Capitol agro fair kicks off Cebu's 449th anniversary

CEBU, Philippines — Agricultural and fishery products from Cebu will be highlighted at an agro trade fair at the Capitol grounds starting today until August 6, the provincial government said.

The fair, dubbed "Tabo sa Kapitolyo (Agro-Fair)," is part of the province's 449th founding anniversary on August 6. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cebu's 51 local government units in the province will have booths where they can sell their products during the fair.

Vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant, pechay, radish, beans, squash, chili and spices will be featured along with fruits like avocado, mango, santol, and banana.

Likewise to be featured are processed agri-products, such as camote chips and banana chips.

Other local delicacies, such as roasted native chicken, budbud kabog, moron, and chicharon, among others will also be displayed.

The fair will also feature ornamental plants and furniture.

Prices are reportedly lower than the prevailing market prices in the city.

Aside from the agri-fishery fair, each office of the provincial government will also take turn in conducting activities to commemorate the province's Charter Day.

In line with the celebration, Cebuanos will enjoy a special non-working holiday on August 6 in accordance with Republic Act 7698.

The law was amended by RA 8952, which extends the scope of the holiday covering the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, as well as other component cities.

In 1993, a resolution was approved by the Provincial Board stating that Spain's King Philip II, in a royal cedula, appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as Governor of Cebu on August 6, 1569.

A portion of the said PB resolution reads, "The appointment of Legazpi as governor and captain general, with definition of his duties and powers, as well as the existence of a de facto or emerging province could well mark the foundation, although loosely, of a Province of Cebu." (FREEMAN)