Some 4,500 bangus (milkfish), malaga, and other high-value fish have been released into the city’s river system as a thanksgiving activity for the Bangus Festival celebration this year.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mayor Marc Brian Lim said rivers not only add to the aesthetic but also provide livelihood to many Dagupeños.

“Pasasalamat po ang alay natin sa ating Lumikha na nagbigay sa atin ng mayamang kailogan na siya nating pinagkukunan ng masagang ani. Tama at nararapat po lamang na magbigay din tayo sa ating mga natatanggap na biyaya. I-appreciate po natin ang kagandahan ng ating mga ilog (We offer thanks to our Creator for giving us rivers where we get a bountiful fish harvest. It is right and we should give back the blessings we have received. Let us appreciate the beauty of our rivers),” he said.

The fingerlings were from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the city government.

BFAR Ilocos regional director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan said this is BFAR’s contribution to the stock enhancement or resource enhancement.

Meanwhile, the Bangus Festival 2022’s opening ceremony was held on Monday with the switching of festival lights.

Lim reiterated that the Bangus Festival this year is a thanksgiving activity, not just a celebration, and it is also a day of economic opportunity for many Dagupeños.

Among the other highlights of the opening ceremony was the unveiling of the new Kalutan Ed Dalan Marker along A.B. Fernandez Avenue.

The marker bears the Dagupan City’s World’s Longest Barbecue from the Guinness World Records set in 2003, the record was made during the holding of the Kalutan ed Dalan when the 10,000 pieces of bangus were grilled in the longest barbecue grill measuring 1,007.56 meters long.

“This is a symbol that we are returning the Bangus Festival to the people, in its original location,” he said.

He added the festival’s resumption after two years would be a “great opportunity” for the public market vendors, public transport sectors, and other businesses in the central business district to increase their income.

Lim said due to the short time of preparation, only a number of activities were readied, including the most awaited Kalutan Ed Dalan street party.

The activities lined up are mural painting to be held on April 22, cycling event at the De Venecia Expressway on April 24, Youth Festival to be held at the People’s Astrodome, and SM Center Dagupan on April 26, mass wedding at the People’s Astrodome on April 27, and the traditional event Bangus Rodeo on April 28 at the city plaza.

Bangus Festival was formed in August 2001 and formally launched in 2002 by then-Mayor Benjamin Lim.

It was organized not only as a marketing tool for Dagupan’s bangus product but also to establish the city’s own festival.

The festival practically paved the way for other towns and cities in the province of Pangasinan to establish their own local festivals. (PNA)