By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Batac City—With the theme “Sustainable Agriculture Development in Batac, A Strategic Approach in Achieving Inclusive Growth”, the city government here led the celebration of the 8th Farmers’ Festival.
Attended by local residents, and foreign, domestic and local tourists, the celebration lasted from May 1 to 7.
A thanksgiving mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish church kicked off the festivities. The thanksgiving mass was held for the agricultural bounty given to residents here.
The formal opening of the celebration was held May 1 at the Imelda Cultural Center with outgoing Batac Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta leading.
Rep. Imelda R. Marcos (2nddistrict, Ilocos Norte) attended the formal opening. Mrs. Marcos, running for reelection, met with farmers and other agricultural organizations. The former First Lady congratulated Batac, especially the farmers, for focusing on agriculture development.
Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, meanwhile, graced the parade and PINAKA crops and fisheries competition. She also witnessed the tilt for Best Carosa Floats, Best Decorated Carabao and the farm machineries parade. The said machineries were later given to Batac’s farming barangays.
Vice President and presidential candidate Jejomar C. Binay also attended the celebration. Mr. Binay was in the province at that time to campaign,
Winners, tilts
Barangay Pimentel’s Frances Batara was crowned the Farmers’ Festival Queen, the new title for Balasang ti Away. Ms. Batara bested other competitors from Batac’s 30 rural barangays.
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| Best decorated carabao |
The Diskarte ni Mannalon was held May 3. Farmers competed in catching native piglets and chickens blindfolded; bobbing corn seed, tomato and water; 40-kg palay relay; fruits and vegetables carving; raft racing; fishing competition and track and field events.
The Rural Improvement Club (RIC) dance competition was also held as well as the Farmers’ Festival Ball 2016.
On May 6, the city government held a blood donation drive; farmers’ forum; art competition; the final judging of booths and exhibits; Farmers’ Festival Grand Parade of Floats and Street Dance and Dance Showdown.
Grandest
City agriculturist Marilyn Gappi said she considers this year’s celebration as the grandest Farmers Festival yet with many activities were presented.
Ms. Gappi said the city government exerted effort for this year as it is also a sendoff for the outgoing mayor.
She added that the grand parade, and street and showdown competitions were the highlights of the celebration.
The city government distributed hybrid vegetable seeds to the 30 barangays for free and subsidized palay seeds were sold at half their prizes. This served as the closing program of the event.