President GMA Opens the 29th Lanzones Festival

Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cuts the ribbon marking the opening of the 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival and Agro-Industrial Technology Trade Fair. She is accompanied by Hon. Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo and Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo

President GMA opens 29th Camiguin Lanzones Festival and Agro-Industrial Technology Fair. Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Party landed at the Camiguin Airport in the afternoon of October 18, 2008 to once again grace THE OPENING OF THE 29TH Lanzones Festival. They proceeded to the Provincial Tourism Center/ Grandstand where the program took place.

As guest speaker, the Prsident was introduced by Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano. In her speech, the President praised the Camiguingnons for working together for the continuity of progress not only for the people but also Tourism. Camiguin was identified as the 2nd favorite tourist destination in Northern Mindanao with a 200% increase in tourist arrivals in 1997. She also praised the sweet lanzones and the warm hospitality of the people which explains why domestic and foreign tourists keep coming back to the island.

In the fight for poverty reduction, the President congratulated Camiguin for now ranking 36ht (middle class) from previously being one of the top 10 poorest provinces in the Philippines -a sign that there is progress and development; she was hoping that the Camiguingnons will keep on striving to perform better. "If we unite together, we'll succeed in the storm of economy," she challenged.

The President also cited the government's program on rice distribution from national down to barangay levels via the "Tindahan Natin" outlets and persuaded the Provincial Econimic team to keenly watch and meticulously inspect the price setting of goods in the market to prevent suppliers and retailers from taking advantage of consumers.

In addition to all these, she emphatically expressed her gratitude to Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo and Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo for their unending political support, and expressed her appreciation to the Camiguingnons for supporting her administration all the way even during her Senatorial candidacy.

" And now as we are celebrating the Lanzones Festival, and Christmas is fast approaching, let us give thanks to the graces we received and look forward to the future with hope, confidence and optimism," President GMA called on the to the Camiguingnons.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo, in his message conveyed his thanks to the President for finding time out from their hectic schedule to be with the Camiguingnons, and for her unending support to the province specifically in taking steps to rsolve its current problem on rice shortage and the "Katas ng Vat" power subsidy to qualified power consumers in the province (referring to consumers) effective on the month of October 2008.

Representative Pedro P. Romualdo of the Lone District of Camiguin expressed his gratitude to Her Excellency for always supporting the developmental projects of the province despite the apparent global economic crisis. In fact, the President already released almost P70 million to subsidize various government projects, particularly the upgrading of the roll-on, roll-off ports which is great help in linking island-Province to the various major seaports in the country as part of her Strong Republic Nautical Highway Program.

As part of the program, the President led the traditional breaking of pots containing lanzones, water and coins as "pabuenas". She was assisted by Secretary Ace Durano, Congressman Pedro P. Romualdo, Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo, and Mayor Ma. Luisa D. Romualdo of Mambajao.

The President and other Officials thereafter moved on to the adjoining Agro-Industrial technology Trade Fair for its inauguration and ribbon-cutting. The trade fair offered an assortment of various booths, one of which was Camiguin's One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) display center. Other booths comprised of fresh fruits, vegetables, plants ornaments, jewelries, food and drinks, cakes, home appliances, souvenir items and others. They took some time to mov e around and mingle with some people, before they were escorted back to the airport. The President left Camiguin that same afternoon. (Carmela A. Lerion/ Emila M. Miculob/ Leonil Parades)