MONCADA, Tarlac – This town will hold the first Kamote Festival from February 3 to 11.
With the theme “Love Moncada,” the event in recognition of the abundant production of sweet potato (kamote) here kicks off with an Agri Trade Fair from February 3 to 11.
Other events are Call of Duty Mobile Tournament from February 3 to 4, La Jota Moncadenia Folk Dance Competition and Miss Moncada 2024 on February 9, Farmer's Day and Moncada Gala Night on February 10, and Thanksgiving Day, Grand Street Dance and Float Parade competition, and Festival Concert on February 11.
The Sangguniang Bayan approved Municipal Ordinance No. 2024-01 institutionalizing the Kamote Festival as a cultural property of this town.
The ordinance also stated that the Kamote Festival will be part of their town fiesta held every second week of February.
Councilor George Michael Aguilar, chairperson of the Sangguniang Bayan Culture and Arts Committee, said the festival seeks to enhance the agricultural production of farmers.
Mayor Estelita Aquino here, seeing the many products from sweet potatoes, facilitated the construction of a sweet potato processing plant in the municipality supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Various products from sweet potatoes have been manufactured from the plant and promoted as the One Town, One Product here.
Aquino invited residents, “balikbayans” (returning Filipinos), and tourists to celebrate the Kamote Festival.
Moncada is recognized as the leading producer of kamote in Tarlac, contributing to 49 percent of production in 2023.
The town has innovative products made from sweet potatoes such as wine and ice cream.