Cordillera products showcased in Makati

By Art Tibaldo 

MAKATI CITY -- Cordillera gongs were once again beaten at the Department of Trade and Industry Main Office in this city.

As part of its trade and marketing assistance for micro, small to medium enterprises (MSME), the regional office of DTI Cordillera Administrative Region invited a group of local entrepreneurs, the Montanosa Livelihood Association Incorporated (MLAI) to showcase their products for two and a half months at the OTOP showroom of DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) along Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City.

 During its opening program last Feb. 15, Undersecretary Nora Terrado of the DTI Industry Promotions Group told DTI-CAR regional director Myrna Pablo and members of the MLAI the fair should be an opportunity to show quality products and design at the right cost.

Terrado said there should be a head turner effect at the show windows to which  Pablo responded that the proof of the pudding is already here referring to the loom-woven products, bamboo crafts, organically grown veggies, processed food, coffee, gifts, housewares and decors including furniture and furnishings. 

Impakabsat, as explained by Pablo during the fair’s opening program is an acronym of the beginning letters of the six provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region completed with the Ilocano word “kabsat” which refers to a brother or a sister.

Since its first staging one year after the 1990 earthquake, Impakabsat showcased finely crafted products that are considered only the best from the Cordillera.  

 The formal opening of the fair was done Cordillera style with the beating of gongs by Terrado and DTI Assistant Secretary BlesilaLantayona witnessed by .Pablo, BDTP directorRhodora M. Leano, guests and members of the MLAI.

The MLAI is a group of producers based in Baguio tapped by DTI-CAR to carry the products of its members including those from other provinces of CAR. As agreed with the organizing committee, members of the MLAI composed of about 35 MSMEs from the association will take turns in manning the day-to-day exhibit and selling at the DTI-BDTP OTOP showroom.

For its role, the BDTP will likewise conduct a market matching activity by inviting institutional buyers and by distributing promotional materials to clients. As an add-on activity, a Friday Market where organic and fresh fruits and vegetables from the region will be sold every Friday and a coffee corner will also be included showcasing various coffee products from fourteen enrolled regions.