By Anthony A. Araos
September 2 is a time of the year when all roads lead to Kiangan (in Ifugao), so they say. What was true in 2014 or 2015, I suppose is still the same this year. Why?
The Victory Day commemoration program on September 2 this year in Kiangan is one of the most important occasions in Ifugao. This commemorates the end of World War II hostilities in the Philippines with the surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita of the invading Japanese Imperial Army.
Kiangan is famous for being the place where the War Memorial Shrine and the Peace Museum are located. Likewise, the Kiangan Central School is a point of interest since at its wooden building the dreaded “Tiger of Malaya” gave up to the allied forces.
The budget-conscious tourist can take a bus from Baguio City to Lagawe. There are jeepneys and tricycles going to Kiangan.
Given the immense importance of the Victory Day event, I see the need to declare September 2 of each year as a National Holiday. Why just commemorate such a historic event only in Ifugao? Isn’t it a fact that the fighting between the Japanese soldiers and American troops as well as Filipino guerillas also ended in the other provinces of the Philippines?
The Victory Day program offers an array of activities to take part in. For one, there will be a parade. Isn’t it about time to even hold a mass on this memorable day? It is but fitting and proper to pray for all those who fell in the service of country and people.
-o0o-
It is easy to say that an official who is serving his third and final term in the province, city, municipality or even a barangay, should simply take things lightly in the course of discharging his or her functions. Well, not Ifugao Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan of Banaue.
Legislative power is vested in the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, the 11 members of which are popularly elected. Thanks to the Almighty Creator, one of them is Board Member Dulnuan.
I believe that Board Member Dulnuan is a very kind, dedicated and hardworking public servant but those against whom he opted not to agree with on matters deemed disadvantageous, one-sided or onerous to the government might have a different opinion.
In almost 30 years under various administrations, the plan to build gymnasiums, auditoriums, libraries, canteens and other vital facilities in schools in Ifugao, particularly the second district, remained just that- a useless plan. Why?
A library project in the province has been more than ten years in the making by now.
The design of course would be the primary consideration in its costing and, thus, the funding it would need. Apparently, there are no designs. But the province has a number of architects and engineers to tap for this purpose. In effect, the problem lies somewhere else.
Knowledge comes in many forms. It comes from listening to a very knowledgeable official. It was a great honor and privilege to interview (as it shifted to a free-wheeling, no-holds barred talks) Board Member Dulnuan.
“One of the thrusts of our pro-education agenda is to make planning and implementation of action plans effectively work for the betterment of the stakeholders of the education sector,” Board Member Dulnuan said.
“I will continue to support the cause of improving the plight of our teachers and providing better facilities in public elementary and high schools in Ifugao. This is the center of our programs to make sure that the quality of education in the province is at par with the others in the region. No barangay, no town will be forgotten or neglected,” he added.
The herculean task of improving the conditions of teachers in Ifugao, most especially in far-flung barangays (villages), and upgrading the school facilities rests upon the shoulders of Board Member Dulnuan, chair of the Committee on Education and Public Information. For the next three years, he is batting of and delineation of a much bigger budgetary allocation for the same.
Board Member Dulnuan has hit the nail on the head: there is a need to substantially pour in funds for school-oriented projects. It needs good blueprints, superb plan, substantial resources and a firm hand in implementation to accomplish the education sector’s cherished aspirations.
Adequate funding is indeed the biggest challenge if the appropriate results are to be desired. The impact of these developments on all the stakeholders can elevate on each one’s standard of living and improve their quality of life.
Education is said to be a great equalizer. With it, those from the lower classes of society have a tool to climb the socio-economic ladder and eventually narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. A lot of things have to be done on this score. Undoubtedly, Board Member Dulnuan is in a very good position to do so.
I hope and pray Governor Pedro Mayam-o, Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw and many others in the provincial government will want to see that the days of having underfunded, substandard school projects are a thing of the past. I really feel strongly about airing these views in as much as the stakes are so high in so far as elevating the quality of education in Ifugao is concerned. The success of Board Member Dulnuan program has an impact in the present and incoming generations of mentors and learners. All told, Board Member Dulnuan persevered. All others should do their share.
Teachers deserve much better- they need decent wages. Pupils and students too, deserve a much better deal- they need new, well-equipped classrooms and other facilities.
The highly-energized education and public information committee, as a key arm of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its mandated task of delivering fundamental services to the people, is constantly seeking ways to help translate these noteworthy objectives into action in various educational settings: in a congested classroom in a remote barangay or at the DepEd office in Lagawe.
This dynamism is best reflected in the faces of Board Member Robert Humiwat, who is the vice chair of the said committee, as well as Board Members Robert Mangyao, Noli Maguiwe and Clemente Bongtiwon who are its members. They and all others in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan must work together to ensure that the province’s teachers, pupils and students remain healthy and productive.
Due to his sterling reputation as a tried and tested leader in and out of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, I am most confident that Ifugao teachers can count on Board Member Dulnuan to always be relied upon to take care of their needs.
I am ever optimistic that initiatives of Board Member Dulnuan for Ifugao’s mentors and students shall yield positive and practical results in the months ahead and in the long-term future.
The quality of Board Member Dulnuan’s work at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, his prodigious output and his influence on his colleagues at this august body as well as countless stakeholders in the education sector all easily underscore the importance of his role as a legislator in the history of Ifugao.
For my part, I have clearly pointed out that I’m most willing and ready to help identify and develop policies, initiatives and programs geared at building a better world for teachers. Keep up the excellent work! God bless and Mabuhay!, Board Member Ricky Dulnuan.
-o0o-
On a personal note, while attending a recent session of the Sangguniang Bayan of Banaue, I witnessed how its members strived for advancement of the people’s welfare and highest standards of adherence to parliamentary practices and procedures.
Councilor Lino Madchiw’s humility and selfless service is inspiring to all his colleagues. He should also be lauded for his steadfast dedication to public service.
Serving his constituents dutifully and faithfully well is Councilor Madchiw’s passion. This is his avowed mission.
By the way, Councilor Madchiw is the chair of the committee on human resource and development, labor and employment, and trade and industry.
The problems besetting Banaue today involve timely and equally relevant interventions. Delivery of vital social services to the people, most especially the impoverished, is actually a matter of political will.
Thus, the need of well-meaning, strong-willed officials like Councilor Madchiw, arises. Does anyone really doubt that there are still a few dedicated public servants like him? What is public service in the first place all about? It is a rare privilege to be of service to the people. Councilor Madchiw: God bless and Mabuhay! I wish you good health and continuing success in all your undertakings!
**