Mayor Abay thanks Ejercito for visiting Tinglayan; ‘We look forward to continued collaboration with the Senator and his office’

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga – Mayor Charles Abay thanked Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito for including Tinglayan in his itinerary during his visit to Kalinga and other parts of Northern Luzon, saying the municipality looks forward to continued collaboration with the senator and his office.

Ejercito, who was adopted as a son of Kalinga in 2018 and given the Kalinga name “Fanna,” visited the province on October 27. He first went to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital and was later welcomed through a Mangili Night in his honor.

The following day, October 28, the senator visited Tinglayan, where he was received by local officials led by Abay and Vice Mayor Alexander Malasi.

Malasi and Municipal Administrator Atty. Mark Dave Bang-as accompanied Ejercito to Buscalan, where he met legendary traditional tattoo artist Apo Whang-od and received a tattoo from her.

In a statement, Abay said the municipality was honored by the senator’s visit, adding that his stopover provided an opportunity to strengthen its partnership with the national government.

He also raised some of Tinglayan’s priority needs, particularly in healthcare, infrastructure, and other essential public services.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with the Senator and his office in pursuing programs and projects that will improve the lives of our constituents and contribute to the sustainable development of Tinglayan,” Abay said.

Meanwhile, Ejercito expressed his appreciation for the visit and vowed continued support for the municipality.

“It is an honor to be tattooed by a legendary mambabatok and the oldest tattoo artist in the world! Apo Whang-Od is truly a Philippine treasure and I hope more people who visit her also get to explore the beauty of Buscalan, Kalinga and the Mountain Provinces,” he wrote in a Facebook post on October 28.