By Anthony A. Araos
Womboc (Chinese cabbage), carrot and cabbage are selling at Php 80 a kilo in Lagawe. Pechay is priced at Php 40 a kilo. This is just a partial list of vegetables for sale at the public market and elsewhere. Tomato, onion, cucumber, eggplant and ginger are just as expensive. How about potatoes? A kilo is selling at Php 140.
It is a serious question whether a budget of Php 200 allows one to purchase here five to six vegetables and still have something left to buy rice, meat, eggs, cooking oil, sugar and fruits.
` The function of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is to impose “price freeze” regulations during emergency situations as in the COVID-19 crisis. The goal is obviously to protect the welfare of consumers. And if it does it meets this most important requirement. In a scale of one to ten, with the ten being the highest, I’ll give the DTI a grade of two. This is, of course, another matter.
Most of the vegetables in the markets of Ifugao are from Benguet. In fact, Benguet supplies about 70 percent of the vegetable requirements of the main island of Luzon. Simply told, it is a case of dependence on Benguet. How can the provincial government solve this problem? It should try pushing for vegetable farming. It should take a more proactive stance in raising the awareness and consciousness of Ifugao folks on the merits of vegetable farming.
The ideal situation is for Governor Jerry Dalipog to first identify and subsequently utilize the province’s idle lands to raise vegetables. The next step is the provision of seedlings to vegetable growers. I’m knowledgeable of a company known for providing farm ready seedlings that were cultivated in laboratory-controlled environment. It shortens the crop cycle and hastening harvest thus, providing immediate profits to farmers. Harvest time follows and ultimately earnings shall uplift their standard of living. A buy-back scheme may even be considered. Other market linkages are not difficult to consider. For one, farmers are easily given preferential attention by SM Mall supermarkets and hypermarkets as well as Savemore outlets throughout the country. Find a thousand ways to make a living with them. It is definitely a cool idea in this maddening summertime heat.
I believe that without vegetable farming, Ifugao cannot survive a perilous situation as this one. It needs a Leader who will help folks solve the greatest challenges of the times- food security! It needs a Leader who will institute policies that will protect them from greedy and profit-seeking traders. Poor residents are suffering from the sky-high cost of vegetables.
Congressman Solomon Chungalao, Governor Dalipog and Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano have demonstrated the dedication and dynamic leadership of public servants committed to the common good. Undoubtedly, they are not hesitant to decisively act on people’s concerns in cognizance of the greater good. This is a welcome thought. Rest assured, that I’m willing to help them on this endeavor. I’m still the same ally and partner you have known and trusted all these times- even somehow emotionally bruised by all these abused quarantines, checkpoints and restrictions– only better!
Pursuing vegetable farming will translate into more jobs and income for the people. It will not only fuel development but, also maintain peace in the province.
Remember, the very fabric of Philippine society is under attack by the coronavirus- the economy. Sadly, the economy has collapsed. Vegetable farming is a timely response to the needs of the people. Going back to the veggie price list, the sayote is selling at Php 70 a kilo! This is just a gist of the matter. The foregoing vegetable farming commentary is the only sane proposal amidst all this insanity!
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Additionally, backyards, front yards and even mountain slopes in Ifugao’s 11 towns are ideal sites for vegetable farming.
Acquisition of fresh and pesticide-free vegetables is made easier through a vegetable garden. You save a lot of money. As an owner of a vegetable garden, you save a minimum of Php 50 a day, Php 350 a week, Php 10,500 a month or Php 126,000 a year.
Or be an entrepreneur by selling homegrown vegetables. Wake up and open this door of a golden opportunity because your future is in your hands. Same hands used in raising a variety of vegetables.
Vegetable gardens are vital tools in reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable development. Overall agricultural production capacity has notably improved in many countries throughout the world. The provincial government should coordinate with the Department of Agriculture for the provision of technical assistance and briefings for nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) and others in the private sector.
