By Anthony A. Araos
Mayoyao is truly unique in that the town has nearly never been dependent on farming ways utilizing pesticides, herbicides and other harmful substances.
This is precisely the reason why many considered Mayoyao as the heartland of organic farming in Ifugao. So this time around, I’m strongly recommending that local and foreign tourists visit the Valley of Life in Mayoyao.
The popular Valley of Life is an organic farm. It is no ordinary organic farm. Its wide range of plants and herbs are organic. I’m, of course, lauding its farmers for not using chemicals for these are harmful to human health.
Many of my friends in Ifugao associate the words “organic food” with good nutrition for obvious reasons. This message is really spreading quickly in the province and many other places in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Today, whenever I buy vegetables in the market, I ask, if it’s organically raised? I hope others consider the same. It signifies love of health. More accurately, love of life!
The offerings of Valley of Life to the visitor are plenty. Thus, it is an important center for agriculture production in Mayoyao.
I recalled, as a guest speaker of a Healthy Lifestyle seminar in Subic, Zambales a few years back, that the loudest cheers came from the 300 or so participants when I said that the healthiest food in the world are derived from an organic farm.
In pitching for organic agriculture, I further remembered saying that some of the best organic farms are in Ifugao, particularly, those in Mayoyao and Lamut.
My message rather was very clear. I emphasized that it is wise to buy organic vegetables. There is a misconception among the people that organic vegetables are so expensive. Perhaps it’s because they had a bad time with unscrupulous traders.
Well, Valley of Life organic farm hopes to change that.
Sadly, many times misconceptions as this one are just as troubling as damage caused by floods to agricultural crops. A number of organic farmers reportedly sustained substantial financial setbacks due to failure to sell their produce.
The most important prerequisite to handling this problem is having around people who feel they have the capacity in the first place to overcome the problem. This means having more Valley of Life organic farms in our midst.
Support from tourists may also change this situation altogether. In this picture of Mayoyao, we find a solid foundation of the people’s future in terms of food security concerns.
There’s a lot to learn here. You see that Valley of Life organic farm is a great place to see, understand and appreciate the vitality of organic farming as a social development tool. For organic farming is an investment in human capital as it focuses on health, nutrition and even education. Is it the truth? Absolutely.
At Valley of Life organic farm, a visitor gets to see how farmers apply organic fertilizers at recommended rates. He or she also gets to see how care and management of crops are done. Gladly, foremost in the minds of its owner is the development of the infrastructure to maintain healthy plants and herbs to help them resist the attack of pests and diseases.
Indeed, Valley of Life has mastered an ideal organic farming concept with unrivalled learning experiences at your reach. An experience worth going for.
Organic agriculture crops provide a sizeable part of Mayoyao’s yearly farm income. There is no question that marked improvement of the social and economic setting through a boost in the town’s tourism industry will be most helpful to the people’s lives.
Therefore, in arriving at a systematic approach to the comparative study of organic farming and non-organic farming (or traditional farming), it is proper that we begin with a trip to Valley of Life and see how the farm contributed in forming these thoughts. Vital ingredients in all these facts were the hard work and dedication of Valley of Life owners-farmers, Mayor
Ronie Lumayna, Vice Mayor Jimmy Padchanan Jr., councilors and municipal planning and development coordinator Florence Ponchilan.
Mayoyao, about 64 kilometers away from Lagawe or 371 kilometers away from Baguio City, is undoubtedly now an excellent destination of choice among Philippine and overseas travelers. Why? This is their second home.
Once we are prepared to admit the influence of the great men and women in Mayoyao’s tourism industry, the stage should be set preparing bigger plans for it, and we should be ready to look into the future as Mayoyao is transformed as the next great destination of Ifugao.
In studying Mayoyao’s panoramic landscape, we have steadily progressed to a stage at which we can seek to stress that the town never runs out of admirable features from the Valley of Life organic farm to the majestic rice terraces. Rediscover the wonderful attractions in the villages of Chumang, Moncol, Nattum or Banhal.
As I told you, for the nth time, Mayoyao is worth visiting not just during the Lenong Festival time.
What are you waiting for? Give it a thought!
