A three-day food fair and bazaar showcasing the city of Batac’s products are being exhibited Wednesday until Friday at the second floor of the Batac Riverside Empanadaan to re-stimulate the local economy amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Open to all small entrepreneurs with registered and non-registered businesses, organizers said at least 25 slots were allotted for Batac residents while the remaining five may come from non-residents.
“The participants are strictly for booth type business only such as those who sell cooked and uncooked food, non-alcoholic beverages and all brand new dry goods,” the organizers from the City Tourism Office said citing the event coincides with the city’s 14th Charter Day celebration.
In view of the ongoing pandemic, Batac Mayor Albert Chua said he is limiting the conduct of crowd-drawing events except for the organized food fair and bazaar in support of local enterprises which are struggling in this time of health crisis.
He, however, reiterated that all participants and visitors must adhere to minimum health protocols to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
Batac City is known for its famous empanada, considered as its one-town-one-product (OTOP). Locals and tourists alike enjoy this half-moon orange snack of crisp, thin rice flour wrapper stuffed with grated green papaya, mongo, longganisa, and egg. It is deep-fried and dipped in spicy Ilocos vinegar.
Aside from the food fair and bazaar, a food vlog and photo cycling contests were simultaneously launched on Wednesday, inviting food and cycling enthusiasts to show the heritage beauty of Batac by promoting local culinary traditions and practices and at the same time, rediscover the city’s bicycle travel attractions.
Submission of entry starts June 23 and not later than June 30. For short filmmaking contest, the running time must not exceed seven minutes but not shorter than three minutes. The short video entries shall be submitted to tourismbatac@gmail.com on or before July 2, 2021. (PNA)
Photo Credit: www.ilocosnorte.gov.ph
