PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of the Palawan Provincial Government launched the first Festival of Palawan Fruits held at the Centennial Pavilion in the Capitol Building on September 6.

Variety of seasoned fruits and even endemic fruits that can only be found in the province were tasted and sold to the public for only P100.

Fruits that endemic in Palawan such as Tabo, Badak, Mararing, Maraitum, Tampoy, Manti, Palau Manok, Palau Baboy, native durians and others as well as seasoned fruits like lanzones, rambutan, durian, dragon fruit, bananas, mangosteen and many others are highlighted in this festival.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Romeo Cabungcal, this activity aims to inform the people and feature the abundant fruits that are particularly planted in the southern part of the province.

“Kaya tayo nagkaroon ng festival of Palawan fruits kasi nakita natin na sobrang naging abundant ng ating mga fruits more particularly sa southern Palawan. Nakita natin sa ating pag-iikot ang mga seasoned fruits na tanim ng ating mga magsasaka, gayundin ang mga endemic fruits na ibinebenta ng ating mga kapatid na katutubo. Kaya ang programang ito ay nais nating ipaalam na we have abundant fruits in Palawan,” Dr. Cabungal said in his message.

Dr. Cabungcal added that this activity will be of great help to the farmers in selling their quality and organic products at the right price and in enhancing the nutrition in the province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Mimaropa Regional Executive Director Engr. Ma. Christine C. Inting who also participated in the First Festival of Palawan Fruits recognized the efforts of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist for launching the said festival, which she said is also the first in the entire Mimaropa region.

“This is the first time na nagkaroon tayo ng festival event sa Palawan. Actually, this is the first time po sa Mimaropa na nagkaroon po tayo ng festival of fruits, ngayon lang po dito sa Palawan. So, congratulations po in behalf of our President, and at the same time, the Secretary of Department of Agriculture, ito po ay isa sa mandato ng ating secretary na pataasin po ang produksyon hindi lamang ng palay at mais pero pati po sa ating mga high value commercial crops lalong-lalo na nitong ating mga prutas," said Inting.

Inting also encouraged Palaweňos to support and to promote the Palawan crops and fruits and to bring it to Kadiwa outlets. She also assures that the DA is always ready to help all the provinces in terms of agriculture, especially in Palawan.

Also partnering with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in the First Festival of Palawan Fruits is the Palawan Tarabidan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a Kadiwa Mimaropa official outlet. (OCJ/GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)