Benguet Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office

04/08/2026

The "sokdad" or "soklad" is a long wooden tool with a broad, flat end and a narrow handle, traditionally used to lift cooked chunks of boiled meat from a large cooking pot called silyasi or talyasi. The meat is transferred onto the apay, or grass laid on the ground, where it is chopped into smaller pieces called watwat for distribution.
Watwat refers to boiled meat, usually pork, traditionally prepared and distributed during community gatherings, rituals, celebrations, and other important occasions. It is commonly served in portions to guests and community members as part of the traditional practice of sharing meat during gatherings.

29/07/2026

CELEBRATING CULINARY EXCELLENCE AT KONTIS NI DUTO!

In line with the vibrant MSME Week Celebration, the province witnessed a spectacular showcase of local flavors, creativity, and talent during the "Kontis ni Duto" cooking contest held last July 27, 2026!

Representatives from all 13 municipalities of Benguet brought their A-game to the kitchen, highlighting the rich culinary heritage and fresh local produce of our beloved province. A huge congratulations to all the passionate cooks and MSME representatives who participated and made this event a truly delicious success.

Let us give a massive round of applause to the municipalities that cooked their way to the top, as well as to all our amazing participants!

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS: 🏆
🥇 1st Place: Municipality of La Trinidad
🥈 2nd Place: Municipality of Sablan
🥉 3rd Place: Municipality of Kapangan

🏅 Consolation Prizes: Awarded to the remaining participating municipalities for their outstanding culinary showcases and dedication!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our local MSMEs and celebrate the culinary artistry of Benguet. Your continued support empowers our local businesses to thrive. Every municipality brought something special to the table, and everyone went home a winner!

Let’s keep supporting local!

28/07/2026

The Office of the Governor- Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office attended the launching of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Grants Project, Sed-sed Chi Kebajan: Capacity Building on Intangible Cultural Heritage for IP Youth on July 25, 2026, at the Kabayan Barrio Gymnasium, Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet.

The project aims to strengthen the preservation and transmission of the municipality's intangible cultural heritage by equipping Indigenous Peoples (IP) youth with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to sustain their cultural traditions and practices.

The Provincial Tourism Office expresses its support for this initiative and reaffirms its commitment to promoting and preserving Benguet's rich cultural heritage through collaborative programs and partnerships with national agencies, local government units, and cultural stakeholders.

Kabayan Local Government Unit
Deped Tayo Kabayan Barrio Elementary School

25/07/2026

The Province of Benguet, under the leadership of Governor Melchor D. Diclas, in partnership with the Department of Tourism- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), headed by Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan, conducted another Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training for a new batch of Benguet Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel on July 24, 2026, at the Gov. Ben Palispis Auditorium, Benguet Capitol, La Trinidad.

24/07/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Join us as we celebrate Benguet's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a week of activities, learning opportunities, and market showcases.
📅 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬
• Ribbon Cutting and Opening Program (July 27, 2026)
📍 Capitol Gymnasium, La Trinidad, Benguet | 8:30 AM
• Kontis ni Duto (Cook Fest) (July 27, 2026)
📍 Capitol Gymnasium, La Trinidad, Benguet | 10:00 AM
• Panungkalan: Trade Fair (July 27–31, 2026)
📍 Capitol Gymnasium, La Trinidad, Benguet
• Weaving Forum (July 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM)
📍 Ben Palispis Hall | 9:00 AM
• The Benguet Biz Boost Initiative (MSME Modular Training) – Business Pitching (July 29, 2026)
📍 Gov. Ben Palispis Hall, 3/F Capitol Bldg. | 9:00 AM
• GABAY Awards and Closing Program (July 30, 2026)
📍 Gov. Ben Palispis Hall, 3/F Capitol Bldg | 1:30 PM
Come and support our local entrepreneurs, discover quality products, and be part of empowering MSMEs toward sustainable growth and innovation.

24/07/2026

MABUHAY SPIRIT IN ACTION: BATCH 2! 🇵🇭

A quick look at today's highly successful Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) seminar for our Second Batch of Participants, held at the Gov. Ben Palispis Auditorium, Benguet Provincial Capitol!

Spearheaded by DOT-CAR alongside the Benguet Tourism Office and the Benguet Police Provincial Office (BPPO), this ongoing initiative continues to train our dedicated personnel from the various Municipal Police Stations, 1st & 2nd PMFC, and Provincial Headquarters.

Merging top-notch law enforcement with authentic Filipino warmth to create a safer and more welcoming Benguet for both locals and tourists.

A snappy salute to today’s batch of participants for a job well done!
Department of Tourism- Cordillera Administrative Region Office

24/07/2026

𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗞𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗽𝗼
July 24, 2026 — Mayor Bernard S. Waclin has ordered the suspension of all tourism activities, underground small-scale mining, quarrying, and gold panning along river systems until further notice in anticipation of Tropical Storm Kiyapo.
The Mayor has also activated the Municipal Emergency Operations Center under BLUE ALERT status to ensure heightened preparedness and response.

𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗞𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗽𝗼

July 24, 2026 — Mayor Bernard S. Waclin has ordered the suspension of all tourism activities, underground small-scale mining, quarrying, and gold panning along river systems until further notice in anticipation of Tropical Storm Kiyapo.

The Mayor has also activated the Municipal Emergency Operations Center under BLUE ALERT status to ensure heightened preparedness and response.