BACOLOD CITY – The municipality of La Castellana in Negros Occidental has cancelled this year's Banana Festival from April 1 to 5 as some banana-producing barangays have been affected by the Kanlaon Volcano eruption.

SABA sticks made from the saba banana variety being sold in a store in the town of La Castellana in Negros Occidental province. (Photo courtesy of Arangka Turismo La Castellana)

Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said the decision was based on the recommendation of the municipal Incident Management Team (IMT).

“We tried our best to push through with the festival but it’s very risky for the security of the residents,” she said, referring to thousands of residents still inside evacuation centers.

Mangilimutan said that these banana plantations are situated on the foot of the volcano.

She said that residents in barangays within the six-kilometer danger zone would not still enjoy the event since most of them are still in evacuation centers.

The mayor said that five of the 13 barangays in the agro-trade fair that showcases their products, especially homegrown bananas of different varieties during the festival, were greatly affected by the volcano.

These are Barangays Cabagnaan, Mansalanao, Sag-ang, Biak na Bato, and Masulog.

A grand alumni homecoming that also coincided with the festival was also cancelled.

A concelebrated or thanksgiving Mass at Saint Vincent Ferrer Shrine in La Castellana for the patronal fiesta will be held on April 5.

Last year, the town celebrated its 25th Banana Festival simultaneously with the town’s annual patronal fiesta.

The town is known for its saba (a banana variety) sticks with different flavors being sold in local and national outlets.

The mayor said that there is a need to study the viability of the bananas in the low land to make it sustainable and not just focus on the plantation at the foot of the volcano due to hazards.

She wanted to extend farming, especially bananas and other vegetation in low lands so they can promote the town’s agricultural products.