By Jesslyn Keith Valite

With hopes of strengthening the garlic industry in the Ilocos Region, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), opened the two-day Garlic Festival 2025 on April 10, at the MMSU Student Center.

Now making a comeback, the festival carries the theme “Reinvigorating the Garlic Industry in the Ilocos.” It showcases how garlic—known as the "White Gold" of the region—contributes to the local economy and embodies Ilokano pride. The event continues today, April 11.

First launched in 2001 under the leadership of then-MMSU President Dr. Miriam Pascua, the Garlic Festival gained momentum when it led to the declaration of March as “Garlic Month” through Provincial Resolution No. 096-2002 during the tenure of then-Governor and now President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Although the festival had not been held in recent years, MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. spearheaded its revival, calling it a tribute to local garlic farmers. “We will make this more than a festival—it will be a movement to revive the garlic industry,” he said.

Atty. Pancho Jose, chief of staff and agriculture focal person of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc’s office, also described the event as a platform to emphasize the importance of the region’s garlic industry.

The festival gathered agriculture officials and farmer representatives from Peñablanca (Cagayan), Bambang (Nueva Vizcaya), and Occidental Mindoro. Exhibitors from 13 municipalities and cities of Ilocos Norte—including Bangui, Burgos, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Laoag City, Vintar, Sarrat, Dingras, Batac City, San Nicolas, Pinili, and Badoc—showcased their locally grown garlic and other agricultural products. 

Among the guests who expressed support for the garlic industry were Dustin Young, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines; Kimio Takarada, President of Takara Inc.; Japan International Cooperation Agency Consultant Hideto Daiko;  CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis; Batac City Mayor Albert Chua; DOST Ilocos Norte Provincial Director Brian Rasco; DOST-PCAARD Assistant Director for Crops Research Division Sharie Al-Faiha Lubang; Provincial Agriculturist Ma. Teresa Bacnat; and DTI Ilocos Norte Provincial Director Amelia Galvez.

PGIN also reaffirmed its support for garlic farmers, particularly in the provision of seeds, tools, and advanced farming technologies through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture led by Engr. Ma. Teresa Bacnat.
The festival includes educational workshops, forums, and hands-on demonstrations on Ilokano garlic production. These aim to help farmers adopt innovative farming techniques, boost yield, and promote Ilocos garlic in both national and international markets. Attendees also enjoyed garlic-infused dishes that featured the crop’s culinary and commercial versatility.

“Our goal is to expand the market and profile of Ilocos Norte garlic in the Philippines and abroad,” said MMSU Research Director Dionisio Bucao.

Ferdinand Lorenzo, President of the Association of Garlic Producers in Ilocos Norte, expressed optimism about the industry's future. “Mangnamnamakami a manayunanpay iti produksion ti bawang 10,000 a tonelada ita a tawen” (We expect to increase garlic production by 10,000 tons this year). He added that with strengthened government support, garlic supply will not only meet fresh consumption needs but also support value-added products such as MMSU black garlic.

Dr. Manzano also shared his long-term vision for the festival. “I envision our garlic being produced for global markets. We have the materials, the resources, and the land for garlic innovation. We need to be less hypothetical—more hands-on, more hard work,” he said.

Currently, MMSU supports the industry through its Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development (NICER) garlic project, which focuses on garlic research and production. This includes modern planting techniques, tissue culture propagation, and black garlic processing.

Aside from MMSU and PGIN, the festival is co-sponsored by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium, various government agencies, local garlic associations, private sector sponsors, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Takara Inc.