LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Malacañang recently declared November 22 and 23, 2024 as special non-working days in two towns and the whole province in celebration of their respective founding anniversaries to allow the people to actively participate in fitting events that were organized by the local governments.
Proclamation No. 717 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. declared November 23, 2024 as a special non-working day in Benguet for the celebration of its 124th founding anniversary and Adivay festival.
Gov. Melchor D. Diclas said that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Embracing our Heritage, Co-creating a Healthier Benguet” where the more than 40 government sector-supported and private sector-led activities will run from November 5 to December 3, 292.
Adivay is a Kankaney term for coming together and feasting on food and drinks. It has been traditionally showcasing Benguet’s two major industries agriculture and mining. However, unlike previous years, this year’s festival will separate the mining sector from Adivay’s celebrations. A Mining Summit, previously held as part of Adivay, will instead be hosted on a separate occasion that will be agreed upon by the concerned stakeholders.
The provincial government will be butchering more than 35 pigs and two cows during the province’s birthday on November 23 while some seven pigs will be butchered and served to the public during the kick off activity scheduled on November 5.
More than 40 events organized by both the government and private sectors had been lined up by the organizers that will run from November 5 to December 3, 2024 for this year’s celebration of Benguet’s founding anniversary.
Proclamation No. 716 declared November 22, 2024 as a special non-working day in Tublay town for the celebration of the municipality’s 124th founding anniversary.
Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro said that this year’s theme of the town’s founding anniversary is ‘Ipeyas di Siged’ (Sharing the Fruits of our Efforts).
Moreover, Proclamation No. 715 declared November 22, 2024 as a special non-working day in the town of Itogon, Benguet in celebration of the municipality’s 124 founding anniversary.
Itogon Mayor Bernard S. Waclin said that the theme of this year’s celebration of the town’s founding anniversary is Itogon Founding Anniversary Celebration 2024: “Progressive Itogon Through Unity and Collaboration.”
Benguet as a Commandancia. Politico Militar was instituted under the military jurisdiction of the lowland provinces.
In 1854, the Distrito de Benguet became a regular Commandancia. Politico Militar. La Trinidad was named the capital of the Distrito de Benguet. The Rancherias comprising Benguet were Baguio, Sablan, Galiano, Ambuclao, Dacian, Bocot, Adaoay, Cabayan, Loo, Tublay, Capangan, Balacbac, Quibungan, Palina, Ampusongan, Itogon and Atoc. Spanish authority and presence in the Pais de Igorrotes commandancias, however, were intermittent and limited to the capital rancherias. Subsequently established in 1847, 1852, and 1890, were the Commandancias Politico Militar of Lepanto-Bontoc, Tiangan and Amburayan. Included in the territories of these commandancias were portions of the present day municipalities of Bakun, Mankayan and Buguias. By Dexter A. See
