‘ALAPUAP’ may soon power Kalinga tourism as Sangguniang Panlalawigan reviews student-made app

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Following the presentation of the app during its session on May 5, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga has begun the process for the possible adoption of “ALAPUAP,” a digital tourism platform developed by students of Kalinga State University (KSU).

During the session, Provincial Department of Science and Technology (DOST-Kalinga) Director Jasmin Donaal, together with one of the student developers and their adviser, introduced the app before the Provincial Board.

In response, Board Member Atty. Christopher Donaal commended the students for developing the app but clarified that its proposed adoption cannot be done immediately, as it still has to undergo the standard legislative and legal processes of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

This includes a review by the concerned SP committee and the evaluation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which will define the partnership between the provincial government, KSU, and other stakeholders.

Donaal stressed that the intention is not to delay the proposal but to ensure that everything is properly studied and compliant with established procedures.

“We are proud that the app was developed by students from Kalinga. Proud kami kanyayo. But I want to explain that the proposal will first be reviewed thoroughly through a committee and likewise the MOA, then it will be endorsed for approval or adoption. Masapol gamin magna latta ti due process ditoy SP,” said Donaal.

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Lorraine Ngao-i was also present during the session, where she explained that there were already initial commitments from the provincial government for the developers.

She said the students behind the innovation may be absorbed by the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), specifically under the Office of Governor James Edduba, through job order arrangements after graduation so they can continue working on the system.

Ngao-i noted that the Provincial Tourism Office has also taken steps to allow the students to play a key role in the transition, particularly in training capitol personnel and tourism officers who will manage and operate the platform.

“During a meeting with the governor, nag-commit naman po sila na upon graduation they (the developers) will be absorbed under his office… We also do our part, and it is also included sa provision ng MOA sa pag-accept po doon sa mga students. Sila na rin po ang magtetrain doon sa mga taga-capitol on how to operate the app, including tourism officers,” said Ngao-i.

Meanwhile, Board Member Camilo Lammawin also expressed appreciation for the creation and continuous improvement of the app. He noted that based on the initial presentation, the system still needs further development since tourism information must be regularly updated, a responsibility that will be shared by the province and all local government units.

“We really appreciate KSU, especially these developers—also the DOST. In your initial presentation, there’s still a need for development. And on our part in tourism, information really needs to be added from time to time, and that would be the responsibility of the province and the different municipal and city LGUs to complete the information,” stated Lammawin.

For his part, Vice Governor Dave Odiem said innovations like ALAPUAP highlight the capabilities of Kalinga students in today’s modernizing world. He also emphasized that the adoption process must go through proper procedures and stages.

It can be recalled that the app was first presented by DOST-Kalinga to Governor Edduba on March 3, during which the formalization of the partnership through an MOA was discussed.

ALAPUAP was developed by KSU Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students Mark Alvin M. Pugal, Joselyn A. Tayab, and Ranee Mae O. Awingan as part of their capstone project.

In an earlier interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Awingan shared that ALAPUAP was coined by their adviser, Mathew Jun Pego Mariai, from the words “Apu” or “Apo” (elders in Kalinga) and “application.”

According to Awingan, the system serves as a platform where tourism offices across Kalinga can upload and manage information on destinations, festivals, accommodations, restaurants, and local cuisine, among other features.

As of this writing, the proposed adoption of the app into Kalinga’s tourism system remains under further review by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to ensure compliance with legislative procedures.