Strawberry fest on in La Trinidad Benguet

By Fely L. Guanzo

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The 36th Strawberry Festival is on after its formal opening by Mayor Romeo K. Salda, Gov. Crescencio C. Pacalso and Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan here at Municipal Gymnasium March 6.

Themed “Sustaining the fruits of Agro-Eco Tourism,” the festival was started by ecumenical thanksgiving service of religious groups in the municipality.

Salda thanked former officials of the municipality since 1991 for sustaining the festival.

Salda said La Trinidad is blessed not only with strawberries but fertile soil, tourists, cutflowers, and vegetables. He said that sustainability of the festival is in the hands of the present generation who should sustain it for next generations to see and experience it too.

Meanwhile, Pacalso said the festival was a big help in boosting tourism of the town and also a good opportunity to introduce products of the municipality to visitors.  Cosalan said hospitability, generosity, being hard-working and cooperation among local folks were best assets of the municipality in continuation of the festival.

He urged Benguet State University to amend its charter so  40 hectares of strawberry land will be maintained and  agro-tourism projects would be enhanced.

The municipal government invited everyone to visit, have fun, and experience the Strawberry Festival.