Mindanaotoday.com | DTI’s ‘Madagaya’ Christmas expo features Bukidnon’s bounty
VALENCIA CITY – Bukidnon’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched its “Madagaya Trade Fair: Bukidnon’s Bounty,” December 12-16, at Robinson’s Place, this city.
Junar Merla, head of the DTI Bukidnon Consumer Protection Division, said the week-long trade show is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and features “low-priced” goods from local makers of handicrafts and furniture, food processors, and wellness products, among others.
“Just in time for this holiday season, the Christmas trade fair will showcase the province’s DTI-assisted ‘One Town, One Product (OTOP) program, Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID), Negosyo Center (NC), Shared Service Facilities (SSF), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), and Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP),” he said.
“Madagaya” is a Bukidnon word for plenty or abundance. Hence, to keep true to being famed as northern Mindanao’s food basket and the land of bounty, the event features a diverse range of goods handcrafted, produced, created, tooled, and fashioned by the province’s MSMEs, he added.
There are new islands and booths to see at this year’s fair, such as the Coffee Island by Bukidnon Bean, the Service Sector Island (with things like tourism, fashion design, consulting, and food service), and the CFIDP Booth, which has products made from coconuts.
The San Agustin Institute of Technology (SAIT) Youth Entrepreneurs’ product launch; Central Mindanao University’s technology pitching; and the book launch of Eriberto A. Taban-ud Jr.’s “Military Technocracy: The Best Government During Darkest Times” are among the highlights of the event.
“Madagaya” also includes the Kapatid Mentor ME Summit—a gathering of KMME graduates for additional capability-building and networking; and the Coffee Festival—a celebration of Bukidnon coffee lovers and producers to be accented with a brewing competition, Coffee Appreciation Seminar, and Latte Art Competition.
There were free learning sessions on mutual funds and business insurance, December 15, and a Culture and Arts Day highlighting Bukidnon’s talents, December 16.
Famelah Racquel Villanueva, DTI-Bukidnon provincial director, said this is a holiday season trade show where DTI can bring together Bukidnon-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to promote locally made products.
“Exhibitors attend to meet potential new customers, strengthen relationships with dealers and distributors, and network with influencers and the media. Consumers and attendees come to learn about the latest products being introduced, to take advantage of special “show prices” from exhibitors, and to gain knowledge about various local products,” she explained.
The Madagaya Trade Fair: Bukidnon’s Bounty, she said, is DTI-Bukidnon’s flagship event that was first launched in Christmas 2021, which generated total sales of P800,000 and assisted over 100 MSMEs province-wide.
The Valencia City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association Inc., the Bukidnon MSMED Council, the Central Mindanao University, Loiza’s Pavilion, and Robinsons Place, in partnership with the city government of Valencia and Bukidnon provincial government, hammered out again to help MSMEs recover from the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. (DTI-Bukidnon | PIA-10 | Bukidnon)
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