The barangay of Las Amigos in Mintal district of this City will be celebrating their Pantatan Festival on October 25-28.
The festival’s name is derived from Pantat the native word for catfish which is the prime aquatic produce of this highland barangay.
According to Angelico Santander, barangay captain of Los Amigos, there are 36 registered fishponds in the area. These registered fishponds belong to the group Los Amigos Aquaculture Producers Organization Incorporated.
He said the registered ponds net an average of 1,500 kilos of fishes a day or about 547,000 kilos annually. An equal number are estimated to be produced from non-member ponds.
Aside from fishponds the barangay is also known for pantatan or hitoan, food establishments serving catfish. Santander says that there are at least 17hitoan eateries which line the highway traversing the barangay.
He says that Los Amigos catfish has become famous not just in Davao but also across the country being one of the tastiest. Santander recall that then Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap during his visit to Los Amigos declared that among the hito he tasted from across the country, the fishes in Los Amigo is among the best-tasting.
Santander attributes the tasty catfish to the quality of water that the fishpond are using which are spring water which comes underground. Our water are not from creeks or streams that pass through residential houses. The waters come fresh and clean from underground.
He said that the demand for catfish is growing, even the eateries along the highway are seeing an influx of visitors particularly tourists. Santander said that just last week busloads of Taiwanese tourists were seen at one of the highway eateries in Los Amigos. Tour agencies are bringing the tourists here He says.
Almost all Hotels and restaurants in the city are now also serving Los Amigos hito. This is driving demand for local catfish up, as Santander admits the current supply cannot yet meet the demand of the local market.
He says they are still trying to concentrate on the local market before going after the more lucrative export markets. “We are trying to produce quality food for the city’s food security.” Santander said of his barangay’s market priority.
Next week’s Pantatan Festival will highlight a Sugbahan sa Kalsada (Roadside Grill) where catfish catch will be grilled along the highway for residents and visitors to taste. [PIA 11/R.Alama]
The festival’s name is derived from Pantat the native word for catfish which is the prime aquatic produce of this highland barangay.
According to Angelico Santander, barangay captain of Los Amigos, there are 36 registered fishponds in the area. These registered fishponds belong to the group Los Amigos Aquaculture Producers Organization Incorporated.
He said the registered ponds net an average of 1,500 kilos of fishes a day or about 547,000 kilos annually. An equal number are estimated to be produced from non-member ponds.
Aside from fishponds the barangay is also known for pantatan or hitoan, food establishments serving catfish. Santander says that there are at least 17hitoan eateries which line the highway traversing the barangay.
He says that Los Amigos catfish has become famous not just in Davao but also across the country being one of the tastiest. Santander recall that then Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap during his visit to Los Amigos declared that among the hito he tasted from across the country, the fishes in Los Amigo is among the best-tasting.
Santander attributes the tasty catfish to the quality of water that the fishpond are using which are spring water which comes underground. Our water are not from creeks or streams that pass through residential houses. The waters come fresh and clean from underground.
He said that the demand for catfish is growing, even the eateries along the highway are seeing an influx of visitors particularly tourists. Santander said that just last week busloads of Taiwanese tourists were seen at one of the highway eateries in Los Amigos. Tour agencies are bringing the tourists here He says.
Almost all Hotels and restaurants in the city are now also serving Los Amigos hito. This is driving demand for local catfish up, as Santander admits the current supply cannot yet meet the demand of the local market.
He says they are still trying to concentrate on the local market before going after the more lucrative export markets. “We are trying to produce quality food for the city’s food security.” Santander said of his barangay’s market priority.
Next week’s Pantatan Festival will highlight a Sugbahan sa Kalsada (Roadside Grill) where catfish catch will be grilled along the highway for residents and visitors to taste. [PIA 11/R.Alama]
