MASANTOL -- Fourth district Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc on Tuesday, May 2, lauded Mayor Danilo Guintu and other local officials of this town for institutionalizing the Seafood Festival.
Bondoc, who personally attended the opening ceremonies of the homegrown festival, said that the event has given identity to this fourth district town as the largest producer of various seafood not only in the province, but in the whole of Central Luzon as well.
“Bista man pung atyu la king sulok ning probinsya, mekaisip lang masanting a programa deng mayap tamung manungkulan nung nokarin magbenepisyo aliwa mu ding balen nune pati ding memalen (Despite being at the farthest part of the province, the good local officials here managed to come up with a program where the municipality and its people benefit),” Bondoc said.
Bondoc stressed that through the festival, the municipality is able to promote its biggest and most distinct products which is seafood that greatly impacts the economy of this town.
He added that the tourism sector also benefits from the annual event as it attracts hundreds of local and foreign visitors, including balik-bayans.
“Apat ya pamu pung banwa pero ing success at mileage a disnan na ning festival, malawut na. Ditak ditak makikilala ya ing balen Masantol at dadayuhan dane pu (It is just on its fourth year yet it has achieved wide success and mileage. Little by little, Masantol town is being recognized and is now being visited by tourists),” he noted.
Bondoc gave credit to Guintu for initiating such a festival and included it in his long list of developmental project for his hometown.
He stressed that without the good vision of the incumbent local chief executive, Masantol will no longer remain a sleeping town which is deprived of progress.
To further generate development, Bondoc said that Masantol will be one of the municipalities that will benefit from the impending construction of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) interchange in Sto. Tomas town, plus a planned bypass road.
He explained that the P304-million road network project will provide direct and easy access from Masantol town going to Manila through NLEx.
The said project will pass nearby Apalit and San Simon towns which will decongest traffic in the said area, he added.
The two-day Seafood Festival which ended yesterday showcased different kinds of seafood such as tilapia, shrimp, crabs and clams.
The 26 village also participated in a street dance competition wearing colorful and innovative costumes. Sto. Niño village was declared winner and took home the P10,000 grand prize.
