A revolution of their own

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

I first came across “Green Revolution” in high school. It was launched by Imelda in May 1973; eight months after President Marcos declared Martial Law in September 1972.

It was given the name “Masagana 99” and was initiated purposely to improve irrigation, increase rice yield to become a rice self-sufficient nation. It also encouraged people to plant fruit trees and vegetables in their gardens and backyards.

Undeniably in 1977, the Philippines became self-sufficient in rice and corn for the first time in modern history. The country also became one of the world’s leading coconut oil producers.

In January this year, GMA launched her own “green revolution” project under EO776 which aims to strengthen the country’s food security, generate employment and livelihood for the poor.

The program calls for the setting up of urban vegetable gardens and backyard fisheries in vacant lots and unused government lands in urban areas.

Dubbed “Gulayan ng Masa” and ISLA (Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement, it was launched as part of a massive government food production program in urban areas with the active participation of the agriculture agency, LGUs and the Pagcor.

That is as far as what the government says. What the people know about the new program on food production is another thing. I asked around and it seems not many are familiar with the order.

It is either that the LGUs did not receive it, or they received the order but are not ready to implement any part of it. Why? GMA ordered all governors and mayors to set aside funding for the purpose of the Gulayan ng Masa and Isla in the urban areas.

Oops! When LGUs hardly have funds for priority projects, can they set aside money for EO776? There are funds for the program from Pagcor with the DA providing a counterpart but in order to complete it, the LGUs must give their counterpart as ordered by GMA.

It is not the same in other places. In one barangay in Aritao, its officials wrote a resolution to their governor and congressman for them to consider their community as one tourist destination in Nueva Viscaya.

It is proof that in an unknown corner of this country affected by the global economic slump, there are selfless people who are very willing to open their community to others for the sake of progress. They do not have to wait for executive orders from anybody.

In their resolution to Gov. Luisa Lloren “Banti” Cuaresma and congressman Carlos M. Padilla; barangay officials of Baan, Aritao namely Gorgonio Bautista, Madarang Bowayan, Luis Napaod, Jose Rosimo Jr., William Cabigat, Roy Cangsan, Bernabe Luto, SK Chair Nilo dela Pena and Punong Barangay Romeo Codnita said, “promotion and development of the tourism industry lies on the active participation of the host community…”

The barangay intends to open hiking trails, camping grounds, launch cottage industries on basketry and rattan weaving, and establish home-stay as a means to house tourists.

But tourism-oriented projects are hardly set up even with the creation of the Barangay Baan Tourism Council. In our experience, most tourism councils merely act as promoters or proponents of projects to government agencies that often fail to implement the proposals.

Roger Sinot who, time and again, goes “home” to Baan, Aritao to visit the land his late father maintained for them, knows exactly the relationship between private parties and the government tourism agency.

He has experienced that government agencies do not infuse money for tourism facilities now, except for the tourism projects established by then President Marcos and his wife Imelda.
Instead, they ask the private sector to develop their privately owned places to promote tourism – then they ride on it, saying that they (government) are doing something for tourism. Who are they fooling?

Realizing how worthy the Baan proposal is, Roger complimented their resolution by offering a part of their property for a the implementation of the Socialized Industrial Forest Management Agreement (SIFMA) project of the DENR so that Barangay Baan’s dream may come to fruition.

Certainly if this pushes through, it will produce a radiating effect that will be felt by the communities around it, at least in terms of livelihood, environmental protection and food production.

I believe dreams about tourism as an industry can come true even without the help of the agency tasked to promote it. However, no one can deny that it has also helped a lot – by hiring employees in its bureaucracy.
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Happy Freedom Day to all, especially to Baan Aritao. Indeed, they are truly independent. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com