The municipality's second biggest barangay in terms of land area, in all its humility continues to make a bold mark in the town's map in the fields of ecotourism, culture, and arts.
This Ibaloi dominated barangay has made itself popularly known as the “Seat of Cultural Heritage and Natural Wonders” because of its people's adherence to its culture and the presence of the nature-based attractions.
Tinongdan is undeniably rich in natural and cultural resources. They have the legendary and historical Mt.Ugo as their primary tourist destination and “Pride of Place”, which has brought in numerous recognitions and awards.
Mt. Marikit (“marikit”, an Ibaloi term for beautiful gal) has its unique features, too. Aside from its limestone-rocky geographic qualities, fascinating legendary tales have also been told and written about it which captured the interest of both the young and the old.
Binga dam, long after its completion was caught unaware of being a tourist attraction that caters to educational trippers and to those who simply wanted to see how electricity is generated through hydro resource.
Lengthy footbridges linking one sitio to the other and across the mighty waters of the Agno River offer an exciting yet humble experience for people who love adventure. Agno River has played a very vital role in the community's subsistence through gold panning and its fresh water resources such as the “paideng”, carpa, tilapia, eels, and shrimps.
The Ibaloi culture is intact. It has been observed that most of the barangays of the town has gone cosmopolitan with the influence and migration of people from other parts of the region brought by the operation of the mines. But for Tinongdan, there was very little effect from external influence. The elders have satisfactorily protected their cultural identity which they defended against the tyranny and occupation of the Spaniards.
Their pine-clad mountains were once exploited by the mining industries for the benefit of their operations. Nevertheless, forest cover was gradually restored in some areas, thus the so-called second growth.
Banking on all these God-given endowments, the barangay officials made a move to save and maximize what was left of their resources in their environment.
The introduction of eco-tourism did a full twist in their principles. It made them realize that while some Philippine areas spend to create a man-made attraction and generate income, theirs is free - all natural and all it needs is the proper management, conservation, and protection.
Ecotourism programs and projects introduced, with the assistance of the Local Government Unit of Itogon, Provincial Government of Benguet, and the Department of Tourism has inched the barangay way ahead. It involved the people of the community with the creation of the Tinongdan Barangay Tourism Council (BTC). The BTC serves as the arm of Barangay in formulating recommendatory policies and guidelines for the protection, conservation, and their tourism resources, and in planning programs and activities that shall help promote the area. Livelihood opportunities were opened from tour guiding, porterage, transportation, and sale of goods especially the local products.
The annual Mt. Ugo Summer Climb has always been instrumental in bringing the barangay into limelight. It has earned prestigious awards primarily from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) as Nature and Sports Tourism Awardee in 2006, Best Tourism Event in the Philippines in 2007, and another Best Tourism Event in the Philippines this year, 2008. It has earned recognition from the Department of Tourism because of this activity that has sustained its endeavor.
The School of Living Traditions on Ibaloi Performing Arts sparked the creation of a performing arts group. This program was funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with counterpart fund from the Barangay Government. Said program's phase I was satisfactorily completed and will soon proceed with its Phase II. It is composed of young children as they were trained to perform the traditional dances, instrument playing, and chants. Subsequently, this group has been tapped by the Provincial Government to represent Benguet in the recent TIMPUYOG Festival held at Santiago City, Isabela. The group's travel was still facilitated by the Punong Barangay. Following this endeavor was the move to procure indigenous musical instruments and wardrobes through fund sourcing schemes.
It is not an easy task though, but the determination to pursue made it possible. It only needs much time and effort to do such and this is credited to the optimism of the officials led by its Barangay Captain Norberto I. Pacio.
The people's support largely contributed for this success. Kudos Tinongdan!
