By Anthony A. Araos
Today, local and foreign tourists are on the lookout for destinations in Ifugao with captivating appeal. For one, the rice terraces of Banaue and even in Hungduan and Kiangan are still very attractive to foreign visitors. An hour and a half past Banaue, is the scenic town of Mayoyao. Peeking through elegant and centuries-old pines, the town is best described as a getaway enveloped by clean mountain air that is cold, embracing and invigorating.
This is just one reason why the tourism industry is so important for Mayoyao and the ten other towns of the province.
With more tourists visiting the province, the tourism industry’s contributions to the economy are easily felt. Higher revenues would be beneficial to Ifugao’s economy as earnings were mostly spent on goods and services. Top earners include owners of hotels, inns, lodging houses, restaurants, groceries, bus companies, vans, souvenir shops, museums and even tour guides. With activity-based tourism as a platform, tourists will tend to stay longer and spend more if they find more engaging activities to do.
Destinations have traditionally been regarded as places where tourists relax and recharge their tired bodies for two to three days. Thus, it is not difficult to say that the majestic rice terraces in Mayoyao is not just a refuge that is breathtaking to the traveler, but also is a vital instrument in propelling the growth and development in Ifugao.
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It’s a matter of time that Samson Atluna is on the way of reclaiming his seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Ifugao. Time is indeed ticking away. Just about little less than five months away, to be more exact. Does it also follow that Mr. Atluna shall go back as the chairman of the all-important Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources? Frankly, I’m fervently praying for such eventuality.
Then Board Member Atluna authored the landmark Organic Farming Code of Ifugao.
Incoming Board Member Atluna by then is in a position to go full blast in invigorating the organic farming sector. I shall forward a project proposal on the matter of setting up organic vegetable seeding bank in the barangay level. It shall later blossom into an organic vegetable farm. Moreover, there is an “Organic Vegetable Day” to be initiated in the village where the harvested vegetables are to be sold.
This is surely one of the best ways of touching the lives of the people, most especially the poor. You’ll make their lives better and brighter.
To further strengthen organic farming in Ifugao, efforts should be pursued to encourage barangay council (Sangguniang Bayan) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials, as role models, to adopt organic vegetable gardens in their own backyards.
Organic farming advocates’ reputation now lies largely not only on the wonders brought about by organically-raised veggies, but also in expanding the coverage of land utilized for organic farming. Many are already aware that it’s far better to eat vegetables untouched by pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances.
Ifugao’s economy is now also greatly driven by organic farming in the area of vegetable growing. A growing number of local government units (LGUs) have committed to make their communities centers or hubs of organic farming. Excitement about the prospects of organic farming vis-à-vis lucrative business ventures is high in the towns of Mayoyao, Banaue, Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista, all in the province’s second district. Their counterparts in the first district should emulate the aforementioned towns’ high degree of trust and confidence to build on the benefits of organic farming for a better future. In addition, program to introduce vermin composting in the grassroots level is needed.
Everything, of course, in the foregoing discussion is a matter of time. Meantime, I am praying for the considerate judgement of the voters in the second district to ensure the success of the electoral bid of competent, caring and compassionate candidates like Samson Atluna in the May midterm polls. I also seek gracious favor of Almighty God to enlighten them that the stakes are high on May 13, 2019- or Election Day. The right of suffrage has been given to the voter pouring into his or her mind the opportunity to retain a good official or replace a non-performing one. This is a manifestation of the love of God for mankind. Fore with Ifugao folks shall have better lives.
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Since the status of Freddie Aguilar’s candidacy for senator in the May midterm polls has been deemed by a recent Comelec ruling as independent from PDP-Laban, is it not proper and wise for Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to simply adopt him as a “guest candidate” of his party. Pimentel is the PDP-Laban party president. By the way, Aguilar- a popular folk singer and supporter of President Duterte, is doing surprisingly good in the latest Pulse Asia preference senatorial survey. Mr. Duterte said Aguilar’s song (such as “Anak” or “Son”) had social intent.
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Don’t get me wrong and with due respect to Freddie Aguilar, I still don’t buy the idea that singing prowess should be a criteria in choosing a senator of the Philippines. I am a fan of Mr. Aguilar. Yet, I am strongly urging him to spell out his program of governance. Maybe, it will bring a kilo of rice to the table of the poor.
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When going to the polling precincts on May 13, 2019, Filipinos should feel it is their contribution to nation-building. Thus, it is important to vote intelligently. It should not be interpreted as a means to support a relative who is running for mayor, councilor or governor, but that it should be viewed as a voter’s contribution to help the country grow.
