a rice wonderland up in Angko

 

Our latest climb up to Sitio Angko was such an unexpected adventure. I have been to far-flung places outside the Philippines - but I am afraid I have to admit I still have not visited many areas in my own birth town of Maitum. So i took the challenge of trekking up to what it feels like a distant mountain village called Angko. Sitio Angko was designated in 1974 as a special settlement for minority groups in pursuit of self-development and identity preservation. Currently there are about 45 officially recorded households, but according to the settlement leader - one household is sometimes composed of up to 3 families. 

 

What really impressed me was how the inhabitants of Sitio Angko have managed to be very productive despite the odds in a distant location with very difficult transportation access, no electricity and no running water. A radio contact is possible from the village leader's home but to physically reach the outside world they have to trek/climb about 45 minutes to get public transportation.  The Lumads in Angko are farmers - growing corn, bananas, coconuts, vegetables - and yes, organic upland rice!

 

The upland rice cultivation was initiated by Maitum Advocates for Sustainable Development, MASE with just about PHP 25,000 (c.a. USD 550) start-up capital. Although most of the upland rice produced are for their personal consumption - there is such huge potential for these farmers to transform themselves to budding entrepreneurs! They just don't talk about effective farming techniques but also of harvest projections and targets!

 

One of the biggest wishes of Sitio Angko inhabitants have is of course running water, and if allowed to make another wish - a school for their children, who still have to trek/climb almost an hour to reach the nearest elementary school.

 

If you want to know more about the upland rice project in Sitio Angko or how you can help please contact: MASE. Also, huge RESPECT to Tita Beth Ramos, her team and all donors for their efforts!