AS the new chair for the City Council committee on tourism, Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba has outlined her priorities for the next three years.
Balaba said she will pen an ordinance that will compel music stations to set aside a portion of their airing time each day to play local compositions.
A former broadcaster herself, Balaba is also a supporter of the local music sector even during her previous two terms when she was not yet tasked to lead the tourism committee.
In 2024, Balaba represented the city government in welcoming renowned world musician Joey Ayala to teach would-be local artists here in a weeklong festival.
Aside from music, Balaba is also intent in promoting the indigenous language Higaonon by making “maayad” as a signature greeting.
“Maayad” is “maayo” when translated to Cebuano.
Long before the arrivals of the Visayans and the Spaniards, Higaonon was the ancient language of what is now Cagayan de Oro.
While at it, Balaba would like to infuse Higaonon designs in Bulua’s well known pottery industry.
“The pottery industry has been there for several decades. With new technology, we can market that to the whole world,” Balaba said.
As new committee chair, Balaba injects fresh ideas for tourism in CDO
