By Anthony A. Araos
Organic farm tourism sites in Ifugao will make their impact soon for people in many places to see and appreciate.
Beyond showing their potentials in boosting the agriculture industry, organic farm practitioners have invariably invested in high-cash crop produce that will also help people gain additional income as a manner of attaining sustainable development. They’re bringing good news because everyone deserves equal access to opportunities presented by community-based sustainable tourism.
The organic farm site of Mr. and Mrs. Pedro Attaban in barangay Balawis, in particular, is a one-of-a-kind high-end development that will make a difference in people’s perception of creating alternative income opportunities while protecting Banaue’s rich soil. Indeed, this upland’s soil is so fertile.
Opinia Attaban is one of the many women in Banaue whose concern for her livelihood and family was influenced by the countless benefits of organic farming. “I became more aware of the benefits of eating safe and nutritious food,” she says.
Developing organic farm tourism in the village would not be easy. The task will be a community effort. The barangay government (as well as the municipal government) should provide signages, while residents will handle posting up chores. An innovative project as this one will likely draw the attention of others in the private sector.
By developing attractions like an organic farm site, stakeholders can make local and foreign tourists discover and partake of fresh organic farm produce.
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Enhancing the capacity of tourist attractions and accommodations in the priority destinations is a key strategy in boosting the tourism industry.
Hungduan is a town I’d like to see being identified as a priority area of Ifugao’s tourism industry. In the absence of a four-star hotel here, I’m recommending that the homestay program be highly considered to fill the gap. Municipal government officials should look into prioritizing the homestay program to enhance the town’s tourism industry.
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Philippine festivals reflect distinct practices, culture and traditions inherent in particular places.
One such festivity is the Tungoh ad Hungduan. It is a feast after the planting season.
Local and foreign tourists visit the town for the festival and document the events (three days of merry-making) through their cameras and videos. They also get a glimpse and sample the products they can bring home for their families and friends and observe how Filipinos enjoy a fiesta atmosphere.
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Gina Lopez, Rafael Mariano, Judy Taguiwalo, Paulyn Jean Ubial and Perfecto Yasay, for a second, think of what do they have in common.
All of them served as cabinet secretaries of President Rodrigo Duterte. All of them were rejected in their confirmation hearings by the Commission on Disappointments or rather Appointments.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (under Ms. Lopez), Department of Agrarian Reform (under Mr. Mariano), Department of Health (under Dr. Ubial) and Department of Foreign affairs (under Atty. Yasay), all grew rapidly under their stewardship but, moneyed quarters prevailed in interposing their objections on them.
But beyond recognizing their strong support from the people, another reason for feeling bad or disappointed over the Commission on Appointments’ ill-advised move to reject them is that fact they largely pursued pro-poor, pro-people policies.
All told, the Commission on Appointments should be held responsible for acting against the best interest of the nation.
Have it ever crossed their minds at the Commission on Appointments that President Duterte appointed them as cabinet secretaries because they are fit for the job only to be told later that they aren’t. A cabinet secretary is an alter ego of the President.
In rejecting them, to say, therefore, that they are not fit for the job, is totally unacceptable. It is horrendous. That is the height of stupidity.
Everyone’s needs, wants, concerns and interests, most especially the poor, must be considered. No one should be written off as unworthy of attention. Rejecting one for taking the side of the voiceless, powerless, moneyless people is completely illogical.
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What you shouldn’t miss in Banaue in your next visit? Apart from its world-famous Batad Rice Terraces, one should buy and bring home “Tinawon” rice.
It was the core of my lecture at the consultation meeting of Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan at Stairway Lodge and Restaurant in Banaue. I exhorted the officers and members of the Banaue Organic Farmers Association (BOFA) to go global thus, exporting “Tinawon” rice to the nine countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
It is my fervent hope and prayer that the hardworking men and women of the BOFA capture a good share of the ASEAN market. I emphasized valuable points of the marketing system that is expected to position the BOFA as a viable source of “Tinawon” rice.
Now they are looking forward to a productive and meaningful training activity in November as a result of the interactions with Board Member Dulnuan and acting provincial agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura, the meeting’s other lecturer. The increased crop yield of the BOFA has much to offer the international market. Cabbage, carrot, squash and potato are among its valuable crops. With a diverse and unique array of pesticide-free raised produce, I am expecting a great outcome from the training activity sponsored by the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO). Surely, that should help any farmer operate and grow in the most effective, sustainable and profitable way possible.
I am, deeply grateful and profoundly humbled by the invitation of the BOFA to be one of its lecturers during this consultation meeting- also its well-attended general assembly.
As we strive to uplift the conditions of the farmers, I take heart in knowing that the officers and members of the BOFA can always rely on the dynamism and compassion by public servants who incessantly work towards true, significant change for the Filipino farmers. I refer no less, of course, to Board Member Dulnuan and acting provincial agriculturist Catherine Buenaventura.
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Some folks are so dedicated in their work that they hope to create the same dynamic attitude in their locality. Those people are few and far between. One of them is Frederick Dumay, a traffic enforcer in Lagawe.
I commend him for his splendid work while directing traffic at a busy highway section in front of the main gate of the Lagawe Central School. He is an outstanding public servant. How can a resident not be touched every time he or she sees him assist schoolchildren who are crossing the road?
A resident of barangay Poblacion South, Mr. Dumay is known for his hard work at the barangay council where he once served as a tanod (watchman).
Mr. Dumay, also known as the “dancing traffic enforcer,” is friendly, a trait he cultivated long before he entered public service. Keep up the good work! God bless and Mabuhay!
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I saw recently the following signage “No vendors allowed inside the provincial capitol building.” To my mind, the resulting prejudice to these cash-strapped individuals is indubitably being insensitive to the needs of the poor. This is anti-poor and utterly offensive.
What is wrong if a vendor wants to make a living by selling “vegetables” there? Depriving him or her of engaging in such activity only gives one an option to steal. Do you want this to happen? There are no legal or moral bases that would merit the enforcement of such measure.
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For our food delights corner: It is time for chicken and pork adobo with mushroom. Add rice and fried tilapia (fish). For appetizer: bananas, mocha cake and chilled guyabano juice. Don’t forget to pray for the blessings.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our readers: “The government aims to bring development planning to the next level by considering the interplay of economy, society and environment.” National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edilon
“Where good men are silent, evil prospers.” A quote from the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) on the anti-drug campaign of the government.**
