SABANGAN, Mountain Province – The local government of this town inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the leadership of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) under its College of Hospitality and Tourism Management to bring tourism growth in this part of the province through the “Trabaho at Turismo” outreach program of the latter.
The MOA signing took place on November 8, 2024 at the Sabangan Hall by and between the Sabangan LGU repre-ented by Mayor Marcial Lawilao and Dr. Teody C, San Andress, President of BulSU represented by Dr. Gualberto Magdaraog, Jr., Dean of the College of Business Edu-cation and Accountancy.
Dr. Magdaraog stated that the venture is being funded by the Bulacan State University with the expectation that tourism in the municipality will be sustainable. “We will help you until you can stand on your own”, he told Mayor Lawilao and those present during the event.
In attendance were some entrepreneurs in the town who had undergone skills training for the establishment of livelihood opportunities that abound in the municipality.
Mayor Lawilao expressed appreciation for the programs BulSU is extending to the town. “Your coming here is a big help as you extend your programs to us”, he quipped.
Among BulSU’s extension programs is “Alagang Bayani” with a prime objective and undertakings that deal with community creative capacity development program, transfer of technology and empowerment and the “Sambalaran” with prime concerns of developing life-skills program for sustain-able livelihood ad-dressing the scarcity of living by creating alternative livelihood, among others.
The collaboration efforts will link the local entrepreneurs to the expertise of the university in authentic learning with livelihood skills for sustainable sources of income for the local people.
Furthermore , asked by this writer why the university is extending its services to Sabangan only. Ms. Ame-Fil Love Longid Magdaraog, MSHRM, who traces her roots in Sagada said that she passed by Sabangan and was mesmerized by the place. She thought of finding ways to be of help.
Accordingly, the BulSU can extend its services to other mu-nicipalities and prov-ince-wide if needed. Alao, the MOA signing was done twice with the first done during the pandemic in 2022 and was virtual. However, the personnel of BulSU are very eager to visit Sabangan for the 2nd MOA signing, according to Warden Taltala, the Municipal Tourism Action O f f i c e r. * * R o g e r Sacyaten
