Bambanti Festival 2026 honors outstanding rice farmer heroes
January 24, 2026
Public Information Office
Ten individuals were recognized as outstanding rice farmer heroes during the Bambanti Festival 2026 held at the Isabela Sports Complex today.
The awardees are Hernando M. Hipolito and Romeo G. Manalo (Alicia); Rey S. Simon (Aurora); Federico T. Mercado (Cordon); Alvin E. Eugenio, Morison J. Aningat, Daniel L. Mariano, and Mark A. Casalda (Cauayan City); Danilo R. Elegante Jr. (Mallig); and Julius Kimmayong (Quezon).
Each of the 10 outstanding rice farmers received a trophy and ₱10,000 worth of farm inputs as incentive and recognition for their contribution to food sufficiency in the province.
Vice Governor Kiko Dy said the Bambanti Festival was established primarily for farmers, as a way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and recognizing their role in sustaining the province’s agricultural productivity.
Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Rose Mary Aquino commended the awardees, describing them as “Bambanti heroes in the agriculture sector” who produced the highest rice yields in the province.
She also lauded the leadership of Governor Rodito T. Albano, citing Isabela’s consistent ranking as the second-highest rice-producing province in the country.
During the ceremony, the DA Regional Field Office 02 also recognized the Provincial Local Government Unit of Isabela for having the highest investment in support of the rice industry in the entire Cagayan Valley Region for crop year 2025, an honor that came with a ₱1-million project for the province. – Isabela PIO