The Sinagtala Story

Contributed by Felicito C. Payumo

Photos: Mhike R. Cigaral

“A rising tide lifts all boats.” It’s a better metaphor than the imagery of “trickle down” economics. But they mean the same – a growing economy spreading out slowly to the “laylayan.” 

Not inclusive enough, is how our economic growth has been described. But I have not seen in action growth trickling or flowing down, as clearly as it has happened in Barangay Tala, where Sinagtala is located. 

The barangay, as I knew it in 1987 when I was first elected Congressman,was a sleepy mountain community of the municipality of Orani receiving scant public services due to its distance from the poblacion. 

Water, including drinking water, was fetched in drums borne by horses from a nearby stream. Malaria, dysentery and other water borne diseases were rampant. It was dark at night because there was no electricity. “Tala pa naman ang pangalan ng barangay ninyo, I would say, in jest. (Tala means star, referring specifically, to Venus, the morning star.)

Young boys and girls could not go down to the high school during the rainy season because the road was steep and slippery even for the lone “weapons carrier” that served as transportation for the mountain folks. No wonder, the barangay was NPA infested. It was a fertile ground for insurgency. 

So when Kapitan(village chief) Rolando Benamir, a very able barangay chairman, pointed to a source of spring water 5 kms  up on the slopes of Mt. Natib, we used my Community Development Fund (CDF), now notoriously known as PDAF, in laying down water pipes from the source to the barangay community. It helped that I was author of the “Wells and springs development for every Barangay Act” so that Barangay Tala got more than its share.

When water finally flowed down the pipes directly to the homes, I remember old folks kneeling down and boys jumping up in glee! That’s how simple their needs were. 

Soon, they asked and got their electricity. “Para may ibang aliwan sa gabi dahil ligo na si Mister at dumadami ang mga bata.” 

The roads took much longer to build (several administrations and officials contributed). But when government services flowed, e.g. health, social welfare, etc. the root causes of insurgency were uprooted. The barangay is now a safe place for visitors. 

But when Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1992, the ash fall reached as far as Barangay Tala. The coffee orchards were blanketed with sulfuric ashes, driving many owners, mostly settlers from Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, to sell. 

But the place continued to be peaceful. One would not be afraid to drive after having dinner in Makati to arrive at midnight in Sinagtala! Hence guests arrive any time of the day or night, because Sinagtala is open to the public!

Originally conceived as an enclave for the owners who wanted to have rest houses in Sinagtala, we are happy that we responded to requests to have it opened to the public! The beauty of Sinagtala is God’s creation and so it must be shared with everyone.

Trickle Down

Sinagtala employs hundreds of construction workers, rest house staff and employees. Since hundreds of guests visit Sinagtala daily, the host Barangay Tala also benefits. The lomihan, gotohan and fruit stands benefit. The tricycle drivers benefit. The budding homestay business in the barangay likewise benefit from the overflow night guests of Sinagtala. There is a sense of pride and cooperation in the community. You can feel it in the religious and civic congregations. You can see it in their home garden beautification.

Who are the guests? Not foreigners but Filipinos! Families of OFWs. Employees and workers from Subic and Clark and the nearby ecozones established under the PEZA Law. Call center agents from BPOs who need to destress from their stressful jobs. And ordinary citizens, especially Bataeños, who now know that in their home province there is a place they can be proud of!

We are glad that we did not make an enclave of Sinagtala!