LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Nov. 4 (PNA) — Going into the 115th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of Benguet with the launch of “Adivay” on Nov. 6, the provincial government boasted its achievements through the years.
Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan on Wednesday emphasized the achievements of the province in terms of economy through the vegetable industry, mining industry, tourism, and the people who worked hard for the betterment of their lives.
Fongwan attributed these gains through the years to the concerted efforts of municipal and barangay officials, provincial government and other stakeholders.
The vegetable industry was able to rise from the impact of smuggling in the previous years.
Large and small scale mining activities also contributed to the livelihood of the people as well as the agri-eco tourism and sports and adventure tourism activities such as trekking and spelunking emerging as popular venture in the different towns.
The province reaped various recognitions based on several aspects of performance.
Fongwan said the Province of Benguet bagged the Philippine Human Development Index award, twice besting other provinces.
The province is a consistent recipient of Seal of Good Housekeeping and the upscaled Seal of Good Local Governance.
Benguet is included in the Top 10 list of the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) based on local government’s exemplary performance in three pillars of the index such as economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure.
The month-long festival is one of the many ways of giving back to the people what the province earned, Fongwan said.
Adivay is an Ibaloi term meaning “coming together” which highlights the unique heritage, culture, tradition, local produce of the different towns coupled with merry making and wholesome activities.
This year’s theme is “Sustaining Benguet’s Gains”. (PNA)