La Trinidad, Bucay, Abra ties to be sealed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Councilor Roderick Awingan said ties with Bucay, Abra and Balbalan, Kalinga are set to be signed during the staging of the Strawberry Festival in March 1.

Awingan said the formal signing is being eyed in the midst of the festival inviting officials of the two sister areas to attend and partake of the best of the Valley.

Sisterhood ties have been made with Balbalan town in Kalinga, after the endorsement of Mayor Gregorio Abalos, as well as Bucay in Abra.

Awingan stressed the value of the sisterhood ties for the Valley as a venue to network and exchange cultures.

Sisterhood program is encouraged between local government units (LGUs) to establish a greater friendship and understanding. Also the municipalities could exchange ideas, practices, and technology for improvement of the sister municipality.

Balbalan is a third class municipality in Kalinga consisting of 14 barangays. Most of the barangays could not be reached by transportation facilities and can only be reached by foot.

While Bucay town is a 5th class municipality in the province of Abra, with a population of 16,578 people in 3,680 households batting for ties with the Valley.

Bucay town was established on October 29, 1846 and the first settlers were Itnegs. It became the first provincial capital of the province of Abra when the military form of government was set up in May 1847.

Previously, Valley officials signed a sisterhood pack with Danao, Bohol, the town is endowed with several natural attractions which the local inhabitants seek to enhance and promote as a tourist haven. It has the grandeur of the mountain ranges; the Wahig River winds its way on its rugged terrain; there are plenty of caves the most famous of which is the Francisco Dagohoy Cave.