Upon the invitation of Cris Roque, Undersecretary for the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Group, I attended the 10th DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair in SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall last week. The fair was organized to create more avenues and platforms for MSMEs to showcase and sell their food and beverage products so they can become more competitive entrepreneurs. By giving them tools like financial support through the Small Business (SB) Corporation — a lending bank chaired by Usec. Cris exclusively for MSMEs — these entrepreneurs now have an even better chance to succeed locally and internationally.
Colorful handmade bags to stuff all the food treats are also available at the fair.
I was glad I caught the keynote speech of Usec. Cris, who was understandably excited and proud to celebrate a decade of showcasing the very best Filipino MSME products. The trade fair is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the food industry and its vital role in nation building. The Bagong Pilipinas mantra of the current administration espouses innovation, excellence, and cooperation to create a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant economy. And what better way for us citizens to help than by patronizing our very own MSMEs, whose products comprise 99 percent of all businesses and are thus the very backbone of the Philippine economy?
Packaging ideas for MSMEs.
As I went around and did my best to visit the 200 booths showcasing the cuisine of all 16 Philippine regions, I was amazed by how far the Filipino has come as an entrepreneur, and how consumers have also become more discerning and supportive of our own products. Based on the packaging, quality, and taste of the items displayed at the fair, it’s evident that Philippine products can be counted as among the world’s best.
Cris Roque, Undersecretary for the Department of Trade and Industry’s MSME Development Group, who once upon a time started as an MSME herself.
So much did I enjoy the bottled spreads such as tinapa, dulong, sardines and cheese pimiento — not to mention the wide assortment of artisanal coffee and chocolates — that it was hard to make up my mind as to what to try and buy! There were also stalls selling enticing native fruit juices like mango, dalandan, calamansi, guyabano, buko, and more. There was also no way to avoid sweets like piyaya, napaleones, barquillos, and dried mangoes, and assorted chips like cassava, potato, kang kong, kamote, malunggay, and carrots.
As an added come-on, there were fresh fruits and vegetables for sale at the entrance which were being sold for less than their market prices. For plantitas, the Department of Agriculture had its own booth selling plants and seedlings.
Lovely Nikki Benitez, wife of Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod City.
After walking around and buying this and that, I needed to sit down and take a break. Of course, the fair’s organizers anticipated that visitors would need to rest, so there was a section of the hall with tables and chairs where one could sit and enjoy the foods and beverages available. I was tempted to buy the Ilocos empanada, but was already full from all the free food samples I had been offered! It was clear that the fair was carefully planned and thoughtfully prepared for, as there were even shopping carts available to make bulk purchasing more convenient!
After visiting more booths after my brief break, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for the resolute spirit of Filipino entrepreneurs, who have endured and thrived in the face of numerous challenges. And how wonderful it is that the government has acknowledged their invaluable contribution to our nation’s economy and created programs and events like the Trade Fair to help them and shine the spotlight on them.
(The 10th DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair ran from July 3 to 7 2024, at the Megatrade Hall of Megamall.)
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