BALBALAN, Kalinga – Summing up all its achievements during its 100 years of existence as a political unit, it is in the area of self-governance that could best describe the development stage Balbalan has attained today. 

This is how mayor Allen Mangaoang describes the place which celebrated its centennial anniversary on Oct. 6.  

“But what is very significant of these changes is the level of governance it achieved from humble beginnings to the successful management of its resources,” Mangaoang said, adding that the local government unit tried to maximize the utilization of what is available.  

Mangaoang, the 17th chief executive of Balbalan, is now on his third term as mayor. He is the great grandson of Juan Puyao, the first president of the district whom Lt. Gov. Walter Hale describes as a principled man with a magnetic personality and strong visionary leadership. These traits of Puyao are also dominant in Mangaoang, also a peacemaker and builder of his time.  

According to local government assessment, Mangaoang is the only mayor in the province of Kalinga who turned their resources and assets into income.  

Under his leadership, the support of his legislative counterpart, barangay captains, and the whole constituency of Balbalan was able to transform its classification as a “poor” municipality before into a third class municipality, an objective which was phenomenally attained given the fast phase of development during the implementation of the Local Government Code.  

“We did it not by magic (other LGUs project unrealistic income just to receive a bigger share from the internal revenue allotment) but through hard work and convergence of minds and actions,” Mangaoang, a Geologist by profession, said.