By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The “Tiringbanay” (Coming Together) Festival in the capital town of Antique serves as a platform to highlight the importance of farmers and fisherfolk.
Mayor Elmer Untaran of San Jose de Buenavista announced on Wednesday that this year’s festival, scheduled from April 19 to May 1, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, will feature activities dedicated to these sectors.
“We have scheduled a special event for farmers and fisherfolk on April 30,” he stated during a press conference.
Twenty farmers’ associations and 16 fisherfolk associations will convene for an exhibition of their products at the Evelio B. Javier Park.
San Jose de Buenavista municipal agriculture officer Lucia Bantolo said the one-day exhibit will provide an opportunity to sell their newly harvested vegetable, such as string beans and fish catch.
“Our farmers and fisherfolks really faced challenges because of the El Niño phenomenon that we would like to provide them an opportunity where they could sell their products,” she said.
San Jose de Buenavista incurred PHP32.9 million in losses on rice crops and PHP220,500 on corn due to drought.
Bantolo further said that in addition to the exhibit, farmers and fisherfolk will also have their song and dance competition on the same day.
There will also be a singing contest among their children.
Other activities during the festival are the beauty pageant, jobs fair, band, motocross, food festival, and street dancing on May 1. (PNA)
