By Anthony A. Araos
Here is a scene at the mammoth municipal covered court of Alfonso Lista town worth telling in these difficult times.
Little did volunteers who are repacking rice from several rice sacks (300 are from the provincial government and another 500 are from the municipal government, according to Vice Mayor Agapito Dominguez Jr.) realize that there is no really an end in sight of the food shortage in this part of the province and elsewhere.
Need rice? The barangay council can’t anymore help!
The barangay council was tasked to lead and coordinate the Luzon-wide rice relief assistance program of the national government.
Things moved fast. Five kilos of rice given to a family at Barangay Calupaan of this town just lasted for three days. This also took place at Barangay Ngileb (where Mayor Edralin Alipio hails). Likewise, at Barangays Bangar and Laya. All are distant and impoverished villages.
Ifugao is like a parable. The extent of the hunger problem is rather deep. There are deep hidden mysteries in it that have not yet been revealed. But one thing is certain. As of the moment, rice stocks are already precariously low. No one among the educated class will doubt that a bigger problem looms ahead.
A resident of Kiling, another remote and marginalized barangay of Alfonso Lista, told me: “Huwag kang mag-alala sir, may susunod pang bigas na ibibigay ang gobyerno.” (“Don’t worry sir, another batch of rice shall be given by the government.”)
This sentiment easily contained the most startling element of the problem on giving rice to the masses all throughout this COVID-19 episode. Oh yes, the rice is nothing but dole-out to the poor. Come on, let’s face the problem squarely. Let’s talk this concern over, let’s discuss it now. Don’t ever be too afraid.
The Philippines is no longer a rice-exporting country. It is now a rice-importing country. It is buying rice from Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand has its own COVID-19 problem to handle. It is expected to prioritize the Thai people’s rice needs if and when the situation worsens. Buying rice from other countries is a costly, long and tedious process. Shipping of tons and tons of rice itself takes about three months. Three months are so long for hungry Filipinos to wait.
The decision to implement the Rice Tarification Law was tremendously detrimental to the well-being of farmers. By raising tariffs, imports will become more expensive. Last year, the Philippines imported 2.2 million metric tons of rice. What compounded the problem is the fact that Agriculture Secretary William Dar even asked the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to implement protocol on import regulations regarding pesticide residue and presence of storage pests before the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificates for imported rice. Moreover, Secretary Dar admitted that the rice importation program is hurting farmers. Small wonder, their incomes are at an all-time low. Farmers have to be loved and helped unconditionally. There is no room for discontentment among their ranks. After all, they feed the nation, with rice as the staple food of the Filipino people.
By June of this year, expect inclement weather conditions to affect rice production in the Philippines. The country is experiencing an average of 22 typhoons during the wet or rainy season. The agriculture sector’s losses are quite huge. Usually, at the end of this season, Filipinos are overheard as saying: “Thanks God, the heavy rains and floods are gone.”
Remember the three largest rice-producing provinces of the Philippines are in the Luzon community quarantine covered area of the COVID-19 health crisis as imposed by the government. These are Isabela, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan. Farmers there are truly feeling the crunch of the badly bruised economy. If you’re still entertaining some doubts, go ask why National Economic Development Authority and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia just resigned. You give the masses five kilos of rice and might just pull it off for now, but you could just as get crazy looking for more rice stocks in the coming “lean months” of rice production in the country. In other words, you just don’t give rice left and right to men and women who are living idly for so long. Charity and productivity rarely go together.
Do you ever wonder what happens when idle lands are to be used for agricultural production? President Duterte should now transform idle lands to productive agricultural estates. He should enlist the jobless people (in classes C, D and E) among the masses to plant rice and other cash-crops in exchange for the free rice and other goodies they are now receiving. It is time to send the message to the masses that there is no such thing as “free lunch.” Most of the “rice relief” program beneficiaries are able bodied individuals. Let them work at these fields in exchange for the food they are now receiving at no cost.
The national government should prepare the likes of “tambays” (persons who loiter), “toughies” and “troublemakers” among the masses, with work skills to help them face the world in the post-COVID-19 period. The end goal is to end this dependence. At the end of the day, it gives the Chief Executive peace of mind that the good-for-nothing guys in depressed communities can take care of themselves, contribute to society and lead productive and meaningful lives.
Idle lands for increased rice production is not just another way to solve this pressing problem. It is the only way out of this mess. Agriculture production is very, very low. The foregoing recommendation is a very, very good idea.
Idle lands and idle masses are unbearably despicable.
The most powerful man in the country- the President, can make a turnaround of the ongoing people’s hardships. It is like shooting two birds in one shot!
