On the occasion of the feast of the Virgen de las Mercedes, patron saint of Paita, Produmar received for the first time in history the visit of "Mechita", the affectionate name by which the Virgin, who has been venerated by the inhabitants of Paita since the 16th century, is known. After an emotional entrance and solemn procession through Produmar's facilities, a special mass of offering and blessing of the plant was held.
In addition, Produmar once again delivered breakfast to the faithful and pilgrims who came to the Basilica of Paita to pay homage to the Virgin, demonstrating its commitment to the welfare of the local community. This festivity of the Virgin of Mercy brings together thousands of pilgrims from all over the north of the country.
The devotion to the Virgin of Mercy in Paita, Piura, has its roots in the sixteenth century, with the arrival of the Mercedarian fathers to the region to evangelize. Since then, the image of the Virgin, affectionately called "Mechita", has been venerated by the people of Paita.
In 1587, when the English corsair Cavendish attacked and burned the port of Paita, a devotee managed to rescue the image of the Virgin from the fire. Years later, in 1741, the English pirate Jorge Anson sacked the port and took the image as a trophy. According to legend, during the voyage Anson shot the image, which miraculously bled. Frightened, he threw the image into the sea, where it was recovered by fishermen and returned to its temple.
Every year, from September 12 to 30, the festivities in honor of the Virgen de las Mercedes are celebrated, being September 24 the central day. In addition to being venerated by the local population, the Virgin is the patron saint of the Peruvian Armed Forces.