A highly placed Ifugao official said recently “This is Ifugao in the near future.” I sat through a couple of minutes thinking of it- after pausing to recall the scenery of Nagacadan Rice Terraces in Kiangan (sorry, not some folks, its down and out, for short DOA), wondering how this poverty-stricken province is pushing forward as the country navigates its way to an economic recovery path. The variables hardly moved, probably because most officials are not in the same page with the province’s highest official.
What hope is really there for the agriculture sector of Ifugao? Can you imagine the hardships of indigenous people farmers in under subsistence cultivation? Yes, the persistent poverty experienced by farmers in Ifugao. Where thousands live below the poverty line, is alarming. Poverty in IP communities is very high. Even though folks have learned how some roads are being constructed, there are still many roads that cannot be considered
“passable.” In fact, inadequate road infrastructure, frequent landslides causing extended periods of isolation have hindered development of agriculture in Ifugao. This is true in Hungduan, Lagawe, Mayoyao and in many other towns in Ifugao.
It would be folly to downplay this problem. Poverty is surely highly sensitive and connected to road infrastructure. In short, improving roads can greatly alleviate poverty.
The biggest beneficiary is the farmer. Sadly, contractors are extremely happy for obvious reasons. Fortunately, former Ifugao governor Pedro Mayam-o is still around, elevating the advocacy to improve the conditions
of the farming sector here and there. “I will continue advancing their cause,” he quipped in a conversation at a popular coffee shop at Session Road in Baguio City.
His commitment to this all-important sector is unwavering. After all, he has always been there, strong and will remain strong with farmers and fisher folks.
“The men and women of the agriculture sector deserve better from their government,” he stressed.
Mayam-o, also a lawyer and farmer and educated in Ifugao and Baguio City, is a long-serving public servant and active advocate not only for this sector but also the welfare of the elderly and persons with disability (PWDs). Anyway, here’s good news for PWDs and their families. Mayam-o supports the idea of pushing for the 5 percent share of PWDs in the total budget in local governments. “I want them to work productively and feel satisfied with life,” he pointed out.
During his incumbency as governor, Mayam-o always made time for the people, cherishing moments with them and prioritizing their well-being.
And now for the other vital task at hand, the big challenge I know is to harness the expertise of Mayam-o in resolving long standing boundary disputes with Ifugao’s neighboring provinces.
“I will continue to do exactly that,” he quipped. The absence of a lawyer in the 11-member Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) explains it all.
Mayam-o’s presence in a province mired in under development indicates a significant move to look into the present-day realities in this sector. Farmers also face inflationary pressures. The government should help them to ensure better yields. The very idea of calling the attention of the national government needs no explanation.
The government continues to say that farmers play a key role in the country’s growth and development. Yet, it isn’t doing anything concrete to address their problems. Act on the depressed farm-gate prices of selling prices between farmers and traders as well as on the irrelevance of the Rice Tariffication law.
Key irrigation projects are delayed for no reason at all. Believe it or not: Volumes of documentation of a project can almost fill up an Ohayami bus. My heart goes for the farmers affected by such stupidity, largely caused by redundant documentary requirements. The farming sector gets a big lift when we have officials who are responsive to farmers’ needs. In short, officials who shall really help them realize that life isworth living.
For better connections between marginalized Ifugao IP villages and markets, my recommendations for the next provincial government: the SP should fund the rehabilitation of roads, installation of tramline systems, construction of small scale and solar-powered irrigation systems and post-harvest facilities such as storage units
and trading posts. Not only that, but also give incentives to farmers. Incentives are seen as essential to encouraging them to sell their produce to the government.
We can’t just ignore the need to chart the future in terms of good governance and food security. It is most helpful in going through the reasons why rice prices are sky high, rice importers are under-valuing rice and rice smuggling is still rampant if only to cast out negative energy. In the same manner, finding comfort and encouragement in the insights of Atty. Mayam-o is a gainful endeavor. Surely, he is a true leader. Officials should understand the farmers’ distinct needs. Then and only then, public service will be felt more by soil tillers, because the government gets closer to them. With the promotion of the common good in his heart and mind, Mayam-o won’t let them down. That’s why many are looking forward to see again in an elective office again.**
