Balbalan, Kalinga chosen for Smart and Sustainable Tourism Project in Cordillera

Balbalan, Kalinga – In its bid to develop smart tourist destinations in the Cordillera region, the Department of Science and Technology CAR chose six towns as pilot areas for its Smart and Sustainable Tourism (SST) Project – one of them is the Municipality of Balbalan. 

This was announced by the agency in a pre-implementation meeting of the project with the local government units, provincial offices, and academic institutions on July 3, 2025.

DOST CAR defined SST as an initiative seeking to integrate and deploy locally developed smart and sustainable technologies in enhancing the overall tourism experiences while addressing challenges on water and waste management, transportation, infrastructure, food supply, cultural heritage preservation, among others.

Regional Director Nancy Bantog explained that with smart tourism, data and technology will be utilized to improve tourist experiences, optimize infrastructure, and reduce environmental impact amid sustainable tourism challenges, which cover the conservation of natural resources, preservation of culture, and the empowerment of local communities.

During the meeting, the agency named six towns across the region as pilot places for the SST project. They are Balbalan town in Kalinga, Tineg, Abra, Luna, Apayao, Bakun, Benguet, Banaue, Ifugao, and Sagada, Mountain Province.

Balbalan, which is known for its well-preserved sites, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, and green and pristine surroundings, welcomes the implementation of the project with the Municipal LGU through its Municipal Tourism. The LGU likewise expressed its gratitude after being chosen to be one of the pilot places for the program.