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Lesson learned in the COVID-19 times: Ifugao voters should be educated on the vitality of electing officials who really know the meaning of food security, not pocket security. By 2022, food should be secured by the agriculture sector that is amply backed by subsidies. By that time, farmers are rewarded with just wages and social services. Yet, strangely, the farmers are bracketed in the “poorest of the poor” group in society.
During the general elections two years from now, check the SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth) of incumbent officials who are running for another term. You’ll get to know them better. Many of them belong to the “richest of the rich” group in society.
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I have an idea that they should surely like in the farming town of Mayoyao. Mayoyao is widely recognized as the “organic farming” center of Ifugao. Well, I see the need for the town to finally embrace the practice of integrated organic farming. It is high time for the men and women in the agriculture sector to engage in modified rice-fish farming system. Am I kidding? Of course, not. What are the benefits? Numerous.
Certainly, rice-fish farming is practical and do-able. This is how it works. About 10 percent of the rice field area is utilized as a pond refuge for fish production, while the remaining 90 percent remain as rice farm. The water stored in the pond is used to irrigate the rice area that can extend crop production until the dry season. Remember, water is free. You only get to spend for fingerlings. Culture period is about 110 days. You get to harvest about 500 kilos from 2,500 fingerlings. Earnings are quite substantial at harvest time. At the ballpark figure of Php50,000. This is just for a small fish pond. If you don’t want cold cash, the pond shall provide food for the table. What are you waiting for? Jump out of your bed and start one such venture.
Coincidentally, I’m seriously contemplating in engaging in one. Who knows, I may end up with a fish pond at my dreamed ‘Rancho Araos.’ Hahaha!
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Brainy tidbit: Those who aren’t in the know could easily think organic farming is just about the non-use of pesticides and is only popular in rural areas. It is more than that. In the United States, farmers are knowledgeable in the minimal use of off-farm inputs and in management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. They’ll even tell you about the significance of soil biological activity and biodiversity biological cycles. American organic farmers read a lot of books. They are spending a substantial time at the internet. They drive expensive cars. They are unapologetic for discarding backward practices out of cultural beliefs.
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The sheer number of people who are out in the streets seeking rice and food relief assistance during these hard times is indeed mind-boggling. It shows the true picture of the poverty problem in the Philippines. All told, poverty worsened long before the COVID-19 health crisis. In the post-COVID-19 period, the drive to curb poverty incidence in both urban and rural Philippines shall resume or continue at all fronts. It should be an all-out campaign to be waged by the public and private sectors.
One important aspect of this effort is on the promotion of education. There is really a pressing need to have more government-operated high schools in the countryside. The acute shortage of public high schools in most villages is so glaring.
This is precisely the reason why I’m strongly urging the Sto. Domingo Barangay Council (in Alfonso Lista) to push for the plan of constructing the first-ever Sto. Domingo High School at an appropriate site at sitio Susok. The barangay has two public elementary schools. And that’s it. Either the grade six graduates enroll in the adjoining barangay’s high school or no longer pursue obtaining their secondary education. The distance of school (at Namillangan National High School, or four to five kilometers) is unfavorable to young villagers. The goal is to keep youngsters in school so they can eventually rise out of poverty.
The deteriorating quality of education in rural areas should be urgently addressed. The planned Sto. Domingo High School’s educational standard should be at par with those in the urban areas such as Metro Manila, Cebu City and Baguio City. The provision of better school facilities is the best way of developing interventions that will ultimately improve the level and quality of education. This prompted me to draft the barangay council’s resolution for the said purpose.
Project proponents are eyeing funding assistance from Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, who is known for his continuing commitment to help the province in providing quality education for the youth sector.
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It is just disgusting to see a checkpoint manned by barangay council personnel where a table was filled with cooking pans, with food of course. They were eating dinner. My goodness, they converted the place into a “carinderia.” At one instance, I also observed the arrogance of a kagawad and another employee at the checkpoint. They are an embarrassment to the barangay government and the cause of public service. After the COVID-19 period, I have all the intention to bring this matter (it took place in Lagawe, Ifugao) to the attention of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño. I won’t hesitate even filing a complaint. Erring individuals should be sacked!
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For our food delights corner: Don’t you ever say that the following meal is worth ignoring. So let’s have us “ginataang tilapia” (fish), adobong kangkong (water spinach), chorizo and steamed rice. Serve the chorizo with a heavy sauce. For appetizers and dessert: leche flan from carabao’s milk, avocado and chilled pineapple juice. A salad of organic greens is simply fantastic. This is absolutely a great meal for the family at lunch time. Choose this one for a healthier family. Just don’t forget to pray for all these blessings. I just keep on hoping that we’ll all get over the COVID-19 problem and enjoy this meal at the soonest.
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Finally, here is a thought for our dear readers: “When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.” Greg Anderson**
