GUV TOUTS SUCCESS OF FIRST GUIMARAS DRAGON FRUIT FEST
The Provincial Government of Guimaras already considers the province’s first Dragon Fruit Festival a success on the first day of the celebration.
Governor JC Rahman A. Nava declared the success of the event on his message during the opening program of the two-day festivities on September 29, 2022 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.
Nava said that he did not expect much from the festival especially since Guimaras is the only province in Western Visayas that dared to hold the Dragon Fruit Festival.
But he said that seeing the turnout of the event in the opening program alone, Guimaras’ first attempt at the dragon fruit festival can be considered a success.
The governor added that he did not think twice when the Provincial Economic Development Office (PEDO) presented to him the idea of having a Dragon Fruit Festival in the province as one of the ways that the province’s economy can recover from the impact of the pandemic.
In PEDO’s assessment on the first day of the trade fair which is one of the highlights of the said festival, it confirmed the governor’s declaration.
Displayed fresh dragon fruits were sold out with long queues at the booths selling dragon fruit-based products.
Hon. Felipe Hilan Nava, chairperson, Committee on Tourism of the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, hopes that the said festival will usher the road towards the recovery of the island’s economy.
Having the Dragon Fruit Festival is like a light at the end of the tunnel according to Vice Governor Atty. John Edward Gando, after the province battered challenges one after the other.
He said who would have thought that Guimaras would still be able to celebrate a festival and this is the result of the steps taken by the Provincial Government of Guimaras.
Vice Governor Gando bared that the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan under his leadership is now finalizing the legislative measures for the province to implement the non-wearing of face masks in open spaces pursuant to the pronouncement of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Atty. Gando further manifested the support of the 10th Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the proposed budget of the Provincial Government of Guimaras for 2023.
Guimaras Agri-eco Tourism Farm Owners and Operators Association (GATFOOA) president Engr. Edmon Mella lauded the partnership between the Provincial Government and the private sector that made it possible for the celebration to happen.
GATFOOA is the partner of the Provincial Government of Guimaras from planning until the execution of the first Dragon Fruit Festival in the province.
The opening program of the Guimaras Dragon Fruit Fest: A Fresh Experience was graced by officials and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Food and Drug Administration (FAD), and even observers from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.
REF: INFORMATION SECTION-OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR