By Anthony A. Araos
Once you get tired of visiting the public market of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya (where basic produce are in sufficient numbers compared to the public markets in Ifugao province) for your provisions for the next travel itinerary, it is high time to get some rest and recharge oneself for a trekking trip in Banaue.
For local and foreign tourists, these days there’s still much trekking adventures in the mountainous interiors of the famed Ifugao town of Banaue as well as in Hingyon.
Recently, I met two groups of tourists in Quezon City. There was a group of six Americans from Galveston, Texas. In the other one, there were five French women and two men from Portugal. So I told them then it’s nice to schedule their trekking activities at Barangay Amganad in Banaue and so should another one at Barangay Umalbong in Hingyon.
Moreover, I told them to get in touch with the barangay council officials and seek additional information about their communities.
Of course, everything else starts by contacting the Punong Barangay (village chieftain) and the Kagawads (councilmen).
The barangays are the most fundamental organizational building block in the Philippines.
Barangay council officials, to my mind, are expected to extend a helping hand to domestic and foreign visitors while they are staying in their villages. They are in a position to provide valuable tidbits of information on sites and attractions on their sitios. For instance, Amganad is also popular for its weaving industry. I recalled telling my foreign friends that Banaue weavers are not only creative and hardworking but also friendly.
One of the underrated gems of Ifugao is its weaving industry. It should not be that way. It surely lacks the backing of the provincial government. It is nowhere in Ifugao’s antiquated tourism program. In short, government officials don’t simply know what they’re wasting. What a way to squander a golden opportunity to boost the ailing tourism industry of the province.
As the tourism industry in many other parts of the country continues to grow, it is hoped the provincial government finally formulate a new tourism program blueprint, one crafted and initiated by the private sector to look into the inputs of various stakeholders who are often left out in the dark in the crucial planning stage.
One more important thing I told my foreign friends is also to visit traditional Ifugao homes in Banaue and Hingyon. It is a must-do!
I told them there is time for trekking adventure in Banaue and Hingyon. There is also time for understanding and appreciating the indigenous culture’s music and dance through a presentation by a school-based group. It is another must-thing to do!
I told them that realizing each note and rhythm of a song and dance is an intricate way of determining how and when one’s body is overflowing with vim or vigor or vitality. It is still a must-thing to do!
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In striving for excellence in village governance that will serve as a strong driving force in the overall efforts to ensure growth and development in the countryside, a training program on tourism should be given to barangay government officials. After all, they are knowledgeable on their localities. So why tap someone else?
This undisputable fact cannot hide the reality that there is much more work to be done in Ifugao’s tourism industry. The province’s tourism industry is lagging far behind her neighboring provinces in terms of tourist arrivals. Ironically, the so-called “Eight wonder of the world” is situated in Banaue. I’m, of course, referring to the town’s rice terraces.
To further invigorate the gasping tourism industry in this part of the country, the next set of barangay council officials should create a committee on tourism in their respective councils. Then a summit to be participated in by tourism committee chairs in the province’s 176 villages should be conducted. They are to be updated to include the latest developments in the tourism industry front and relevant programs of the Department of Tourism.
This recommendation stems from the fact that the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls are scheduled by May of this year.
In the past several months, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo has taken a number of important steps to boost tourism in the rural areas. She is known for advocating new ideas. The provincial government must work with her to improve its dismal record. The provincial government must do this by discarding its outdated tourism program.
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The barangay is the fundamental unit of government in the Philippines. The simplest type of government in rural and urban Philippines, therefore, is the barangay council. It is headed by the Punong Barangay.
With the barangay polls just around the corner, this “Educate, Empower, Emulate” section of “Guiltless Thoughts” column shall take the lead in informing and enlightening readers on developments related to the said electoral exercise.
The appropriateness of the traditional definition of good leadership, as well as ways to choose good officials through the ballot is, to my mind, at present subjects for great consideration. Thus, the valuable information herein is intended to complement one’s right to suffrage.
Let’s start the ball rolling.
Barangay Poblacion North is one of the key villages of the capital town of Lagawe. In addition to being the site of the old hospital (more commonly known as the Ifugao General Hospital), it is a residential and commercial center. The newly-built fire and police stations are in the village.
Major political figures of the village include former Punong Barangay Jonas Kinakin, incumbent Punong Barangay Norma Abuan and Kagawad Ericson Inhumang.
Voters are up to the task of giving their nod to candidates who are known to be sincere, honest and competent. They ought to scrutinize their track records.
I strongly believe that well-thought out, well-crafted development action plans as well as timely and relevant programs, projects and activities should be implemented by dynamic and dedicated Punong Barangays (as well as Kagawads- or councilmen), as a way forward in building vibrant barangays (villages) that would overcome difficult times and prosper through the challenges of a borderless economy.
More than three years after the October 2013 barangay elections, Filipino voters have yet, for the most part, to see most of the promises of their barangay government officials come true.
As a result, concerned residents can take a proactive approach early on these days in taking a closer look on aspirants for Punong Barangay and Kagawad to ensure good and effective governance in the next three years.
It almost goes without saying that a dependable barangay government should come from the ranks of highly qualified and competent officials who have unquestionable integrity and strength in exercising political will to get things done as well as a proven track record in leadership.
Going back to Barangay Poblacion North, the still unresolved Ifugao General Hospital issue should be highly considered by the electorate at the polling precincts.
In choosing your incoming Punong Barangay, a villager has to determine if the candidate has a very good knowledge, background and the opportunity to address this longstanding problem on the hospital.
In other words, they should vote intelligently! Since an informed decision supersedes everything else on the list, it makes sense to hold debates.
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Tips for success: “Endeavor to make the right preparations.” There is simply no shortcut to accomplishing any task-big or small. Prepare well for an examination or a championship game. Think, think and think of the things to be done in order to attain the goal. At the end of the day you’ll say: “I’m glad it happened this way, because I prepared well for the interview at the Department of Education. Yes, I got the job!”
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ZigZag Weekly is indeed a masterpiece made for you.
I take pride of the ever-growing list of ZigZag Weekly readers in Ifugao. At a recent meeting with teachers, students and youth leaders in Banaue, I gave 70 copies of the newspaper. Problem: 130 others were asking for their copies. I have no idea at all that the meeting drew the attendance of 200 individuals.
By the way, a teacher said she was so impressed of the human-interest nature of the editorials of ZigZag Weekly.
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For our food delights corner: A meal of chicken barbecue, java rice and cream of mushroom soup is exceptional for your family, loved ones or friends by dinner time. I have prepared one some years back and since then recommended it to my close friends.
It doesn’t end there, for I’m inclined to add tuna belly cooked on the charcoal grill, in as much as the preparations of the main dish (chicken barbecue) entails grilling too.
For appetizers: ube cake, apples and chilled guyabano juice.
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Finally, a thought for our readers: “I will show God’s salvation to the upright.” Ps 50:8-9**
