Lagonglong's Lagon-lagon Festival

THE BALAY MINDANAW FOUNDATION, INC. (BMFI) was among those honored by the local government unit of Lagonglong in Misamis Oriental last June 30, the eve of the 57th Araw ng Lagonglong.

It was the first time that the LGU recognized concerted efforts by various individuals, institutions and groups who have, in one time or another, helped the people of Lagonglong achieve their full potentials as one community.

Aside from the BMFI, others awarded and given tribute during the four-hour “Salida Pasalamat” (thanksgiving show) were the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, the Department of Education-Lagonglong District and nine Lagonglonganons who made contributions in their different fields.

Balay Mindanaw initially started its partnership with Lagonglong four years ago through the Resource Center for Empowerment and Development (RCED) piloting Barangay Manaol with the LGS-PRA-BDP process and eventually implemented small infrastructure and livelihood support.

Now, through the BMFI, all nine barangays replicated the process, established and continually strengthened their Barangay Development Councils, and currently implementing various programs and projects based on participatory approaches and on the principle of effective local governance.

Lagonglong (with the Barangay Tabok Community Center) became the hub of BMFI in its barangay-based work with three other municipalities: Balingasag, Sugbongcogon and Kinoguitan. These towns form part of the six municipalities comprising the Misamis Oriental Eastern Towns (MISORET) cluster.

BMFI now caters to various local partnership efforts that include participatory planning and budgeting, peace building, organizational development, agricultural development and livelihood trainings.

True to its name, Lagonglong, from the Higaonon word lagon-lagon, which literally means abundant harvest, is now benefiting from the fruits of its people’s hard work, sacrifice and principled partnership not only with Balay Mindanaw but with major development stakeholders in Mindanao.