The city government here is targeting to boost the agri-production and excitement of the residents and visitors in its Mango-Bamboo Festival.

The festival that will kick-off on April 25 and will run until April 29 will showcase the agri-livestock cooperatives exposition.

“We would like to address the concerns of agro-businesses at the same time rekindle the excitement of the people on the festival,” said Mayor Julier Resuello in an interview on Monday.

Although there was a festival last year, it was still restricted by the pandemic.

“We had one last year but it was not as grand or long as this year’s festival since we were still at the height of the pandemic and also it was during the election period,” he said.

Resuello admitted that the city’s mango industry has not yet returned to its former glory since it was hit by a typhoon and pests.

He recalled that in 2009, a typhoon brought down 60 percent of their fruit-bearing trees, plus the infestation of pests in the past years.

“We have been coordinating with the Department of Agriculture. We are hoping there will be more research on the breed of mango in our city that is unique in taste and quality and also to address pests on mango trees,” he said.

San Carlos City is also known for the abundance of bamboo in its locality.

With this, residents resorted to making Bahay Kubo, or huts made of bamboo for resorts and residential areas.

Among the activities for the festival are a Thanksgiving Mass, the Gamefowl Expo, Bamboo-han ed Baley, the Mango-Bamboo Festival Street Dancing Competition, the Cancionan ed Plaza, and the Miss San Carlos 2023 pageant.

Tourists may also opt to visit the city’s Minor Basilica of Saint Dominic De Guzman Parish Church, bamboo hut factories, and local restaurants and businesses. (PNA)