TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija -- Farmers in this first class municipality were honored in a weeklong festivity that formally kicked off through a series of activities, including the slicing of a giant kesong puti (white cheese) on Wednesday.
Mayor Nerivi Santos-Martinez, said the “Linggo ng Magsasaka,” which is celebrated in time for the feast of the town's patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, and the 12th Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival, is in recognition of farmers and agricultural workers who never tired in producing food for the people.
Carrying the theme "Masaganang Buhay ng Magsasaka sa Maunlad na Bayan ng Talavera,” the festivity started with a mass that was followed with a colorful street dancing exhibitions rendered by five public schools -- Talavera National High School, Bulac National High School, San Ricardo National High School, Tabacao National High School, and Sibul National High School.
Some government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Carabao Center, the Department of Agriculture, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as the provincial government of Nueva Ecija, joined the opening of an agri-trade fair.
Martinez, Vice Mayor Anselmo Rodiel III and other officials partook of the giant white cheese as part of the 12th Gatas ng Kalabaw Festival.
Made of 400 kilograms raw carabao milk, the rectangular cheese weighs 300 kilograms and measured 180 centimeter in length, 112 centimeter in width and a thickness of 4 centimeter.
Arnel del Barrio, PCC executive director, said the successful activities was a celebration of partnership, collaboration and unity among agencies.
He echoed Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol' declared objectives of the department, which are to produce available and affordable food and in the process of making food, make sure farmers earn and their income augmented.
Brigida Pili, DTI provincial director, underscored the assistance being extended by the agency to small entrepreneurs.
These include training to make local products best from taste to packaging. The DTI has also been giving machineries under its shared service facilities program.
Meanwhile, the mayor attributed to farmers the municipality's outstanding performance in production for both rice and vegetables.
"They called it “pinakbet” because all the ingredients of “pinakbet” are here,” Martinez said, referring to the local preparation for vegetable viand. (PNA)
