PGMA kicks off 30th Lanzones Festival in Camiguin

Oct. 19, 2009 - President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo will kick off the 30th Lanzones Festival here tomorrow, a tradition she has diligently attended each year since she became president in 2001.

Along with Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, the President will break the pot filled with lanzones to formally open the festival. She will then witness the street dancing by the Yumbing National High School children, clad in costumes inspired by the fruit.

The President will arrive by helicopter from Cagayan de Oro to Mambajao airport here. She will be met by Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo; Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo; Mambajao Mayor Ma. Luisa Romualdo; Eastern Mindanao Commanding Gen. Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer; 4ID Commanding Gen. M/Gen. Mario Chan; PNP-10 Regional Director C/Supt. Danilo Empedrad and Air Transport Office Manager Joel Monasterio.

At the Tourism Center, the President will be welcomed by Vice Gov. Leop Lasacar; Mahinog Mayor Alex Jajalla; Catarman Mayor Jose Antonio Gabucan; Guinsiliban Mayor Raul Llacuna; Sagay Mayor Domingo Talian and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said areas planted to lanzones in the province are steadily growing owing to the good prices in the market. Farmgate prices are hitting P30 per kilo. But this same fruit, coming from Camiguin, usually fetches P65 to P70 a kilo in Metro Manila.

Romualdo recalled those 30 years ago, lanzones was just a wild plant scattered by birds in the forest. Now, the locals propagate the fruit trees in plantations.

“At first, we just gave out our harvest as gifts to friends and relatives for certain occasions and get together. But as time passed, it became commercially grown and marketed until it reached its current popularity. Harvest usually starts in September and ends in November,” Romualdo added.

And with the fertilizer subsidy extended by the President to the province for all its agricultural crops, the province is expecting a 10 percent across the board increase in farm productivity (for rice, corn, fruits and vegetables, most especially for its highly-esteemed sweet lanzones).

The President will likewise lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the Agro Industrial Technology Trade Fair, here where a big crowd composed of elected provincial, municipal and barangay officials and tourists and other guests await her short message.