SAN MIGUEL, Bohol  – It looks like there's no stopping for Barangay Bayongan of this town to pursue its dream to become the next agri-tourist destination of the province.  This came as the Barangay officials are considering bringing in water sports, such as wake boarding and raft paddling in next year's celebration of Bayongan Dam Festival to harness the potentials of the irrigation project, barangay chairperson Nunila Mendez-Pinat said in an interview. Pinat said the celebration of first Bayongan Dam Festival and annual fiesta on May 24-25, 2014 were a success. The event saw the presence of Bohol Second District Rep. Aristotle Aumentado, San Miguel Mayor Claudio Bonior, and Gov. Edgar Chatto, who was represented by Jorge Honculada. Pinat noted that activities were being lined up for her constituents and visitors to enjoy, with the presence of the son of San Miguel and her brother, Atty. Vrigilio Mendez, the newly-appointed director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), she said. “Bayongan Dam is the biggest dam in the province and in Central Visayas servicing 2,250 hectares of irrigated rice areas, potentials for community based agri-entrepreneurship as a tool for catalyzing local economy. Surrounded by its beautiful scenery and lansdscape, Bayongan Dam is envisioned to be one of the agri-eco-tourism attraction in our Barangay, integrating the green economy concept of the province,” Pinat said.

Meanwhile, Barangay Cagawasan won the first prize of “Tabanogan” or “Fly Your Kite If You Can,” one of the come-ons of the festival at the dam site. The second place went to Barangay San Vicente with its Philippine flag-resembled entry, and Barangay Cambangay Norte with its garbage bag materials formed into a kite came in third.  Promoting and make Bayongan Dam, a “Shoot to Thrill At Bayongan Dam” or photo contest is launched with the following winners: Julius Rey Alejandrowon the first prize (Php7,000); Ramil Rodela, second prize with Php4,000; and veteran photo-journalist Nilo Sapong, third --- Php2,000.  “Paint Me, Future Me Bayongan Dam as Tourism Destination” is another contest where the winners also received prizes.The “Amazing Race,” which featured walking, running and swimming and riding a carabao and driving a tractor races, was participated in by puroks and the Relay Journey Agriculture Development. The celebration also featured Drum and Bugle Showdown,opened by a street parade.(RVO)