By Anthony A. Araos
At the University of the Philippines, tourism students are being taught: Eco-tourism is a very important component of a nation’s tourism industry. No ifs and buts!
Ifugao’s tourism industry is no exception to this notion. As a result, I’m focusing on this matter at length in this commentary. The province is indeed blessed with a number of eco-tourism sites in several towns. Let me just focus the discussion on two eco-tourism sites at two towns coincidentally adjacent to each other. I’m referring, of course, to Bagnit Waterfalls and the Ibulao River. Enjoy the moments during a visit at Bagnit Waterfalls in Kiangan and the Lagawe portion of the Ibulao River. You won’t regret doing so. It might even be one of your best decisions in choosing great destinations in this part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Why?
Truly, Bagnit Waterfalls has a very special place in the hearts of eco-tourism advocates. Situated at barangay Julongan, Bagnit Waterfalls is a favorite of hikers- Filipinos and foreigners alike, for so many years. They are rewarded with panoramic view of the town’s famed rice terraces.
Cascading from a towering height of about 100 meters, the water splashes down to provide the much-needed irrigation of rice terraces in the mountain slope. There is a pool at its base for swimmers. Likewise, a picnic portion is located.
Therefore, Bagnit Waterfalls is highly recommended to students of the CAR and elsewhere as well as local and foreign visitors.
Bagnit Waterfalls is certainly gifted with so many wonders. Its surroundings are covered with luscious unspoiled vegetation.
This is an ideal place to really understand and appreciate the essence of eco-tourism in spurring growth and development in a given locality. This is an excellent opportunity to find time in getting up close and attach to the natural heritage of Ifugao. This is the perfect time to be enlightened on the vitality of protecting natural wonders in the province. Safeguarding these great wonders is so critical to present and incoming generations of Filipinos. Don’t waste time to protect them until all’s gone for good! There’s no second chance to do so. This time and only this time around, hold them dear forever. This is what eco-tourism is all about.
An eco-tourism trip to Ifugao is not complete without visiting the Bagnit Waterfalls. Relish the moments in a place where it seems time never ends.
The other eco-tourism site to visit within the year is the famed Ibulao River. Particularly, the river’s scenic portion passing along Lagawe town is highly recommended. I’ve seen the section along villages of Tungngod and Caba. Easily, this section is a must-consider for photographers and eco-tourism enthusiasts. The vistas are simply breathtaking! These once more reminded me of similar sites in Wichita, Kansas in the United States of America. So if you have a taste of photography, all the more should you opt visiting the aforementioned place. That memorable photo may be exactly what you need to hang on your wall. Cherish the moments as a great time of your life! There are attractions considered as elusive, and sadly, you’ll perhaps miss seeing them for a long time. Walking along the river, seeing the richness of the land through its people and biodiversity and learning a lot of its enchanting landscape is best captured by a photograph. I unmistakably call it the “The Power of Photography.”
There is no need for extra persuasion to local and foreign tourists to see said portion of the Ibulao River. This is precisely the reason why unthinking guys at the provincial government are throwing the chance of drawing visitors to the province. Sadly, the dismal record of tourist arrivals in Ifugao for quite some time is hurting badly the economy. It is like an asteroid or meteor hitting directly the province! Kaboom!
You may be wondering why I’m only saying a certain portion of the river in the capital town of Lagawe when in fact Ifugao River also flows through Kiangan and Tinoc towns. The sad reality is that a massive portion of the river is reportedly contaminated by pesticides used by farmers in Tinoc. This is the crux of the matter since a remedy is urgently needed by the people in the municipalities of Tinoc, Kiangan and Lagawe. Moreover, I was also told that the problem has not spared the folks of Asipulo town. Without a doubt, this is a catastrophic problem not just to eco-tourism, but also to the economy and the people’s health. Sans the intervention of the provincial government, everything looks bleak at this point of time.
I’ve heard pronouncements of some provincial government bigwigs on saving the Ibulao River. Although a few officials attempted to deal with the problem, shortcomings in the higher echelon of the provincial government foredoomed the idea of saving the river to failure. However, concrete actions to protect the river from misguided and unthinking individuals have yet to be undertaken by members of the provincial board. As a result, a significant portion of the river remains contaminated or polluted. Hence, after so many Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) sessions since January of this year, this nagging problem is not over yet, as the potential from unimaginable health risks remain high for those living along the river. I hope the next Board Members could reach an acceptable legislative middle ground so that the loss of life and into by water contamination could be a thing of the past. What must be done to once and for all solve this problem? Incoming SP members must really strive hard to protect Ibulao River and all other natural wonders as well as provide the means to travel to these wonders, all related to the province’s ecotourism attractions, in particular, and the tourism industry, in general. All told, Ibulao River should be a waterway rich of fishing resources.
The character of an ecotourism attraction is mirrored through the uniqueness in each of God’s creation with a large focus on earthly elements and their relationship to us. All in all, the ecotourism sites of Ifugao are reminders for man that God’s love for humanity endures the test of times.
It is rather extremely difficult to understand why Ifugao folks are hard up in comprehending the meaning and essence of ecotourism in modern times. At a gathering in Lagawe, I asked two easy questions to 20 persons: “What is ecotourism?” and “What is the effect of ecotourism in the economy of Ifugao?” Alas, only three of them answered correctly. A teacher of Lagawe Central School and two college students (one is studying in Baguio City and the other in Manila) replied rightly to these queries. The rest oddly gave me blank stares thus, obviously are unknowledgeable of the subject matter. I guess something is terribly wrong somewhere.
