Gobel Expresses Gratitude Following Successful PENAS 2026 in Gorontalo
Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI from the Gorontalo electoral district, Rachmat Gobel, has expressed his gratitude to all parties for the successful organisation of the 17th National Farmers and Fishermen’s Week (PENAS) in 2026 in Gorontalo Regency. “Special thanks are conveyed to President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for attending the event. This has inspired the people of Gorontalo to be more active in development, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, so that Gorontalo can become a food barn in eastern Indonesia,” Gobel said on Thursday, 25 June 2026.
The statement was made by Gobel following the conclusion of the PENAS event, which took place from 20 to 24 June 2026. The activity was attended by thousands of farmers, fishermen, extension workers, and local government officials from across Indonesia. PENAS 2026 was opened by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and closed by President Prabowo Subianto.
To enliven the event, Gobel presented and arranged three tourist attractions for participants to rest and enjoy recreation during breaks. The three locations were Lake Perintis, the Pakaya Tower area, and the Pentadio hot springs. Additionally, Panasonic Gobel sponsored various competitions held during this major national forum for farmers and fishermen.
Gobel stated he was proud and grateful to the local committee for organising the event well. He expressed appreciation to Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail and his staff, Gorontalo Regent Sofyan Puhi and his staff, the Gorontalo Provincial Police Chief and his staff, the Resort Military Commander and his staff, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. “Special thanks are also extended to all participants and to the warm-hearted people of Gorontalo who made this event a success,” Gobel said.
According to Gobel, PENAS not only boosted the morale of farmers and fishermen but also had a significant economic impact on the wider community. He noted that hotel and lodging services were fully booked, transportation was bustling, restaurants and eateries were active, and souvenir and handicraft businesses also reaped the benefits. Furthermore, tourism services were enlivened, and the public felt happiness due to the various activities and crowds during the PENAS 2026 event. “For this reason, Gorontalo is very grateful for this event. In the future, Gorontalo is ready to host other activities,” Gobel said.
In the agriculture and fisheries sectors, Gobel assessed that Gorontalo’s farmers and fishermen were able to learn a great deal from the PENAS event. Various technologies and innovations in the agriculture and fisheries sectors were showcased during the activity. He added that Gorontalo’s farmers and fishermen also had the opportunity to exchange experiences with their counterparts from other regions. They could also learn from extension workers who came from various parts of Indonesia. “They certainly have unique knowledge and experiences that can be shared,” Gobel said.
For Gobel, PENAS 2026 served as a morale booster for the people of Gorontalo to make the region a food barn in eastern Indonesia. He also hoped that the hospitality of the people, the natural beauty, and the tourist destinations of Gorontalo would leave a lasting impression on participants from all corners of the country. “Hopefully they are impressed and will remember it, so that one day they can come again or tell people around them about the beauty of Gorontalo,” he said.
Gobel mentioned that PENAS participants could enjoy a number of Gorontalo’s tourist destinations, ranging from the Pentadio hot springs and the beauty of Lake Perintis, to the experience of taking photos with whale sharks at Botubarani Beach. Additionally, participants could enjoy the sunset and evening atmosphere at Tamendao Beach, the light attractions at Pakaya Tower, and the spherical videotron at Limboto Park. From a culinary perspective, Gorontalo also offers a variety of special dishes, such as grilled tuna jaw, tuna satay, and various other seafood dishes. “Gorontalo really makes you miss it,” Gobel said.