Chieftain Hails Gov. Espino’s Concern to Aguilar IPs Lingayen --- Only Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. among the previous Governors has touched the lives of Indigenous People (IP) in our sitio. This was affirmed by Rodolfo Mallari, chieftain of sitio Mapita in barangay Laoag, Aguilar town, during an interview by the Provincial Information Office earlier this month. Since 2007, the provincial government has undertaken development projects and programs in the village with some 800 residents, village chief Mallari said. “Malaking pagbabago po ang nangyari dito sa amin simula nang maging Gobernador si Gob. Espino," Mallari said, as he specified various developments done by the present administration to their humble community. A classroom for elementary pupils was constructed during the Governor’s first term while another classroom and a health center were built in his second term, he said. Roads leading to the sitio were also cleared and paved by the provincial government, making it accessible to vehicles. “Dahil sa mga nagawa ng Gobernador, naging maayos na po ang kalagayan namin dito kung ikukumpara nuong dati,” he averred. “Tungkol sa pagtatanim naman namin ng palay, may mga ibinibigay ang Provincial Agriculturist Office na mga hybrid na binhi,” Larry Paed, a farmer in the sitio, said. Sustainable and modern farming methods were also introduced by the Provincial Agriculturist Office to the Mapita IPs through seminars and lectures with agriculture experts. Humble residents as well as pupils and teachers in Mapita Elementary School also expressed thanks over Gov. Espino’s concern to their community. There may be no electricity in the high- altitude region, but the natural spring water, rich soil and the cold breeze of fresh air atop of the mountains make the place a possibility for eco-tourism ventures and agricultural production. Mapita villagers migrated to the area in the mid-70s, mostly from La Trinidad in Benguet province, to look for a better place, away from Baguio City as what then they described as already congested. The sitio is located about 20 kms from the main highway that is translated to a 45-minute road trip. (PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 07:19:35 +0000
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