LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has been adopted as a son of La Trinidad, Benguet.
La Trinidad officials led by Mayor Romeo Salda and Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan led the adoption rites for Romualdez on April 21 during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BSPF) in Benguet.
Romualdez was given the name “Batakagan,” which means the “brightest star”.
Municipal Resolution 69-2024 manifested La Trinidad’s gratefulness to Romualdez for his “noble intention and effort to visit and show support and assistance to the constituents of La Trinidad, which deserves recognition worthy as a son.”
The resolution also thanked the House Speaker for leading the BSPF, which is aimed at “revolutionizing public service in the Philippines.”
For the adoption rite, Benguet elder Peter Aguilba led an indigenous prayer, clothing of indigenous vest, and the drinking of the traditional tapuey or rice wine. It was sealed with the turn-over of the resolution, donning of indigenous vest, and drinking of tapuey.
Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas, Rep. Eric Yap, and other members of the House of Representatives witnessed the adoption rite held at Benguet Sports Complex prior to the awarding of the Cash Assistance and Rice Distribution (CARD) program.
Romualdez thanked the local government unit for recognizing his and the House’s efforts in delivering essential services to Filipinos.
Romualdez graced the opening of the 15th BPSF, which recorded the highest number of participating agencies with 70 government offices and some private entities providing more than 300 services to thousands of beneficiaries from Benguet and neighboring communities.
The CARD program, an initiative of Romualdez, aims to respond to the increasing rice prices and to support vulnerable Filipinos by providing them with affordable access to rice and cash assistance. – Redjie Melvic Cawis
