By Anthony A. Araos
Many are closely monitoring the results of the campaign to fight and contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the grassroots level. This has reference to the 24/7 actions of the punong barangays in Luzon and many other parts of the Philippines.
So far, several of them, comparatively speaking, have done a good job in their new-found tasks. They are now actively manning the front lines in the seemingly nerve-wracking war against an unseen enemy and fought in the barangay’s puroks and sitios. They are in the checkpoints, barangay halls and streets giving instructions to their motley of barangay council officials and personnel.
Since they are not covered by the Social Amelioration Program of the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), I’m strongly urging Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Dino to work for the provision of a one-time hazard pay scheme for the punong barangays for their services rendered during the COVID-19 emergency period. Punong barangays of first to third-class municipalities should be given Php 3,000 hazard pay. Punong barangays of fourth to sixth class municipalities should be handed a Php 5,000 hazard pay.
I see this as an anti-poverty social safety net for these dedicated public servants. It is a well-deserved act.
The idea of safeguarding the well-being of the punong barangays is not only meritorious. It has emerged as the single most important development in Philippine history in these “abnormal times:” protect the foundation of the basic unit of government. At neighborhoods, a resident knocks at the door of the Punong Barangay even on the wee hours of the morning when there is a problem. This is indisputably taking place all over the country (just ask the Kagawad (councilman) for help and you’ll still be referred to the Punong Barangay), and is the primary reason why the Punong Barangay is usually known as the “Little Mayor” in the village.
I see the provision of the hazard pay for the punong barangays as an attestation of the government’s commitment to fully protect them during these perilous times.
The punong barangays, together with well-meaning leaders of nongovernment organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and other civil society organizations (CSOs), are bravely determining the people’s future in every nook and cranny of the barangay. This is a collective mission to rise above the enormous difficulties brought about by the dreaded coronavirus ailment. The overworked but underpaid punong barangay is then facing formidable challenges and fervently praying to overcome them. Looking back into the initial weeks of the community quarantine, I see the punong barangay as the super-efficient guy who held the people together without having to press the panic button. The punong barangay travelled the length and breadth of the village to explain the importance of using facial masks and observing social distancing regulations. Sadly, most of the incredibly stupid masses hardly followed.
In the end, to my mind, the Duterte administration will be judged on the basis of what its officials are going to do in order to pull out the punong barangays who are mired in the health and financial crisis brought by the COVID-19 woes. You will never know the hardships faced by the punong barangay when you don’t diligently understand what is to be one- what you can do and what are our limitations. And learning how to interact with the others is what makes one valuable as a Punong Barangay. Precisely why I’m bringing this timely recommendation at the doorstep of the office of Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño. He once served as a Punong Barangay with distinction.
Nowhere do you see the need to provide support and assistance to the punong barangays than now. For their love of God and country, they are sacrificing their lives to save the lives of others. I call on the powers-that-be to take this opportunity to raise the collective effort to ensure their safety by providing them the proposed hazard pay.
Praising the Punong Barangays is a wonderful thing, but giving them now hazard pay is what elevates a common good gesture to an exceptional one.
-o0o-
Lessons learned in the COVID-19 crisis: Ifugao folks- whether they are in Lamut of the first geographical district of the province or in Alfonso Lista of the other district, need to realize that their province’s main industry is agriculture. Thus, post-harvest facilities are very important. As it is, production is too low. This is compounded by the fact that there is an acute shortage of post-harvest facilities. Sadly, you’ll still see farmers drying their palay (unhusked rice) or corn produce at roadsides of the 11 towns of Ifugao. This age-old practice has been long discarded by Vietnam, now a major rice exporting country in Asia.
By 2022, Ifugao voters should put into office intelligent men and women candidates who are running on a pro-farmer platform. Incoming officials- in the municipal and provincial levels, should be knowledgeable of the true conditions of the soil tillers in the agriculture sector.
It is high time to elect officials who understand and support mechanized farming and the provision of community-based post-harvest facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.
Before and during the COVID-19 crisis, the agricultural losses are huge. It only shows what officials haven’t done to solve this lingering problem. It is time to have a new perspective during elections. Honest-to-goodness efforts to help voters in impoverished provinces such as Ifugao choosing their leaders wisely should start just right now. The 45-day campaign period for local bets is rather a short time in educating the electorate. What is wrong in explaining the issues on agriculture such as the repercussions of poor communal irrigation systems or low-quality palay seeds? Why not look into the budget allocation of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the agriculture sector in the interest of the welfare of poor farmers?
