30/05/2026
LGU Camalig marks National Heritage Month with free ‘El Pueblo Viejo’ Walk Tour, awards new DOT-accredited guides
In celebration of National Heritage Month this May, the Local Government Unit of Camalig, through the Camalig Tourism and Cultural Heritage Council (CTCHC), officially launched its free El Pueblo Viejo de Camalig Heritage Walk Tour on May 29, 2026.
The initiative serves as a proactive step to revitalize the municipality’s cultural tourism profile, with the LGU planning to run the walk tour regularly to continuously promote its local historical landmarks.
The activity drew a diverse group of participants, including local residents from Camalig and visitors from outside the municipality, LGU Camalig staff, Government Internship Program (GIP) summer job students, the Barangay Council of Barangay 7, and representatives from the National Museum.
The event commenced with an opening segment by Municipal Tourism Officer Mr. Jed L. Villanueva, who led a brief discussion on the deep-rooted history of Camalig and explained why the town’s historic center is proudly called “El Pueblo Viejo” (The Old Town). Following the orientation, Mr. Mike B. Zuñiga, Tourism Promotion, Training, Statistics, and Registration Officer, discussed tour protocols and essential guiding principles.
A major highlight of the program was the formal awarding of certificates to the Camalig Guides Association of Albay (CAGABAY), officially recognizing it as a newly accredited organization by the Department of Tourism (DOT). This milestone ensures that visitors receive high-quality, accurate, and professional guiding services from fully certified local experts.
During the tour proper, the newly accredited CAGABAY guides took charge, skillfully assisting participants and sharing extensive historical insights at every landmark. The curated heritage route led participants through five significant historical zones, beginning at the First Municipal Hall Grounds, moving to the Dominican School of Camalig, proceeding to the St. John the Baptist Parish Church, exploring the famous Cluster of Ancestral Houses, and making its final stop at the Rizal Monument. At each site, participants were given ample time to take photographs and immerse themselves in the stories behind the architecture.
Expressing his strong support for the sustainable tourism program, Camalig Mayor Carlos “Caloy” Irwin Baldo Jr. emphasized the importance of passing local history down to the youth while continuously elevating the town’s tourist experience.
“Magayon yadi para ma-promote ang mga heritage houses, maaraman ninyo ang istorya manungud sa mga heritage houses especially mga new generation, na may makuko kamong ideya kina kaaraman. Magayon man yadi para maisyan kung ano pa ang p’wede ma-improve kina kung pawno ta makumbinsir ang mga turista na mag-adon o visit didi sa Camalig,” Mayor Baldo said.
The local government and the CTCHC extended their deepest gratitude to the parish church administration and the respective private homeowners of the ancestral houses for graciously opening their doors and cooperating with the LGU to make the tours possible.
✍️ | MNoble
📸 | PBucu