malaysiangThis year’s ‘Artesanias de Iloilo’ showcases different innovations by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with exhibitors making it easier for consumers by adopting an e-commerce platform in all payment transactions.
‘This year, our theme is entrepreneurial narratives, which is innovation. Innovation is equal to sustainability, which is localized. Money is hard; we circulate money among ourselves so it gives livelihood to everybody,’ said PJ Arañador, exhibit designer and curator for the trade fair that kicked off Monday until Sept. 29, in an interview.
This year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo gathered exhibitors, including 15 for bamboo, seven for coffee, 11 for cacao, 11 for high-value coconut products, 26 for wearables and homestyle, 30 for processed foods and four startups under the information technology-business process management.
Arañador said innovation is not only on the design but also on the quality, capacitation of MSMEs and prices, among others.
The DTI has prov
ided MSMEs training on how to run their business, values formation, and financial literacy.
‘We have a huge market in Iloilo. The purchasing power of Ilonggos is very good and very high. That is where we bring in market and consumer sustainability,’ he added.
DTI Iloilo provincial director Dinda Tamayo, in an interview, said some of the products are the results of their shared service facilities and training.
Among the exhibitors is the newly-introduced toyo (soy sauce) made out of coconut from the municipality of Dingle.
Gemma Cabayao said DTI provided them with training on how to make products out of matured coconut juice. In addition to soy sauce, they also have cooking oil from buko juice, virgin coconut oil, coco jam, and soap, among others.
‘These were introduced to us only this year. We underwent training and for the first time, we are joining this Artesanias,’ she said.
Cabayao sourced all her products from a 3.8-hectare farm in Dingle.
Another exhibitor is Segundo Esmeres, who is into bamboo w
eaving.
He availed of training from the University of the Philippines Visayas and DTI, and since then has been getting orders for his products while serving as a trainer for various training on bamboo weaving.
Among his products are bags, bamboo fans, and multipurpose canisters.
‘You have to be interested. It needs patience,’ he said.
Also joining the exhibit is the New Rodson Woodcraft and Metalcraft, which is now on its third generation since it started in 1960.
Kim Archie Rodellado, the youngest son of Jose and Adelina Rodellado, said his parents started with one machine, making buttons out of wood, with the rich families in the Jaro district as among their clients.
He said they have been joining the trade fair, and it has helped them with their business.
‘Before we had exports but now, we deliver locally,’ he said.
The DTI aims to generate some PHP3.8 million from the fairs, higher than the PHP3.5 million in 2023.
In addition to exhibits, there are scheduled daily side events to include
bamboo s
hoot product testing, bamboo weaving crafts demonstration, and product competition by the Iloilo Bamboo Industry Development Council on Sept. 24; forum on cultivating coconut and business opportunity organized by the Philippine Coconut Authority on Sept. 25; and orientation on Halal certification and marketing opportunities on
Muslim-friendly production with DTI Region 9 on Sept. 26 together with orientation on documentary and basic food laboratory requirements needed for Food and Drug Administration license to operate.
On Sept. 27, there will be a hablon weaving pattern competition and craft demonstration, tablea brewing on Sept. 28, and coffee brewing on Sept. 29.
Source: Philippines News agency
