LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Following glitches in this year’s conduct of Mr. and Ms. Benguet, the Provincial Government vowed better of the Adivay Festival activity for the coming years.

Vice Governor Johnny Waguis, who is also the Mr. and Ms. Benguet co-chair, said there will be improvements made and assured the same incident will not happen again after irregularities in the computation of the winners were discovered.

“There will be a re-organization of the Mr. and Ms. Benguet next year. To date, we only have one tabulator. We suggest next year there will be separate auditor from the group of the municipal coordinators or handlers and there will be also be an auditor from the organizer,” Waguis said.

Waguis clarified no one will be dethroned.

The Mr. and Ms. Benguet Search Committee 2019 in an official statement on December 24 signed by Governor Melchor Diclas said Mister Benguet Seth Wayne Chacapna from Atok and Miss Marilou Saguidec from Kibungan will remain as the Mr. and Ms. Benguet.

“As such they will continue to perform their duties and responsibilities, more particularly in promoting sports, health, education in the province,” the statement adds.

Novy Jones Aban and Amie Rose Pitas, both from Kapangan were conferred the titles Mr. and Ms. Benguet Adivay 2019.

Both are tasked to promote the culture and tourism of the province.

Bryan Marzo from Kibungan and Karen Evasco from Atok were recognized as finalists in the pageant.

“We would like to seek an apology to all concerned parties for the lapses that occurred during the pageant. While we admit responsibility, we maintain that said lapses were not intentional or deliberate,” it added.

A formal presentation will be conducted on January 6, 2020 during the flag ceremony at the provincial capitol following a thorough meeting by all parties concerned including the 2019 Adivay Executive Committee, municipal coordinators, and candidates.