P.6M livelihood aid granted to TWO Kalinga Craft Groups during DSWD Sec. Gatchalian Visit

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Members of two local livelihood associations in Kalinga are set to boost their production of traditional crafts after receiving a total of P600,000 in cash grants from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The funding, released under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD, provided P300,000 each to the Ga’Dang Calaccad Weavers Association of Tabuk City and the Bagtayan Livelihood Association of Pasil.

According to the DSWD, the program is designed to improve the socio-economic status of poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households by providing livelihood groups with the necessary resources to operate and expand their enterprises.

During the agency’s “development tour” in the province, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the associations on February 5, 2026, and personally observed how their products are made.

Gatchalian was accompanied by Governor James S. Edduba, along with other DSWD officials and the mayors of Tabuk and Pasil. The secretary saw firsthand the craftsmanship of the two organizations, particularly in producing traditional woven items and soft brooms using locally sourced raw materials.

As cited, Gatchalian emphasized that the grants are part of the national government’s commitment to ensuring that social protection programs remain sensitive to the cultural heritage of Cordillera communities.

It can be recalled that Gatchalian was declared an adopted son of Kalinga, with the honorary name “Dulliyaw,” during the Mangili Night hosted by the Provincial Government on February 4, 2026, at the Davidsons Hotel in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The Mangili Night is one of the main highlights of the province’s celebration of its 31st Founding Anniversary and 7th Bodong Festival.