Trinidad signs twinning accords

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -– Sisterhood ties between Balbalan, Kalinga, Bucay, Abra, Bauko, Mt. Province, Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte, Besao were formally signed this week widening the network of the municipality.

Balbalan, Kalinga councilor Edwin Paganao who represented the municipality said the ties with the Valley will become an opportunity for a technical exchange.

Paganao, who chairs the towns committee on good governance, said his area is rich with agricultural wealth like La Trinidad.

Paganao said livelihood for the town is based on rice farming, coffee and orange production “We hope that we can have the chance to market our products here in La Trinidad and vice versa.”

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

Paganao is also hoping the rich gardening culture in the Valley will trickle down to Balbalan town, envisioning people to get into backyard farming.

Representatives from each of the sister areas were present during this week’s celebration of the 13th Strawberry festival.

Ties have earlier been established with Danao, Bohol, Sagada, Mt. Province and Guagua, Pampanga, Mt. Province, Valencia City, Bukidnon and Makati City, Metro Manila linking the Valley with the areas and hoping for fruitful partnerships.