THE municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province celebrated its 51st Foundation Day, which coincided with the 13th Fortan Festival from June 16 to 19.
Fortan, which means inheritance of good cultural traits, indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices passed from generations to generation is themed “Ammay ay Finortan, Salemnan,” which means to sustain the good inheritance.
The festivities were participations of locals from the 11 barangays including tourists.
Vice Mayor David Osborn Fomocod in his message said the occasion shows the determination of the people of Barlig to sustain their ancestral domain, ethnic identities and culture despite the rapid changes due to modern technology.
Mayor Genesis Changilan urged his constituents to unite and work together with the officials to make the municipality progressive and a better place to live in.
Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawan, meanwhile, challenged the various groups of the municipality to unite as one and foster their common identity as Barligians rather than opting to identify their tribal origins as iLias or iKachakran.
The municipality is clustered into three clusters, namely; Lias of two barangays, Kadaclan of four barangays, and Barlig Centro composed of five barangays including Lingoy.
This town is host to Mount Amuyao, one of the top ten highest mountain peaks in the country and is the location of the relay towers of giant telecommunication networks of ABS-CBN and GMA beaming television programs to the major municipalities of the province.
Aside from Fortan Festival, the town also celebrates Menaliyam Festival in Kadaclan every April 19 to 20 and the Changyasan Festival in Lias every April 28 to 30. (PR)