AGRI-FAIR KICKS OFF
Farmers from Brgy. Inlagadian, Casay and Escuala were given stalls inside the Orok Cold Spring Resort where they can sell their agricultural produce, such as fruits and vegetables, directly to tourists. The said stalls for farmers, locally known as talipapa, made of bamboos, are for free for farmer’s use, constructed at CWD’s exclusive expense in connection with the Agri-Fair, which was officially opened on May 1, 2019, as component of the Be Cool Inlagadian LGU-CWD tourism program.
Incidentally, the Agri-Fair is also an integral part of the CWD’s livelihood program aims to provide an alternative means of livelihood in Barangay Inlagadian and nearby barangays, in an effort to protect the watershed. CWD believes that with alternative means of livelihood made available, the Inlagadian forest could be spared from further denudation. Last year, the District also launched the Mushroom Culture and production as a livelihood program.
The Casiguran Water District was made partner of the local government in the promotion of tourism program. This decision by the Local Chief Executive, the Hon. Jose Edwin B. Hamor, was anchored on the basis of CWD’s long-time experience in handling the premier tourist destination of the municipality, the Orok Cold Spring Resort, where the water source is also located. The said resort is host to over a hundred thousand local and foreign tourists annually.
The members of the Board of Directors of Casiguran Water District, headed by Chairman Ruiz H. Jersey, were all in attendance during the simple Opening Ceremony of the Agri Fair. The Local Government was represented by Angel A. Ayala, the Public Information Officer and also the Municipal Tourism Officer. The Agri Fair is intended to be a continuous program. With an available opportunity for farmers to sell their produce, it is expected that they will be encouraged to plant more.