BAGUIO CITY – As part of the month-long celebration of the Benguet Adivay Festival, the 124th Benguet Gong Awards in Business Achievement and Yield (GABAY) Forum was held on November 8 at the Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City.
The ceremony honored various individuals and businesses for their exceptional achievements, including those recognized as the Top Taxpayers for their contributions to Benguet’s economic success.
Benguet Vice Governor Hon. Ericson L. Felipe highlighted the importance of recognizing top taxpayers, stating, “We do this event annually to acknowledge and invite people to see the investment potential of Benguet. We have rich natural resources and many opportunities for investment. Hopefully, the awardees here will encourage more businessmen to invest in our province.”
Vice Governor Felipe also encouraged the awardees to expand their businesses in Benguet. He likewise added that if given the opportunity to serve as a Congress representative, he would advocate for tax payments to be allocated based on the locations where minerals are sourced, rather than where business offices are situated.
On the other hand, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Hon. Marie Rose T. Fongwan-Kepes provided an introduction and overview of the program, explaining its purpose and goals.
“This livelihood program strengthens our families and communities; what we cannot give is what we do not have,” Fongwan-Kepes stated.
The event celebrated not only the hard work of individuals, companies, and establishments but also the growth and achievements they contribute to each family’s livelihood and Benguet’s economic progress.
Fongwan-Kepes further elaborated on the symbolism of the GABAY Awards, explaining, “The gong, as we know, represents wealth and status—valuable assets symbolizing achievement. In Kankanaey, ‘GABAY’ means ‘to grow.’ This event celebrates the growth of businesses and the development of Benguet as a whole.”
Benguet Governor Melchor D. Diclas further encouraged the awardees to continue paying taxes on their businesses despite the tax computation challenges, emphasizing that it is part of the process. He stated, “Itultuloy yu nga agbayad, naynayunan yu ti bayad yu uray nu ag-apa tayu iti bayadan yu.”
The forum also featured a talk from Atty. Cyris Ann A. Ng-Santiago, director of the Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service at the Public-Private Partnership Center. She elaborated on the scope and coverage of public-private partnerships (PPPs), stating, “PPPs are a means of job creation through infrastructure improvement.”
Another keynote speech was delivered by Lubin R. De Vera Jr., Division Chief of the One Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments at the Philippine Board of Investments. He highlighted a proposal under the memorandum of agreement, saying, “We are proposing the Benguet program as an investment destination.”
Additionally, a message from Nathaniel V. Lacambra, Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment Cordillera, delivered by Assistant Regional Director Emerito A. Narag, expressing appreciation for all the awardees.
The 2024 GABAY awards recognized establishments and individuals from the 13 municipalities of Benguet: for Atok, Estela Miguel; for Bakun, Kapadsing Construction & Eng’ng Services-Ronie Badio; for Bokod, Arcela Ognase; for Buguias, Region I Luzon (LCRI) Ramcycle Inc. – Buguias Branch; for Itogon, Macawiwili Gold Mining Development Corporation; for Kabayan, Shaillaine’s Sari-sari Store; for Kapangan, Evelia F. Wesley; for Kibungan, Wandalen, Modesto Jr. Mayat-an; for La Trinidad, Jollibee Foods Corporation; for Mankayan, Diamond Drilling Corporation of the Philippines; for Sablan, Universal Mega Gas Trading Inc.; for Tuba, Prince Ace Corporation, (Higinio C. Estepa); and for Tublay, United Farmcore Corporation.
Meanwhile, the Top 20 Taxpayers in the province of Benguet are: (1) SN ABoitiz Power-Benguet Inc., National Power Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation Padcal Mine, Luzon Hydro and HEDCOR, INC., Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, Tiong San La Trinidad, Itogon-Suyoc Resources Inc., Alphaland Baguio Mountain Log Homes Inc., Benguet Corporation Balatoc Road, Mines, Itogon, Benguet, Save More Supermarket, Rising Sun Commercial, Valley Bread, Goldrich Construction & Trading (William Go), (14) Km.6 Hardware & General Merchandise (Tan, Willy Tiu), La Trinidad Sunrise Trading (Loy, Senly Jr. Tong), Smart Communications Inc. 3rd Floor Cyberzone, SM City Baguio, Granville Supply Chain Management Inc., Gerco Builders and Farm Supply Inc., Northern Luzon Drug Corporation (Mercury), and Kenwayne Commercial (Egme, Benita Dang-ay).
The recognized taxpayers received plaques in recognition of their outstanding performance. By Rachelle Quilling
