“The Hipun di Amlag: Agro-Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair is another platform to alleviating poverty and showcasing the products of Ifugao.”
Thus said Engineer Francis Pacio, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ifugao Provincial Director, emphasizing the war against poverty that causes disorder and makes life miserable during the opening program of the Hipun di Amlag: Agro-Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair as part of the Gotad ad Ifugao 2025.
Moreover, he emphasized that “we have to conquer poverty so that, just like in fairy tales, we can live happily ever after.”
Pacio also mentioned some areas where poverty can be faced.
Accordingly, it can be through infrastructure, good governance, implementation of good programs, armed personnel, the field of agriculture, the health front, and education.
Importance of Farmers and Fishermen
According to Pacio, among the frontliners in our war against poverty are the farmers and micro-entrepreneurs. Hence, the focus of DTI giving assistance in marketing and in showcasing their products.
Through this, farmers and fishers sustain and improve their farms and businesses to become self-reliant.
He also stated the importance of our farmers and fishermen, “Ta no awan ni farmer, awan ti kanen ni apo ttorney, awan ti kanen ni engineer, ni doctor, ni teacher, awan kanen tayo no awan dagiti agtal-talon, agtil-tilapia ken daduma pay (If there are no farmers, there will be no food for our attorneys, engineers, doctors, and teachers. There will be no food for us if it weren’t for our farmers, fishermen, and more).”
“The trade fair, as a platform, showcase and promote our farmers’ products. [The trade fair] shows that we, the people in the mountains of the Cordilleras, particularly here in the province of Ifugao are producers of exquisite and amazing products,” he added.
Before ending his speech, he left a powerful plea: “Let us go local. Buy local. Let us continue to unite and add to the developments that we have started so that together we shall win the war against poverty.”// Veronica N. Batan, BSU-DevCom Intern
