PAGADIAN CITY, (PIA) – The province of Zamboanga del Sur recently hosted a groundbreaking initiative to connect local producers with potential investors. The Inclusive Local Agri-Aqua-Trade Commodity Promotions and Forum, aptly named “Apil ang Tanan sa Tabo sa Katawhan” (mini trade fair), unfolded at a local mall here.
The provincial government, in collaboration with the Zamboanga Basilan Integrated Development Alliance (ZABIDA), took the lead in spearheading this joint endeavor. The provincial Department of Trade and Industry co-hosted the event, and it received significant support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ).
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province presented a variety of local products, including perfumes, pastries, wines, and chips, at the mini trade fair.
Harold Bayquin, president of the Pagadian Zamboanga del Sur Producers and OTOPreneurs Association (PZPOA), expressed gratitude for the initiative, highlighting its positive impact on the MSMEs in the province.
“Kani dako kaayo ug impact ug katabang sa amo as MSME. As president of the PZPOA, among goal ani is that among product dili lang for exposure sa local, kundili nationwide and even sa other countries,” said Bayquin.
(This is very impactful and helpful for us as MSME. As president of the PZPOA, our goal is not only our product’s local exposure, but also nationwide and even in other countries.)
The project’s core objective is to drive investments towards poverty eradication, peace-building, and sustainability within the region. Various stakeholders, including local producers, investors, and cooperative representatives, actively participated in the event.
In his message, DTI Provincial Director Marlon Alabata emphasized the moral imperative of poverty eradication. “Poverty eradication is not just a noble goal; it is a moral imperative. It is about ensuring that no one is left behind, that every family has a means to thrive, that every child can dream without the shackles of want,” he said.
“In most of the energy investments and public initiatives, we can break the chain of poverty and create an environment where prosperity is a shared reality,” he added.
The origins of this initiative trace back to a Joint Memorandum Circular issued in 2011-01, directed at provincial governors, labor officials, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), DTI, and the Board of Investments. Subsequently, the provincial government enacted Provincial Ordinance 073, series of 2022, establishing the Local Investments and Incentives Code of Zamboanga del Sur (LIIC-ZDS). The German group recognized the potential of this ordinance, leading to Zamboanga del Sur becoming a pivotal partner in mobilizing local investments.
Sponsored by Board Member Rogelio J. Saniel, the ordinance aimed to boost local investments, resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the provincial government and ZABIDA, representing the GIZ. This MOA solidified their collaboration in mobilizing investments to address poverty, promote peace-building, and ensure sustainability, supporting the local government’s implementation of the ordinance.
This initiative represents a continuation of previous efforts, not limited to experienced exhibitors but inclusive of new producers in the province. The objective is to identify and showcase products from those who have yet to participate in exhibitions, expanding the reach of local businesses and fostering economic growth. (RVC/EDT/HTB/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)
