LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - The staging of the annual Adivay celebration will be different this year.

Local officials of the Provincial Board (PB) have requested Governor Nestor Fongwan to reconstruct the staging of Adivay activities in deference to the recent typhoon, which devastated the province.

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In a resolution, local leaders implored Fongwan to "reconsider and cancel the staging of some of the activities already identified."

The resolution was unanimously approved by the body here, attributing the change to the recovery of the province from effects of typhoon Pepeng.

"The province of Benguet was one of the [hardest] hit in the Cordillera, in addition to casualties and heavy losses in properties of government and private sectors."

PB agreed the province will stage the annual celebration this month but admitted massive preparations cannot be made because officials as well as provincial employees are busy managing the interplay of relief operations, burial administration and planning of rebuilding of lives of the many affected.

A general toning down of events will be made to "appropriate levels to avoid the appearance of celebration right after the tragic happening brought [about] by the typhoon."

This year's celebration is the provincial's 109th foundation.

Adivay usually starts with an inter-local government unit competition, followed by an agro-industrial trade fair featuring the province's 13 municipalities' agricultural produce.

A grand parade also commences with street dancing and an interagency display of colors.

Last year it was celebrated from Oct. 15 to Nov. 28.

The Adivay is now on its fourth year.

This year, the board is contemplating foregoing the parade and Agro trade fair and instead holds a mass and a simple gathering at the Benguet Sports Complex.