By Anthony A. Araos
Maybe in 2019, it is hoped. It is most respectfully prayed that this happens.
A popular television news program reported that the projected number of tourist arrivals in Baguio City for this year’s Holy Week period is 800,000.
Well, only a handful of tourists went to Ifugao on said period of time. A figure like 8,000 is already a major boost to the province’s tourism program.
A salient point for the influx of tourists in Baguio City, the nation’s undisputed summer capital, is an activity like Visita Iglesia (Visits to Churches) during the Lenten season. I even saw three buses in the city, with streamers bannering their “Visita Iglesia” trips.
Churches in Lamut, Kiangan, Lagawe, Banaue and Mayoyao easily offer a good package for a “Visita Iglesia” trip in Ifugao. It is certainly not difficult to convince local and foreign tourists to visit these places. The tranquil surroundings are ideal for praying and attending a mass. There are many other attractions which allow a relaxing vacation amid stunning scenery of this upland Cordillera province.
Just as many others put importance in the Easter Sunday celebration, it is so easy to understand why a lot of people are attracted to Easter egg hunt activities. Nowadays, a lot of innovations have been introduced in urban centers in the Philippines to attract visitors.
I can’t help let go the disappointment on the dismal record of Ifugao in attracting tourists during this year’s Holy Week period. I never thought that the aforementioned figure of 8,000 is quite unrealistic. So how about 800 instead? Again, only a handful of them went to Ifugao. I talked to two Canadian tourists who went to Banaue and they also said a few opted to see the town’s wonders. The Canadians- two female college students from Toronto, said they preferred to stay longer in Baguio City and Subic in Zambales province.
Too bad, this is actually occurring here. Honestly, what went wrong in the provincial government’s handling of the tourism industry? Tell me, why is Ifugao’s tourism industry on the slide for so many years? What are they doing wrong at the highest echelon of government?
We only have to remember the fact that in the search for a solution to the problem of an ailing tourism industry, officials’ main consideration is whether or not to have a well-attuned tourism masterplan. They have repeatedly said the tourism industry is essential to Ifugao’s economic life. The problem, however, they continue to cling to an outdated, antiquated and unsound tourism program.
The exigencies of the times, among other things, call for crafting a new masterplan to attract tourists into Ifugao more effectively. Adoption of a new tourism masterplan will, to a large extent, depend on the fact that the officialdom has to realize first that it is treading on the wrong path. Officials may have reasons to say that the tourism is an important industry, but they should not make such empty pronouncements left and right, but should take concrete steps to discard the present one.
A new tourism masterplan by incoming Ifugao officials is poised to be the most significant action to invigorate the tourism industry. It should be able to complement the roll-out of other initiatives in the said industry.
This early, I urge incoming officials to consider the following with the objective of saving the province’s tourism industry. The adoption of a new tourism masterplan will ensure tourism-related business establishments will enjoy the benefits of increased revenues. Ultimately, this translates into overflowing gains for the competitiveness of the Ifugao economy at a regional and global level.
It will not only provide more earnings to business owners but, more importantly, the new masterplan can ensure generation of jobs and opportunities for the people.
For short, a new tourism masterplan (one crafted by the private sector) will enhance the attractiveness of Ifugao as a major tourist destination in the Philippines.
It is hoped that the foregoing may serve as impetus to draw ample visitors in Ifugao in 2019- be it during the Holy Week vacation or Christmas holiday period.
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Good enough, figures are out on tourist arrivals in the Philippines early this year. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), 1,406,337 tourists visited the country in January to February of 2018. The top 12 markets are China, South Korea, Canada, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Hong Kong.
For this year, the DOT is targeting to reach 7.4 million foreign arrivals. I asked a provincial official what is target of Ifugao for 2018. He replied: “I don’t know.” Tourist arrivals target is the foundation for all aspects of a tourism masterplan. It is central to the economic and social development, sustainable growth and a prerequisite for planning in the coming years.
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Prices of various rice varieties went up significantly not just in Ifugao but in many other provinces. This was attributed to the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Except, the government insists, the National Food Authority (NFA) rice. True enough, NFA rice is still being sold at Php 32 per kilo. The problem, nonetheless, NFA rice stocks are nowhere in sight. In Baguio City, NFA rice is sold only on a Saturday and is limited to a two kilo purchase. Assuming the two kilos last for two days, don’t you have the right to eat the cheapest regular-milled rice around for the next five days? For five days, poor Filipinos have no choice but to buy commercial rice at much higher prices. Undoubtedly, they have a grueling time making both ends meet. Maybe, the government is right after all. The TRAIN law is helpful to the poor. It is indeed helping make the poor much poorer.
In general, most Filipinos are overtaxed. Such a situation, only impelled more Filipinos to live below the poverty line threshold.
Because indeed, how many Ifugao folks have meager incomes to meet their basic needs? A Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official in the province has placed recently the poverty incidence rate in Ifugao at 48%. That suggested a big problem at hand.
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For an utterly exciting and enjoying Easter Sunday celebration in 2019, here is an innovative suggestion. Complement your Easter egg hunt activity with a barbecue party. A vegetable salad buffet is also an excellent idea. Experience a less traditional Easter Sunday with its profound meaning. It is an experience so completely thrilling, participants (most especially children) can learn a lot about life.
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A tip for success: Chase your dream unceasingly. Dreams are never lost in a day or two. What do you want? Finding a direction is critical. Aspiring to be a better person entails a lot of sacrifices. Work very hard to achieve your goal. Don’t give up easily on daily difficulties and problems. Push hard to be a winner!
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More on the much-cherished dream for a Jollibee in Ifugao, Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is now the largest Asian food service company and is aspiring to be among the world’s five largest in five to seven years.
Last year, JFC operated 3,143 restaurants worldwide, of which 2,493 are in the Philippines. There is one right now in Tabuk City (Kalinga province), and none yet in Ifugao. There are 86 restaurants in Vietnam. JFC Vietnam grew by 48.2 percent.
Two years ago, I asked an Ifugao college student in Baguio City her sentiments on the issue of putting up a Jollibee in the province. Without blinking an eye she said: “We don’t need one. We buy our fried chicken at Php 20 each.” She, however, admitted going to Jollibee at Session Road more than 50 times and enjoys its spaghetti and French fries. I’ve seen a lot of Ifugao folks spending a great deal of their time at Jollibee Solano (Nueva Vizcaya). The world is truly changing! The people are changing, the society is changing and the times are changing. Even the cell phones are changing! Magpakatotoo kayo! (Be truthful to yourselves). No more excuses and alibis.
I shall continuously educate the public on the benefits of investing on modernization in congruence with the agenda to propel progress and help elevate Ifugao’s status as a developed province.
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The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls are just around the corner. To be more precise, it’s on May 14. There is a need to elect qualified and competent people. Please vote for candidates who are compassionate, humble and have the genuine commitment to help the people, most especially the poor.
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For our food delights corner, there is beef kaldereta, fried bangus (milkfish), tortang talong (eggplant omelet) and java rice.
For dessert: bring out the best of banana cupcake, fruit salad and chilled mango juice.
From the start, I’ve been stressing the importance of being creative in preparing the meals to suit the gastronomic wants of the Filipino during breakfast, lunch and dinner. To our dear readers, the significance of praying before eating- whether it’s Filipino, Chinese, American or whatever cuisine is crucial.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “Rice water cannot replace breast milk or even formula because it contains only vitamin B. It has no proteins, carbohydrates and other vitamins and minerals that infants need for their growth and development.” Former Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial**
