DTI alerts consumers to reduce carbon footprint

By April M. Bravo

DAGUPAN CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) – As part of its promotion of green practices, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to educate consumers and business establishments on how to reduce their carbon emissions to mitigate the possible great impact of climate change due to global warming.

Natalia Dalaten, officer-in-charge provincial director of DTI-Pangasinan, advised the public to check how far their carbon footprints go by using the Ecological Footprint Calculator online (https://www.footprintcalculator.org).

Dalaten said the Earth’s atmosphere has always acted like a greenhouse that captures the sun’s heat and global warming has accelerated as people have increased their use of fuels like gasoline, diesel, kerosene and natural gas, as well as petrochemicals such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizers.

With that, she shared some instant ways on how to reduce one’s carbon footprint:

·       Stop eating (or eat less) meat.
·       Unplug your devices when not in use.
·       Drive less. Walk more.
·       Don’t buy “fast fashion” or inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.
·       Plant in a garden.
·       Eat local and organic.
·       Line dry your clothes.

For more information and free seminars on the green economy, buyers and business firms may visit DTI-Pangasinan provincial office at the 2nd Floor of Star Building in Arellano Street in this city, or call them at (075) 515-3183 or 529-6177 or send an e-mail at R01.pangasinan@dti.gov.ph. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)

LGUs in Pangasinan vow support to DOLE’s anti-child labor program

By April M. Bravo

DAGUPAN CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment-Western Pangasinan Field Office (DOLE-WPFO) conducted a series of orientations for the past two months to educate local government units (LGUs) on the agency’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP).

In a statement, Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez, information officer of DOLE in the Ilocos, said that orientations were held in nine LGUs such as Alaminos City, Aguilar, Binmaley, Bolinao, Bugallon, Lingayen, Mangatarem, Sual and Urbiztondo where these LGUs vowed support by taking a proactive stance on the child labor issue.

“Among the interventions that the LGUs are willing to provide for child laborers or children at risk of child labor and their families were referral and feedback, job referral and placement, livelihood, advocacy and strengthening of existing mechanisms in handling programs and services for children,” said Valdez.

She said participants to the orientations were from different departments of the LGUs, including representatives from Sangguniang Panlungsod/Sangguaning Bayan Committees on Labor and Employment, government agencies such as Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police and persons with disabilities’ associations.

She added that topics discussed during the orientations were the CLPEP, Republic Act 9231, DOLE Department Order No. 149-2016, 2018 child labor profiling results, 2019 child labor target areas, referral and feedback mechanisms, and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 73-2019.

Further, DOLE in the Ilocos Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra said the wave of orientations is useful in raising awareness and expanding support base for the government’s anti-child labor efforts.

Based on the results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2011 Survey on Children, there are 2.1 million child laborers aged five to 17 years old in the Philippines.

About 95 percent of them are in hazardous work.

“In Western Pangasinan, at least 978 child laborers were identified as recipients of various government services,” Valdez said. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan with reports from DOLE Regional Office 1)

Consultation on the IRR of Magna Carta of the Poor held in Region 1

By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim

BAUANG, La Union, October 23 (PIA) — The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) led the regional consultation on the formulation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Magna Carta of the Poor on Oct. 21 and 22 at Hotel Ariana, here.

Alfred Antonio, development management officer V of the NAPC, said the two-day event was aimed to gather feedback and comments on the proposed IRR of Republic Act 11291, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of the Poor.

“We had series of consultations nationwide to engage our stakeholders and in order for us to finalize the IRR which serves as the blueprint or guidelines on how to implement the law,” Antonio said.

The first day of the event was attended by some 600 representatives from the local government units in the region. The second day, meanwhile, was attended by the basic sectors, civil society organizations, and people’s organizations.

Antonio said the finalization of the IRR is vital as it shall clearly define clear roles of the State and concerned government agencies, bodies, and instrumentalities to fully realize the identified five rights of the poor.

Said rights include the following: Right to Adequate Food, Right to Decent Work, Right to Relevant and Quality Education, Right to Adequate Housing, and Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health.

Further, Antonio said, the magna carta is not seen as a duplication of existing poverty alleviation programs but rather establishes a better and more harmonized system to meet the identified rights of the poor.

Among the highlights of the consultation was the presentation of the draft IRR followed by a plenary discussion.

