Apayao creates barangay to honor Bulut, its founder

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

KABUGAO, Apayao-- The celebration of the 22nd founding anniversary of Apayao was highlighted with the creation of an administrative barangay in this town named after the its founding father, the late Elias K. Bulut.

The provincial board unanimously approved an ordinance creating the Elias K. Bulut (EKB) Administrative Barangay in Kabugao during a special session at the site Feb. 12. 

 The barangay was named in honor of the “Old Man of Apayao” who made  possible the long cherished dream of an independent Apayao in 1995 through Republic Act 7878 he lobbied when he was  a congressman.

Board members acknowledged the accomplishments of the late Bulut which started development and envisioned a well-developed and progressive province for its people.

The creation of the EKB Administrative Barangay was an offshoot of popular clamor, desire and aspirations of the inhabitants, mostly indigenous peoples from the sitios in Barangay Lenneng   and recommended by the Sangguniang Bayan of Kabugao. 

Sitio Buyucan in Lenneng which composes EKB Administrative Barangay is the sixth administrative barangay in Apayao since its separation in 1995 from the Province of Kalinga.

The new barangay is located along the Luna-Pudtol-Kabugao Road along the famous Paco Valley. This newly opened road inter connects the municipalities of lower and upper Apayao without passing thru Region 1 or Region 2 and connects the province to the rest of the Cordillera provinces.

Resolution author Jeofrey Blas, chairman of committee on barangay and community Affairs, said the creation of EKB administrative barangay will bring development to aid locality through enhanced delivery of basic services.

After the declaration of the EKB administrative barangay,  Gov. Bulut and Rep. Eleanor Begtang with provincial and municipal officials led the ground breaking of the EKB Tourism Park,  which  will  be   developed into a tourism destination due to its rich natural resources and  accessibility.

In behalf of the Bulut family, the governor expressed gratitude to the people behind the creation of the EKBs.

“It is a great honor for the late founder of Apayao to have barangay named after him,” the governor said.