DTI-CAR Regional Director Raymond Panhon and Assistant Regional Director Samuel Gallardo presenting the Department of Trade and Industry accomplishments in Cordillera under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance of President Ferdinand Marco Jr.
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is prioritizing five primary industries under the Industry Cluster Enhancement (ICE) program where priority industry clusters are identified and supported through linkages of producers, processors, traders, and distributors of particular products.
For Cordillera, the DTI ICE program focus industries are bamboo, coffee, cacao, processed fruits and nuts, and wearables and home styles.
“The development and promotion of industry clusters are identified as a major strategy in helping achieve its vision of a globally competitive and innovative industry and services sector that contributes significantly to inclusive growth and employment generation”, DTI Regional Director Raymond Panhon shared during the Bagong Pilipinas Kapihan..
“This is also a corollary to the thrust to provide the ‘Big Push’ for SMEs to enable them to meet those challenges by providing them access to market and finance. Using the industry cluster approach, DTI will build alliances with relevant agencies and institutions to develop competitive and innovative SMEs, implement a program for productivity and efficiency, and create conducive business enabling environment,” Panhon explained.
Under the program for the five clustered industries, DTI-CAR data showed a total of P286.17 million in investments, 241 trainings conducted, 5,341 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) assisted, 9,220 jobs generated and resulted to P517.45 million domestic sales.
Panhon also shared that the DTI-CAR supports local MSMEs through the IMPAKABSAT Regional Trade Fair, an annual event showcasing the best products from the Cordilleras.
The name IMPAKABSAT comes from the Ilocano word “kabsat” which means brother or sister, reflecting the spirit of community and collaboration.
Usually held in the Metro Manila area for wider reach, it aims to support MSMEs by providing a platform to showcase their products and connect with potential customers.
In its 32nd run at the Festival Mall Alabang, the IMPAKABSAT trade fair last November 2024 was participated by 70 local MSMEs featuring only the best from the Cordilleras.
During that fair, the IMPAKABSAT Online Catalogue was launched making the fair a year-round thing as products on display can also be bought online directly from the MSMEs. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
