THE RAINS IN ALAS

 

By:  Bernardo R. Roa IV - DFO

09 January 2000

Rains have as many values to as many people.

To a farmer, it could mean a "manna" from heaven, blessing his efforts to produce agricultural products like rice, corn, fruits and vegetables.  It could also mean more efforts to exert in weeding out grasses and others of the like to keep his produce healthy and meaty. To children in school, it could mean difficulties in going to and from classes.  To others out of school, it could mean happy moments playing in the rains.  To mothers, it could mean more labor in preventing illness to any member of the household.

To a UN staff, it could mean impassable, if not impossible roads, which may prevent him from reaching out to the people in the villages.  In fact, it used to be very difficult to reach Alas when rains start to pour.  The road to Alas from Same used to go through Dotik and then to the river bed where one had to cross it at least five times before reaching Wecacauan and then to the center of Knoa Alas.

But thanks to the PKF.  They started last October the rehabilitation of an old road that won't cross the river even once.  This rehabilitated road is only 18 kilometers from Knoa Alas to the sub-village of Wedauberek, with some portions having a concrete drainage canals.  This road may eventually become an all-weather path for anyone who wishes to come and see the beauty that is in Alas.

The rains could also mean difficulties in communications.  The radio messages will eventually become intermittent and unreadable.  The telephone extension will simply hum.  The satellite phone won't have contacts.

But, oh, the rains offer a lot on the other hand.  The staff won't have to fetch water from the spring that is about a kilometer away.  They could take their baths from the rains.  They could stay in their offices, thinking a lot about a lot of things, personal and official.

The rains.  It is to a lot of people in Alas.