CONSIDERED the fruit basket of Benguet, Sablan town staged the 5th Fruit Festival featuring eight floats bedecked with fresh fruits.

Mayor Manuel Munar Jr. said the three-day event from September 2-4 highlights different fresh fruits harvested from the town's eight barangays.

For this year, he said production of fruits declined because of Habagat and pests like stem borer.

"Despite the low production this year, farmers should not be discouraged and let us all help each other," Munar said.

He added that Sablan has established markets in Baguio City and La Trinidad.

Together with the opening program is the launching of three-day agro industrial trade fair, which was launched Monday, September 2, in front of the satellite market of Poblacion featuring fresh fruits from barangays Poblacion, Pappa, Kamog, Bayabas, Banengbeng, Banangan, Baluay and Bagong.

A fruit medley made of fresh slices of pomelo, guava, lansones, dragon fruit, papaya, was shared by local officials, visitors and stakeholders.

The fruit festival also featured a one-day free haircut, training on fruit processing and special competition of the heaviest banana bunch and jackfruit, showcase of sweetest papaya, pomelo, guyabano, pineapple and fruit and berries planting competition.

The festival continues with upcoming activities, including a ground demonstration from the academe, elementary and high school division and an open category for the out of school youths, civil society organizations.

A Diskwento Caravan is also set from September 2-4 and farmers congress on Tuesday, September 3.

Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas congratulated the officialdom of the municipality for its 5th fruit festival.