Balbalan Mayor Malannag appeals to public to be more sensitive when posting on social media

Balbalan, Kalinga – This year’s Kalinga Bodong Festival might have been a little tough for the Balbalan delegates after the road accident on February 11, but what Mayor Almar Malannag could not let pass was the insensitive remarks made by some netizens on the incident.

One of the posts on Kalinga Page (FB group) rhetorically asked why the accident only happened now, as if wanting the accident should have happened earlier. The anonymous author claimed the Balbalan group copied the music for their performance being used by another school. Said post said this made the Balbalan group win last year.

“Apay nga tatta da paylng ma disgrasya huhu malagip u idi nangabakan da tinulad da amin nga music ti [name of a certain school]. [name of a certain school] kuma mangabak idi nu haan da amin tinulad music da,” the post made by an anonymous account reads.

The mayor expressed his dismay after he read the ‘insensitive post’ made by the anonymous account. The ‘kalinga page’ with over 72.4 thousand members is a platform where iKalingas share their thoughts – some are informative, and funny, but there are also inconsiderate and inhumane posts that are left unfiltered.

On February 11, at least 20 students from Balbalan were injured following a road accident in Saleng, Balantoy. Things could have been worse had the jeep ferrying 32 students to Tabuk fallen on the left side of the road, but fortunately, the driver managed to avoid the ravine and let the jeep fall on the right side. Amid the accident that wounded at least 20 students with one being more seriously injured that he needed surgery in Tuguegarao City, the anonymous post appalled the mayor.

The mayor expressed he expected people to be more compassionate, particularly during unfortunate events that endanger the ‘kailyans’. He also cleared that the students do not have to copy the performances of others as they train to be better every single time they are given the chance to represent Balbalan.

Malannag further asserted that all the songs and dances being shown by the iBalbalans when joining competitions belong to the rich heritage passed down to them by their forefathers.

“Nainsigudan nga adda ugali mi nga inala mi kadagiay forefathers mi, ancestors mi. Isu nga iti Balbalan, haan agkopkopya,” he emphasized explaining how students prepare for their competitions.

The mayor then asked the public to be more empathetic for their kailyans, and to refrain from spreading inaccurate information and posting insensitive comments on social media, even when they do it behind anonymous accounts.