SABANGAN, Mountain Province – Gayang, Sabangan, nestled in the picturesque barangays of Upper Sabangan, stands out as a place blessed with natural wonders.
Situated at the base of a mountain that meets the Chico River, Gayang boasts verdant mountains and fields that provide a stunning backdrop, as well as a pristine river teeming with freshwater fish like “wading” or “gadiw” (Pseudogobius javanicus).
The name “Gayang,” means “throw” in some Applai and Kankanaey tribes. Sabangan Mayor Marcial V. Lawilao, Jr. and other officials, therefore, aptly describe Gayang as a place where divine blessings were “thrown” or showered upon, as evident in the continuous progress and development of the area.
During the inauguration of the Open Gym and other infrastructure projects in the area last June 5, 2024, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. shared that his grandfather “Dagiw-a” (mother’s side) is from the place; thus, the place is naturally close to his heart. He fondly recalled a family-owned rice field that was transformed into a thriving vegetable garden that is also contributory to the place’s greenery.
In addition to the Governor’s recount, Mayor Lawilao also reminisced about his childhood days spent swimming in the river. He also shared that his father traces back his roots to Gayang.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli also underscored the tourism potential of Gayang. “You have a very beautiful and clean river. So, I want Gayang to be a partner of Sagada in terms of tourism,” he said.
In their testimonies during and after the program, residents of Gayang shared their agricultural practices. In his message, Pio M. Lampac, an elder of the community, said that with the opening of the road, residents were able to produce at least 45, 000 kilograms of red pepper and California pepper at one time. With this achievement, he said that Gayang farmers always had great potential as vegetable producers because their land is naturally fertile as a result of their good agricultural practices.
Another resident shared that before the improvement of the road, farmers were only able to produce vegetables that they could carry for more than three kilometers to the main road. Hence, the improvement of the Gayang Road greatly increased the farmers’ production capacity. In an interview with another elder in the community, the Gayang Road was initially opened in the early 1990s by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Highland Agriculture Development Project, a special project of the DA. As years went by, the road had been improved through the concerted efforts of the Municipal Government of Sabangan, the Provincial Government, the Office of the Congressman, and the cooperation of the community.
In their messages, the officials of Barangay Gayang expressed gratitude for the support that enabled their agricultural sector to flourish. They profoundly thanked the headship of Governor Lacwasan, Vice Governor Tauli, Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Sabangan Mayor Lawilao, and other officials for their help and initiatives that facilitated transportation and infrastructure development. Furthermore, they said that the completed open gym near the agricultural lands can now serve as a temporary storage facility during inclement weather, to ensure the preservation of produce before transportation.
Beyond its agricultural prowess, Gayang is now known for its flourishing tilapia production. Fish pens along the Chico River provide freshly harvested tilapia to visitors.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the P5-Million road project further signifies a vital step towards enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the area. By HENT
