Cadiz City in Negros Occidental distributed 1,000 rattan-made baskets under the “Balik Alat” program as part of the ongoing 2026 Dinagsa Festival Fiesta Fair.

The northern Negros city promotes the “Balik Alat,” which translates to bringing back the native basket in Hiligaynon, in strengthening its commitment to environmental protection and in compliance with the ordinance regulating the use of single-use plastics.

City Agriculturist Jocelyn Say said on Thursday the ceremonial handover of the baskets to Cadiznons during the fair opening on Jan. 19 fulfills the vision of Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.

“That is, to empower communities, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. Bringing back the basket revives our culture and creates a greener future together for Cadiz,” she added.

City Ordinance 13-2021, which regulates the use, sale, or provision of plastic bags and other single-use plastics in Cadiz, was fully enforced starting Oct. 1, 2025, according to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Negros Occidental OIC Provincial Agriculturist Dina Genzola, who graced this year’s Dinagsa Festival Fiesta Fair launch, welcomed the “Balik Alat Program” that uses indigenous resources and highlights skills of indigenous people who make the native baskets.

“The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist is grateful for a platform like this to support the campaign regulating the use of single-use plastics,” she added.

Genzola also lauded the staging of the fair as it empowers the local agri-fishery sector, opens doors for livelihood, and promotes enterprise growth that allows farmers to become “agripreneurs”.

“More than a showcase and promotion of products, it is a testament to the resilience and hard work of our local communities through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo,” she added.

The 2026 Dinagsa Festival Fiesta Fair, which runs until Jan. 23 at the Cadiz City Park, features locally made food products, agricultural produce and handicrafts.

“The city government continues to strengthen the agricultural sector and support farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, and micro, small, and medium enterprises through its various initiatives,” Escalante said in a statement.

In this year’s Dinagsa Festival Fiesta Fair, the city government partners with the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, a program that implements a farm-to-consumer market chain to eliminate intermediaries, allowing local producers to generate higher income by selling their produce directly to consumers. (PNA)