TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Kalinga Treasures Fair 2023, showcasing the different crafts and native products of our province, has officially opened at the stretch of the national highway in front of Bayle Super Mart Bulanao recently.
The opening was marked by the ribbon cutting and sounding of the gong by Kalinga Congress Representative, Hon. Allen Jess C. Mangaoang, the Provincial Governor Hon. James S. Edduba, the Provincial Vice Governor Jocel Baac, and the three directors from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) headed by OIC-Regional Director Juliet P. Lucas, Region 1 Regional Director Grace F. Baluyan, and the Kalinga Provincial Director Renie M. Ramos; Regional Director Danilo Daguio of the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture, together with the Kalinga provincial officials and member-exhibitors of the Chamber of Tabuk City-Kalinga Producers, Inc. (CTCKAPI).
Lucas thanked our micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who continue to develop products that create employment and income and contribute to the economic progress of the province, saying this event has been growing in popularity, participation, the number of products, the dynamism of product development, and the wider sphere of product distribution, indicating increased confidence among Kalinga producers.
Governor Edubba also expressed his appreciation for the DTI-Kalinga together with the CTCKAPI and all the individual and business groups who teamed up to provide and display Kalinga’s native delicacies, homegrown products, and indigenous handicrafts to locals and tourists as a part of the celebration of the 28th Kalinga Foundation Day and the 4th Bodong Festival.
He also added that the event is a testament to the yKalinga’s ability to overcome insurmountable odds and speaks of their resilience, hope, and taking hold of yKalinga courageous spirit, and that the ingenuity of these small and medium businesses has opened opportunities to be competitive both on local and national platforms. He said that their strong will and courage to bounce back from setbacks as business owners are exceptional.
Mangaoang also commended the DTI because it is doing its work to support the sector that is keeping the provincial economy vibrant. “Dawatek lang kadagiti negosyante tayo nga nu anyaman ti namnam-en ti DTI nga magun-od tayo babaen kadagitoy nga capability building programs kalikaguman tayo koma nga maragpat daytoy,” he said.
He also assured that he would support programs and policies that would further empower small entrepreneurs.
The guests, visitors, and participants of the Kalinga Treasures Fair enjoyed a free taste of the products during the opening.
The public is encouraged to come and visit the trade fair and patronize Kalinga native products in about 100 stalls from February 6 to 17, 2023. By Freeche Lacson
