KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Provincial Government of Cotabato officially opened the Kalivungan Festival 2026 on Wednesday, August 26, with the celebration scaled back as the province dropped the beauty pageant and street dancing competition to reduce expenses.

Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza led the opening of the province's 112th Founding Anniversary and Kalivungan Festival, dubbed "Cotabato at 112: A Legacy of Peace, Progress, and Community," at The Basket of the Capitol Compound in Kidapawan City.

Mayors League of Cotabato Province President Evangeline Guzman said in her speech that the Kalivungan Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the province's history, culture, and diversity while strengthening unity among Cotabateños.

Guzman encouraged residents to support local products and talents and continue promoting peace, cooperation, and unity. She said the festival will feature activities that highlight Cotabato's culture, agriculture, tourism, and local products throughout the celebration.

The opening began with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by the opening of the "Yaman ng Cotabato Travel and Trade Expo, which showcases the province's agricultural products, tourism destinations, local enterprises, and other resources.

Speaking before the crowd on Wednesday morning, the grateful governor emphasized that the province's progress is a result of cooperation among the Cotabato provincial government, local government units, national agencies, and other offices.

"We only have one direction, to make sure that the Yaman ng Cotabato is properly showcased and that services reach our people," Mendoza said.

"When we found out about the issues affecting farmers, it was disturbing because every farmer looks forward to the harvest."

Mendoza thanked the Department of Agriculture (DA) for visiting the province and seeing firsthand the situation and needs of the people. She urged residents to continue reporting community concerns so the government can respond to their needs.

A recent risk map from Project Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) of the Department of Science and Technology indicates that the province is expected to experience a mild drought this August.

In response, the provincial government has strengthened its preparations for the possible impact of El Niño. The governor earlier ordered measures to conserve water and explore other water sources to prepare for the dry spell.

During the festival opening, Mendoza stressed the importance of peace and unity among Cotabato's three major communities—the Bangsamoro, Indigenous Peoples, and Christians. She urged residents to maintain peace, promote progress, and sustain their agricultural productivity.

"Please continue to pray for our province to be safe from natural and environmental calamities, to remain united as one, especially among the Tri-People, and always to be blessed with abundance and a good harvest for our people," Mendoza said.

Assistant Secretary for the DA's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Genevieve Guevarra, highlighted Cotabato's agricultural sector, noting that the agency joined the celebration and promoted programs to improve farmers' incomes and access to markets.

Guevarra said the province's products, including rice, durian, lanzones, mangosteen, and rambutan, among others, reflect its agricultural potential. She added that agriculture should go beyond production to provide farmers with higher incomes and improved livelihoods.

"Having products is not enough. There must be a market, and our farmers must earn from them," Guevarra said, emphasizing the importance of food security and recognizing farmers and fisherfolk as key contributors to the country's food supply.

Provincial Vice Governor Rochella Marie Taliño-Taray said the festival provides farmers, producers, entrepreneurs, and tourism stakeholders with an opportunity to showcase their products and promote the province's destinations.

Taray encouraged visitors to explore the Yaman ng Cotabato Travel and Trade Expo, meet local producers and entrepreneurs, and discover the province's products, local delicacies, and tourist attractions from various local government units.

Provincial Agriculturist Elena Ragonton said Cotabato has strong potential in agriculture, tourism, trade, processing, and investment. She said the expo aims to promote the province's products and economic opportunities to investors, tourists, and other partners.

Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato Angelito Lampon reminded government officials and residents that genuine service to God begins with a sincere and clean heart. The mass also emphasized gratitude for the province's 112 years as a unified province.