DOT-CAR eyes gastronomic tourism potential in Balbalan; “Our traditional food must remain a living expression of our heritage”- RD Ganongan

POBLACION, Balbalan, Kalinga – The Department of Tourism–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) is looking at the annual Binungol Festival as a potential driver of gastronomic tourism in Balbalan, highlighting the municipality’s indigenous cuisine, traditional food practices, and cultural heritage.

DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan said the festival provides an opportunity to introduce Balbalan’s culinary traditions to visitors while creating livelihood opportunities for local farmers, food producers, cooks, and small businesses.

In a message delivered by Atty. Jake Cornelio Diaus during the 4th Binungol Festival and Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day on October 29, 2026, Ganongan emphasized that food reflects not only a community’s flavors but also its history, traditions, and relationship with the land.

“This brings me to another important dimension of the Binungol Festival: gastronomic tourism. Food is far more than something we prepare and serve. It carries the memory of our ancestors, reflects our relationship with the land, and expresses the creativity and resourcefulness of our people,” she said.

Gastronomic tourism, also known as food or culinary tourism, allows visitors to experience a destination through its local dishes, ingredients, cooking methods, and food culture.

Ganongan identified the Binungol Food Fair and Grand Binungol Cookfest as key activities that can showcase Balbalan’s indigenous cuisine and recognize the knowledge and skills of community members who have preserved these traditions through generations.

She said visitors should be encouraged to appreciate not only the taste of traditional dishes but also the culture, history, and community relationships behind them.

“...we must ensure that these culinary traditions are presented with respect for their cultural meaning and in ways that allow the community to benefit. Our traditional food must not simply become a tourism attraction; it must remain a living expression of our heritage, sustained by the people who know it best,” she added.

The DOT-CAR regional director also stressed that festivals should promote local destinations, support livelihoods, and encourage entrepreneurship. Their success, she said, should not be measured solely by visitor numbers but also by the benefits they bring to communities, their contribution to cultural preservation, and the responsible management of natural resources.

She cited the DOT’s Discover More to Love campaign as an opportunity to give Balbalan greater visibility and encourage travelers to explore its cultural experiences, local flavors, and destinations.

“Balbalan has much to share with the world. Its rich cultural traditions, indigenous cuisine, beautiful surroundings, and warm community spirit offer visitors an opportunity to discover a deeper and more meaningful side of the Cordillera,” Ganongan said.

She added that the agency would explore opportunities to promote Balbalan through appropriate tourism platforms and initiatives, including those aligned with the campaign.

Ganongan emphasized, however, that Indigenous Peoples must remain at the center of tourism development, with their rights respected, voices heard, and ancestral domains protected.

The festival also coincided with the observance of National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, carrying the theme, “Empowering Indigenous Peoples: Strengthening Rights, Culture, and Ancestral Domains.”

Ganongan congratulated the municipal government, festival organizers, cultural practitioners, local food producers, community elders, and other individuals who continue to preserve and promote Balbalan’s heritage.

She expressed hope that the festival would strengthen community ties, encourage younger generations to take pride in their identity, and open opportunities for sustainable and culturally respectful tourism.