Barlig, Mountain Province celebrated its 58th founding anniversary and 18th Fortan festival held from June 13 to June 18, 2024. The theme, AMMAY: Appreciating the Majestic and Magnificent Culture of Barlig and Advocating Unity Yielding to Community Development, highlighted both cultural preservation and economic empowerment
Passing the baton
The Barlig founding anniversary and festivity commemorate the town’s establishment, marking the separation of Barlig from the municipalities of Natonin and Bontoc. Originally, Barangay Poblacion was onced part of Bontoc, while Barangay Kadaclan was part of Natonin.
Furthermore, “fortan” is a local term meaning inheritance or legacy, which means that this culture will serve as an inheritance to be passed on to the next generation.
Angelo Vicente, Municipality of Barlig Public Information Officer (PIO), stated that the Fortan Festival is celebrated in order to preserve the culture and tradition of Barlig.
“Maadal metlang iti younger generation, tapnu haan nga malipatan, kar-karo tadta nga medyo evolving ti technology, sumabsabali t lifestyle. may-mayat ladta nga i-preserve tayu ti culture and tradition tayu, (The younger generations can learn and not forget it, especially nowadays that technology is evolving and the lifestyle is changing, it is always important to preserve the culture and tradition),” Vicente said.
Launching of the Negosyo Centre
As part of the celebration, the Negosyo Center for the Municipality of Barlig and the opening of the Agro-Industrial Trade Fair were launched.
According to the guest speaker, Attorney Jennilyn M. Dawayan, Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office-CAR (DA-RFO-CAR), the Negosyo Center will serve as the coordinating office for all assistance related to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). She also added that the purpose of this Negosyo Centre is to facilitate the farmers’ promotion of their products and find them a suitable buyer.
“We will not be the one who will sell your product, but instead we will facilitate you so that you’ll have access to the market, or we will look for a suitable buyer for your product,” said Dawayan.
Dawayan also explained that before the products of Barlig go outside, there will be a pre-development of the product like local wine, rice, and other local products to improve the quality of the said product.
Vicente shared that the Department of Trading Industry (DTI) wants to establish an LGU-based Negosyo Centre so that their services will be easier to transtract than going far.
Vicente explained that the DTI will designate an employee from them and a permanent employee from the municipality to be a helper for this DTI employee. They will be the coordinating personnel regarding the programmes and services of DTI.
The community also witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Clark C. Ngaya, Provincial Director of DTI Mountain Province Mabel F. Banggawan, together with the presence of Division Officer-in-Charge-SDD of DTI Mountain Province Aiza F. Apil and Vice Mayor Hon. Delio F. Focad.
Trade fairs
In line with the Fortan Festival, the trade fair for the farmers of Barlig has always been a tradition. A trade fair is one of many ways to promote the community’s products and services. It is also one way for them to introduce new products to potential buyers.
Marites Ayangdan, one of the farmers and a representative from barangay Kaleo, “ti kina-importante na dytoy nga trade fair tapnu dagidgyda umay nga tourist ken dadduma pay nga dayo, ipom-promote mi ti product mi (the importance of this trade is to promote our product [per barangay] for the tourists to know).”
She shared that they do not use any chemicals on their product, not even chicken dung. They are using ru-ot (grass) as their fertiliser because it promotes organic and not inorganic fertilisers.
Each of the local products has its own story to tell; Barlig’s Fortan Festival and their Founding Anniversary is one of them. Supporting locals like this will not only promote the community, but it will also help them boost their product and improve the quality of their lives.
The weeklong festivity showed the Barlig community’s dedication to its heritage and embracing the local business development.
