TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Committee on Agro-Trade and Industry is preparing for this year’s Treasures Fair as part of the province’s 29th founding anniversary and 5th Bodong Festival celebrations.
The trade fair will be held along Agyao Boulevard in Bulanao, the stretch of road in front of St. Tonis College. This portion of the road will be closed on Feb. 2 for the installation of tents.
According to Benidicta Mangadap of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga, 46 tents will be installed where local products such as processed fruits, coffee, processed foods, and ornamental plants will be displayed for buyers.
Locally-made handicraft and furniture like baskets, Kalinga garments, chairs, tables, and carved artworks will also be featured in the treasures fair.
To ensure safety and security during the event, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be tapped to provide security during the night, and the Public Order and Safety Office and Philippine National Police will be managing the crowd within the place during the day.
The trade fair will open on Feb. 5 at 1 o’clock and run from Feb. 6 to 18.
Furniture shops inventory
Imelda Casiwan of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office said they will be conducting an inventory to furniture shops who will be joining the treasures fair as well as those who do not.
She said this is to ensure their compliance with the law against cutting down naturally grown trees.
“While we are in support of the livelihood of our local people, we also have to balance our ecology and environment, especially since we are one of the main water sources,” Casiwan said.
Casiwan said they conducted the same inventory last year and found out that most furniture shops have no legal source.
Legal source is having a registered plantation or having a legal instrument provided by the government that states they planted those trees, she said.
Casiwan said there are only a few legal sources in the province, including one in Amasian, Pinukpuk, which is already harvesting. She said legal sources in Balong, Cudal, and Cagaligan are yet to be harvestable, so no permit is given to them.
“Yung mga private plantations na humingi ng registrations sa office at saka cutting permits. Yun din po yung pwedeng legal sources,” Casiwan added.
Casiwan also said that in the province of Kalinga, we only have legal sources of mahogany and melina. That means, she said, trees like narra, sagat, lawaan, and all other naturally growing trees within the natural forest are prohibited to be cut down.
“In terms of papers doon sa mga sasali sa trade fair, kailangan may maipakitang business permit, registration ng entity nila, and yung legal source or permit from DENR,” Casiwan said.
“May usapan din tayo sa city of Tabuk and other municipalities na hindi na sila magbibigay ng business permit kung walang certification from DENR na itong ipro-process nila na kahoy ay galing sa legal source,” Casiwan added. By Rod Asurin