And so, I would give a pro-farmer candidate for board member or mayor a chance. One who is supportive of the move to intensify technical training among farmer groups for them to gain knowledge on cost-reducing farming technology. In this way, farmers get to develop and operate farm lands with greater efficiency. Subsequently, increasing their incomes.
After the COVID-19 crisis, there is still another crisis to face. By and large, crisis of poverty is the real state of the nation. And this time the problem is not just confined in the main island of Luzon.
-o0o-
Two years into the 2022 local and national polls, many are wondering why the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Ifugao failed to enact laws for the improvement of the lives of the poor. The province’s poverty rate is still high.
The SP passed mostly minor laws with little impact in the province.
If you’re prone to feeling stressed and depressed after learning that the one you voted for board member in the last elections is a member of the Committee on Silence, then check the credentials of the candidates in the next polls. If he or she is well-schooled (in Metro Manila or in the United States), intelligent and competent, cast your lot with him or her. Even if he or she is not your relative or a member of your tribe, vote for him or her. Redirect your mindset to come up with a perfect solution to the problem of a powerful and influential body with no substantial legislation that protects the province, the people to speak of. And start drawing up plans!
Alfonso Lista and Lamut account for the highest number of registered voters in Ifugao. Yet, there is no board member from these towns. Both have a good number of fishermen who are living in poverty. Fishermen are still among the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), poverty incidence among fishermen in 2015 was at 34 percent. If a candidate for board member from Alfonso Lista or Lamut emerges as a winner in 2022, I’ll gladly ask him or her to author a measure titled “An ordinance granting Php 500,000 for college tuition fee at a learning institution in Metro Manila to a High School Valedictorian who comes from a family of a fisherman.” Imagine the feelings of the recipient’s cash-starved parents. I’ll be honored to pitch-in when it comes to drafting the said ordinance.
-o0o-
The partnership of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Walter Mart on the Go Lokal! Stores is truly laudable. Through the Go Lokal! Store, consumers can buy the best Philippine food products manufactured by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Among them are dried fruit snacks, banana chips, cookie sticks, crispy squid, anchovies and coffee in a tea bag.
I really like Blessings Dragon Fruit Jam the first time I tasted it late last year. It is a perfect spread for toasted bread. It is a product of businesswoman Editha Paculor of Barangay Sta. Maria in Alfonso Lista. Her farm is located at nearby Barangay Busilac.
Recalling this may help us understand why I decided to help her sell her world-class jam produce at the Go Lokal! store. It is an excellent example how ingenuity is applied in today’s global challenges. It is a testament on how rich the local food culture is. I intend to contact Walter Mart mall in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija and another one in Gerona, Tarlac.
Curiously, Blessings Dragon Fruit Jam has a very small market in the country. That’s why I’m venturing to help her reach out new markets in the Central Luzon Region. And to face the challenge to help MSMEs to further contribute to the country’s economic growth and development. As I enjoin the MSMEs of Ifugao to go beyond the markets of the province. Ultimately, therefore, is the goal to help others and create an environment that is conducive to business growth and progress.
It brings so much pride and honor for me to herald this “good news” as we have always reveled in the high-quality or export-worthy products of Mrs. Paculor thus, enhancing Blessings Dragon Fruit Products’ reputation as a solid, reputable and trusted company.
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‘For our food delights corner: Keep your spirits high by having a meal of adobong pusit (squid), barbecue liempo, grilled eggplant, red egg and java rice. Lightly season your adobong pusit dish with garlic, onions, salt, pepper, ginger, soy and vinegar. You may even perk it up with Worcestershire Sauce! Served best with mushroom soup. You don’t have to be a chef of a five-star hotel in Makati City to prepare the best steamed okra as an added item on the plate. Treat your family, loved ones or friends this delicious meal at lunch or dinner time. I’ll bet this is a nutritious meal you and your special ones would surely relish. It is understandable that this is the best time to be with them. For appetizers and dessert: vanilla cake, watermelon (if it is unavailable, then get a Red Lady Papaya) and chilled mango shake. Glasses of water are must-haves about this time.
Is this too good to be true outside of an expensive restaurant? It’s possible, yes!
Prepare yourself to having hearty meals in the coming months in the post-COVID-19 period. Save money for the beef shank or salmon head. Come up with new dishes in celebration of a new life. A life without those damning quarantine passes. It isn’t a bad idea after all. Above all, continue praying for more blessings!
-o0o-
Finally, here are thoughts for you our dear readers: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Jesus response to a lawyer who questioned him, “Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?” Matthew 22:34-40
“Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan.” Genesis 13:11**
