LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Local officials and participants are calling for increased funding to sustain the annual Strawberry Festival as rising costs and meager budgets stretch the limits of the community’s premier celebration.
La Trinidad Vice Mayor Guiller Galwan said securing a sufficient budget remains the primary challenge for an event of this scale, and to bridge the gap, the municipal government relies heavily on bidding the parking area for the strawberry trade fair to generate necessary revenue.
Valred Olsim, the municipal tourism officer, explained that the local government leases the parking area at the public market for the trade fair. The lease generates approximately P6.5 million, which must cover the costs of the entire month-long festivity.
“There are a lot of events, so we try to stretch the P6 million as much as we can,” Olsim said. The financial strain is felt acutely at the grassroots level.
Frederick Tao-ing, the barangay captain of Ambiong, said the funds allocated to individual villages are “truly insufficient,” especially following a sudden spike in the price of flowers.
The lack of funding was visible in this year’s parade. Tao-ing noted that several barangays were forced to use leaves for their floats instead of full floral coverage to manage costs.
Despite these hurdles, an estimated 12,000 people gathered Saturday, March 21, for the grand parade. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the festival featured the theme “Limitless La Trinidad: Heart, Harvest, Harmony.” The event showcased eight floats from local barangays, two from community partners, five drum and lyre corps, and six cultural groups.
For the performers, the show went on largely through personal sacrifice. Several drum and lyre coordinators noted that performance costs were subsidized by schools and the out-of-pocket expenses of parents and students.
“There is no financial return on investment in this, but seeing them happy and enjoying what they do is the most important thing to us,” said Joyce Polonio, a coordinator from Buyagan Elementary School.
Jhoerace Camolo, a performer from La Trinidad National High School, said students had to be resourceful, using a mix of rented and borrowed attire. “There were also inadequate materials used for the props because of the lack of budget,” Camolo said.
To improve the festival’s reach and funding potential, officials and residents are looking toward better promotion. Galwan credited media partners and social media for boosting the event’s recognition, but some locals believe the municipal government could do more.
“La Trinidad is quite limited when it comes to their postings,” said resident Cheene Akiapes, comparing the town’s digital presence to nearby Baguio City. “It’s more open there.”
The Strawberry Festival was established in 1981 by then-Mayor Hilarion “Abe” Pawid and was institutionalized in 2011. While the financial outlook remains tight, Tao-ing said the community’s spirit remains the festival’s strongest asset. Caryl Sumulong and Tuesday Javar/UP Baguio Intern