Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III beams prior to cutting the ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of the Capitol agri-fishery fair. (Photo taken from the Cebu provincial government’s Facebook page)
FRESH produce and delicacies from 20 local governments in Cebu, 40 private exhibitors and four government line agencies were on display at the Capitol grounds as part of the “Tabo sa Kapitolyo” which started yesterday.
The event is one of the highlights of the province’s celebration of the Christmas season and carries the theme “Pasko sa Malambuong Sugbo.”
The agri-fishery trade fair started yesterday and ends on Dec. 16.
Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said the fruits, vegetables and delicacies were priced lower than market prices.
“The sellers aren’t businessmen. They are farmers and they sell cheaper,” he said.
Saragena said the fair is the provincial government’s way of promoting the agricultural produce of the farmers in Cebu to interested investors.
Among those selling is Modesto Simacon Jr., who displayed his squash and banana chips and calamay (sticky rice) for P70 made in Bohol province.
Another stallholder, 55-year-old Wilfredo Belenya of the mountain barangay of Sirao, Cebu City, sells mangoes and banana chips, while 35-year-old Rosilyn Ferolino of the Farmers Association in Alcoy sells her vegetables ranging from P10 to P50 per kilo.
Also on display in yesterday’s Capitol fair were ornamental plants from Susana Co Farms of Valencia, Carcar City which sell for P200 to P500, seafood from Bantayan Island and dairy food from Pinamungajan town./USJ-R Intern Jheysel Ann Tangaro