FOLLOWING the new cases of Covid-19 in Benguet Province, the capital town of La Trinidad will forgo the celebration of its 70th founding anniversary as tourism activities remain a standstill.
Mayor Romeo Salda said during the an executive and legislative meeting, there will be no celebration of the town’s foundation day on the third week of June as a precautionary measure against Covid-19.
Salda added funds for this year's celebration will be reserved and added to the 2021 budget.
Under Republic Act No. 531 on June 16, 1950, the town was converted from a municipal district of the sub-province of Benguet into a regular municipality.
The annual celebration usually highlights a feast featuring various cultural presentations, simultaneous butchering of pigs, the Golden Kayabang Awards that recognizes the town’s outstanding citizens among others.
During the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force meeting on June 9, the local committee decided to suspend tourism activities and sites until further advised to fully prepare necessary health protocols, personnel and recovery plans.
“With fresh Covid-19 cases in our locality, the local government unit hopes to avoid the risk of having unmonitored visitors on the said attractions. We hope for the public's understanding on the said challenge," said Valred Olsim, municipal tourism officer.
In March, officials of the town canceled the Strawberry Festival after heeding to the Department of Health advisory against holding crowd-drawing activities.
The celebration sought to showcase strawberries as the One Town, One Product of La Trinidad, to strengthen ties between locals, visitors and to highlight the agriculture and industry.
Salda added the Local Economic and Investments Promotion Office and Municipal Tourism Office reported an estimated P100 million in losses from March to May during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to Covid-19.
The town is known for its vegetable, strawberry and cutflower production.