Municipal Agriculturist Charito Pitogo said the maiden event was made on suggestion by Mayor Stephen Acosta to change its OTOP from cassava to coconut, as the municipality has a large coconut plantation compared to that of cassava.
Pitogo said some 2,243 hectares have been planted to coconuts and “where people use coconut products in their daily living.”
The festival, Pitogo said was one of the highlights of the town’s 34th founding anniversary.
“It is the first time that the Coconut Festival was held here with the full support and cooperation of local chief executive and barangay officials,” Pitogo said adding that Mayor Acosta had allotted funds for the construction of 18 beautiful coconut-designed booths and cash prizes.
“It is also a chance to honor coconut tree and its products as well as the coconut farmers,” Pitogo pointed out.
Aside from the agro-industrial fair contest, a coconut food display contest and parlor games were also held, drawing attention from the crowd.
For the agro-industrial fair contest the winners are as follows: 1st – Barangay San Migel, 2nd – Libertad, 3rd- Eastern Poblacion, 4rth- Barangay Poblacion, and 5th – Upper Sicpao.
The winners received the following prizes: P10 thousand for the first prize, P7 thousand for the second prize, P5 thousand for the third prize, P3 thousand for the fourth prize and P2 thousand for the fifth prize. Each of them also received a trophy.
For the coconut food display contest, the winners are as follows: 1st- Rizal, 2nd-Picturan, and 3rd- Eastern Poblacion.