Ilocos Sur festival trade fair fosters economic growth, cultural preservation
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The provincial government of Ilocos Sur is inviting residents and visitors to explore and support local products at the Ilocos Sur Food and
Trade Fair, a vibrant showcase of the province’s rich culinary and cultural offerings.
The event, which kicked off on January 29 at Govantes Dike in Vigan City, is part of the ongoing Ilocos Sur Festival 2025, will run until February 14.
A key highlight of the fair is the One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative, representing the unique specialties from the province’s 34 municipalities and cities.
Some of the featured OTOP items include the famous Vigan longganisa, bagnet from Narvacan town, peanut by-products from Santa Lucia town, balicucha or sugarcane candy/sweetener and other sugarcane by-products from Santa Maria town, ube jam and other ube by-products from Sugpon town, and a selection of wine made from rice, sugarcane, and bugnay or wild berries.
In addition, beautiful inabel clothing from the towns of Caoayan and Santiago is being showcased, along with the world-renowned robusta coffee from Sigay town, which is also produced by coffee growers from the municipalities of Gregorio Del Pilar, Quirino, and Salcedo.
New and improved products from various towns are also being sold at the fair, such as Santa Maria town, which has developed a new balicucha product—a balicucha lollipop that serves as coffee sweetener and stirrer.
Nagbukel town also introduced several papaya by-products, including papaya muffins and tarts, and Santa Lucia town expanded its peanut by-products to include crunchy creamy nuts, polvoron in chocolate and milk flavors, and peanut cheesy fudge.
By hosting the annual fair, Gov. Jeremias Singson said it has become a testament to the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Ilocos Sur, from the world-class handicrafts to the delectable culinary treasures of each city and municipality.
He said, “Our local entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, fisherfolk, and food innovators are the heart and soul of our local economy. Through their hard work and passion, they bring to life products that are not only uniquely Ilocano that are also globally competitive. These products are more than just goods – they are the stories of our heritage and the promise of our future.”
“Let us continue to support our locals, invest in our communities, and embrace the rich diversity of products that made Ilocos Sur the flourishing province of today. We must support our local products… We have to bring our local products to the world, and that’s why the provincial government has established a new building for all local government units to showcase their OTOP… We have to sell our products not only in the country but also to the world, so with this dream, we can achieve this as ONE Ilocos Sur,” Singson added.
In her message, Regional Director Merlie Membrere of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) applauded the effort of the provincial government and encouraged the continuous support of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to not only contribute to their success but also help preserve cultural heritage and strengthen the local economy.
She said, “The DTI is proud to support the provincial government’s initiative, recognizing its vital role in empowering our MSMEs and boosting our local economy. We believe that by providing our entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, resources, and market access, we can help them grow their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the overall development of Ilocos Sur and the whole of the Ilocos Region.”
With the support of the provincial government, local government units, various national government agencies, and the public, Membrere was hopeful that this year will generate even more sales, building on last year’s figure of more than P59 million.
During an interview with Irene Domingo, municipal agriculturist of Nagbukel town, she thanked the provincial government for annually hosting the trade fair, emphasizing that this event not only benefits local producers but also supports farmers in the area.
“Our OTOP is papaya. Although we don’t have extensive farmland for planting, we provide seedlings to each household every year to sustain the production of our by-products like papaya pickles. This trade fair, along with those hosted by the city of Candon, has been incredibly beneficial for our Ladies Papaya Processor’s Association and our farmers,” Domingo said.
She added that since participating in the trade fairs, their products have been gradually gaining recognition, leading to an increase in orders from buyers.
The “Ilocos Sur Food and Trade Fair” is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Feb. 14, but some booths may extend their stay if necessary.
