With the support of the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) and select national offices, the Nueva Vizcaya Farm Tourism Stakeholders Association (NVFTSA) opened their inaugural Farm Tourism Festival near the Pasalubong Center in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, from December 5 to December 7, 2025.
The NVFTSA organized the momentous event with the backing of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry Region II (DTI-R2), the Department of Tourism Region II (DOT-R2), the PTCO, and the municipal local government unit of Solano (MLGU Solano). Representatives from PTCO, DOT, DTI, and MLGU Solano were present during the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony.
The three-day festival included booths by the participating farms of the province, through which products were exhibited for sale, demonstrations of product creation were carried out, and the experience of each agri-tourism spot was advertised. The participants included Rocel’s Farm; Nic and Jas Berry Farm and Agritourism Park; Edgardo’s Integrated Farm; Humming Strawberry Farm; Selah Coffee Farm House; Courage Integrated Farm; Mynion Homestead Integrated Farm; Camp Farm; Mushroom Creations; and Rockwoods Agritourism Park. The festival also included musical performances by local band Kwerdas, as well as acoustic and karaoke nights encouraging the performance-inclined attendees and fostering community through music.
NVFTSA President Lilibeth Maniwag in her welcome speech expressed the hope that this event would become a regular celebration of farm tourism in the province. Acting PTC Officer Marichelle O. Costales extended her congratulations to the NVFTSA for their conduct of the event and assured the participants of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito’s continued support for tourism in the province. For their part, Councillor Dr. Clifford Tito, representing Solano Mayor Philip Dacayo, acknowledged the gratitude of the NVFTSA for allowing them to host the event in Solano and expressed their own appreciation for their inclusion in its history.
DTI Officer Lenore Lopez similarly congratulated the NVFTSA and reasserted their continued collaboration with the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as the possibility of Novo Vizcayano products becoming nationally and internationally distributable and renowned. This train of thought was followed by former BM and now Councillor Roland Carub, who spoke of recent talks with national exhibitors wherein the MSMEs and the local products of Nueva Vizcaya may be now recognized not only locally, but all around the country.
The steadied combination of tradition and innovation in the province’s agriculture tourism industry, with the support of national agencies and the provincial government, may continue to aid in the ultimate goal of flourishing cultural identity and economic prosperity in Nueva Vizcaya. /igmb
[This article was initially created on Facebook – Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. For PGNV updates, visit: https://www.facebook.com/vizcayareporter]
