By Perla Lena (PNA)
ILOILO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is eyeing to generate some PHP10 million from the week-long regional trade fair that will showcase the best products from various provinces of Western Visayas.
DTI Regional Rebecca Rascon, in a press conference on Monday, said at least 160 small and medium entrepreneurs featuring more than 300 products will be joining the fair, from Nov. 14 to 18, to highlight the initiatives of the department on product development under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Program.
“Every day there will be fashion shows to drum up that these products are coming from this province and how they improve over the years,” she said.
In addition to fashion shows and exhibits, there will also be sampling of cocoa products, craft demonstration, coaching and mentoring for cooperators of shared service facilities (SSF), and recognition of awardees for Heritage Award, SME of the Year, and Panubli-on Booths.
“Hopefully with the new products and designs we will have higher sales,” she said, adding that last year the regional trade fair generated more than PHP7 million.
PJ Arañador, director of Panubli-on 2018, said the trade fair this year is anchored on the theme “New+Now and Next”. “Panublion” is a Hiligaynon word for heritage.
“New” because “old things are being made new again”, now since DTI has always been forward moving in terms of designs, product development, innovation and next speaks for the millennial, he said.
Meantime, Rascon said that the PHP10-million target sales already cover the walk-in sales, bulk order and other transactions. “(The) bulk of the sales would still be on food,” she said.
Also, 11 guests from seven companies in Manila are invited to come over for possible orders.
Among the prominent products to be showcased by the provinces are hand-woven and processed foods from Aklan; bamboo and woven produce of Antique; shell craft and seafood from Capiz; food and hand-woven products of Iloilo; furnishing from Negros Occidental; and the famous mangoes of Guimaras.
The regional trade fair will be held at the SM City activity area in Iloilo City.
