(Goats in costume. Photo by Ernie Esconde)
BALANGA City, Bataan – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) held in Bataan starting Wednesday the two-day goat festival considered as the first in the Philippines.
Known as Goat Fiesta, the Bataan People’s Center and the capitol ground in this city were scenes of merry-making with a group of students from the Bataan Peninsula State University performing native dances.
Fiesta stands for “Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda.”
Various exhibits on dairy products, some from goat milk were presented.
Goat milk was used at the ceremonial toasts of Senator JV Ejercito, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia and other officials.
There was a goat show where goats donned colorful costumes. Goats of different breeds were also presented for public viewing.
Marcos and Ejercito wanted the revitalization of agriculture in the country, noting its poor state.
“Ang dapat sigaw, make agriculture great again. Ibalik ang panahon na ang buong mundo dumarayo sa Pilipinas upang matuto ng pagtatanim ng palay at mais,” Marcos said.
She said it was time for the country to be back to its being No. 1 in the field of agriculture for the Philippines is not lagging in research.
“Sa panahon na tayo ng high-tech agriculture that will result to high productivity to end poverty. We are left behind, and it is time to catch up. Sana maibalik na Green Revolution, Masagana 99,” Marcos said.
Green Revolution and Masagana 99 were projects during the time of former President Marcos, her father.
She said Masagana 99 can further be improved. “Mas mataas ngayon ang antas ng agham sa agrikultura. Maraming high breed rice ngayon,” the young Marcos said.
Ejercito recalled that the country was the training ground on rice production for students from some foreign countries but it is now the opposite. “Tayo na bumibili ng bigas sa kanila. Kailangan nang ibalik ang sigla sa agrikultura,” the senator said.
He said he filed a resolution in the senate on anti-rice smuggling that was already approved into a law. “Ito’y bilang pagbibigay ng proteksiyon sa mga magsasaka,” Ejercito said.
Governor Garcia said festivals like the goat fiesta can create awareness. “Ang goat-raising ay anti-inflation, anti-poverty. Maliit na puhunan, malaki ang balik.”
He said the provincial veterinarian will start a program on goat raising for additional food security in the province.
Assisting DOST – PCAARRD in the goat festival were the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium, Central Luzon State University, BPSU and the Bataan provincial government.
