A New Era for DTI-Kalinga: P29.3M FOUR-storey permanent office for the agency to be constructed

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Kalinga is set to have a permanent office with the construction of its P29.3-million building in Tabuk City, giving the agency ownership of both the land and facility.

Funded under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the four-storey structure will rise on the site of the old Provincial Jail in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk City, and will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Lower Kalinga District.

During the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, February 9, 2026, officials noted that the lot for the project was generously donated by the Provincial Government of Kalinga, led by Governor James S. Edduba, with initiatives from various stakeholders.

The event was attended by DTI Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan, DTI-CAR Regional Director Raymond Panhon, Governor Edduba, DPWH-Lower Kalinga District Engineer Ruby Uyam, and other key officials.

In his remarks, DTI-Kalinga Provincial Director Renie Ramos described the project as a rare opportunity and expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the long-awaited realization of their permanent office.

“Not every DTI office in the Philippines has this. They own the building, but they don’t own the land. That is something extraordinary for us,” Ramos said.

For years, DTI-Kalinga operated from rented spaces on the second floor of Lua Building Annex along Provincial Road, Dagupan West, Tabuk City.

Once completed, the new building is expected to enhance the agency’s capacity to deliver efficient services, while providing entrepreneurs and the community with improved venues for training, business consultations, product development assistance, and other support programs.