Unity Gong relay kicks off July 9

Posted on | Sunday 7 July 2013 | No Comments

By Joseph Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- As part of the 26th anniversary celebration of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Unity Gong will go around the different provinces in the region next week. 

With the gong as an inherent instrument practically in all the celebrations, rituals and gatherings of the Cordillera provinces, it is a fitting symbol of regional unity. 

The Unity Gong relay will send-off at the Baguio City hall on July 9 with a ritual and “uggayam” by Mayor Maurico Domogan. 

From Baguio, the team led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera Director Edilberto Carabbacan and chair of the Infrastructure and Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC), which is spearheading this year’s celebration, will bring the gong to Bontoc, Mountain Province and will be received by Gov. Leonard Mayaen. 

On January 10, the caravan proceeds to Ifugao and newly elected governor Denis Habawel, will receive the Unity Gong in the capital town of Lagawe. 

The following day, July 11, the Unity Gong will proceed to Tabuk, Kalinga and will be received by Gov. Jocel Baac. 

On July 12, it will be in Apayao and Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. will receive it in Luna. On July 13 it will travel to Bangued, Abra and will be accommodated by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin. 

The concluding journey of the Unity Gong is in La Trinidad, Benguet. Gov. Nestor Fongwan will hand it over finally to the RDC on July 15, the Commemoration Day. 

A symbolic tree planting within the provincial capitol grounds and signing of memorandum of agreement between the Department of Interior and Local Government-Cordillera and concerned local government units relative to Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG), Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) and other DILG implemented programs will be conducted as part of the turn-over program in all the provinces. 

The theme of this year’s CAR Day commemoration is “Bridging ONE Green Cordillera”. ( JDP/JBZ- PIA-CAR) 

Comments