BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Riverside Zone represented by Barangay Tocucan emerged as the undisputed champion and is entitled to P27,000 for having the Best Booth during the Agri-Craft Trade Fair.
The Agri-Craft Trade Fair is part of the activities in celebration of the 115th Bontoc Foundation Day and 19th Am-among Festival this September.
The trade fair offered agricultural products grown, produced, and processed by the local farmers; fisherfolks; and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the 16 barangays of Bontoc.
Also, crafts made by the locals such as woven garments and bags were displayed and sold at affordable prices during the weeklong duration of the trade fair.
Upland Zone came in second place and with a prize of P24,000. The third place with a prize of P22,000 and the fourth place with a prize of P15,000 went to the Albago Zone and Central zones, respectively.
Assistant Municipal Agriculturist Catherine Agcon said the contest aimed to promote the products of Bontoc’s diligent farmers and showcase local goods directly from the source, eliminating middlemen and ensuring that the finest quality reaches consumers.
The criteria for judging include originality (30 percent), product display (35 percent), sustainability (20 percent), and sales (15 percent).
Bontoc Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., lauded the barangays, adding the four zones are well-represented.
He also commended the barangays for ensuring the availability of their local products throughout the Agri-Craft Trade Fair.
The panel of judges is composed of Provincial Agriculturist Dominga Cabatu from the Provincial Government of Mountain Province, Senior Trade and Industry Development Jones Malwagay, and Paul Pinos-an who represented Provincial Head Minerva Songaben from the Department of Science and Technology-Mountain Province. – Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay and Nicole Shayne Fidchao
