Mayor Raymund Tongson challenged local producers from 19 barangays to come up with market-ready products that Himamaylan City can be renowned for.
“We are looking for top pride products that will best represent Himamaylan City,” Tongson said, adding that these products have to be “rooted in Himamaylan’s local culture, industries, and creativity”.
Himamaylan offers a bounty of fresh produce and locally-made products, the mayor said. But the local government is on the lookout for best products and services that will help boost the tourism and industries in the city.
He assured local producers that the LGU will support the development of their products and ensure that they are world-class and market-ready.
On April 1, local products and produce took center stage at the week-long Himaya Festival Agri Trade Fair at Crossing Diot, Brgy. 1, Himamaylan.
The trade fair offers vegetable, fruits, mussels, oysters, and fish, as well as dried and bottled fish, chips, vinegar, handicrafts, and potted plants.
“I am very grateful to you, our farmers, fishers, and the indigenous people, because of your contribution to the development of the City of Himamaylan,” Tongson thanked the participants in his message during the opening ceremony.
The mayor added that he is proud and thankful to local producers for supplying food for the city despite the effects of the dry spell.
“The high-quality products that our local producers have put out for the trade fair are definitely ready for our festival guests to enjoy and bring home,” Tongson said in a press release.
Flora Panaligan Planog, a member of the Sawangan Daku Farmers Association, meanwhile, said she has a lot to thank for because of the annual agri trade fair.
“The yearly activities at the agri trade fair update our farming knowledge. Activities such as the farmers forum and seminars teach us new farming techniques to increase our yield during the harvest season,” Planog said.
Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the City Agriculture Office also organized cultural and cooking contests, which entertained the trade fair goers.
Tongson, 5th District Rep. Dino Yulo and city and barangay officials tried the dishes prepared by the 28 cooking contestants. The winners will be announced during the culmination of the trade fair on April 6.
The LGU also recognized outstanding Himamaylanons during the Himaya Awards at City Hall on Easter Sunday.
The city honored 47 special awardees, top 5 real property taxpayers, top 5 corporate taxpayers, four licensure exams topnotchers, and three national champions of athletic and dance sports meets.
The top real property taxpayers are Jovelyn Navarro Blancaflor, Ogassir Corporation, Ignacio Locsin, Ocean Feedmill Corporation, and Alberto Tan of M/T Jui Ling Wei.
Top corporate taxpayers are San Miguel Brewery Inc., Ogassir Corporation, Mercury Drug Corp., Philippine Seven Eleven Inc., and Bricolage Philippines Inc.
Dance sports gold medalists Kerth Santi Salazar and Elizabeth Atilano, and athletics gold medalist Kate Brito were also honored during the Himaya Awards.
The 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers topnotchers were also recognized, like University of St. La Salle alumnae Keanna Marie Bartolome (Top 4) and Venus Nicole Jucal (Top 9); and Shiela Marie Delgado (Top 7), Jeriel Grace Mabulay (Top 9) from West Visayas State University-Himamaylan Campus. ||
