THE “Taste and Fun of Silay” is what Silay City Pavilion can offer to those who are visiting Panaad Sa Negros 2013 Festival product display pavilion. Silay City has been elevated in the Hall of Fame after winning three First Place trophies in the LGU destination pavilion category (2009, 2010, and 2011).
This year (2013), Silay is again participating in the competition arena on the theme, “Celebrating Negros as the Philippines’ Leaders in Organic Agriculture.” The Silay City Pavilion has made its site a haven for organic farming in cooperation with the integrated upland farmers, high value crop cultivators, backyard gardeners and NGO organic product producers. It also teams up with Hawaiian-Philippine Co., Fresh Start Organic, Silay City Association of Native Delicacy Producers, Mariel’s Bakery, Guinhalaran Pottery, Liga Ng Mga Baranggay and IKAW-AKO Japan Negros Partnership for Environmental Protection.
Silay City Department of Agriculture, through Jason Benedicto (OIC – City Agriculturist) has achieved the following awards in 2012: first place, best food security corner (Panaad); finalist, outstanding performers on staple food sufficiency program (Panaad); finalist, outstanding home maker (Panaad); first place, outstanding high value crop farmer (Panaad); first place outstanding crop farmer (Region VI); first place; best producers basket (Organic Negros); first place, most product variety award (Organic Negros); first place, bayo-disig contest (Organic Negros); recipient of the award ‘Invaluable Contribution to the Marine Turtle Conservation Program; and regional champion in the ‘Gawad Saka Agri-Achivers for the Outstanding High Value Commercial Crop Farmer.
Mayor Jose Montelibano said that Panaad guests will be attended to by the staff of Tourism and Agriculture Office in its version of ‘Silay Goes Organic’. There will be the presentation of the traditional farm implements; modern post-harvest facilities; display and sale of fruits, vegetables, root crops, potted herbs, potted fruit tree seedlings, poultry products, marine products, staple food, and other exotic product of the communities.
Three organic tour packages will be offered by Silay. ‘The Taste and Fun of Silay’ includes a walk tour at the native delicacies barter trade, ‘masa’ breakfast, toast of native coffee, visit at the organic farm for demo, organic lunch, a visit at the folklore village to meet the haciendero people and be a part of their rituals. ‘Sentimental Journey to Patag’ features the delicacies of El Ideal and Mariel’s bakeries, during the Second World War, and star gazing at night. The third packages are ‘Seafood and Iron Dinosaur’. This includes a mangrove tour passing the longest bamboo bridge in Western Visayas, an encounter with the steam locomotive, a personal experience in harvesting lettuce and guests going home with packs of mascovado sugar.
Silay City…life is sweeter here and the past serves as the springboard of the future. Join us in our organic sojourn by improving health and living through sustaining nature’s best. Together, let us create a wonderful world for organic farming. Let’s keep it that way!