“A Message of Hope and Unity from Congressman Eric Yap at the 125th Adivay Festival”

Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap //FNS File Photo

La Trinidad, Benguet – Our beloved Governor Melchor Diclas; Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes; our Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, whom I will no longer mention individually; to our Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councilors, and Barangay Officials; to our key officials from various national agencies; to our department heads and all provincial employees; to our former leaders and officials—isang masayang Adivay po sa ating lahat!

I would have wanted to be with you today. This is, after all, the province’s birthday—the very first celebration since the law officially recognizing November 23 as a non-working holiday took effect, marking the true birth of our province. But an equally important matter that requires my presence has prevented me from joining you in person. Still, I am with you in spirit, and I am certain that our celebration today remains vibrant and meaningful.

Every November 23 marks a new beginning. It is a day when we celebrate and welcome another year of progress and opportunity for our beloved province. It is also a time for us to renew our commitment to a better future—an invitation to begin again. And every Adivay reminds us of a fundamental truth: that we rise higher when we rise together, for we are a province built on shared dreams and shared sacrifices—from our ancestors to every family who calls Benguet home.

Although this is only my sixth Adivay, it feels as though I have celebrated many more. So much has changed since the first time I stood before you. By simply looking around, you can already see how far we’ve come. And it excites me to imagine how much further we can go in the coming years.

In my remaining years as your congressman, my focus will be on accelerating development. Just last week, two important proposals passed the Committee level: the establishment of a BSU campus in Kapangan, and the creation of an additional Municipal Trial Court in La Trinidad. These are joined by many more measures that I believe will benefit our province.

We have already enacted the law establishing the College of Medicine at Benguet State University, and next year, we are working to secure funds for additional BSU facilities—including the College of Medicine and College of Nursing buildings, as well as a tartanized BSU oval similar to what we see in major universities. We are also confident that by 2026, we will secure funding for approximately 313 new classrooms across 34 public schools in Benguet. And there are many more initiatives—on health, livelihood, tourism, and other sectors—that we will continue to prioritize.

I am committed to doubling my efforts. Despite everything happening around me, I owe it to all of you to continue working. Visiting different barangays last week reminded me of one simple truth—marami pa rin ang nahihirapan at kailangang tulungan. The challenges I face are nothing compared to the struggles of many families: waking up before dawn to walk long distances, worrying about medical expenses, parents unsure if they can afford their children’s education, and households striving daily just to stay afloat.

And because of this, I will stay on the course until my very last day. I may not be perfect—no one is—and my imperfections will not define me. Instead, they drive me to think more carefully and serve more faithfully. My only measure of success is this: I must always be better than I was yesterday.

But I cannot do this alone. The work ahead requires collective effort—from provincial leaders down to barangay frontliners whom I know are also giving their all. I call on each one of you: let us go the extra mile, take the extra step, and never settle for the bare minimum. To our kailiyan, keep striving to better yourselves and always extend a little kindness—because kindness goes a long way. If we embrace a new beginning together, then a change in mindset is essential. No one can do everything alone. Again, we will rise higher when we rise together.

We have survived storms, earthquakes, and the harshest of trials—not because we had no choice but to stand again, but because resilience is our greatest heritage. Yet resilience alone is not enough. There is still much to do, but I am filled with hope. Every sunrise over our mountains teaches us that no matter how cold or difficult the night was, hope always rises.

And when I look at our officials here today, I am reassured. Benguet is in good hands. Our Governor and Vice Governor are among the best in the country—I know many governors and vice governors, and we are truly fortunate to have leaders like them at the helm. The same goes for our Board Members—your dedication is exceptional. One day, one of you will be among the highest officials of our province. I know you will do well; I believe in you.

But a time may come when you may not all belong to the same political party—some of you may even run against each other. When that day comes, remember this: politics must never become a way of life. Election day lasts only a day. Do not let politics destroy what truly matters—your relationships with one another and with the people you serve. Benguet needs leaders like you.

Our province is destined for great things—we are no longer sleeping giants.

La Trinidad will soon become a city; we only need a little more progress in income and population. Itogon has the potential to become an industrial city. Buguias and Mankayan will continue driving economic activity in the north. Kabayan will have its own district hospital soon—something we are actively pushing in Congress. Atok and Tuba will be our tourism gems. Bakun, Kapangan, Kibungan, and Tublay—your natural beauty makes you the adventure chain of our province. Sablan has strategic potential we must maximize. Bokod will continue rising, capitalizing on its natural landscapes.

But let me emphasize this: development must not lead to displacement. I am pro-development, but never at the cost of our people or our environment. We must always ask: Who benefits? At what cost? For whom is development? We cannot allow the beauty of our province to be destroyed under the guise of progress.

Tourism must not be about visitors taking photos and leaving—we want them to stay, to spend, and to support local businesses, vendors, and communities.

Benguet is breathtaking, but what makes it truly extraordinary is its people. You are our greatest asset. As I said earlier, we need all hands-on deck as we welcome these upcoming changes. We are soaring, and we must not limit ourselves. We deserve the same opportunities enjoyed by bigger provinces.

My apologies if this message has grown long again. I simply missed speaking to all of you. In many ways, I miss campaign season—not the politics, but the endless invitations, the camaraderie, and the relationships we nurtured. Those memories will always remain in my heart.

And before I end, allow me to honor someone we all dearly miss—Board Member Manny Fermin. Brother, we miss you every day. I miss our simple dinners and late-night chats at the back of your house. This is our first Adivay without you, and it truly feels different. I know you are smiling down on us. Happy Adivay, Mayor Manny.

Lastly, let me thank all of you. You have no idea how your love strengthens me. Every text message, every warm greeting, every pat on the back, whenever I travel around the province, keeps me going. In moments when the world seems overwhelming, you remind me to stay calm. You are all appreciated, seen, heard, and valued. Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong pagmamahal at tiwala.

Happy 125th Adivay Festival to all of us! A new year for the province, a new beginning.

Mabuhay tayong lahat — at mahal na mahal ko po kayo. ###