Agew na Managsigay highlights river protection
CELEBRATING the river as a valuable resource and honouring fisherfolks were the focus of the Agew na Managsigay held December 27, one of the events of the 2013 Dagupan City Fiesta.
More than 60 decorated boats joined the fluvial parade and fingerlings of bangus, tilapia, seabass, and shrimp were released into the Pantal River as a livelihood source.
The event — led by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas and Fiesta Hermano Mayor Atty. Liberato Reyna, Jr. — also honored St. John the Evangelist, the patron saint of Dagupan who was a fisherman himself.
City Agriculturist Emma Molina said this year’s fluvial parade drew more participants compared to last year’s that only attracted 20.
The Best Decorated Boat award went to Barangay Caranglaan, followed by Lucao and Tebeng, respectively, while Pantal won three: Most Festive Shoreline, Best River Boat Decoration and Biggest Crowd awards.
In her message, Fernandez encouraged all Dagupeños to love and protect the river as this will in turn give them with a bountiful harvest and sustain their livelihood.
Villegas, for his part, underscored the importance of clean water as he recalled that during his youth, water directly from the source was potable and could be had for free.
“Noong kabataan ko ay hindi binibili ang tubig subalit ngayon ay kailangan nang bilhin,” Villegas said. (CIO)
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