I guess Ifugao can’t go on forever reeling with this predicament. It is high time to educate folks on the modern-day tool which brought forth enormous benefits to countless people throughout the world. This embraces the uniqueness and diversity of heritages, cultures, customs and natural beauty of destinations. It is called ecotourism.
Strategy is a choice. An incoming intelligent board member should simply pursue a joint project (involving the committees on tourism and education and public information) tapping teachers for the conduct of an information education campaign on ecotourism in Ifugao. One must be courageous to inject values education to such an endeavor. Nothing goes wrong with teaching the rudiments of ecotourism to the young. Why can’t we do something to the practice of saying “I don’t know!” when asked such elementary questions. After all, all folks are to contribute to building a nation.
If you are spooked by misdeeds of some persons at cultural heritage sites, ecotourism can bring inspiration to the challenge of preserving cultures each day at these places.
Evidently, Ifugao is far, far, far behind in terms of promoting ecotourism and there is lot to gain from pushing its potential to the limit. Make way for an incoming bright board member who is willing to harness the skills and talents of those in the private sector to resuscitate the sickly tourism industry. We’ve got to think of the future! Common sense is the answer!
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Congratulations to Board Member Victor Bunnol Jr. of Lamut for being chosen recently as one of the awardees of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera at a program at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Board Member Bunnol is one of the leading candidates for Vice Governor in the 2019 midterm elections. As a vice gubernatorial aspirant, Bunnol envisions a province without poverty and peace and order problems. Measures such as providing the people with jobs and livelihood opportunities and ample security at all times to alleviate their status and guarantee tranquility at all places are on his agenda. “We make this possible through a firm hand of leadership to make a difference in the people’s lives,” he told me. “Through our intervention, we believe that this is an effective remedy against poverty and fear of lawless elements,” he stressed.
Looking ahead, Board Member Bunnol is focused on shaping the lives of the people, most especially the poor, across Ifugao. He is the chairman of the committee on health and sanitation. Under his stewardship, the committee is at the forefront of strategic health care promotion, contributing to implementation of key programs. He provided overall direction and guidance to health-related organizations and engaged practitioners in vital tasks of maintaining a healthy citizenry.
Many are incredibly excited to help Board Member Bunnol realize his bid of serving the public in another capacity. “If Board Member Jun (as he is fondly called by the people) Bunnol could be of help to the province by being a vice governor, why not?” a teacher from Aguinaldo said in an interview.
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A four-way gubernatorial fight is seen for Ifugao’s much-coveted position. Aspirants include outgoing Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. of the opposition Liberal Party, Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw of the ruling PDP-Laban, former Vice Governor Nora Dinamling (also a supporter of President Duterte) and three-termer Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog (who is possibly running as an independent candidate and is an adherent of high standards of governance).
They are yet to file their CoCs (certificate of candidacies) starting October 1. They are yet to disclose their agenda for the agriculture sector. Given the bad conditions of farmers, what are their plans for the farmers? I’m praying that the next Governor shall look into reorganizing small farmer cooperatives to enter into contract growing with farm management agreement with big agri-buyers/processors of high yielding long-term cash crops. These include banana, cacao and corn.
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A tip for success: With dengue, diarrhea, leptospirosis and a host of respiratory tract infections on the rise during the rainy season, it isn’t a bad idea after all to know what to do to avoid the season’s most prevalent illnesses.
So stay not just healthy, but very healthy at that. Do so by drinking clean and ionized water.
Success at any endeavor in school or office is easily tied-up to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you’re really unsure of the water supply, buy water from a reputable water station (in Lagawe, Ifugao get it at Collin’s). It makes sense to keep the family always safe and heathy. Another way is through to the Izumi Ultrafiltration Water System. Carbon filtration technology makes your water taste better and it removes chemicals. Water filtration system is important in ensuring continuous supply of healthy alkaline water, most especially during the rainy season.
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Blooper in Ifugao: An uneducated Ifugao man went into a cutting spree of banana trees in his backyard. About twenty trees were gone in nearly 30 minutes. Unripe banana fruits littered the place. The man, a low-income individual, yelled: “I don’t need these banana trees anyway!” A week after the man bought a kilo of bananas at the market. He was sobbing and uttered: “I just borrowed money from my neighbor to buy these bananas and rice.”
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For our food delights corner: Make your table as a superb place to share wonderful food with the family, loved ones and friends. So make way for my all-time favorite of honey-glazed Chicken in tomato-cream sauce. Just be generous with sliced white onions and sliced button mushrooms in your servings for another delectable meal. Go for fresh vegetables and ingredients as a means of cleansing your palate. Additions: spaghetti with clams, java rice and asparagus soup enriched with ham and cheese.
For appetizers and dessert: strawberry cake, avocado and chilled pineapple juice. Don’t forget to pray for all the blessings at the table. After all, it is God who gave you a healthy mind and body so that you may become a productive employee or a bright student. It doesn’t matter whether it is a short or long prayer.
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Finally, some food for thoughts to our readers: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” A familiar saying throughout the world
“If Duterte forces a shift to federalism without first arming the people with all the means to fight corruption, he will leave a legacy of having strengthened provincial warlords with expanded powers to perpetuate their vassal kingdoms all over the country.” Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Joel Ruiz Buluyan**
