LA TRINIDAD, Benguet(PIA) -- 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 Speaker Romualdez on Sunday, April 21, 2024, during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair(BSPF) – Benguet.   

Romualdez  was  given  the name  “Batakagan,” which means the ‘brightest star.’

Municipal Resolution No. 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 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 the traditional tapuey or rice wine.

Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap, Governor Melchor Diclas, 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..

The  Speaker thanked the local government unit for recognizing his and the whole House’s efforts in delivering essential services deserved by every Filipino.

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.

TThe CARD  program, an initiative of Speaker Romualdez,  aims to respond  to the increasing rice prices, and  to support vulnerable Filipinos by providing them with affordable access to rice and essential cash assistance. (RMC PIA-CAR)