THE walls of La Trinidad in Benguet will once again be filled with painted murals.

The mural painting contest has long been part of the Strawberry Festival.

It is designed to increase the students’ awareness of the importance of agro-eco tourism, sportsmanship, unity and friendship.

Paintings have been inked along the stretch of Kilometer 5 to 6, as the Mural Painting Committee have already started receiving entries from all high school, college students and out of school youths who must adhere to designs that incorporate this year's theme: "La Trinidad's Strawberries Forever."

Participants will be judged based on the painting's relevance to the theme, presentation and composition, neatness and impact. Winners will be awarded with P4,000 to P8,000 cash prize.

Competition will officially start on March 22 as participants paint in the one meter (height) by 2.5meters (width) walls of the municipal gym.

Mural Painting committee member Renante Omiles said for three consecutive years, the activity enjoins students to participate in the annual festival.

The activity also serves as a venue for students to express their creativity.

"Vegetables, strawberries, and flowers via painting and arts were showcased as the bread and butter of the municipality. This shows awareness of the contribution of the agriculture [sector] to the economy," said Omiles.

With the paintings, the committee also hopes to lessen the eyesore and remove the betel nut, locally known as "momma," from the walls.

In the past year, the festival also opened art lane and exhibits by students from the three universities in Baguio City.

Meanwhile, La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda issued an executive order lifting the number coding scheme in the municipality from March 15 to March 27 due to the expected stakeholders and visitors to attend the annual festival.

"In order to allow better mobility and for the private vehicles of visitors to have easier access to the municipality there is a need to suspend the implementation of the number coding scheme," said Salda.

March 16 is a special non-working day in the municipality.