LA TRINIDAD CELEBRATES 75TH FOUNDATION DAY

June 23, 2025 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

Municipal Mayor Romeo Salda, along with other officials, headed the municipality’s Foundation Day celebration with the theme, “Where peace and love ever shine”, beginning with the Shawat tan Owik– a ritual of thanksgiving, followed by the Civic Parade from KM 6 COA to the Municipal Gymnasium, for the Main Program on June 16, 2025. The celebration is based on Municipal Ordinance No. 35- 2015, which sustains and strengthens the celebration of the La Trinidad Foundation Day every June 16 of every year. This was anchored on RA 531, converting the Municipal District of La Trinidad into a regular municipality on June 16, 1950. Moreover, President Ferdinand Marcos signed HB1526, declaring La Trinidad the capital town of Benguet.

However, research suggests that the concept of governance began as early as 1852, when La Trinidad served as the capital of the administrative territory of Benguet during the Spanish Era, which explains the 173rd year presented in the program, where Mayor Salda clarified during the event. He added that this was only intended to spark further discussions and research on the history of the municipality. This is in addition to other proposed dates in many issuances, including the Philippine Commission Act No. 48 of 1900, which establishes the township in Benguet, including La Trinidad.

These findings in relation to the foundation day, however, are not yet official until an appropriate legislation by the Sangguniang Bayan is approved. [The LGU apologizes if this has caused any confusion in recognizing the municipal-approved foundation date (75th year) and the proposed date (173rd year). For all intents and purposes, we still follow the provision of MO No. 35-2015 (75th year).] “Nu inya ti kinapintas ti La Trinidad, isu metlang ti Province of Benguet”, remarked Provincial Governor Melchor Diclas in his message of support to the municipality, who earlier instructed a municipal history team.

RR. Babsa-ay