By Perla Lena/PNA
ILOILO CITY – Products that best represent each of the provinces of Western Visayas are now on display at the Dinagyang Trade Fair at the Megaworld Festive Walk Mall covered atrium.
Jobert Peñaflorida, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Iloilo, in a phone interview Wednesday said some 20 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) joined the exhibit that kicked off January 20 and would last until January 28.
“This is now on its third year. We are doing this to provide a venue for our MSMEs, and at the same time for our tourists because we also have pasalubong (souvenir) – under one roof,” Peñaflorida said, adding that products on display are both food and non-food items.
He said that compared with other trade fairs, this time they really screened the best products from each province and not just for those who can afford.
“Our exhibit committee also comes from the MSMEs but they see to it that we offer something different and unique,” he said.
Peñaflorida said they are keeping their fingers crossed that they can get a bigger amount although they have not set how much they hope to generate from the eight-day trade fair.
PCCI is composed of more than 30 members spread across all industries. Peñaflorida said they are now expanding to the municipalities to achieve inclusive growth.
In this trade fair, he said that they were able to gather the support of the public and private sector to include the city and provinces of Iloilo and Antique, departments of tourism, trade and industry, and agriculture.
“They have booths for their respective constituents,” he said.
