LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The provincial government earmarked over P6 million to bankroll this year’s edition of the Adivay festival and the province’s 122nd founding anniversary following the resumption of face-to-face festivities after a lull in in person gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Melchor D. Diclas said that the provincial government lined up some 45 government-led and private sector supported events for the upcoming celebration of the 2023 Adivay festival and the province’s birthday to allow people from all walks of life to actively participate in the month-long festivities.
The theme of this year’s Adivay festival and Benguet founding anniversary celebration is ‘Gateway to unforgettable Getaways.” Which will depict the province’s identity as an agri-tourism, ecotourism and culture destination.
The governor claimed that the line-up of events cuts across the cross section of society as it will include events related to the preservation and protection of the environment, health and wellness awareness , sports development, promotion of tourist attractions and agricultural products, advocacy on culture and heritage, discovering young talents among the province’s youth, musical performances, among others that is why residents and visitors alike can choose what events to patronize.
“We hope that this year’s festivities will contribute in our efforts to bring back the vibrance of our province’s economy that had been heavily impacted by the pandemic. There is no way but to recovery and it just started that is why we want to sustain its gains,” Diclas stressed.
The governor disclosed that some 30 pigs that are free from the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) and two cows will be butchered by the provincial government during the grand can֮ao scheduled on November 23, 2023 at the Benguet Sports Complex where the same will be served to the attendees of the founding anniversary program and the visitors.
Each of the province’s thirteen municipalities will also have their own booths during the grand can֮ao where there will also be animals that will be butchered and served to the members of their delegation and guests who will be gracing the said occasion.
Initially, Presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos was invited as the guest of honor and speaker during the main program of the Adivay festival and the province’s founding anniversary.
Diclas underscored the importance of celebrating the founding anniversary of the province on November 23, 2023 instead of celebrating the province’s separation as an independent local government unit from the old Mountain Province as the same is likened to the celebration of the birth of a person and no other else.
Republic Act 4965 otherwise as the Division Law created four independent provinces from the old Mountain Province which were Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao while Bontoc maintained the name of Mountain Province.
Benguet also holds the distinction of being known as the country’s Salad Bowl because it is the source of more than 80 percent of the semi-temperate vegetables being sold in the markets nationwide.
