TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The provinces of Kalinga and Apayao will be celebrating their 22nd founding anniversary with various cultural activities lined up for the joint celebration that will be done in separate venues in the said provinces.
Republic Act 7878 which was signed by former President Fidel V. Ramos on February 14, 1995 divided Kalinga-Apayao into two independent provinces, specifically Kalinga which was previously composed of 8 towns, and Apayao that was composed of 7 towns.
Gov. Jocel C. Baac declared February 13 and 14 as a special holiday in Kalinga to allow residents and visitors to celebrate the 22nd founding anniversary of the province which will be highlighted by the conduct of the 1st Bodong festival. Which is slated on February 13.
The Bodong festival will showcase the province’s age-old tradition of bodong or peace pact which had been passed on by their ancestors to the present generation so that inter-tribal conflicts will be peacefully settled among the elders of the involved tribes.
On February 14, the province will be celebrating its 22nd anniversary which will start with a grand civic parade that will be followed by a program and high school drum and lyre competition as well as a Valentine concert and fireworks display.
Among the other activities for the week include the Balikbayan, IBP and KMS Night on February 15, Teachers and Youth Night on February 16, Cooperatives and Farmers Night on February 17 and Civil Servants Night on February 18.
The theme of the 1st Bodong festival and 22nd founding anniversary of the province is “Bodong, Pundasyon iti Agnanayon nga Kapya ken Progreso.”
For Apayao, Gov. Elias C. Bulut, Jr. said the province will also be holding its Say-am festival to celebrate its 22nd foundation anniversary with the highlights to be held on February 12 and 13.
Bulut added the anniversary program will be held in Kabugao town wherein participants to the event will motor from Luna to Kabugao on February 12 in time for the main activities on February 13.
Apayao is composed of the towns of Luna, Pudtol, Sta. Marcela, Flora, Conner, Calanasan and Kabugao while Kalinga is composed of the component city of Tabuk and the municipalities of Pinukpuk, Rizal, Pasil, Lubuagan, Balbalan, Tanudan and Tinglayan.
On February 13, Kalinga will also host the first quarter meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera which will be held at the governor’s Hall located within the Provincial Capitol building in Tabuk City.
Among the agenda of the RDC-CAR first quarter meeting include developmental issues in Kalinga, the proposed House Bill for the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera, representation of private sector representatives in the RDC Executive Committee and confirmation of private sector special non-voting members in the region’s policy-making body.
Bulut and Baac extended the invitation to the public to attend their separate festivities lined up for their respective celebration of their 22nd founding anniversary for them to appreciate the rich culture and traditions of the Kalinga and Apayao tribes.
By HENT
