TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Nov. 6 (PIA) – At least 4,000 residents from the different towns of this province received at least two (2) kilograms of beef, in today’s Korban ‘beef sharing’ festival held at the Agora Public Market in Sagadan, near the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC), here.

“We are celebrating Eid Al-Adha now, which we originally thought was a feast only for the Muslims. But we stand corrected. This is a celebration for everybody, both Muslims and Christians.  That’s why, we will be distributing beef to everyone,” Gov. Khalid Q. Dimaporo said.

He said he, particularly, invited the Christians to partake of Eid Al-Adha which is the equivalent of  Christmas for the Christians.

The Governor cited the sacrifice of Abraham who offered his only son Isaac, as an act of obedience to God, “who upon seeing Abraham’s faith intervened and instead provided a lamb to be sacrificed.”

About 220 cows were prepared the Halal way for the festival, 100 of which were donated by the Integrated Center for Alternative Developments (ICAD) Foundation from Turkey, represented by its President , Ferhat Kazkondu, and 120, by the provincial government.

In the state of the merry-making, 20 of the cows were roasted for the lunch of everybody.

Thus, the Governor thanked the ICAD Foundation and the Turkish People for their donation, and hoped the event will be repeated with many more donations, next year.

Meanwhile, Secretary Luwalhati R. Antonino of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has congratulated the people of Lanao del Norte, particularly  the Dimaporo family,  for coming up with the Beef Sharing Festival as a showcase of unity and friendship.

“Events like this should find its way to tell the world that our people, here, do live in harmony and that in this situation, development can easily find its way around to improve the lives of the citizens,” she said.

She also mentioned the good roots that produced the caliber of the Governor and paid special mention of  the accomplishments of his father, Former Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo of the 2ne District of the province, who was around to witness the festivities.
Present during the occasion were Regional Directors Lealyn A. Ramos of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Linda Boniao of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),  Alfonso Alamban of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Raymund Ondiano of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), region 10.

Also present were Virginia Cardona representing Regional Director Araceli F. Solamillo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Decius Esmedalla, Resident of the Regional Association of Government Communicators (RAGCOM), representing Regional Director Catalino Chan III of the Department of Trouris (DOT), region 10. (PIA-10)