04/06/2026
๐๐ข๐ข๐: ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฎ๐๐, ๐ข๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
Erratum
The BALSA Processing Center was officially turned over to the community on June 3, 2026, in Barangay Suyang, Tabuk City, Kalinga. The event brought together community members, local leaders, government agencies, church officials, civil society organizations, and project partners who worked together to make the project a reality.
Guests were warmly welcomed by the community through a cultural dance presentation, showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the people of BALSA. The performance reflected the community's pride in its culture and served as a fitting introduction to a celebration centered on unity, cooperation, and shared aspirations for sustainable development.
The program began with a community welcome and opening remarks from the Barangay Local Government Unit. Barangay Captain John I. Wansi warmly welcomed all the guests and thanked everyone who contributed to the establishment of the processing center. Also present during the ceremony was Barangay Captain Jerry Donga of Balawag.
Jocelyn Guela, Project Coordinator of the Green Luzon Project under Caritas Philippines, delivered a message of gratitude. She acknowledged the dedication of the community and the support of various partner agencies and organizations that helped make the project possible.
โThis is only the beginning of the fruits of our hard work. This achievement would not have been possible without the efforts of the community and the support of our partner agencies,โ she said.
Messages of solidarity were delivered by Ms. Sylvia Chinayog, Chief Operations Officer of the Department of TourismโCordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Kalinga, Caritas Philippines, and Oscar Martinez, Caritas Spain Representative, on behalf of Caritas Espaรฑola.
DOST-Kalinga Provincial Director, Ms. Jasmin Donaal, expressed her happiness over the launch of the BALSA Verde logo, a collaborative output of their office with the effort of various agencies: Office of the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs (OCTACA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Social Action Office of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk. BALSA Verde is part of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP). The office also highlighted its contributions to the project, including assistance in the laboratory analysis of nutrition facts for community products and the provision of technical and logistical support to various facilities established under the project.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sylvia Chinayog, Chief Operations Officer of DOT-CAR, shared her appreciation for the initiative, saying she was amazed to see a project of this kind thriving in a small community. She expressed her happiness in witnessing how the community transformed its resources into opportunities for livelihood and development. She also assured the people that DOT-CAR would continue supporting community-based tourism and livelihood initiatives in the future.
Oscar Martinez, Caritas Spain Representative, expressed his gratitude to all the visitors and community members. He shared his happiness in seeing the continued progress of the project and the strong partnership among the organizations and individuals involved. He also commended the community for its dedication and commitment in ensuring the success and sustainability of the BALSA initiatives.
One of the highlights of the event was the message from Most Rev. Fr. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D., who reflected on the meaning of BALSA as the partnership of the barangays of Balawag, Suyang, and Amlao.
โGod is the God of love,โ Bishop Alminaza said, emphasizing that the unity of the three barangays reflects the Holy Trinity.
In his message, Bishop Alminaza underscored the importance of community cooperation, stewardship of creation, and faith-driven development. He emphasized that the success of BALSA is a testament to what can be achieved when people work together for a common purpose.
In his closing remarks, Most Rev. Fr. Sean B. Mejia, JCL, D.D., spoke about the BALSA Verde logo, which features a boat with a leaf inside, a concept proposed by the profusion of ideas between DOST-Kalinga, DICT, AVT-SAC, OCTACA, and DTI.
โPut God at that boat,โ he said, explaining that God should always be at the center of every undertaking so that it will continue to grow and succeed.
After the blessing ceremony, a contract-signing activity was conducted to formally turn over the facility to the community. The agreement was signed by Roxanne Sumalag, BALSA General Manager, and Rico W. Banggawan, President of BALSA Agri-Products Inc. and Kasakalikasan, representing the members of BALSA.
In his acceptance message, Banggawan encouraged everyone to continue working together and to uphold the values that guided the project from the very beginning.
โDo everything with love,โ he said.
The event concluded with a visit to nearby facilities, allowing guests and partners to see the different community-based projects established through the Green Luzon Project.
Serving as the Master of Ceremonies was Arienne Kate R. Gagelonia, Community Facilitator of the AVT-SAC Green Luzon Project, who guided the flow of the program.
The turnover of the BALSA Processing Center marks another important milestone for the communities of Balawag, Suyang, and Amlao. More than just a facility, the processing center stands as a symbol of unity, cooperation, and the shared commitment of the community, government agencies, church partners, and development organizations toward sustainable development and improved livelihoods for local residents.
Through the collective efforts of the three barangays and their partners, BALSA continues to demonstrate that meaningful development is possible when communities work together, honor their cultural heritage, and remain committed to a shared vision for a better future.
