“The water filtration plant at the La Trinidad strawberry farms was finally turned over to the Sariling Sikap farmers association by the Benguet State University on March 1, 2010.

     The plant, designed to produce 70 gallons of water per minute was established to filter and treat domestic waste waters of Baranggay Betag to make it safe to use for watering strawberries.

     DA-CAR Regional Director, Ceasar Rodriguez who attended the ceremonial turn over appreciated the importance of the filtration plant in producing safe and quality strawberries.
“As we are now advocating organic agriculture, this will be the first step, to use clean water,” he added.

     The filtration plant was accepted by Ms. Cynthia G. Kiswa, president of the Sariling Sikap Association who mentioned that farmers has been looking forward to the turn over and in using the clean water from it.

     BSU President, Dr. Rogelio Colting instructed Ms. Kiswa to involve the cooperation of her members in order to generate funds for the maintenance of the facility.

     Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan of Benguet reminded the farmers that the purpose of the filtration plant is to sustain the strawberry industry without harming strawberry consumers.

     Guests including La Trinidad Mayor Artemio Galwan, La Trinidad Water District General Manager Engr. Oliver Taule, Rev. Father Benny Castañeda, LTWD Board of Directors led by John Cutiyog and Gabino Garoy, Benguet Senior Tourism Officer  Claire Prudencio, Benito Espique ofthe  National Irrigation Administration, Ms. Rowena Tabanda, DTI Benguet Prov. Caretaker Freda Gawisan and Mrs. Julia Canuto went to pick strawberries after the ceremony.

     “We can now say that LT strawberries can be eaten right from the field,” said Dr. Rodriguez while picking.

     The water filtration plant of the La Trinidad Strawberry Farms is made possible through the cooperation of LGU Benguet, LGU La Trinidad, Brngys Betag and Poblacion, Benguet State University, Benguet Provincial Irrigation Office, BSU strawberry farmer’s association and the La Trinidad Water District.