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Where would the Philippines be if Ernesto Pernia had opted to stay as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief, hallucinating that there’s nothing wrong with the economy, instead of submitting his resignation letter to President Duterte?
Of course, on the surface, he was protecting the Chief Executive from the backlash of the badly battered economy. The real lesson, however, was more subtle and meant to save himself rather than anything else. There is history not just to account someone for the lethal bruises but, also to judge harshly on those responsible for the mess in the COVID-19 crisis.
The real-world problem on the lockdown, quarantine, checkpoint and other unsound restrictions is good for dissecting the cause of the economic collapse in the Philippines, it’s true. Poor provinces such as Ifugao are likely to have a very difficult time reviving their economies in the post-COVID-19 period.
At the initial stage of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), they said face masks, sanitizers and alcohol were unavailable. Untrue, some unscrupulous guys bought them “wholesale” and placed them in their warehouses. Now, these items are readily available at unaffordable prices. Before the COVID-19 crisis, the rates of poverty and inequality were already high. In the post-COVID era, expect these levels to go even higher. Soon, the United States shall come up with a vaccine to finally solve the coronavirus problem. Soon, the punong barangays shall order the dismantling of checkpoints- manned by ill-trained and underpaid kagawads (councilmen), tanods (watchmen) and other personnel. Yet, poverty shall persists- and yes, these same unthinking individuals (who are curtailing economic activities) shall desperately look for ways to survive and feed their families. Yes, there is no vaccine for poverty! With a vaccine around in the post-COVID-19 times, there is no need to worry on infection. Got to think of stagnation and starvation! The government would do well not to allow idiots and morons from again putting up these checkpoints against deep-seated problems of poverty and high levels of income inequality.
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Brainy tidbit: “Guiltless Thoughts” column top pick for summer cooler this year is a non-alcoholic sparkling juice from fresh Niagara grapes. It is a good treat to the new generation of millennials who are ready to meet unique challenges of the digital age. Young people will be very active and intense in their studies because they are health conscious.
I remembered attending a party where guests had the chance to enjoy Niagara grapes from a famed European vineyard and a variety of delicious North American specialties. It’s OK to lighten up and make the body healthier- once in a while. Hence, find one soon, meet new friends and pump up your adrenaline.
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I just don’t give up. From grape juice to coconut juice, let me continue enlightening the young on timely coolers during the summer season.
I’m urging the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to serve “buko” (green coconut) juice in their meetings, seminars and events to help coconut farmers augment their income.
SK officials, led by SK Federation President and concurrent Board Member Aezel Dumangeng, should pass a resolution outlining their support for the move to switch to “buko” juice from softdrinks.
At meetings held in Alfonso Lista, Banaue and Kiangan, I purposely chose to drink “buko” juice instead of my favorite softdrinks in can. Like my friends, I’m learning that ”buko” juice has numerous benefits. And that’s a good thing. Fortunately, more and more research is becoming available on the effectiveness of the nutrients of “buko” juice and the impact these nutritional elements have on the body. Deep down inside I knew the shift should have occurred a long time ago. I had convinced myself that as time passed, the whispering voice (telling me to worry about my softdrink intake) grew louder each day. Then I shifted to “buko” juice. Turn outs, this was a very smart move in my part. In short, you get the natural goodness in “buko” juice, you won’t get anywhere else.
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For our food delights corner: You’ll surely get a high mark by having a meal of braised rib with steamed mushroom, prawn with Thai sweet and spicy sauce and Java rice. Please add corn with crab meat soup. For appetizers and dessert: Argao, Cebu-flavored torta, avocado and chilled lemonade juice. The torta is a cake made from fermented coconut milk and topped with raisins and cheese. As always, don’t forget to pray for all these blessings.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our dear readers: “A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.” Arnold Glasgow
“The way to meet Jesus is to have the eyes of faith that can see in the person of Jesus the presence and power of God.” Gospel 1k 9:7-9**
