Benguet Day is now part of national law following the signing of a measure by the president in December of last year.
With the signing of Republic Act 12099, Benguet Day, which commemorates the establishment of the first civil government in Benguet in the year 1900, will be celebrated every November 23rd.
According to author and Benguet representative Eric Go Yap, the foundation of the Benguet government provided for the “harmonious coexistence” of the Benguet people, who comprise different communities hailing from different indigenous cultural backgrounds.
With the signing of RA 12099, every November 23rd is now a special non-working holiday in Benguet, which Yap says “will surely provide the appropriate opportunity for the province to revisit its past and reconnect with its roots.”
The law also provides that the holiday be observed on the nearest Monday if it should fall on a weekend. The law also repealed RA 7672 declaring June 18 as a special non-working holiday in the province.
