Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo 2024 officially kicks off in Bohol

By Elvira Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Sandugo OTOP (One Town One Product) Trade Expo officially kicked off on July 17 at the Island City Mall, this city.

Showcasing a vibrant tapestry of local products and innovations from across the region, this event will run until July 22, 2024, where buyers can immerse themselves in the ingenuity of Filipino creations as the expo highlights the best of the OTOP initiatives.

Bohol’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) took the limelight during the opening as they showcased the province’s OTOP.

The Provincial Government of Bohol unveiled outputs from BHL Artisans, a priority program through the Bohol Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (BEDIPO) in partnership with HoliCOW (Holistic Coalition of the Willing) PH.

Eight MSME beneficiaries who came up with new design collections incorporating the ideas from world-renowned designers and anchoring on the province’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark were strategically selected by the product development program.

The output products are categorized broadly as fashion, home and lifestyle, and sustainable goods incorporating elements of Boholano culture and history.

They are also packaged to be conveniently brought back as pasalubong or souvenir items.

Another highlight of the trade expo is the participation of 17 MSMEs under the OTOP product development program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in collaboration with the Design Center of the Philippines.

These include Antequera Tourism Information and Display Center from Antequera town;

Crissander Enterprises from Baclayon; CuratedCrafts.Ph, Let’s Go Natural Souvenir Shop, Prime of Asia Handicraft, Ryan Furniture Shop, and Te Amo Catalina Handicrafts Store from Panglao; B.U.R.I. Craft, Mara and Aram Baglines, and P1 Handicraft from Inabanga.

Also on display are Taculad Furniture of Sikatuna; Cuarteros Furniture of Jagna; Tubigon Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Tubigon Raffia Gallery of Tubigon; MRJ Furniture Shop of Loboc; Suyman Furniture Shop of Loay; and C & G Arts & Crafts of Loon.

DTI regional director Maria Elena Arbon thanked their partners and the 140 exhibitors in the 16th year of the Sandugo trade expo.

Arbon recalled the beginnings of the provincial fair that evolved into a regional event, drawing exhibitors across the country in 2006.

Since then, the annual trade fair has been in the calendar of industry leaders and prime movers with exhibitors doubling in 2010 and peaking in highest sales in 2019.

Last year’s run posted record sales of P18.8 million.

“Now that they have released the trade fair to be adopted by the private sector, the only thing left to do is to ensure that it is monitored in order to achieve the goal that they initially envisioned for the trade fair to match and surpass the P18M sales of the previous year,” said DTI provincial director Vierna Teresa Ligan.

Representing Acting Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite, provincial administrator and former DTI assistant secretary Asteria Caberte conveyed the continued commitment of the provincial government to empower the MSMEs.

The Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo 2024 is organized by DTI Central Visayas and DTI-Bohol together with the Provincial Government of Bohol, Tagbilaran City Government, Alturas Group of Companies, and the Island City Mall. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Sandugo OTOP Trade Expo 2024 was led by (L-R) Cong. Edgar Chatto representative Atty. Abel Damalerio, DTI Negros Oriental provincial director Nimfa Virtucio, DTI Cebu provincial director Rose Mae Quiñanola, DTI regional director Maria Elena Arbon, Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, DTI Bohol provincial director Vierna Teresa Ligan, Governor’s Office chief of staff Atty. Filipina Asoy-Piollo and DTI Siquijor provincial director Juliet Banogon. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)