LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A Department of Tourism official appealed for the maintenance of the “best tasting strawberries” in the country.
DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation Arturo Boncato Jr. said that the strawberry farm of La Trinidad is one of the most sought after tourist destination due to the sweet tasting strawberries being produced here.
“There’s nothing like tasting strawberries in this part of the country and we could see how our guests and tourists react when they say we are offering strawberries from the north, strawberries from Benguet,” said Boncato in his keynote message during the 38th Strawberry Festival main program last week.
Bocato said that the strawberries should be always be part of the pride of the people of La Trinidad and Benguet.
Sustaining the strawberry farms as a sought after destination needs the collaboration of the private sector, local government units, and the community in crafting policies and regulations, he stressed.
He expressed gratitude to the Benguet State University for being the main source of strawberries in La Trinidad, and appealed to officials to maintain the strawberry farms in the valley which the school owns.
“Our appeal for the BSU is for you to sustain this beautiful strawberry farms. I know there should be expansion plans somewhere but let’s think carefully about maintaining our strawberry farms and make it part of the growth of La Trinidad not only as a destination for business but also a destination for tourist from all over the country,” said Boncato.
Meanwhile, during the Strawberry Festival main program in March 18 , the municipal government spearheaded the civic parade along the main road. A traditional “owik” ritual or offering of pigs was also done by the elders with Mayor Romeo Salda.
As highlight of the Strawberry Festival celebration, a street dancing and float parade was held on March 23 participated in by delegates of the 16 barangays and participants from the schools and the private sectors in their colorful cultural and floral inspired attires and the environmentally crafted non-motorized floats.
Another highlight is the unveiling and serving of the replica of the giant strawberry short cake This year’s Strawberry Festival has the theme “La Trinidad: My Home… My Pride. **
JDP/RMC & Princes Sinadjan- PIA-CAR/ UCU Intern
