By Anthony A. Araos
The Department of Tourism (DOT)- Cordillera Administrative Region recorded recently 1,132,530 local and foreign tourist arrivals in the region from January to September 2016, of which 26,225 tourists went to Ifugao.
26,225 tourists only?
This is an excellent time to revisit the province’s tourism program. Governor Pedro Mayam-o should tell the men and women who are assigned in the tourism office to come up with relevant planning and updating framework to the various components that will appropriately ensure the participation of the private sector in the development plans.
Ifugao has been in the map for so long in the tourism promotion program of the provincial government. Yet, only a handful of foreign tourists are being attracted. And the other stakeholders of the tourism industry feeling the effects of arrival numbers have many observers asking: How could it have been that for so many years when the province has several attractions like rice terraces and waterfalls? Ifugao’s tourism slow down clearly hit the province’s economy hard.
The clamor for a greater hand in the private sector in invigorating Ifugao’s tourism industry is surely an unfolding story.
Of course, big dividends will be reaped all around the province if those tasked to promote Ifugao’s tourist sites have sufficient know-how of the industry’s dynamics, so why not let the private sector take a hand in tackling the problem?
According to the July 2015 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)- formerly known as the National Statistics Office (NSO), there were 4.76 million people directly employed in the tourism industry in 2014. This accounts for 12.5 percent share of tourism in the national employment. The National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2011-2016 targets tourism employment to reach 7.4 million, with an 18.1 percent share of national employment.
Worldwide, the tourism industry is recognized as the second fastest growing sector, employing even more than the manufacturing and any other subsector in the services sector.
According to a report of the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2015, the global tourism sector employed 277 million in 2014, or 9.4 percent of world employment.
Whether pushing Ifugao as a major destination in the Cordilleras in a postcard or a brochure, or merely telling friends abroad to visit this upland province, tourism promotion and marketing simply entails common sense.
Oh yes, I remain clueless why the idea of aggressively pushing tour packages (let’s say a visit to the towns of Kiangan, Banaue, Hungduan or Mayoyao) in Ifugao is not being considered.
Banaue is certainly the main card. For it is home to the Ifugao rice terraces, long considered the “Eight wonder of the world” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built manually by the native Ifugao farmers thousands of years of ago.
But it doesn’t have to be only Banaue to be given great value by tourism industry planners. It’s really time to raise public awareness and consciousness that not everything exciting and fascinating in the tourism world is confined in Banaue.
This is it for now folks. More discussions are up in my forthcoming commentaries. For now, I am urging Governor Mayam-o to give priority to building of roads leading to tourist areas. For the tourism industry in Ifugao to reach greater heights, major pillars in the public and private sectors should really work very hard. You want better results: work very hard.
-o0o-
Local officials, along with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), should intensify the campaign against defective and miscalibrated weighing scales.
Go after erring vendors at public markets and other establishments in Ifugao. Confiscated scales are usually turned over to the municipal treasurer. A Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) should adopt stern measures against them by imposing heavier fines.
-o0o-
I’m so happy to take part in the just-concluded UN Civil Society Forum on Sustainable Development Goals in Baguio City. Of course, I am grateful for the invitation of my esteemed friend, IGEMCO general manager Godfrey Dominong.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in attendance remain true to their commitment to be at the forefront of upholding the people’s rights and be their alternative voice. On this score, I see the need for CSOs (as well as non-government organizations and people’s organizations in the Cordillera Administrative Region, if not the entire Northern Luzon) to unite, organize and mobilize in order to become a potent political group. By being strong, solid and united, the CSOs, NGOs and POs are in a position to advance the best interest of the people, most especially the impoverished. This is far more important than reciting over, over and over again the so-called 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations like a fourth grader.
-o0o-
If there is lack of practice among track and field CARAA (Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association) – bound competitors of Ifugao, there is also bad training.
Training preparations at the Lagawe Central School tell us of unthinkable practices, especially those who are entered in the track events, as they are set to run at the tartan-surfaced Baguio Athletic Field oval.
On a clear sunny day, they are running on a soil, dusty and stone-filled so-called oval. Worse, when it rains, the oval is muddy.
The problem can be corrected by sending them right away to Baguio City.
-o0o-
With the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) on a platform of elevating the standards of campus journalism, this year’s NSPC program in Pagadian City in Zamboanga truly focuses on the vitality of responsible journalism and a free press.
This year’s NSPC theme of “Strengthening Freedom of Information through Campus Journalism” echoes the direction the young outstanding scribes of the country’s 18 regions are taking which affects the people.
There are 19 aspirants from Ifugao. They are Graybe Emerald Tayaban (news writing, elementary), Jersika Ollagon (pagsusulat ng editorial, elementary), Sehkinah Sofia Juguiad, Keziah Chumapang, Ain Lee Santiago, Baelian Bayaona, Hayjin Ladaona, Christeliyn Julian, Charis Faith Domingo, Jadxon Dog-e (script writing and radio broadcasting, elementary), Art John Milleo Aniceto, Angela Jamal Garcia, Christopher Jordan Mosqueda, Zhora Maringag, Roselle Cabauatan, Cadmiel Gil, Ybrahim Ildefonso, Albren Lacbao, Maritess Palig, (collaborative publishing in Filipino, elementary), Jacklord Klkique, (news writing, secondary) and Josiah Bumahit, (balitang agham at teknolohiya, secondary).
Four school paper advisers and 14 officials are joining them in this prestigious competition.
I look forward with much anticipation to a fruitful stint of the lean but mean Ifugao delegation in Pagadian City. God bless and good luck!
To all officials of the province: Don’t you wish they’ll make it on top in Pagadian City? This is a proof of excellence even in the face of adversity. Most, if not all of them, are from poor families. Whatever the results are, to my mind, they are already all winners. They are all outstanding pupils and students- outstanding youngsters. Something that makes each one feel proud!
Has the Mayam-o administration considered the role of the province’s promising campus journalists in nation-building? If so, Governor Mayam-o should provide full and unconditional support to the needs of the Ifugao delegation.
Their contributions to society and the country undoubtedly are invariable. Perhaps, it’s time the officialdom underscore the importance of promoting a culture of merit (as well as excellence) by giving unflinching support to noteworthy activities of the youth.
-o0o-
Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “Big tree catches wind easily.” A Chinese motto
“Teacher: Ano ang similarity of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Ninoy Aquino? Student: Lahat sila, namatay ng holiday!” A quote from the late Senator Miriam-Defensor Santiago.**
