By Anthony A. Araos
Declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Rice Terraces in Mayoyao town deserves ample attention of newly-installed Tourism Secretary Nena Romulo Puyat, as well as many others in the Duterte administration.
The town’s majestic rice terraces shall continue to attract local and foreign tourists for a thousand and one reasons.
Having established its place in Ifugao’s tourism map, Mayoyao began asserting its distinction as the next travel destination in recent times by evolving varied offerings accessible to visitors from all parts of the world. It is, in fact, the right move to invigorate Mayoyao’s promising tourism industry.
In the advent of fresh initiatives to elevate the said industry, Board Member Clemente Bongtiwon is reportedly planning to pen a resolution seeking to allocate certain funds for the painting of roofs at houses situated in six villages of Mayoyao, all within the confines of these rice terraces. These villages are Banhal, Bongan, Chaya, Chumang, Mapawoy and Mayoyao Proper. If realized, 994 houses are to be painted for the said project. Board Member Bongtiwon also wants the project implemented in Banaue, Hungduan and Kiangan towns. In Banaue alone, 120 houses are targeted in three villages and the cost is about Php 2 million.
In fairness, I told Board Member Bongtiwon that while the project is noteworthy, it is indeed quite costly. Truth to tell, there are many obstacles to hurdle for the measure’s approval. There is always the problem of appropriating government funds for private sector consumption. There is also my worry on the sheer size of project beneficiaries thus, entailing a staggering aggregate amount. So I suggested that major paint companies such as Boysen, Nation and Coat Saver be tapped for the purpose of soliciting their generosity. Let us implore, for instance, the corporate social responsibility of Boysen for this project for the dear people of Mayoyao, which seeks to request free paints from the well-respected firm.
It is hoped that this initiative paves the way for home owners to start wonderful stories with their families, relatives and friends on the kind-heartedness of the donor-paint company and project proponent Board Member Bongtiwon, one of the most active members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
This initiative should result to the partnership among the three parties where the donor-paint company provides the paints and brushes, municipal government of Mayoyao and the Office of Board Member Bongtiwon facilitate the conduct of the project, while Mayoyao folks provide the labor work force for free.
“I am very pleased and happy to make that goal a reality for the residents of Mayoyao,” Bongtiwon said, in recent talks at his office.
Home improvement is one of life’s most important financial goals for the vast majority of the people in the Philippines. Without a doubt, Board Member Bongtiwon, also a distinguished educator, is exerting his utmost to assist Mayoyao folks to work towards this and many other goals in life.
Beyond the aforementioned plan, there is a need to upgrade tourism-related facilities and information system on destinations here for more enhanced and effective way to take care the needs of travelers. For example, health care needs of tourists should be addressed.
I am certain that we will never run out of wonderful stories in the various Mayoyao sites. A visit to the villages of Maga and Tablac shall provide a glimpse of the distinct cultural life. Tourists gain and share valuable insights of these places when they return home. When that happens, Mayoyao will not be far behind its neighbor Banaue in the ladder of top tourist arrivals. You’ll never know that directly benefits more than the province itself.
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Congratulations to newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen Jemree Binwag, Krizelle Lunag and Gian Kenno Numbalin of Lagawe villages Poblacion South, Poblacion North and Poblacion East, respectively. There were no SK candidates for chairman and kagawad (councilman) in barangay Poblacion West.
Over at Mayoyao, I am congratulating Melgar Atluna, SK Chairman-elect in barangay Chumang.
It is prayed that the aforementioned SK heads (and their councilmen) be the responsible and God-fearing future leaders of the Philippines. Be at the forefront in helping form youngsters in the Christian life.
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My heartfelt congratulations as well as to Kagawads-elect Adelina Dalingay and Wilfred Unghiyon of Poblacion West in Lagawe! They are my esteemed friends.
It is hoped that they’ll be able to withstand the challenges that may arise in implementing the thrusts and concerns of the Poblacion West Barangay Council, under the stewardship of Punong Barangay-elect Simplicia Dipia-o by noon of June 30, 2018.
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Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diòo is to be summoned by the House of Representatives to shed light on his allegations of irregularities committed by about 100 congressmen in the last barangay and SK polls. It is decidedly distasteful for the lower chamber of Congress to investigate its own erring members. There is just but a myth that the House of Representatives is in a position to even conduct a probe on its members who are in hot water.
Everything boils down to the issue that this is an unconscionable attack on truth. Outside of political textbook theories, nothing has been said that there is a crime in telling the truth. For obvious reasons, it is not regarded as within the public interest that the search for truth be breached for political expediency. Usec Diòo should simply ignore the summons. They’ll likely gang up on Usec Diòo who courageously disclosed the widespread vote-buying activities of these congressmen during the said electoral exercise. Someone is setting a trap for removing Usec Diòo. After all, the local and national elections are just around the corner. Call it grandstanding!
