GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/ 26 July) — Residents will get another treat of sumptuous lechon or roast pig as the city government and local swine producers celebrate the 9th Lechon Festival on Saturday, July 28.
Chester Warren Tan, president of the South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (Socospa), said they are all set for the festivity, which will be highlighted by a parade and boodle fight of delectable lechon.
He said they will serve at least 35 lechons donated by their members for the boodle fight slated before noon infront of the city’s oval plaza grandstand.
In coordination with the city government, he said they have invited 50 residents from each of the city’s 26 barangays to join the boodle fight, along with city officials and representatives of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) from parts of the country.
Tan said they are targeting to come up with a kilometer-long boodle setup for the event, which is dubbed “Lechon Fun Boodlefight.”
“This will be dry run as we’re planning to double or triple it next year and bid for a possible Guinness world record,” Tan said in a press conference at the city hall on Wednesday.
Tan, who also chairs the NFHFI, said they are planning to discuss the matter with the Guinness World Records and propose for its entry as one of the world record categories.
He said they will file the application six months before the 10th edition of the Lechon Festival next year.
“If accepted, this will be something that our city and even the entire country can be proud of,” he said.
In line with the Lechon Festival, Socospa will also hold a fun run and the 9th Livestock Swine Sector and Suppliers Night that will be held at the KCC Mall Convention Center.
The festival is among the highlights of the city’s annual business month dubbed Yabong Maliliit na Negosyo or Yaman GenSan.
It aims to promote the growth and development of the city’s thriving livestock industry, especially the swine sector.
Tan said they are specifically aiming to establish the city and eventually the entire Region 12 or Soccsksargen as the country’s livestock capital.
He said the move is aligned with the Department of Agriculture’s initiative “tasking Region 12 to become the food basket of the Philippines.”
Tan said they are currently coordinating with the city government and other agencies for the implementation of more support programs that would encourage the expansion of the area’s swine industry.
Data from the Department of Agriculture 12’s Veterinary Quarantine Services showed that the city and nearby South Cotabato province produces some 120,000 heads of excess hogs annually, valued at over P1 billion. (MindaNews)