March 29, 2024

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – The Kalinga binnadang cultural practice is still alive among iKalingas of this generation with the increasing number of volunteers for humanitarian causes.
The provincial government under Gov. James Edduba’s Lumin-awa development agenda has embraced in all its partnership programs with other government sectors and private groups the spirit of volunteerism which contributed in the successful conduct of outreach activities.
Municipal and city local government units have also joined the bandwagon with binnadang becoming the strategy to achieve goals in local governance and in mustering public support to government programs and projects.
The system also becomes a pillar in promoting unity and cooperation among iKalingas and now a trend in efforts of bringing closer government services to the communities. Binnadang at its height was exemplified in relief operations during the pandemic and rescue operations during disasters.
The practice is also observed through bloodletting activities carried out through convergence by LGU blood councils, civil society organizations, uniformed men and women, corporate entities, individual donors for hospital patients in need of blood, and during special day celebrations by philanthropists.
In Batong-buhay, Balatoc in Pasil and in Rizal last month, volunteer donors flocked to separate venues during bloodletting activities organized by respective local government units in partnership with the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.
Thirty units of blood were collected in Balatoc while 171 units were collected in Rizal during the activity facilitated by LGU and CVMC health personnel and supported by the communities. – Peter Balocnit