Agri trade fair at T’nalak Festival

KORONADAL CITY — South Cotabato’s world-class products will take the center stage in this year’s 41st foundation anniversary celebration of the province through the Regional Agri Trade Fair 2007.

The Agri Trade Fair, which started Thursday, is part of the week-long 8th T’nalak festival, an annual celebration of the province’s foundation day that will also showcase various cultural, civic and entertainment programs.

Reynaldo Legaste, agri trade fair committee chairman, said the trade exhibit will display various products that are expected to be one of the major attractions during the foundation anniversary celebration.

“With the commitment of our agricultural sectors and neighbors to display their fruits and other agricultural by-products in their respective booths, visitors and guests and the people of South Cotabato will be treated with lots of fresh, juicy and sweet fruits and unique indigenous products,” Legaste said.

The trade fair, set up inside the Protech Center compound, will be launched after a torch parade that will signal the beginning of the week-long festivities. The highlight of the event is the display of several Bahay Kubo that was set up along the way to the Protech Center. The Bahay Kubos were put up along Alunan Avenue, starting from the Department of Public Works and Highways to the provincial capitol area.

Legaste said the committee is holding a Bahay Kubo competition that drew the participation from various local government units in the province. The competition aims to promote the bamboo industry of the province and help promote the carpentry skills of residents.

Legaste said another component of the competition is the display of products coming from various municipalities of the province. Prizes for the winning entries are: P50,000 for the first prize; P40,000 for the second prize; and, P30,000 for the third prize.