The “Tiringbanay” (Coming Together) Festival of this capital town of Antique is a venue to give importance to farmers and fisherfolk.

San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Elmer Untaran said on Wednesday that this year’s festival set on April 19 to May 1, coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, will have activities dedicated to their sector.

“Farmers and fisherfolks will have their special event on April 30,” he said in a press conference.

Twenty farmers and 16 fisherfolk associations will gather for an exhibit of their products at the Evelio B. Javier Park.

San Jose de Buenavista municipal agriculture officer Lucia Bantolo said the one-day exhibit will provide an opportunity to sell their newly harvested vegetable, such as string beans and fish catch.

“Our farmers and fisherfolks really faced challenges because of the El Niño phenomenon that we would like to provide them an opportunity where they could sell their products,” she said.

San Jose de Buenavista incurred PHP32.9 million in losses on rice crops and PHP220,500 on corn due to drought.

Bantolo further said that in addition to the exhibit, farmers and fisherfolk will also have their song and dance competition on the same day.

There will also be a singing contest among their children.

Other activities during the festival are the beauty pageant, jobs fair, band, motocross, food festival, and street dancing on May 1. (PNA)