The entire week-long abaca celebration was a success for those who received their awards and enjoyed watching the street dancing competition, float parade, abaca stripping, and other competitions that gave color to the festival.
Despite several obstacles and concerns regarding the falling price of Abaca fiber, there are still reasons to appreciate this product species that God has bestowed upon us. This will be a manner of thanking the Lord for providing this type of livelihood in the province.
This pricing may cause a short setback, but it will quickly return to its former price condition.
Whatever the case may be, the festival was intended to commemorate the presence of this God-given grace, raise awareness and promote our region for tourism activity, and find solutions to current and anticipated future problems.
How much more if we stop celebrating this festival, and how will this issue be addressed? This event will provide an opportunity for our line agencies, local government units, and other concerned sectors to brainstorm solutions to the problem.
Collaboration and cooperation are essential for our people and other stakeholders to this fundamental concern for the future benefit of our abaca farmers as well as the province as a whole.
