By Leilani G. Adriano
LUNA, Apayao, Feb. 13 (PNA) — Over the years, the country’s youngest province of Apayao struggled to make its presence felt in the region.
“At 20, Apayao is ready to stand out and carve a name for itself along its continuing quest for a glorious destiny we all have been dreaming of,” said Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. in his message during the celebration of the 20th foundation anniversary of Apayao which culminates Friday in time for the Say-am 2015 festival held annually every month of February.
Say-am festival is the Apayaos traditional way of thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and a celebration for every success and achievement of the people of Apayao.
Long before its creation as a lone province by virtue of Republic Act No. 7878, when Apayao was separated from Kalinga on February 14, 1995, residents here would often associate it to Kalinga or its neighboring Cagayan Valley as this little known province located deep in the Cordillera Mountain is hardly reached by many.
But not anymore with the rapid infrastructure developments still continuing in this province to open up its hidden potential, hosting series of regional events to promote its sports and tourism facilities, which are on top of the present administration’s 10-point agenda aside from the creation of more income-generating projects while empowering village communities to improve their skills and livelihood development through various training programs committed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“The province has been consistently chosen to host various regional events and activities. We can only surmise that aside from our potential attractions that we aim to fully develop in the years to come, everyone is coming to Apayao because there is so much to learn from our experiences on how we managed to transform our province into what it is now in so short a time,” said Bulut.
Dubbed as, “Apayao at 20: Taking the lead with a leap,” this year’s celebration features Apayao’s notable accomplishments as one province united with one vision for peace and prosperity.
A grand float parade and street dancing highlighted the major event on Thursday participated by the seven municipalities of Apayao held in Luna, where the government center is located.
Now with better roads and bridges, the Apayao government continue to open its doors for sustainable development, enjoining all others to visit and invest in Apayao, a hidden treasure of the north.
As Cordillera’s last frontier for nature richness, Apayao takes pride of its unspoiled underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hugging a forest reserve with captivating caves, natural parks and exotic wildlife including reported sightings of the endangered Philippine eagle in at least three areas of Mount Lambayo in Brgy. Lydia in Pudtol, Mount Asi in Kabugao and the thickly-forested municipality of Calanasan.(PNA)