Hingyon.
The SP should maintain its independence. Board members should exert their utmost to keep it that way. Of course, I’m not thinking that Governor-elect Dalipog will do anything that will impair the independence of the legislature.
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The administration PDP-Laban slate in Ifugao registered a monumental setback in the last May elections. To be more precise, it was a near shutout. Its candidates for congressman, governor, vice governor and five for board members in the two districts lost their bids, only Board Member-elect Agustin Calya-en (in the first district) escaped defeat. Now, he is the highest-ranking PDP-Laban official in the province. The herculean task of reorganizing the party for the 2022 local and national polls heavily falls on his shoulders. It is a vital task since the presidency is at stake.
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The rudiments of the scientific approach to knowledge can be observed throughout modern history, except for many Ifugao folks who continue to believe in the “bogwa” practice. They are hopelessly trying to convince me, but I simply see no scientific basis for it. How could a businesswoman (who is an avid advocate of it) friend of mine convince me by sending her daughter to take up a medicine course in Valenzuela City? Well, this is Ifugao, remember?
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Banana trees are everywhere in Ifugao. Thus, you don’t really have to count its produce in this upland Cordillera province. Yet, a banana is so expensive out here. As I have said many times in the past, countless bananas are not even being harvested or picked by Ifugao folks. Just left to rotten in most places and I felt bad about the sight of these bananas. In a province like this one where most folks are poor, this is simply absurd and ridiculous. Well, they are not aware that the supply is low and the demand is high for bananas in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Taiwanese folks are even getting their bananas from far-away Ecuador in South America. Its nearest neighboring country is the Philippines. A Cavendish-variety of banana from Bukidnon commands a price of U.S. $1 in Japan. The Philippines top exports to South Korea are bananas, pineapples and copper.
Lagawe folks hopelessly continue to cling to the belief that their Kulpi is the ticket to economic redemption. Around this annual activity, a trade fair is conducted. Folks only get to see “ukay ukay” (second-hand or rummage clothes) items and food (such as halo halo, fish ball and kikiam) on sale. So why not instead hold a Lagawe Banana Festival? Other places are making sense by hosting their Pandan Festival of Pangasinan, Manggahan Festival of Guimaras, Niyogyugan Festival of Quezon and Tuna Festival of General Santos City. I’m hoping and praying for a change of mindset among Lagawe folks and it’s nothing more than that. Put it another way: What’s the bottomline? It’s better for Ifugao to export bananas than its people! Hey folks, wake up for there’s more money in bananas than selling fish balls and betel nuts!
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When I first met administering officer Atty. Annievest Hangdaan and election officer Cresencio Dulnuan at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Lagawe, I knew that the office is in good hands. Both contributed much to the Comelec for so many years. More than this, they showed that the conduct of clean, honest and orderly elections is not solely the job of the Comelec. Fraud-free polls are not confined to the voting counting machines (VCMs). It is up to the people in preventing vote-buying and other irregularities perpetuated by misguided politicians. This only strengthens the argument that there is a need to bring a deeper understanding of the significance and value that an “informed choice” brings to society.
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The decision of the voters to give Atty. Solomon Chungalao a new opportunity to serve them at the House of Representatives is a clear evidence of the image of trust that he presents province wide and the distinguished lawmaker will reaffirm that image in the next three years.
Let us put the past behind us. If Ifugao folks can set aside politics, rallying behind the leadership of Congressman-elect Chungalao goes a long way? Not each day is a time to engage in politics. The future is not about who you voted for congressman in the last polls but the concerns of the people that should be urgently addressed. Henceforth, I am hopeful that consultations are intensified because interventions are needed by the masses. It is only fair that all sectors be consulted.
We’ve seen it too many times in the past. The congressman and the president at odds and the congressman and the governor are quarrelling even on petty matters.
Further, may I commend Rep.-elect Chungalao for holding simple but meaningful celebration during his Thanksgiving Party at the gymnasium of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) Lagawe campus. Happiness and joy can be attained through celebrations that are simple yet meaningful. Simple and inexpensive food may be served. There is no need whatsoever to unnecessarily burden the sponsor of the activity.
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Outgoing Ifugao Gov. Pedro Mayam-o experienced back-to-back setbacks in recent past. For one, he failed to secure the nomination for the position of congressman of the PDP-Laban. The party went for Timmy Mondiguing. So Gov. Mayam-o proceeded with his plan and instead ran as an independent. But he lost, just like to Mondiguing and two others to former Rep. Chungalao. At one time, I dropped by Gov. Mayam-o’s headquarters at Barangay Poblacion South in Lagawe. I requested for a pamphlet on Gov. Mayam-o from Gina Bunnol, who has been supporting him for so many years, for a news story. She replied: “There’s none. Gov. Mayam-o”s accomplishments are too many and well-known by the public. Well, it backfired! With due respect, during Gov. Mayam-o’s three year tenure, he delivered his State-of-the-Province Address (SOPA) only once. The campaign clearly lacked a “think tank” unit to serve an obvious reason. There’s nothing wrong to tap the brightest men and women in the province to help the cause. It was awfully wrong to think that way!
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For our food delights corner: If you’re looking forward to surprise your family or loved ones at dinner time about six months before Christmas day, how about rolling out a meal of kare kare with oxtail, fried bangus (milkfish) and eggplant omelet. Just add mangoes, vanilla cake and chilled pineapple juice. How about adding a salad bowl (of freshly-picked cabbages, carrots and lettuce) on rhe side? It is always best served with nutritious organic vegetables. Say a prayer thanking God for all His blessings. After all, it is God who gave you a healthy mind and body so that you may become a good person. Be grateful! Later, relax and realize how wonderful life is.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Joy is the infalliable sign of the presence of God.” Father Teilhard de Chardin
“So God cast him from the garden of Eden to till the soil from which he had been made.” Gen 3:9-24
“What is left, when honor is lost?” Publilus Syrrus**
