The annual Kawayan Festival of the province of South Cotabato is slated from September 17 – 22 this year; this was confirmed by Forester Mary Jane Manlisis, chief of the Forest and Inland Water Management Division (FIWMD) of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).
Manlisis disclosed that the 6-day activity will start with simultaneous activities on September 17 (Sunday) such as marathon and biking from Koronadal City to Banga Bridge and tree-planting activity.
“The municipality of Banga will take charge of the convergence area for the activity as well as the provision of snacks for the participants,” Forester Manlisis added.
Likewise, Manlisis further added that the tree-planting materials will be provided by PEMO and MENRO-T’boli, South Cotabato Economic and Investment Promotions Center will take charge of the marathon race and Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) for the biking activity.
A Riparian Summit is also scheduled on September 18, the highlight of which is the awarding of best practices on bamboo initiatives with PEMO, AVLDA and South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council (SCBIDC) taking charge of the program.
The third day of the festival is devoted to a Bamboo Propagation Training spearheaded by DENR, AVLDA and PEMO and will be followed during the next 2 days by a series of contests such as Luto Kawayan, Laro Kawayan, Likha Kawayan, Pinta Kawayan and Sayaw kawayan, and Bamboo Products Display (Handicrafts).
Awarding of winners of the different contests will be on September 22 which will be followed by a closing program.
Kawayan Festival is a convergence of the different offices of the province together with partners from different national line agencies and other stakeholders.
