26th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair opens in SM Megamall

MANDALUYONG CITY -- The five-day (Oct. 16-20) 26th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair officially opened here at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2 here on Wednesday (Oct. 16).

With the theme: "Sustainable and Innovative Products, Proudly Tatak Pinoy!",  the Trade Fair is a project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cooperation with the SM Megatrade Hall, PhilExports, CLGCFI, and Regional Development Council-3.

Several activities are lined up for the entire five-day Trade Fair.

Safety officers are available from today until Sunday (Oct. 20).

The Tarlac Agricultural University Performing Guild Chorale artists rendered Tagalog songs such as "Ama Namin" (The Lord's Prayer) and "Bagong Pilipino, Bagong Pilipinas".

Also present were House Committee on Trade Industry Chair Mario Vittorio Marino, QC LGU, LGUs from Bulacan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, and Metro Manila LGUs in San Narciso, Zambales Mayor Lorraine Sarmiento, Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, former Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, Jr., Dr. Richard Simangan, Usec. Lantayena, BCCI President Corina Bautista, representatives from DTI Bataan, other executive offices in Central Luzon, DAR and DSWD in Region 3, among others.

DTI-3 Regional Director Edna P. Dizon acknowledged the representative of Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, and the 160 exhibitors.

"In behalf of Sec. Cristina Roque, I would like to welcome you in the 26th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair,," Dizon said.

"Ang DTI po ngayon ay moving into creativity and innovation with many innovative products in the coming years," she added.

Dizon said that this year more than 160 exhibitors from across the seven provinces of Central Luzon such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Aurora, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Bataan are participating in the Trade Fair.

Each of the seven Central Luzon provinces has its own kind of branding and native products.

A series of activities has been lined up for the duration of the five-day Trade Fair.

"We expect to generate more income this year," Dizon.

Dizon thanked the local chief executives for supporting the MSMEs (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises).

She cited the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI).

"We are now moving into international events. Kaya nyo ba yon," Dizon said.

The Creative Industries Development Council is supporting the Trade Fair. 

PhilExports President Philip Lepato said that PhilExports in Region 3 was glad to be with the 26th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair. 

The PhilExports is active in the development of both provincial and regional MSMEs.

The Tarlac and Bulacan MSMEs are included in the 27 export companies in Central Luzon. 

Central Luzon is a big contributor in the national economy providing ample food on the table, shelter and clothing. 

Gov. Yap extended her acknowledgement for all the people involved in the Trade Far, especially the MSMEs in the seven provinces of Central Luzon. 

Yap said that the more than 160 exhibitors have a lot of stuff for the Christmas Season. 

She mentored a lot of MSMEs and generated 100 employees initially, and now more than a thousand employees. 

Yap stressed that the 160 exhibitors are the "Best MSMEs", the "Best in Luzon". 

Leonides "Loloy" Reyes, from Houston, Texas, United States, said that he would like to bring in more Filipino products in the United States.. 

"We are part of the American Chamber of Commerce and the World Chamber of Commerce but the Filipino products are not yet able to penetrate the US market," Reyes said. 

He added that it's now the opportuity to bring in the Filipino products into the United States. 

Houston, Texas Council Member Edward Pollard said that Houston is home to one of the largest Filipino communities in the United States. 

The Filipino products can be exported to the United States through the Subic Freeport and the Clark International Airport. 

The Trade Mission is between the Council of Houston and the Philippine Consul. 

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando was not able to make it as he has to attend to a relief operation in Hagonoy, Bulacan. 

He was represented by the Bulacan Provincial Cooperative and Enterprises Office. 

In his message of support, Fernando cited the sustainable and innovative products of the MSMEs in Central Luzon. 

Fernando boasted of the One Town One Product 

The Top 3 sellers in last year's Trade Fair were Bulacan Joyful Garden Organic Farm, Inc., with PHP5 million sales, Tarlac with total sales of PHP10 million, and with PHP23 million sales from the province of Bataan.