Ilocos Norte Bicentennial Trade Fair boosts local entreps, products

By PGIN-CMO

As part of its continuous support to local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) launched the Bicentennial “Tienda ni Gob” Summer Trade Fair last May 16, 2018 at the Centennial Arena, Laoag City.

The week-long trade fair comprises 80 booths by different local entrepreneurs, agrarian stakeholders, and local government units (LGUs). It also showcases quality and exportable products from all over the province. Coupled with innovations from partner agencies and sponsors, participants continue to demonstrate the distinctly pioneering Ilocano spirit.

The Municipality of Sarrat and Paoay highlight the binakol and inabel respectively. Both hand-woven textiles are Ilocos Norte’s heritage fabric, which ware made into a variety of items including formal garments and bags. Boasting their agricultural produce are the towns of Pinili, Banna, Dingras, San Nicolas, Solsona, and Vintar, which showcase vegetables and other crops. Also, the town of Adams and Dumalneg trade locally-produced fruit wines.

According to Mr. Edison Natividad, Officer-in-charge of PGIN-Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Office, the event aims “to introduce our own products to a wider market. It is to support our SMes, and to assure them of PGIN’s unending support to local entrepreneurs.”

Senior Board Member Matthew M. Manotoc led the opening of booths and exhibits. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga dumalo ngayong araw upang itampok ang mga produkto na talaga namang maipagmamalaki hindi lamang dito sa ating lalawigan bagkus, sa buong mundo,” he said lauding the collaborative efforts of the participants.

The “Tienda ni Gob” also featured the “Agriculture Cluster Day” which was participated by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI), and the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). A series of lecture and seminars were conducted, focusing on garlic farming and innovation, new technologies in rice cultivation, and livestock sanitation, among others.

Another set of lectures will be led by PGIN – Sustainable and Development Council (PGIN-SDC), PGIN-SME Office, PGIN – INvest Ofice, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) tomorrow, May 19.

Also, part of the “Tienda ni Gob” is the ongoing Job Fair in cooperation with the PGIN- Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and Special Recruitment Activity of Alorica, Accenture, Chua Consolidated, and Venvi Group of Companies at the Provincial Library Office or iHub, which will run until May 22. (PGIN-CMO)