The past Sundays in Baguio saw the sprawling of selling booths featuring various food and non-food items at the city’s Session Road. Dubbed as “Sunday Market Showcase”, the whole stretch of Baguio City’s most prominent thoroughfare served as an open-air selling area for micro, small to medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) tapped by the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) and the city local government unit to help them sell their products.

The 36 exhibitors generated a total amount of P1,424,152 for the three Sundays of May. Most of the items sold by the DTI-assisted MSMEs were processed food, wearables, home styles, furniture, and woodcrafts.

Dean Cuanso, a DTI Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) mentor and home-based entrepreneur engaged in food and novelty items said that the Sunday open market is a big help to the entrepreneurs, associations, and organizations because it provides a venue to sell their products and goods even for a once-a-week basis.

Benjamin Cruz, a creative talent turned entrepreneur also narrated that the sales of his Berry Benj jams and wines are very slow at this time, especially with the lack of tourists. Mr. Cruz, however, cited that some locals have been showing their appreciation for the new jam flavors and new wine packaging design. Claiming that he has already earned regular customers, Benjamin said that their sales at Session Road are relatively “incurring” when it comes to net sales.

“Kailangan na paikutin ang puhunan, medyo mahirap, at striving but we’re getting by,” he added. The outdoor selling activity also featured plants and other gardening products at the lower section of Session Road by entrepreneurs identified by the local government of Baguio from various barangays.♦

Date of Release: 3 June 2021