By the end of October, Antonio shared that a team will consolidate all the inputs gathered from all the consultations held in every region nationwide.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that within November, we will be able to finalize the IRR for the President’s signature,” said Antonio.

The latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that the poverty incidence among Filipinos in the first semester of 2015 was estimated at 26.3 percent. (JCR/JNPD/PIA La Union)

Constitutional reform targets to strengthen political party system

By Venus May H. Sarmiento

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Oct. 22 (PIA) – A salient feature of the proposed political and electoral reform provisions to the 1987 Constitution being pushed by the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform (CFCR) involves the strengthening of the political party system to give chance to the lesser-known public.

Professor Jose Ramon Casiple, resource person on Constitutional Reform (CoRe), said an amendment to the Constitution is necessary for it to create an immediate impact on the Filipino people.

Casiple said such changes in the provision include the strengthening of the political party system and imposing restrictions on political dynasties.

“The amendment would change the rules of the game. It would change traditional politics marred by vote-buying, cheating and others,” Casiple said during the CoRe Talk held in Lingayen town on Monday.

By strengthening the political party, he said, leaders produced will not be based on power or political clans.

“Kahit wala kang pera at hindi masyadong kilala ang apelyido mo, kung magaling ka, may qualities of a good leader at gusto mong magsilbi,  ang partido ang bahala sayo. The party will raise funds and roll the campaign for you,” Casiple explained.

The professor said the party can raise funds for a candidate as long as the concept is transparent. Contributions can come from individual citizens.

The party is restricted from accepting donations or contributions coming from illegal trade, jueteng, drug lords, syndicates, religious groups, foreign entities and corporations.

“Because it (party fund) will be a public fund, it will be audited by the Commission on Audit and a proper identification as to who the donor is, how much was donated and where the money was spent will be scrutinized,” he added.

Another provision is the restriction on changing political parties to avoid a monopoly.

If a candidate shifts to another political party while election time is nearing, he cannot run in the present political season. He would have to wait for the next election season.

The practice of shifting to the political party of whoever wins the Presidency will also be avoided, the resource speaker said.

“Mabigat ang restrictions, kaya bawal ang balimbing,” Casiple clarified.

Casiple believes that the provision calling for the restriction on dynasties will be a long talk in Congress as 80 percent of the representatives are members of political dynasties, according to the CoRe survey.

The amendment dictates that the incumbent cannot be succeeded by a family member within the second degree of consanguinity.

Husband and wife tandem or parent and child tandem in the mayoralty and vice-mayoralty race are also prohibited in the provision because they are in the same jurisdiction.

“Pag mag-asawa o mag-tatay o mag-nanay sa executive and legislative branches sa iisang area of jurisdiction, wala ng check and balance,” Casiple explained.

The Department of the Interior and Local  Government (DILG)  said the CoRe Provincial Roadshow in Pangasinan is the first in the country and will be rolled to more provinces nationwide.

Other speakers from the CFCR who came to Pangasinan include Secretary Gary Olivar and Professor Eric Daniel De Torres. (AMB/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)

PSA leads conduct of 30th NSM celebration activities in Ilocos Region

By Anne Hazel Fajardo-Flores

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) – In celebration of the 30th National Statistics Month (NSM) with the theme: “Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation” this October, the Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office 1 (PSA-RSSO1) led the conduct of various activities in Ilocos Region.

“Our celebration highlights the innovations in statistical processes and data that are used for creation of effective policies,” said PSA division chief of the Statistical Policies and Program Division and keynote speaker Lotis Ira during the regional kick-off ceremony held on October 8 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – La Union Regional Office (BSP-LURO).

 

30TH NSM REGIONAL OPENING CEREMONY – Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) division chief of the Statistical Policies and Program Division and keynote speaker Lotis Ira delivers her speech during the regional opening ceremony of the 30th National Statistics Month celebration held on October 8, 2019 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-La Union Regional Office (BSP-LURO) in San Fernando City, La Union. (AHFF/PIA1)

 

She also mentioned that PSA will remain relevant and responsive to the people by way of improving their conventional surveys and releasing accurate and timely information through various social media platforms for wider awareness.

“Statistical data is the lifeblood of our decisions to provide effective and efficient government services, and our stakeholders’ involvement in our programs and activities will help make statistics a reliable tool for a better quality of life,” she added.

