IFUGAO TOWN HIGHLIGHTS ITS OWN TOWN, ONE PRODUCT IN FESTIVAL

May 11, 2025 Community Billboard

LAMUT, Ifugao

The municipality of Lamut highlighted its One Town, One Product (OTOP) – tilapia – in its “Rambakan” fiesta and 66th founding
anniversary. All the 18 barangays of Lamut participated in the tilapia grilling contest, which also showcased the camaraderie and unity of the townspeople. Rolly Dulnuan, head of the Tilapia Grilling Committee, shared that the activity aimed to promote tilapia as Lamut’s official OTOP. The local government unit provided each barangay 20 kilos of tilapia for grilling, and eight kilos of tilapia for any dish of their preference, as well as 10 kilos of rice. Forty kilos of tilapia were also provided for the LGU personnel and guests who wanted to join in the grilling.

As grilling involves various stages, the participants share tasks and work together, and share tips and secrets enhancing the flavor of tilapia while fostering unity and cooperation, and building rapport among communities. Entries were judged based on the following criteria: preparation (15%), workmanship (35%), timeliness(10%), and taste and presentation (40%). The public partook in lunch the grilled tilapia and the varied tilapia dishes. The barangay also brought vegetables from their farms as side dishes for lunch, further
promoting local produce. “Daytoy nga maiprakpraktis kada tawen ket napintas la unay tapnu agkaykaysa amin nga 18 barangays, tapnu maencourage met ti dadduma, kabataan ken il-ili tapnu ipraktis da met ti kastoy,” said Poblacion East.Kagawad Daxon Cariño.

(This annual practice is a great opportunity for all 18 barangays to come together and to encourage others especially the youth and
neighboring towns to do the same.) Conchita Gacusan from Barangay Sanafe Kagawad Rosalina Pad-ig of Barangay Ambasa expressed support to maintain the tilapia grilling contest and to continue encouraging community participation. Lamut is among the top producers of tilapia in Ifugao, together with the municipalities of Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista. The Hapid Irrigation Project of the National
Irrigation Administration supplies freshwater to fish ponds in Lamut, supporting the local aquaculture industry. The town now boasts its
own private fish hatchery, large-scale organizations, and active enterprises producing fresh, smoked, dried, deboned, and bottled tilapia.

(JDP/FBR-PIA CAR, Ifugao)