Koronadal City, South Cotabato – In an effort to pivot the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Region 12 from the drawbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 will venture into a physical trade fair in Makati for the Treasures of Region 12 Trade Fair.
The trade fair will showcase food products and wearable and homestyle items made of coconut and its allied products made by the local coconut producers, processors, and coconut-supporting entrepreneurs of Region 12.
The four-day regional fair that will run from December 6 to 9, 2022 at the Palm Drive Activity Center of Glorietta Mall 2, Ayala Center, Makati banners the theme “The Future is Local” and will be participated by 25 food and 10 non-food MSMEs which are all assisted by DTI 12 under the Industry Cluster Enhancement Program – Coconut Cluster.
Funding the event is the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Program to which DTI is one of the implementing government agencies.
Flora Politud-Gabunales, the OIC-Regional Director of DTI 12, said that the fair will focus on the products produced by coconut MSMEs owing to the great potential of the industry and the competitive advantage of Region 12 in terms of vast areas planted with coconut and the skills of locals to add-value using coconut as base product.
“We recognize the vital role that the coconut MSMEs play in the local and national economy. DTI focuses on providing technical interventions that enhance MSMEs’ ability to be innovative and competitive. The Treasures of Region 12 is our platform to showcase in the bigger market the best of Region 12 from delectable coconut food products to high-quality wearable and homestyle products made of coconut materials,” said Politud-Gabunales.
A target sale of Php 10M is expected to be generated by DTI 12 through purchases from walk-in and institutional buyers.
On June 24, 2022, the CFIDP was officially launched following the signing of Republic Act 11524, or the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Fund Act”.
With President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ administration now focusing on the coconut industry through the use of the coco levy fund, various programs and projects are being executed to increase the productivity and income of coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve the twin objectives of rehabilitating and modernizing the coconut industry to attain social equity. This paved way for the rehabilitation of the coconut industry through a multi-agency approach with DTI as one of the implementing agencies tasked to do research studies, marketing and promotion of MSMEs’ and farmer beneficiaries’ local products.♦
Date of Release: 1 December 2022