Cordillera product expo exceeds target, rakes over P50M sales

Collective efforts, determination and quality products became their basis and formula of success.

When the Philexport Cordillera opened its first Cordillera Product Expo (CPE) on November 28, 2014 at the Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa, members of the trade group were optimistic that they can pull a good start and set a breaking record for themselves.

With technical assistance and support from the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera, the 10-day fair ended Dec. 7 with total sales that doubled what traders expected.

DTI Cordillera director Myrna Pablo said the CPE generated P15.6 million for cash sales and P36 million for booked orders amounting to P52.5 million total sales.

Among top selling products were furniture and furnishings, heirloom and upland products and processed food that included coffee and organically grown rice.

Products from Abra were top sellers generating P40 million followed by Benguet with P5 million and Ifugao with P3.2 million in total sales.

Of 68 exhibitors who joined the product expo, 26 came from Benguet, 14 from Ifugao, 11 from Kalinga, 10 from Abra, two from Mountain Province with two guest exhibitors.

Nena Aleo, president of Philexport CAR expressed appreciation to DTI-CAR for continually providing assistance to them saying that their first major trade event can lead them to greater heights.

The management of Festival Supermall also noted that display of products coming from the Cordillera has become a much awaited event in their mall especially during yearend and Christmas season. -- Art Tibaldo