TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The provincial government will pursue the conduct of the annual week-long festival on February 13-17, 2023 as part of the province’s celebration of its 28-founding anniversary after being separated from the nearby province of Apayao by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 7878.
Gov. James Edduba said that the provincial government, in partnership with the government and private sectors, is now busy making the necessary preparations for the programs and activities that will be conducted during the celebration of the province’s founding anniversary and Bodong Festival.
He claimed that organizers of the different events are eager to hold the resumption of face-to-face gatherings that will definitely help in boosting ongoing efforts of the government to gradually and safely revive the local economy that was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The provincial chief executive disclosed that the week-long celebration will start with the Schools Day on February 13, 2023 which might be declared as a holiday in the province to allow for the active participation of the students and teachers in the activities that will be prepared for the celebration.
Further, the much-awaited Sound of A Thousand Gongs and the Pot Dance will be conducted on February 15, 2023 which will serve as one of the major highlights of the celebration to entice visitors to watch the unique cultures and traditions of the peoples of Kalinga which will be showcased in the said event.
According to Edduba, the provincial government is aggressively promoting Kalinga, Tabuk City and other nearby towns as must-see destinations when visiting the Cordillera and the Cagayan Valley because of the pristine beauty of the existing and newly discovered tourist spots worthy of visiting.
RA 7878 divided the former Kalinga-Apayao into separate independent provinces where the towns of Conner, Kabugao, Calanasan, Pudtol, Luna, Sta. Marcela and Flora composed the independent province of Apayao and the municipalities of Tabuk, Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tanudan, Pasil, Lubuagan and Balbalan composed the province of Kalinga. On June 24, 2007, Tabuk was eventually converted into a component city.
Edduba revealed that the final list of activities will be released the soonest after the concerned committees shall have finalized these so that people intending to visit the province during the special occasion can schedule their visit to witness the rich cultures, traditions, and history of the province which will be portrayed in various events aside from the showcase of locally-made products to provide income generating opportunities for the entrepreneurs.
The governor rallied interested individuals wanting to spend a break to consider visiting Kalinga for them to witness the reinvigorated tourist destinations that will provide them with one of a kind experience and for them to spread the good news that the province is a worthy place to visit and for them to spend a well-deserved break.