Part of the activities for the whole month was jingle singing competition, essay writing, poster-slogan making and oratorical contests participated by senior high school and tertiary level students and government employees on October 8 and 18.

Further, a statistical symposium was held at the Regional Science High School in Bangar, La Union attended by more than a hundred students on October 9.

The same shall also be staged at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC) on October 23.

Various partners of PSA for the observance include the BSP, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC).

 

30th NSM REGIONAL OPENING CEREMONY – More than a hundred representatives from partner government agencies and non-government organizations join the 30th National Statistics Month celebration on October 8, 2019, held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-La Union Regional Office (BSP-LURO) in San Fernando City, La Union. (AHFF/PIA1)

 

Moreover, other partner-government agencies involved are the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Philippine Statistics Association, Inc. (PSAI), a non-government organization-partner of PSA, also supported the celebration by spearheading a Gender and Development (GAD) Statistical Training slated on October 8-11.

Furthermore, the on-going search for the Best NSM Province Implementer shall be determined by the end of the month in the closing ceremonies scheduled on October 29.

The annual celebration aims to promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 declaring the month of October of every year as the NSM.

It is also endeavored to elicit the support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country. (JCR/AMB/AHFF/PIA-1)

Feature: A decade of 4Ps: Serious gov’t help for the needy

By Venus May H. Sarmiento

As the sun prepares to rise early each morning, so does Melani.

No, she is not a pandesal vendor nor a street sweeper. Not even a garbage collector or an office girl. She is a Parent Leader.

She, along with a hundred more of her kind, roam the streets of their communities every day to inform and interact with the public especially to the underprivileged families.

Melani Sibayan of the San Leon, Balungao Parents Association was recently adjudged as the regional winner of the  Outstanding Parent Leader Search launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

This is in observance of the 10th year of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The award is given to Pantawid Pamilya parent leaders who have shown remarkable attributes and principles; group members who have high compliance rate; and have exuded leadership style that encompasses knowledge, skills, and attitude in spearheading the group.

After several years in the program, Pantawid Pamilya Parent Leaders and Beneficiaries were able to gain  a deeper appreciation of their roles and contribution to the implementation of the program.

Moreover, they serve as role models to other program beneficiaries through adherence to program guidelines and conditions.

In a village where cooperation of people is a challenge, Melani sees to it that she does not only think of herself but more so, the welfare of everybody in the community especially the children.

“Kahit may mga pagkakataon na nahihirapan, ako at ang aking mga kasamahan ay buong pusong maglilingkod na walang hinihinging kapalit,” Sibayan said.

Balungao Mayor Maria Theresa Peralta couldn’t agree more. Peralta said when 4Ps was just starting in her 4th class municipality, many issues hounded the program.

The greatest challenge was the non-cooperation of the people and the claim of some that the program teaches beneficiaries to be lazy.

But with sheer determination and the 4Ps guidelines as their armor, what started out as a simple activity on bio-intensive communal gardening for mothers in the area, blossomed to so many undertakings which are now part of the development plan of the municipality.

“We have developed our framework in community development plan with Pantawid activities and with President Duterte’s order of institutionalizing the 4Ps, we know that this program is nonetheless, not useless,” Peralta said during the awarding ceremony for 4Ps partners.

The eastern town of Balungao in the sixth congressional district of Pangasinan has started caring for 25 children at the onset of the program.

Now, there are 8,400 children under the program’s care.

Incidentally, the municipality of Balungao was the only town in Pangasinan to be recognized as the Local Government Unit with the  Most Institutionalized Conduct of City/ Municipal Advisory Committee(C/MAC) meeting in 2018.

“With the many programs and projects we do for our town, on top of all, we think about the welfare of the people. Maging mabuti tayong mamamayan,” Peralta said.

10-year challenge

After a decade, the effort to explain to people why the 4Ps is being implemented by the government still poses a challenge.

Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes Castillo of DSWD in the Ilocos said people have opposing views and still question why the government helps only a little portion of the inhabitants and not the entire populace.

“Lagi naming pinapaunawa sa kanila na sila ang mukha ng kahirapan na gustong mai-angat ng pamahalaan ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay. Ito muna, and after a while this can be replicated,” Castillo explained.

On issues surrounding the delisting of some beneficiaries, Castillo explained that all benefits have conditionalities and all members are briefed on such.

