CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) - - The provincial leadership is considering passing to local stakeholders and the private sector the management of the Bodong Festival like that of Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival.  
 
Governor James Edduba floated the idea of establishing partnership with the private sector in running the internationally acclaimed cultural fiesta. 

"Papigsaen tayo iti partnership tayo with the private sector. Let us give them the chance to run the future festival. In such a way, local and private stakeholders will have greater opportunities. Napintas nga pagrugyan daytoy international record tayo nga rason nga pangipromote-an iti ili tayo", Edduba said during Monday’s flag ceremony.

Edduba was referring to the two Guinness World Records of “Largest Gong Ensemble” and “Largest Banga Dance” set by Kalinga during the 4th Bodong Festival in February. 

“We keep working as one, we keep working as a family. The goal of celebrating this year’s festival was met. The province had been receiving appreciation posts from other media networks, same good feedbacks coming from local citizens and from other provinces and other countries,” he said. 

He said the festival did not only morally uplift  the people but it helped boost  economy, tourism, and agriculture after two years of COVID-19 pandemic. It also preserved and promoted the Kalinga way of life, and placed Kalinga in international records, and showed the world how peaceful the province is.

 The Bodong Festival which is celebrated alongside the foundation anniversary of the province is being run by the provincial government.  

Meanwhile, riding on its success in entering the Guinness World Records, the provincial government is strategizing ways to level up the tourism industry through strengthened partnerships with the tourism stakeholders and entities. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)