BACOOR CITY, CAVITE -- The coastal city of Bacoor honored its local aquaculture heritage Thursday as fisherfolk gathered in Barangay Sinbanali for the 2026 Mandaragat Olympics.

A highlight of the city’s annual Bakood Festival since 2015, the friendly competition brings together local mussel and oyster harvesters to showcase skills central to the city's coastal economy and food supply.

Mayor Strike Revilla led the festivities, pointing to official municipal data showing 3,677 registered fisherfolk residents operating within the city in 2026.

"The Mandaragat Olympics has become a vital venue for recognizing the invaluable contribution of our fisherfolk to Bacoor’s economy and cultural identity," Revilla said, emphasizing local reliance on staple crops like tahong (mussels) and talaba (oysters). "This celebration underscores the continuing importance of our fisheries sector and our commitment to supporting sustainable livelihoods."

Civil society groups also praised the initiative, with the Parents and Teachers Advocates for Students Philippines Inc. commending the municipal government for integrating traditional coastal livelihoods into youth community programming.