26/06/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐: ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐จ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ
The breathtaking waterfalls of Barangay Balawag took center stage as stakeholders from government agencies, academia, and the local community gathered for a Tourism Site Exploration and Biodiversity Assessment under the Green Luzon Project on June 24โ26, 2026, in celebration of Philippine Arbor Day. Spearheaded by the Apostolic Vicariate of TabukโSocial Action Center (AVTโSAC), in partnership with the Office of City Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The activity forms part of the continuing effort to develop BALSA (Balawag, Amlao, and Suyang) as an eco-cultural sports-tourism village while strengthening the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) of the B**a Tribe.
Joining the activity were representatives from the City Engineering Office, City Information Office, Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO), Kalinga State University, OCTACA, residents from the communities of Amlao, Balawag, Suyang, and local social media influencers for wider audience reach. As the provincial office responsible for environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, forest and watershed management, and the sustainable use of natural resources, OPENRO contributed its technical expertise in the assessment of the area's ecological resources.
The team explored the majestic waterfalls of BALSAโMatambong Falls, Panpannay Falls, and Banga-Banga Fallsโwhere they conducted a biodiversity assessment by measuring the latitude of each site and documenting the number of species present. The activity aims to generate baseline environmental data that will support conservation efforts while laying the foundation for sustainable eco-tourism development in the area.
The visit also highlighted the importance of collaboration among institutions in protecting Kalinga's natural resources and strengthened the significance of Philippine Arbor Day, which promotes environmental conservation, forest protection, and the sustainable management of the country's natural resources.
Sir Robert A. Rodolfo of Kalinga State University commended the initiative, saying, "Nasayaat ti inaramid ti Green Luzon ta pinagmaymaysa na dagiti agencies idjay Tabuk." He also emphasized the area's rich environmental value, adding, "Mayat ta addu ti kaykayo," and "Maganda ang forest resources, dahil intact ito."
For the local community, the activity brought renewed hope that the initiative would continue to benefit their ancestral domain and preserve its natural heritage.
"Agyaman kami, for visiting our community and creating BALSA, sana tuloy-tuloy ito," a community representative shared, expressing gratitude for the continued support and partnership.
Apart from documenting coordinates and biodiversity, the activity proves the continuous shared commitment to conservation, cultural preservation, and community-led development. Through the combined efforts of government agencies, academic institutions, environmental advocates, and the community, BALSA continues to move closer to becoming a model eco-cultural sports-tourism villageโone that showcases the pristine beauty of its waterfalls, safeguards its rich biodiversity, and honors the heritage of the B**a Tribe for generations to come.