SABLAN, Benguet (PIA) — The municipality of Sablan once again showcases its local products in the 11th Fruit Festival.
Local officials led by Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr. and Vice Mayor Arthur Baldo with the Metro (Baguio – La Trinidad – Itogon – Sablan – Tuba – Tublay) BLISTT Development Authority headed by Administrator, Assistant Secretary Maria Monica Costales led a civic parade on Aug. 19, 2025 to kick off the opening ceremonies of this year’s festivities.
Dacumos shared that despite the decrease in the production of fruits due to the almost month- long rains caused by the tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon in July, they pushed through with the fruit festival to showcase that the municipality is still the “fruit basket” of the province of Benguet.
Sablan produces fruits such as pineapple, banana, pomelo, papaya, guava, jackfruit, santol, dragonfruit, rambutan, lansones and even durian.
An Inter-Barangay Agri-Trade Fair and Market Encounter featuring the fresh fruits, vegetables and other products from Sablan also opened on the first day giving opportunity for local farmers to sell their produce.
Asec. Costales, in her message during the program, highlighted the importance of inter-local government cooperation and agricultural development, which aligns with Sablan’s vision of progress and sustainability.
Costales also challenged the municipality to innovate in strategic fruit disposal and encouraged youth involvement in agriculture. She dedicated the festival in gratitude to the farmers, recognizing their vital role and dedication.
Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, represented by David Cabuten, conveyed that the provincial government continues to provide support to the fruit farmers and other stakeholders to further develop and sustain the fruit industry of Sablan.
Representatives from the Baguio Business Club also expressed their interest in exploring Sablan as a promising business and investment destination in the future.
Other activities lined up for this year’s fruit festival include the Run for a cause on August 25, the Fruit-based snack preparation and poster making contest on Aug. 26, the search for the heaviest fruits on Aug. 27, the Sablan Got Talent and the acoustic Competition and Battle of the Bands on Aug. 30.
The annual float parade featuring vehicles adorned with various fruits, the Sablan Fruity Delights or the showcase of the fruits will be held during the main program on September 2.
A Farmers Congress and the micro small and medium entrepreneurs forum which is dedicated to farmers and those in the business industry will be on Sept. 3. A bloodletting and TB caravan will also be held on Sept. 3.
Ground demonstration and closing program are set on Sept. 4.
This year’s celebration has a theme, “In every seed, a shared dream; in every fruit, a shared future.” **JDP/RMC-PIA-CAR, photos from Sablan LGU
