Ifugao solon bares 7-point agenda

By Marcelo B. Lihgawon

LAGAWE, Ifugao- - Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Jr.  bared his seven point agenda to hasten development in the province.

Baguilat said he will work for the completion of the new Ifugao General Hospital whose construction has been delayed due to some issues.

For education, the congressman said he will work with education officials to make the K to 12 program work in Ifugao considering that not all schools are prepared to offer senior high school.

“It is my wish and we will work together with the Department of Education – Ifugao to ensure in the next two years all the 26 public high schools in the province will have complete facilities, classrooms and teachers to be able to offer senior high school,” Baguilat said.

He said he will also work closely with Ifugao State University officials to fight for the budget for its six campuses in Congress.

On tourism, he said Ifugao has strong potential to become an income earner not just for the tour guides but for all Ifugaos because the tourism industry supports many sectors.

He supports the organization of a tourism summit with the local officials, tour guides, transportation sector, lodging owners, food providers as well as the provincial government in crafting a solid tourism master plan which we can invest in improving the facilities in Ifugao to attract more tourists.

On renewable energy, water and hydro energy potential should be developed but in coordination with local officials and without sacrificing the rights of indigenous communities in deciding what kind of development they want in their own community.

“Let’s continue the exploration of our hydro potentials but we always keep in mind that we always get the conscience or decisions of the local communities,” Baguilat said.

He said agriculture is very important  thus the  need to invest more in agriculture by having  more irrigations, post harvest facilities, production grants and loans to farmers and fisherfolks so that Ifugao will be self sufficient not just in rice but also in livestock  and poultry and fishery.

Also to be prioritized is sourcing-out funds to improve the road networks in the province especially concreting of provincial roads. He noted that   in six years, about 90% of the national roads in the province are almost concreted.

Baguilat is now on his third term as congressman of Ifugao.