LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipal government ordered the suspension of classes in all levels on Monday, June 16, 2025 to allow the people and officialdom of the municipality to celebrate the town’s founding anniversary.
Under Executive Order No. 207-2025 issued by incoming Board Member and outgoing Mayor Romeo K. Salda, it stated that there is a need to suspend classes in all levels on the aforesaid date to alleviate public inconvenience, especially the commuting students and educators, ensure the safety of participants to the various activities, visitors and spectators and manage the traffic situation during the said celebration of the town’s founding anniversary.
Ordinance No. 35-2015 declared every June 16 as the La Trinidad foundation day and that various activities will be lined up by the local government for the said celebration.
Mayor Salda stated that the general welfare clause enshrined in the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local government code of 1991 provides that the every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.
Under Executive order No. 206-2025, the south-bound lane of the Halsema highway from the Commission on Audit – Cordillera Administrative Region (COA-CAR) area in Km. 6, Betag to the La Trinidad municipal hall in Km. 5, Pico, will be closed to traffic from 8 am to 10:30 am to give way for the scheduled civic parade which is part of the activities lined up for the celebration of the town’s founding anniversary.
The theme of this year’s founding anniversary is ‘La Trinidad: Where Peace and Love Ever Shine’ that truly reflects the true virtue of the peace-loving people of the municipality.
On the other hand, north-bound lanes of the Halsema highway will be open to two-way traffic to ensure the proper management of the traffic that is expected to be experienced by the motorists during the said celebration.
Earlier, the order added that the closure of the strawberry farm diversion road will also be implemented during the aforesaid period to pave the way for the smooth conduct of the civic parade scheduled on the said day.
The local chief executive asserted the need to implement the temporary traffic scheme to ensure that traffic will be able to be effectively and efficiently managed for the convenience of the public during the celebration.
The portion of the Halsema highway that will be closed will be used by the participants of the civic parade and that those who will be joining the municipality in the said celebration.
The civic parade will end at the municipal gymnasium where the founding anniversary program will follow with the active participation of the people and officialdom of the municipality.
Salda urged the residents and visitors to join the municipal officials and employees in the said celebration that will highlight the importance of peace and love which will be a major driver of growth and development for the benefit of the present and future generations. By Dexter A. See