Panas Falls -- New Corella, Davao del Norte

About two or three years ago, I stumbled on a blogpost featuring the magestic Panas Falls -- a promising tourist destination located in New Corella, Davao del Norte province.

The breathtaking waterfall offers layered streams and a few number of pools enveloped in a forest protected area operated by the local government unit.

Since then, I included this on my to-go-list and it was only this year I was able to tick it off from my long list of "places to be".

It was during a long weekend with my officemates that we decided to stay in New Corella instead of crossing the sea to Samal Island. Davao traffic is becoming insane these days, we might not be able to catch the last boat trip as we'll be leaving our place after work hours.

Moreover, we've been to Samal Island many times so checking out the beauty of Panas got us more excited than going to the beach.

But to our dismay, this is what Panas Falls looks like now. It's beauty is already fading, far too different from its unspoiled state years ago as posted in this blog.

The water is no longer flowing abundantly, considering it is the water basin of the province, and the water does not appear to be fresh anymore.

Perhaps it was not the best time to go there or the place has been abused by travelers. I actually caught someone on camera who was engraving his name on the boulders.

Caretakers deployed by the government should be strict in imposing policies(if there is) in protecting nature. After all, this ecotourism site is one of their economic drivers that attract tourists to visit New Corella. And for visitors, we have to respect and be responsible. Never leave traces is the number one rule, which pertains to your trash and imprints that will certainly spoil the place.

Though our trip was a little bit disappointing, I don't regret coming to this place. Because finally, I was able to put a check mark after Panas Falls on my bucketlist and seeing its fading beauty reminded me to be a responsible traveler.

I hope the Department of Tourism and airline companies based in the Philippines would launch an information drive about 'Responsible Traveling'. We have a lot of tourism campaigns promoting hundreds of our natural wonders but I haven't seen one that promotes for its protection.

With traveling just within our reach because of cheap promo fares and tour packages, our tourism sector is booming. Travelers from local and abroad flock to different tourism spots but not everyone knows what traveling etiquette is. Maybe it is high time that everyone be educated about it before everything gets spoiled.

#travel #environment #adventure #traveldiary #waterfalls #nature #trip #davaodelnorte #itsmorefuninthephilippines #philippines #mindanao

Growing Economy & Agriculture in PH

In two weeks time, the Aquino administration will be leaving the Republic of the Philippines to its 16th President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Before we witness the inauguration and officially welcome the change that was promised, I would like to write how I see my country at the present and what "change" I am looking forward from the next administration.

Throughout the six-year term of Noynoy Aquino as President, we've heard many times in the news about the positive growth of our nation's economy. From the "Sick Man of Asia", Philippines has earned the name of "The Rising Star in Asia." Even Steve Forbes, a business magazine executive have lauded PNoy on its efforts in maintaining a strong economic performance in the ASEAN region.

But despite the consistent reports, many if not all, still question the authenticity of the figures. Some don't understand how experts calculate such matters and arrive at such conclusions, while others simply cannot feel the positive growth that Daang Matuwid has brought into the table.

If we look at the Philippines from then and now, we can actually find traces that reflects our economic position that some of us may be actually enjoying:

If you happen to live in a metropolis, you may have noticed many high-rise condominiums and business towers, supermalls, and master-planned communities start to rear your city. Supermalls compete in bringing high-end international brands and restaurants, and houses several BPOs which provide jobs to many Filipinos, college graduate or not.

Flying across the 7,107 islands in the Philippines and to our neighbouring countries are now made affordable, even to university students who only rely to their weekly allowance.

And more and more individuals have access to owning cars and motorcycles that parade our not so modernized thoroughfares today.

Perhaps, these are some of the evidences of what our present administration is so proud about.

But if not for the shopping malls and other business establishments encouraging unnecessary consumerism and excessive materialism; of BPOs that guarantee employment and decent salary; of the few fortunate individuals, OFWS, and Filipinas married to foreigners investing in communities designed for modern living; of our booming tourism industry brought by discounted airfares; and low downpayment schemes and installment plans crafted by car and motor dealers, what else is there to back up the reported figures of our growing economy?

While it is thrilling to see businesses are thriving and a lot of urban development projects are happening around, it is frustrating to see that nothing much has been done for our agriculture industry.

Coming from a family whose main source of income is farming, I have witnessed how difficult it is for my parents to make ends meet. Once every three months, coconuts are harvested from my parents’ property. Though it is a couple of hectares, the income can barely last up to three months even with the additional income from intercrops such as bananas, cacao, among many others, simply because the buying price is low.

I find it ridiculous and unfair that businessmen get to dictate and set the price in buying our agricultural products.

It’s not a new story. It is a reality that’s been exposed many times that the poorest families in the Philippines come from the farming industry, and this problem in the agri sector does not only end with poverty.

Comparing the Philippines from other ASEAN nations, we have the most geographic advantage but we failed to develop and bring out its full potential to compete with other countries in time for ASEAN Integration as well as in Trans-Pacific Partnership as reported.

In short, we are left out even if we are keeping up with the global trend when it comes to fashion, architecture, technology, and culinary. Even our youth has not realized that there is future in agriculture, and numbers will show that we only have a few academic institutions and students interested at the said field.

If we think about it, Philippines is very blessed to be abundant in natural resources. But it is very ironic that we were not able to attain food security and sustainability over the years, despite having environmental assets both in land water that could feed an entire nation.

Worse, our farmers and farm workers who toil under harsh conditions only receive little or nothing at all. The demonstrations during the drought season that blocked some major roads in Davao, Kidapawan, and South Cotabato speaks how little is done to support the sector that feeds our country. Basically, the people who participated won’t tag along to the groups who lured them to protest if they had enough food on their tables, and if much needed assistance were provided to combat the anticipated El Nino phenomenon.

Having more than enough resources like ours, agriculture should be the priority as the backbone of our country, not businesses alone driving the wheel.

We are so glued to the wonders of urbanization as key indicator of development, that we forget that development is more than having high-rise buildings and shopping malls that offer leisure and convenience in one place, while we enjoy our favorite venti drink from Starbucks and wear stylish trends from Forever21 and Zara.

Urbanization is changing our agricultural landscape and it shouldn’t be this way. Our extensive lands and vast waters are godsend, and it is an advantage that we should use and strengthen through empowering our farmers and fisherfolks. Providing them the needed technological advancement, financial assistance, and introducing new farming initiatives and market opportunities does not only alleviate our agri industry from poverty -- strengthening this promising sector connects to many aspects that will ensure food security and sustainability, employment opportunities, stronger international trade, and an inclusive growth in our economy.

To the next administration, I am certain that the President and his chosen Secretary for Agriculture will make a comprehensive roadmap for the sector as soon as they assume in office. But let this piece just be a reminder not to neglect our farmers again. Over 15 million Filipinos including hopeful farmers have trusted their lives and future to the man known with “Tapang at Malasakit”.

May his “Tapang” truly lead and end oligarchy and not to favor businesses dominating in alsmost everything; and may his “Malasakit” reflect in implementing his pro-poor programs for the next six years, especially to our hard-working and dedicated farmers who deserve so much more than seeds and financial loans from the government.

#agriculture #philippines #opinion