NBSC Furthers Sustainable Tourism in Manolo Fortich through Partnership with Local Government and the Sinontao Clan
In a powerful move toward promoting sustainable development through education and tourism, Northern Bukidnon State College (NBSC) officially forged a partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manolo Fortich and the Sinontao Clan of Barangay Santiago through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the GADKALINGA: Adopt-a-Community Program. The signing ceremony was held on the 3rd floor of the Student Welfare and Development Center (SWDC) on the NBSC campus on June 16, 2025.
The initiative seeks to establish, develop, and implement a community-based tourism program that highlights the rich cultural heritage of the adopted community while also creating sustainable livelihood opportunities through responsible tourism. NBSC Extension Program Coordinator and faculty member Mr. Julius Gabinete emphasized the uniqueness of this collaboration, calling it a โfirst of its kind in the entire province of Bukidnon.โ
โWe can say that it is very valuable because we conducted an initial feasibility study with this oneโฆ Together let us empower the community by honoring and safeguarding the rich cultural heritage and pinaka-importante sa tanan, makatukod kita ug isa ka lig-on ug nagkahiusang komunidad (most importantly, we can build a strong and united community).โ
The event received full support from the Barangay Santiago Council, led by Barangay Captain Jerville Senagonia, and Sinontao Clan President Mr. Oliver Sinontao, both of whom were in full attendance.
The partners were warmly welcomed and inspired by the SUC President, Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera, Ed.D, CESE, in her message.
โI hope this is not the first community that we will be engaging with. We also plan to extend to other communities that are really in need. Specifically on community development, numeracy and literacy, as well as capability building,โ she said.
The program also earned the backing of the Municipal Government of Manolo Fortich, led by Mayor Hon. Rogelio N. Quiรฑo, along with Tourism Committee Chair Councilor Rina E. Quiรฑo, and LGU Tourism Head Mr. Jixon Cloyd Abanes, all of whom expressed their full support for the project.
Councilor Quiรฑo highlighted Manolo Fortichโs growing potential in tourism, noting its scenic landscapes and vibrant cultural legacy that continue to attract both local and international visitors.
โLast year, we had our MF Experience. We had our American consul general of New York, nagbisita (visited) here sa (in) Manolo Fortich. What is more, so important to showcase in Manolo Fortich our cultureโฆ The event last year with the consul generalโฆ made noise in the tourism industry.โ
She added that the event attracted interest not just from within the Philippines, but also from countries like Australia and Israel, signaling rising global curiosity about Manolo Fortich.
Mayor Quiรฑo echoed the enthusiasm, expressing appreciation for the collaboration and its potential to uplift communities.
โSo hopefully, ang kadtong giingon nga โbeyond limitationsโ (taken from NBSC Hymn lyrics), atong ipanghinaot nga ang uban barangay matagaan nato ug mga programa nga pareha niini. Ang kalambuan sa matag barangay ma-achieve nato through the help of NBSC. (In the spirit of going โbeyond limitationsโโas the NBSC Hymn puts itโwe hope to extend programs like this to other barangays. With the support of NBSC, the development of every barangay is within reach.)โ
This endeavor’s success was made possible through the leadership and collaboration of Mr. Alven L. Gomez, Director of the Community Extension and Services Division (CESD), and Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, Director of the Research, Development, and Innovation Division (RDID), along with their dedicated teams.
As NBSC continues to broaden its reach, this milestone marks a significant step toward building empowered, culturally proud, and economically sustainable communities in Bukidnon and beyond.
