(Photo courtesy of Manuel Morales)
LAOAG CITY – All 80 barangays in Laoag City are showcasing locally made products at Aurora Park from Sept. 18 to 20 as part of efforts to support community-based businesses and expand their markets.
The three-day One Barangay, One Product fair, organized by the city government and Liga ng mga Barangay in line with Tourism Month, encourages communities to develop products that reflect their local resources, skills and identity.
Liga ng mga Barangay president Roque Benjamin Ablan said the initiative provides local farmers, artisans, producers and entrepreneurs with a platform to reach more customers and generate livelihood opportunities.
Products on display include bamboo crafts and novelty items, handwoven baskets and hats made from water hyacinth, and processed food products such as malunggay powder and tea, cookies, cassava chips, sugarcane vinegar, bagoong and chili garlic oil.
Fresh fruits and vegetables produced by local communities are also featured at the fair.
The initiative is supported by government agencies including the departments of trade and industry, labor and employment, and social welfare and development, as well as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Provincial trade office director Amelia Galvez said community fairs provide local enterprises with opportunities to introduce their products to a wider market.
Through the program, barangays are encouraged to identify priority products and improve their quality, packaging, branding, production and marketing.
The city government said the initiative ultimately seeks to transform small-scale livelihood activities into sustainable enterprises that can generate jobs and contribute to grassroots economic growth.
