TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The provincial government is considering passing to local stakeholders and the private sector the management of the Bodong Festival, similar to Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival.
Gov. James Edduba broached the idea of establishing partnership with the private sector in running the internationally acclaimed cultural fiesta.
“Papigsaen tayo ti partnership tayo with the private sector. Let us give them the chance to run the succeeding editions of the festival. This way, local and private stakeholders will have greater opportunities. Napintas nga pagrugyan daytoy international record tayo – rason nga pangipromotean ti ili tayo,” Edduba said during last week’s regular flag ceremony.
Edduba was referring to the two Guinness World Records of “Largest Gong Ensemble” and “Largest Banga Dance” set by Kalinga during the 4th Bodong Festival in February.
“We keep working as one, we keep working as a family. The goal of celebrating this year’s festival was met. The province had been receiving appreciation posts from media networks, same good feedbacks coming from local citizens and from other provinces and other countries,” he said.
Edubba said the festival did not only boost the morale of the people but it also helped boost the economy, tourism, and agriculture after two years of quarantine due to the Covid-19.
It also preserved and promoted the Kalinga way of life, placed Kalinga in international records, and showed the world how peaceful the province is.
The Bodong Festival, which is celebrated alongside the foundation anniversary of the province, is run by the provincial government.
Riding on its success in entering the Guinness World Records, the provincial government is strategizing ways to level up the tourism industry through strengthened partnerships with the tourism stakeholders and entities. – Peter A. Balocnit
