DTI MSME Holiday bazaar

Fair at ICM until Nov 18

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Nov 15 (PIA) –Are you still looking for that décor to magically transform your sala into a Christmas themed living space?

Then check out the variety of native Christmas trees, lanterns, raffia angels, maguey Santa Claus, bamboo stars, nito and wicker baskets, Christmas-themed throw pillow cases, novelty items, gift items, holiday food stuffs and even gift ideas of home furnishings and furniture now at the Island City Mall, running from November 14-18.

Coming out in their third year, Holiday Market and Crafts Fair is Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Alturas Group of Companies’ venue for promoting locally made products, establishing buyers and providing an exhibit of everything and anything from Boholano and regional artisans, said DTI Bohol Officer in Charge Vierna Teresa Ligan.

While DTI Bohol is revered for its longest-running regional Sandugo Trade fairs in July, the need to help local artisans struggling for markets during the pandemic has opened up the idea of an exhibit of products that may help a home- maker embellish the house into a Christmas home.

Offering a wide range of handcrafted selections of products which passed the rigorous DTI product development screen in the lines of holiday gift ideas in high-end furniture, the fair brings in 45 exhibitors carrying trendy native and ethnic tribal themed ‘wearables,’ beads, decorative home items and furnishings, room accents to novelty items, all creatively made by small entrepreneurs which nurture rural economy.

“I always look forward to the DTI event, because there is always something new and there is always something to buy,” City Mayor Jane Yap said, adding that she always goes alone to events like this so she can splurge without somebody stopping her.

“Congratulations and thank you for choosing Tagbilaran for the event that celebrates local artisans and the culture which brings in this diverse array of products, and on one hand, promote sustainability, foster empowerment and spurring local development,” she added.

For Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, legal Officer Atty Handel Lagunay stressed on Bohol’s efforts to establish and mainstream a business enabling environment for local micro, small medium enterprises and opening opportunities for marketing, in line with the strategic change agenda in developing the local economy.

Blessed with bountiful resources and raw materials for craftsmen to work on, Bohol also keeps a long surviving tradition of weaving, fine carpentry and culinary arts that has become a jump-off point for locals to experiment on new products and innovations. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. It’s a flea market of Christmas decors and gift ideas opened now until Saturday at the Island City Mall (ICM) Activity Center as DTI’s assisted MSMEs showcase their products for the 3rd Holiday Market and Crafts Fair featuring furniture, home style and processed food. Present in the ribbon cutting ceremonies were BCCI External VP Marietta Gasatan, ICM Manager Mario Cirujales, DTI OIC Vierna Teresa Chiu-Ligan, Legal Officer Handel Lagunay, Atty Abeleon Damalerio representing Cong Chatto and a representative of Cong Tutor. (PIABohol)

INCLUSIVE AND FAIR. DTI Holiday Bazaar includes handcrafted lanterns from the Bohol District Jail cooperative of persons deprived of liberty, and as a form of skills development for their reintegration into mainstream once they can serve their sentences, livelihood trainings inside the jail allows them to pursue their talents. (PIABohol)