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What is the biggest disaster to hit a province? Is it a typhoon at signal no. 4 or an earthquake with intensity 7 in magnitude? In any case, the damage are surely massive, necessitating huge rehabilitation funds for calamity-stricken areas.
Disasters are inevitable, but it is somehow comforting when there is a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) at hand to mitigate the effects of the same.
What if the PDRRMO is lacking legal basis for its operational stature? What if the PDRRMO’s head is merely serving in an acting capacity? What if the PDRRMO has only 16 personnel-all of them working on job-order basis? What if these personnel are not even given hazard pay as required by law? What if the PDRRMO has no working vehicle (its service pick up donated by SN Aboitiz in 2007 bugged down and is reportedly still waiting for procurement of parts for repair in Isabela) at the moment? What if, God forbids a disaster occurs next week and in the absence of a vehicle, will the PDRRMO to hire a tricycle to be used in such an eventuality?
Sad to say, the PDRRMO of Ifugao is underfunded, undermanned and underequipped. This doesn’t speak well of the priorities of the provincial government. No excuses and alibis please.
In 2016, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan rejected a resolution seeking the acquisition of an ambulance and fire truck for the PDRRMO. What a terrible mistake. I don’t think the officialdom understands the needs of the people.
Personally, I went around and was able to talk to PDRRMO personnel about their predicament. They had nowhere to go.
Rule 18 of Republic Act 10121 Implementing Rules and Regulations, clearly provides that 5% of the estimated revenue from local revenue sources are earmarked for disaster operations. It is easy to understand what the law says. Where then is the problem?
Measures should be drawn up to improve PDRRMO service in view of its paramount importance. Only then we will have a truly responsive PDRRMO and a future that Ifugao residents will ensure their safety and security at all times. Give the PDRRMO strength of operational spirit and so its head and personnel have nothing to fear while they are sacrificing their lives at the frontline during critical times. This is not too much for the asking!
This is the time to send a message to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan that would convey a deep sense of empathy to the hard working men and women of the PDRRMO. For them and the people’s sake, as members of this august body attend to the 2018 provincial government budget. Over and above anything, the PDRRMO should prepare a well-attuned overall plan for budgetary purposes. It takes two to tango!
Inaction on this pressing matter poses serious threat to the people’s well-being.
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At the IPED (Indigenous People’s Education) Cultural Extravaganza competition on August 31 at the Lagawe Central School gymnasium, participants (mostly teachers) strangely made it different by not singing the national anthem. Such part was even listed in the program. They, instead, sang the Ifugao hymn not once but several times. Only the most insensitive of Filipinos can say there’s nothing wrong about it. It is extremely hard for a teacher to be remiss on such responsibility when he or she leads the young during flag ceremony. This isn’t just about another cultural program; it’s about patriotism. Bottom line: always think you’re a Filipino first!
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For our food delights corner: Bring out the excitement for your family, loved ones or friends with pork tenderloin in oyster sauce. This is best served with rice and cream of asparagus soup. For dessert, there’s leche plan and avocado. Have chilled pineapple juice too.
Surprise them too with chocolate cake. It’s really wonderful to have one at your table. You will love to serve them the very best.
A relative or friend might surprise you with a suggested appetizer for lunch or dinner time. It should be noted or considered.
Just don’t forget to pray for God’s blessings. All this year’s blessings at the table are His.
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Now, for our related section on vegetables, fruits and vitamins: Let’s focus our attention on sitaw. Also known as string beans, this vegetable is a popular staple in Philippine dishes. It is planted in most backyards. Sitaw is a common item in a market. Without one, it isn’t a market at all. Sitaw is best used in stir frying and perfect for sinigang na hipon (shrimp) meal.
When did you first become aware that vegetables are so important? If only now, it’s not yet too late in the day to make up for lost time.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Leaders with integrity are trustworthy, honest, and able to consistently follow-through on their promises.” A quote from the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago
“The drug problem will not be solved if governors, mayors, barangay chairs and the police are in cahoots with drug lords or are themselves drug lords or drug dealers. Drug trafficking would not have reached crisis proportions without local officials and the police turning a blind eye to the problem.” Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo**