“Therefore, if conditionalities are not met, the beneficiaries’ attention is called and they undergo counseling. If they still continue to go against rules, they are temporarily delisted,” he said.

“This is to show that the government is serious in helping them. Ang tumutulong ay maligaya kung nakikita niya na ang tinutulungan niya ay tumutugon sa usapan at conditions,” Castillo said.

10-year milestone

A decade of recognition and thanksgiving was marked by the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program which hopefully will be a law.

Castillo said the coming into law of the program is a major milestone. Add to this, the more than 40,000 former beneficiaries who have now ‘graduated’ from the program because their lives are now much better.

Ten years and counting. A decade may have passed but the help will continue.

As Castillo summed up the challenge: “Marami pa tayong gagawin at sama-sama tayo sa pagtugon sa hamon para sa pag-angat ng antas ng kabuhayan para sa ating mahihirap na kababayan.” (JCR/JNPD/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)

 

A DECADE OF 4Ps. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region I celebrated 10 years of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program with a recognition ceremony for all its partners.

Secretary Andanar promotes gov’t services in Ilocos Norte

By Ma. Joreina Therese A. Blanco

BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte, Oct. 20 (PIA) – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar served as the keynote speaker during the PCOO Roadshow Campus Caravan held at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Function Hall in this city on October 18.

In a campus forum attended by more than 300 participants composed of students, student leaders, and teachers, Sec. Andanar is joined by PCOO Assistant Secretary and Freedom of Information (FOI) Program Director Asec. Kristian Ablan, PCOO Assistant Secretary for the Office of Brand Integration Ramon Cualoping III, PCOO Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, PCOO Office of the Legal Affairs Atty. Mark Villareal, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Assistant Regional Director Remus Rabara, and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis.

In his keynote message, Sec. Andanar underscored the importance of the right to access to information through FOI.

“For the first time, public records can now be properly accessed because of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s second executive order,” Sec. Andanar said.

Freedom of Information has been signed by President Duterte on July 23, 2016, through Executive Order (EO) No. 2, series of 2016 to operationalize the Constitutional mandate of the People’s Right to Information.

 

FOI CHAMPIONS. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar poses with PCOO Assistant Secretary and FOI Program Director Kris Ablan, other PCOO officials, and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis during the FOI Campus Caravan held at the MMSU Function Hall on October 18.

 

“One hundred percent compliance by national government agencies, 92% from state universities and colleges (SUCs), 88% from government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and 38% from local water districts,” the Secretary bared the data obtained by the PCOO with regard to compliance of agencies to FOI requests.

“Because of the FOI executive order, we have likewise opened a direct communication highway for people-to-people, people-to-government discourse,” he added.

FOI is continuously being advocated by PCOO Asec. Ablan, traveling all parts of the country to help local agencies in coming up with an FOI ordinance.

“Today, an FOI caravan is on the roll reaching out to the local governments that must travel along the communication highway we have set and served as an instrument of review, analysis, and proposals from the ground,” the Secretary shared.

The PCOO Secretary also stressed out the importance of FOI in creating responsible sharers of information in the community and in the social media.

“Freedom of Information underlies the wisdom of the public. Fake and false news presumes an ignorant public. FOI cleans the media environment from the pollution that has been often spread in social media,” he underscored.

He is hopeful that through FOI, this will bring the government closer to the people.

“May this FOI caravan be the trailblazer for giving our people the government of their present and ideal future, the government they build with their individual and collective labor, the government that serves their basic needs and elevates them to a comfortable measure of contentment, self-reliance, and dignity,” he said in closing.

Sec. Andanar, along with Asec. Ablan and University President Agrupis, led the ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as the start of a new partnership in incorporating the FOI program in the academe.

 

FOI MOU. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, PCOO Asec. Kris Ablan, and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the FOI program in the university during the FOI Campus Caravan held at the MMSU Function Hall on October 18.

 

Afterward, the PCOO Secretary and officials also took the lead in signing the Freedom Wall as part of its commitment to upholding an open and transparent government for the young people and the public.

 

FREEDOM WALL. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar leads the signing of the FOI Freedom Wall during the FOI Campus Caravan held at MMSU Function Hall on October 18.

