Trade and Industry Updates: Bohol

BOHOL joined the 2nd Visayas OTOP Fair in Boracay
La Carmela Resort, Boracay, Aklan

Producers from Bohol joined 99 other OTOP Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Region 6 (39 SMEs), Region 7 (35 SMEs), and Region 8 (25 SMEs) in the recently concluded 2nd Visayas One Town One Product (OTOP) Fair in Boracay. The fair ran five days from 23 - 27 May 2007 at the La Carmela de Boracay Resort. Two selling areas were provided for the buyers mainly composed of local and foreign tourists. Products on sale were souvenir items, beachwear, novelty items, furnishings, natural fiber, and fashion accessories such as bags, shawls, headgears and footwear, including food items and horticulture inputs.

The Bohol team of producers composed of the Inabanga OTOP Center displayed loomwovens made of raffia like bags, placemats, rolls, sandals, fashion accessories; FOCAS 1-Assisted Groups displayed bags made of pandan, mats made of romblon, placemats made of coco shells and VCO; 3 SHA Handicrafts of Inabanga displayed bags made of raffia; Bohol Countryside Souvenir Enterprises of Tubigon displayed bags made of seashells and raffia; Antequera OTOP displayed baskets and the Bohol PROFOOD displayed the famous “food pasalubong” from Bohol like peanut kisses, star peanuts, cookies, and tablea.

Two live mannequins presented the Visayas OTOP products under the direction and choreography of International Lifestyle Designer PJ Aranador.

The 2nd OTOP fair focused on selling products produced by the SMEs of the three regions under the DTI OTOP Philippines program. OTOP is one of the priority programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.

DTI 7 Regional Director Aster Caberte headed the delegation from the Central Visayas Region. The newly elected mayor of Antequera, Mayor Jaime Quibel, also known as the father of the basket industry in the province graced the fair.

The DTI Bohol Team composed of Marisol Balistoy, Blair Panong, Jerome Gabin, Rey Regis, Mercy Matalines, Nita Balaba and headed by Provincial Director Nannette Arbon facilitated the participation of the exhibitors from Bohol. ***