To this end, the Liberal Party (LP) has done a very good job in coming up with a strong lineup for the Senate race. This early, many described the LP slate as the “Dream Team.” Officially, however, it is called “Otso Diretso” (or “Straight Eight”). It is composed of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, former House Deputy Speaker Erin Taòada, election lawyer Romulo Makalintal, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and civic leader Samira Gutoc. They have to deal with the causes of poverty.
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Problems of farmers in Bolliwong (in Lagawe), Tuplac (in Kiangan), Pula (in Asipulo) and Namulditan (in Hingyon) are quite similar. Productivity is low. They plant products without knowing where to sell them. They lack farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, post-harvest facilities and even farm implements.
As always, the bottomline is improving the conditions of those in the agriculture sector, particularly for sun-baked farmers. The battle cry remains: More funds from the Sangguniang Bayan and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan!
To give everyone a general idea of the problem on the financial side, let me point out the fact that the government focuses mostly on production and gives no attention to linking farmers with markets. Small wonder, the result is disastrous for agriculture. The lives of farmers are in a dismal state.
In these four towns, I still some bright hopes in 2019. I refer to the candidacies of Grace Guihoman (PDP-Laban) in Lagawe, James Taleb (LP) in Kiangan, Eladio Bang-ud (PDP-Laban) in Asipulo and Aquilino Namingit (LP) in Hingyon for councilor. Verily, the challenge to them if elected or reelected (in the case of Councilor Namingit) is to address head on the farmers’ problems. Weak agriculture funding system cannot be solved by providing the agriculture sector meager funds. Bold reforms are in order. After all, the SB is in charge of appropriating funds. Better still, they should assume the chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture.
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I can’t help recall the misery on the faces of the numerous jobless on-the-job (OJT) employees at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Poverty clearly affected them.
Do our candidates for vice governor (Board Member Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut, Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan of Banaue and Alfonso Lista Mayor Glenn Prudenciano) not see this when they criss-cross Ifugao in the cause of their campaign?
How to address this longstanding problem? What is needed is a new, innovative way of thinking about ending once and for all the practice of contractualization of employees at the SP and the entire provincial government. Believe it or not: there is a long queue of the unemployed in the provincial capitol building for jobs that are few and non-regular. Thus, the necessary steps: (1) address the problem of contractualization or “endo,” (2) ensure job security among personnel, (3) ensure that only qualified and competent people work through meritocracy system (by way of an examination) and not prevalence of political patronage, and (3) provide opportunities for productive employment.
The practice of employing “job-ordered” personnel has persisted amid the claim that highly-placed provincial government bigwigs support the call of President Duterte to end contractualization.
Ironically, when the mass layoff is taking place right after the Christmas season, nobody in the upper echelon of the provincial government seems to be accountable for the mess.
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Even if the number of corn farmers is smaller compared to rice farmers in Ifugao, the government should really attend to their needs. It is for this reason that a subsidy for them should be considered by incoming SP members. Why? Corn farmers are likely to shift to cassava farming when a dry spell hits the province. Cassava farming necessitates a small capital compared to corn farming. Cassava is a root crop which is resilient to the effects of climate change.
Currently, corn farming is concentrated in Alfonso Lista town. By June, public funds used for floats during the Gotad Festival should be better used to educate and enlighten corn farmers on the viability of cassava farming. They should be told that there is a big and ready market. Many other corn farmers in northern Luzon are doing the right thing in shifting to cassava farming. It is hoped that some others in Ifugao will likewise do the same thing.
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The next vice governor of Ifugao should immediately work for the installation of internet services at the offices of board members.
In keeping with the government’s mandate to modernize communication systems across all levels, the incoming vice governor should make the provision of internet connection as efficient as possible. For this is very much related to the task of legislation thus, it should not be ignored. Do not forget that the vice governor is the presiding officer of the SP.
If realized, this action carries great significance for the SP and is something worth considering as a great achievement and milestone as it is a step towards reaping the benefits of information technology. Ifugao should view 2019 as an opportunity to be on the cusp of changing its status from a backward province to a modern one. Hence, the need for installing internet services arises. That’s very clear!
The vice governor, board members and their personnel must be well-versed on internet usage so the SP can have more responsive and efficient operations now and in the future, Technological innovations are clearly affecting the legislative process.
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For our food delights corner: Most Filipinos are noticing that boxes of “Tikoy” are quite visible in major supermarkets in the country as the Chinese Lunar New Year is just around the corner. It is not hard to ignore the influence of Chinese food in the Philippines. This is the reason why my thoughts are centered on Chinese cuisine, Dimsum, Chinese barbeque and the likes. So try Lumpiang Shanghai served with fried rice cooked in clay pot for your Chinese food fare around this time.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “I have chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of My Kingdom.” Jas 2:5
