As part of its cultural preservation and community development efforts, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) donated traditional indigenous instruments to Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet, under its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) special projects.
On July 21, 2025, Barangay Tinongdan, led by Punong Barangay Edwin Atumpag, received solibao drums and gangsa (handheld gongs), traditional instruments vital to the community’s cultural dances and rituals. The provision of shengdi (traditional blanket) is also underway. This initiative supports the barangay development plan, which identified cultural preservation as one of its priorities.
SNAP Group Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Atty. Mike Hosillos, said during the turnover ceremony that the company supports Tinongdan’s development plans. A medical and dental mission is scheduled in August to provide essential health services to residents, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to regular medical care.
Barangay Captain Atumpag expressed appreciation for the timely donation in preparation for the upcoming Indigenous Peoples Month celebration. Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Hailey Alilis also emphasized its importance, “Importante ito lalo na sa mga bata para matuto sila,” highlighting the role of the instruments in passing down cultural traditions to younger generations. With traditional instruments and fabrics becoming increasingly scarce, this initiative underscores SNAP’s support for preserving indigenous heritage across its host communities.
