BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – Free vegetables, fish, and some market supplies benefit residents in Abra with a week-long community pantry as part of the 2024 Abra Kawayan Festival.

The opening of the community pantry along with the Abereño Fair was led by Governor Dominic Valera with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cordillera director Juliet Lucas, Professional Regulation Commision-Cordillera director Juanita Domogen, Bangued Mayor Mila Valera, Vice-Governor Joy Bernos, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 

The said community pantry, located at the Abra Sports Complex, aims to provide free and nutritious food while helping local farmers in Abra and nearby provinces.

Vegetables such as cabbages and carrots were bought by the provincial government from Benguet farmers, while bitter gourd (ampalaya) came from the Gayaman Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative in Luba, Abra.

Aside from free produce, residents and visitors can also experience the province’s culture through the Abreño Fair, which houses three shopping areas – the DTI-assisted MSME trade fair, an agri-commodity fair, and a food bazaar.

Lucas commended the theme of the 2024 Abrenian Kawayan Festival, "Agbaliw man ti Panawen, ni Abreño Agtalinaed a Natakneng" (Seasons May Change, Abreño remains steadfast).

In her message during the opening of the fair, she emphasized the roles of entrepreneurs, consumers, and the government as the three pillars of economic development.

“Dagiti negosyante, consumers ken ti gobierno, tri-fold, agkaykaysa nga dumur-as kas ti kawayan isu nga napintas daytoy tema tayo ti Kawayan Festival," Lucas stressed.

[Business owners, consumers, and the government, like a tripod, are uniting towards development like the bamboo, so it’s great to celebrate Kawayan Festival with this theme].

“Ti Kawayan festival ti mangipakita ti unity ti intero nga Abra ket ditoy trade fair ti pakapadasan ti nadumaduma nga produkto dagiti Abreño isu nga pagtitinnulogan tayo," Governor Dominic Valera said.

[The Kawayan festival is a symbol of unity, and here at the trade fair, you can experience the different products of Abreños, so let us help each other].

The Abreño Trade Ffair and Community Pantry are among the highlights of the Kawayan Festival that will run from March 04-10, 2024. There are also new activities like the lloco-Tingguian Street Dance Festival and the Search for Outstanding Abreños 2024. (CAGT/JPM – PIA CAR, Abra)