Various fruits are sold in a roadside stall in Kidapawan City. Photo from Kidawapan City Information Office
KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO—The Kidapawan City local government has prepared about 12 tons of various fruits to be offered to the public for free during its 79th founding anniversary festivities on August 18.
Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista said the city government is shelling out at least P1.3 million for the purchase of tropical fruits that will be served during the festivities.
Tropical fruits such as durian, rambutan, lanzones, marang, mangoosten and banana will be served to an estimated 4,000 people who will participate during the civic-military parade as well as to the visitors who will witness the feast’s culmination day.
Long tables made of bamboo will be set up at the Kidapawan City national highway fronting city hall, for the fruit feast.
The fruits, according to the mayor, are sourced from the local fruit farmers in Kidapawan.
Evangelista said that if local supply of fruits is exhausted, the city agriculture office is tasked to purchase from neighboring towns in the region.
The mayor clarified that the fruit feast is open for all.
“This is one way of sharing to all the bountiful fruit harvest in the City of Kidapawan,” Evangelista stressed.
In observance of the city’s founding anniversary, the local government is holding the annual Timpupo (Harvest) Festival.
Marisa Aton, the city agriculture chief, said that at least 12 tons of tropical fruits will be served during the said activity.
Aton also said that they don’t encourage pregnant women, toddlers, minors and senior citizens, and persons with disabilities due to the expected huge crowd.
“We will task all city government employees, police and the Bureau of Fire Protection personnel as marshals to ensure that no one is hurt,” Aton said.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office along with the City Health Office’s doctors and nurses are also deployed along the national highway stretch.