‘Tayo lang ang may ganito sa buong Luzon’: PTO Ngao-i hails Kalinga Cultural Center and Museum milestone

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Province of Kalinga marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking of the Kalinga Cultural Center and Museum (KCCM) on February 27, 2026, at Capitol Hills in Bulanao, recognizing it as Luzon’s first provincially legislated cultural center and museum established through a special act of Congress.

The establishment of the KCCM was formalized under Republic Act No. 11770, signed into law in 2022 by former President Rodrigo Duterte. The law provides for the creation of a cultural institution dedicated to preserving, promoting, and developing the rich heritage of Kalinga.

The measure was originally initiated by former Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang and later supported by incumbent Congresswoman Caroline Agyao. The project subsequently gained site approval from Governor James S. Edduba, who facilitated its implementation.

After four years of planning and preparation since the enactment of the law, Provincial Tourism Officer Lorraine Ngao-i said the soon-to-rise facility is poised to become Luzon’s first provincially legislated cultural center and museum.

Outside Luzon, other provinces with similar legislated cultural centers include Biliran in the Visayas and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, established through Republic Act Nos. 11771 and 11772, respectively.

Ngao-i described the project as a defining moment in the province’s cultural journey.

“After four years of preparation since the ratification of RA 11770 by President Duterte, today marks the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream for our province. We are truly fortunate because this is unique—Kalinga is the only province in Luzon with this kind of institution,” she said.

The facility will rise at Capitol Hills alongside a Multi-Purpose Theater, which will serve as a venue for cultural performances, educational forums, youth activities, and provincial gatherings.

Governor Edduba, meanwhile, underscored that the museum represents more than infrastructure development. He emphasized that the center will serve as a living repository of Kalinga’s traditions, housing artifacts, historical records, indigenous crafts, and cultural narratives that reflect the identity of its tribes and communities.

The milestone positions Kalinga at the forefront of provincially driven cultural development—not only in the region but across Luzon—reinforcing its commitment to heritage preservation, unity, and progress.