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Blooper in Ifugao: At the just-concluded SK polls in Lamut town, a SK candidate for Chairman put the following mark in the campaign tarpaulin: Please vote 2 (Name) for Chairman! Oops! It was manually done and not automated.
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From all indications, there were little gains for women empowerment in Lagawe in so far as the last barangay polls are concerned. Voters went for Punong Barangay-elect Simplicia Dipia-o in Poblacion West and Punong Barangay-elect Amelita Punno in far-flung Buyabuyan. There are 20 villages in Lagawe. For short, only 10% of village chieftains in the capital town are women. In the 2013 barangay elections, only Punong Barangay Norma Abuan of Poblacion North was the female village chieftain elected.
On the other hand, 26 (or 18%) female candidates for Barangay Kagawad were elected . There are 140 of them who are to serve in such capacity in the next three years. Four villages elected all-male barangay officials. These are Boliwong, Burnay, Montabiong and Ponghal.
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Poblacion East Barangay Council (in Lagawe) is set to have an equally distinguished and accomplished leader in Kagawad-elect Alice Dinamling. She garnered 594 votes. Her extensive experience in the village will certainly contribute to her stint in the barangay government. To that end, she should be given an important committee for chairmanship assignment. To Kagawad-elect Dimanling: God bless and Mabuhay!
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A tip for success: It is important to learn from harsh lessons of the past. China, the world’s second largest economy, is investing heavily on all fronts. It vowed that future brands of produce will be built to global standards. How about the Philippines?
How about in Ifugao? Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ifugao Office Director Valentin Baguidudol, along with the incoming officials by 2019, should strengthen small-to medium sized-enterprises (SMEs) and gear them for the future to ultimately achieve global competitiveness. With a lofty vision and bold spirit, Director Baguidudol has been pushing boundaries. The DTI-Ifugao Office has been so fortunate to have Mr. Baguidudol lead it for the past years. His extensive experience with SMEs will certainly contribute to the cause of elevating their status. All the while, Ifugao SMEs languish due to the mindset that business owners do not belong to the big league. The DTI should take the lead in re-educating them to go beyond selling fish ball, kikiam, fried chicken and betel nuts, There are lots of money to earn in selling world-class produce. All told, ignorance carries a very high price!
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BREAKING NEWS AND REACTION; Armed men reportedly staged a daring hold-up in the evening of May 21 at the boundary of Kiangan and Tinoc towns in Ifugao. They took millions of pesos intended for the DSWD 4P’s beneficiaries. It doesn’t speak well of the peace and order situation in the province. President Duterte should order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to take over the inquiry of the incident as a means of facilitating the immediate resolution of this crime to ensure there is no whitewash. Chances are the culprits are from Ifugao, who shamelessly carted away the money of poor folks.
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If you’re looking for a place for a delicious meal or snack at a quiet setting at reasonable cost while in Kiangan, Ifugao, then it is Majos Snack Haus. It is located at barangay Poblacion. It is situated not too far from the municipal hall and gymnasium.
An extensive menu covers the breadth of Filipino, American and Chinese cuisines. I’m recommending pancit canton, spaghetti, carbonara and arroz caldo.
Shakes and the all-time summer treat “halo halo,” are available. These are indeed true indulgences of your palate at this time of the year. The ube-flavored puto is my favorite. It is not just a treat to the eyes, it is surely a treat to the palate as well.
It is time to make Majos your must-visit place to eat throughout the year. Feels like doing the right thing. Go check this place while here.
To enjoy good food, there’s a lot to learn. And it’s right here at Majos.
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The most apparent reason for the success of Jollibee Food Corp. has been attributed to the fact that its founder Tony Tan Caktiong has a mindset of building vigorously on what he accomplished with hard work and dedication. Now 65, Caktiong has a net worth of $2.7 billion in 2015. He has invested in fast-growing DoubleDragon Properties Corp., a partnership with young business magnate Edgar Sia II. DoubleDragon registered a net profit of Php 1.47 billion in 2017. Are Ifugao business owners aiming for something bigger than what they have at hand? Is it then possible, outside of Baguio City, in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to develop a thriving fast-food restaurant business? The answer is Yes! The proof is Jollibee restaurant in Tabuk City in Kalinga province. Ifugao folks would suffer grave and irreparable injury if the people’s negative notion and mindset were to persist through. Their arguments run counter to their claims of a proud ancestry of enterprising men and women who built rice terraces with bare hands.
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For our food delights corner: I’m inclined to recommend oriental beef with mushrooms, chicken sisig, fried tilapia (fish) and garlic rice for dinner time. To my mind, perfectly seasoned garlic rice is always a crowd pleaser. To the Chinese chef, rice dishes are always cooked well. Make sure the rice is steaming hot.
For appetizers and desserts: vanilla cake, avocado and chilled apple juice.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Your word is a lamp for my steps” Ps 119:29
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice.” Psalm 118:24
“The mere act of voting to oust the Chief Justice in gross and culpable violation of the Constitution will itself be a basis to charge them of an impeachable offense—culpable violation of the Constitution.” Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.**
