‘We’ve proven that greatness is not only reserved for big cities…it lives in us’ – Balbalan Mayor Malannag to residents during 2026 Manchatchatong Fest

Balbalan, Kalinga – Looking back at the milestones Balbalan has achieved in recent years, Mayor Almar Malannag asserted that progress is not limited to big cities, rather it lies in people who are united in working toward championing public needs and creating a better town for the next generation.

Addressing his constituents during the second day of the Manchachatong Festival on March 24, Mayor Malannag said that the town’s cultural heritage—rooted in the stories and experiences of ancestors who built Balbalan from scratch and in their unbreakable spirit—is not only alive but also thriving and growing.

He noted that this progress is reflected in the provincial, regional, and national citations received by the municipality in recent years, including its leap from a third-class to a first-class municipality in 2024 and the Seal of Good Local Governance conferred by the DILG in the same year—two major recognitions, among many, that highlight how far Balbalan has come.

“From environmental excellence to good governance, from tourism development to community innovation—we have proven time and again that greatness is not reserved for big cities. Greatness lives here. Greatness lives in us,” he stressed.

Malannag added that the true gem behind these achievements is the people. “You—the farmers, the teachers, the government employees, the vendors, the youth, the elders, the barangay officials, the parents, the mothers carrying babies on their backs right now—you are the award. You are the achievement. You are the reason this municipality shines,” he said.

The local chief executive ended his message by urging the people of Balbalan to remain united in driving the municipality toward greater good while preserving the cultural heritage passed down by their ancestors.

“Let us be stewards of our environment. Let us support our local farmers and artisans. Let us invest in our children’s future. Let us build progress without forgetting where we came from, because a tree that forgets its roots cannot survive the storm. And we, my dear iBalbalan—we are not just surviving; we are thriving,” he emphasized.