12th National Mango Congress in Pangasinan kicks off
LINGAYEN,
Feb. 24 (PNA) -- A three-day 12th National Mango Congress kicked off on
Wednesday (February 24) at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Cultural
Center here with over 500 participants from various regions of the
country.
The Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) and
the Federation of Mango Growers and Handlers of Pangasinan, Inc. are
co-sponsoring the Congress with the province of Pangasinan as host.
Virginia de la Fuente, PMIFI president, said Pangasinan is
the biggest province in the production of mango, accounting for at least
38 percent of the nation’s total, with Isabela in far second at five
percent; and Cebu, three percent.
Calling Pangasinan as run-away winner in mango production
throughout the country, De la Fuente sought that the country need not
export just green mangoes but also processed mangoes.
The keynote speaker was Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who
was represented by Dr. Rene Rafael Espino, national program coordinator
of the GMA-High Value Commercial Crops Program of the Department of
Agriculture.
Governor Amado Espino Jr., the guest of honor and speaker,
said the Congress is necessary for the Philippine mango to establish a
stronger foothold in the global export market.
The national mango congress is an annual event in order to
gather mango stakeholders throughout the country to thresh-out issues
and vital concerns besetting the industry and to come up with plans and
action to address the problems.
This is the first time that the National Mango Congress is
being held in Pangasinan.
This year’s theme is “Maximizing Mango Growers Income Thru
Cheaper Farm Inputs and Thru Processing of Pre and Post Harvest
Rejects.”
Different mango-related topics will be discussed during the
three-day sessions which include presentation of new technologies and
practices for enhancement of mango industry in the country.
Other activities include a welcome dinner fellowship for the
participants hosted by the provincial officials headed by Gov. Amado T.
Espino, Jr., Sangguniang Panlalawigan members headed by Vice Gov.
Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and the provincial department heads.
Likewise, the participants will be toured on February 26 to
the Dasolan Mango Farm in Dasol town, Lucap Hundred Islands and Lucap
Wharf in Alaminos City.
Other tour destinations are Pangasinan Tropical Fruits
Processing Area, Manaoag Shrine and San Roque Dam in San Manual. (PNA)
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