DAVAO CITY - The city government of Mati in Davao Oriental has added another festival to its list of annual celebrations every October honoring the contributions of the farmers and fisherfolks in the city.
In an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), Ben Jason Tesiorna, City Information Officer, said the Abunda Festival [abundance] thru City Ordinance No. 500 series of 2021 will focus on the agricultural sector.
"Because we want to put focus on our farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers, Abunda Festival will give them the recognition they rightfully deserve along with the support from the City of Mati local government unit,” he said Wednesday.
He added that the Abunda Festival celebration will last for one week and will end as soon as the Sambuokan Festival starts on the 4th week of October.
Among the highlights of the Abunda Festival are the Carabao Parade, Farmers and Fisherfolks Association Recognition Night, Cooking Competition, among others. The festival’s venue will be at the Farmers’ Bagsakan Center in Sitio Tagawisan, Barangay Badas, and will be spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office.
“In the midst of a pandemic, our farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers never failed the people of Mati in ensuring that we will have an ample supply of food. And this is our way of paying back,” Tesiorna added.
He said that the festival will focus on the three aspects of agriculture — crops, fisheries, and livestock.
The Carabao Parade will be held on the first day of the festival wherein each barangay would festoon their carabaos with various agricultural produce of their respective villages.
The Farmers and Fisherfolks Association Recognition Night, meanwhile, will give recognition to different farmers and fisherfolks as well as livestock raisers organizations.
“The Abunda Festival will also showcase various agricultural products and will give huge discounts to consumers at the Farmers Bagsakan Center. Only those registered farmers and sellers will be allowed to sell their produce at the center,” he further added. (PNA)
