Winners of the biggest harvested pineapples awarded at Sumilang Festival in Silang, Cavite, on April 24 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

SILANG, Cavite – The local government unit (LGU) of Silang officially opened the Sumilang Festival 2024 at the New Municipal Hall Grounds in Barangay Biga 1 on Wednesday, April 24, to honor farmers and showcase local agriculture.

The program was led by Mayor Kevin Amutan Anarna, Department of Agriculture (DA) Usec. Alvin John Balagbag, guest of honor former senator Francis Pangilinan, and local officials.

Guest of honor former senator Francis Pangilinan at Sumilang Festival in Silang, Cavite, on April 24 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

During his speech, Anarna expressed appreciation for local farmers and their contribution to food production.

“Napaka-importante po ng role ng bawat isa sa atin sa pagbibigay ng makakain sa atin pong mga kakabayan sa Silang at sa buong Cavite (Our role in providing food to our fellow citizens here in Silang and throughout Cavite is very important)," the mayor said.

“Salamat po sa sakripisyo (Thank you for your sacrifice).”

The LGU awarded Silang’s three oldest farmers, as well as the winners of the Sumilang Harvest contest, which recognized the biggest harvested bananas, purple yams, cassavas, eggplants, and pineapples in the municipality.

Winners of the biggest harvested cassava awarded at Sumilang Festival in Silang, Cavite, on April 24 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

Silang Cacao Growers Association, meanwhile, was awarded as Most Outstanding Farmer Association.

The festival also featured a bonsai exhibit, a trade fair exhibit, and an art exhibit.

Supporting farmers amid the threat of El Niño

Anarna says the municipal government is doing its best to help local farmers as they deal with the effects of El Niño.

“Ngayon, mamimigay tayo ng iba’t ibang tulong sa mga magsasaka, P12.6 million pesos, kasama yung crop insurance from DA na worth P1.6 million. Sana makatulong kahit papano para maibsan yung epekto ng El Niño (Now, we will be distributing various assistance to the farmers, amounting to P12.6 million, including the crop insurance from the Department of Agriculture worth P1.6 million. Hopefully, this will somewhat help alleviate the effects of El Niño)," the mayor said.

“Pero dito naman, very resilient naman 'yung mga crops ng Silang, hindi masyadong apektado ng El Niño (But here, the crops in Silang are very resilient, not heavily affected by El Niño)."

Mayor Kevin Amutan Anarna and former senator Francis Pangilinan at Sumilang Festival in Silang, Cavite, on April 24 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

Pangilinan, meanwhile, encouraged the municipal government to be a model LGU by fully implementing Republic Act No. 11321 or Sagip Saka Act, which provides an opportunity for farmers and fisherfolk to directly supply agricultural and fishery products to government agencies and LGUs without going through public bidding.

“Ang pinakamalaking buyer ng pagkain sa ating bansa sa kabuuan ay ang gobyernong nasyonal at gobyernong lokal (The biggest buyer of food in our country as a whole is the national government and the local government),” the former senator stated during his speech.

Farmers showcase their produce at the Sumilang Festival in Silang, Cavite, on April 24 (Carla Bauto Deña/MANILA BULLETIN)

“Hindi sila babaratin, tama ang kanilang kita, dadami ang ani, dadami ang huli, dadami ang supply ng pagkain sa ating mga merkado, babagsak na ang presyo ng pagkain, lahat tayo makikinabang (They will not be haggled down, their earnings are right, there will be more harvests, there will be more catches, the food supply in our markets will increase, food prices will drop, and we will all benefit)."

According to the Cavite Ecological Profile 2020, Silang has the largest agricultural area and has consistently been the highest producer of pineapple in the province. The municipality also produces other agricultural products, including coffee, cacao, and bananas, among other fruits, vegetables, and crops.

LOOK: Relief packs on the way