The Ilocos Norte leg, composed of the FOI campus caravan and the Multi-sectoral Forum, is the last leg of the PCOO roadshow in the Ilocos Region. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)

NMIS leads ‘Oplan Linis’ of slaughterhouses

By Venus May H. Sarmiento

URDANETA CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) — The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS)  led the cleaning of several slaughterhouses in the province in observance of the 26th Meat Safety Consciousness Week.

For the weeklong observance  from October 14 to 18, NMIS employees helped local government units (LGU) clean the slaughterhouses in their areas in what is dubbed as ‘Oplan Linis.’

Dr. Cherrie Ann Javier, senior meat control officer and consumer protection focal of NMIS,  said the Oplan Linis was piloted in the Lingayen slaughterhouse under the first-class category and in Mangaldan which is under the  ‘Double AA’ class.

“We reiterated to the LGUs and the slaughterhouse owners the proper way of cleaning, including disinfecting (of the slaughterhouses) to prevent the spread of diseases,” Javier said during the Pantongtongan Tayo program of the Philippine Information Agency aired live over DZMQ Radyo Pilipinas.

Javier said a stakeholders meeting was also conducted to remind LGUs, meat inspection officers, and slaughterhouse watchers of the strict implementation of the “no veterinary health center permit, no slaughter” policy.

In light of the African Swine Fever scare, Javier reiterated that “Pinoy pork is safe to eat” and that the Department of Agriculture coined the slogan for uniformity in every LGU.

This year’s theme for the Meat Safety Consciousness Week is “Karneng Pagkain, Sapat at Ligtas: Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita ang Katumbas.” The celebration also coincided with NMIS’ 47th foundation anniversary (JCR/JND/VHS/PIA-1)

 

SLAUGHTERHOUSE CLEANING: Dr. Cherrie Ann Javier, senior meat control officer and consumer protection focal of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) said the agency led the cleaning of several slaughterhouses in the province in observance of the 26th Meat Safety Consciousness Week.

 

DILG to roll-out the constitutional reform roadshows in the Ilocos

By Freddie G. Lazaro\

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA) – – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will roll-out the Constitutional Reform’s (CORE) provincial roadshows in the Ilocos region starting in Pangasinan on Sunday, October 20.

Director James F. Fadrilan, the regional director of the DILG Region 1, said the provincial roadshow dubbed as the “Balangayan 2019 Constitutional Roadshow” in Pangasinan is the maiden activity in the entire nation.

He said the CORE provincial roadshow is a project of the DILG through the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform (CFCR) headed by Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

Further, Fadrilan said the regional offices of the DILG are tasked to implement the massive information and dissemination of the project with the assistance of the regional and provincial offices of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) nationwide.

Willy D. De Vera, the regional project officer of the CFCR, said the main highlight of the provincial roadshows is the discussion of the new version of the CORE.

Willy D. De Vera, the regional project officer of the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform (CFCR), shows the tentative activities for the conduct of the Constitutional Reform (CORE) roadshow in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union and Pagasinan during the recent coordination meeting held at the conference room at the DILG Regional Office  in San Fernando City, La Union.  (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)

 

He said that CORE has four major objectives such as Pagyamanin ang probinsya, paluwagin ang Metro Manila (Enriching the province, outspan Metro Manila); Gobyerno para sa tao, hindi para sa trapo (Government for the people, not for the traditional politician); Bukas na ekonomiya nang lahat ay may pag-asa (Hope for open economy for all); and Bagong konstitusyon para sa bagong henerasyon (New constitution for the new generation).

De Vera said the CORE advocacy campaign has the following components: constitutional reform provincial roadshow; constitutional reform civil society organization (CSO) coalition building; constitutional reform advocacy campaign to SK Presidents and Liga ng mga Barangay Presidents; and constitutional reform youth congress.

“Among the activities of the provincial roadshows in Region 1 are media briefing, CORE talk with the students, convention rally with the leaders and members of the multi-sectoral group and town hall meeting,” said De Vera.

He added that a CORE speakers’ bureau training is also set in Pangasinan with representatives from DILG, academe, and PIA as participants.

Earlier, the DILG has created the CFCR to push the campaign for federalism. The CFCR will act as the central office in the production and distribution of campaign materials, such as pamphlets, presentations, and posters to be distributed online and offline to barangays nationwide.

In a statement, DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año said the cornerstone of the President’s change agenda is the shift from a unitary to a federal system of government.

“The DILG, through the CFCR, is privileged to take center stage and lead the nationwide campaign to inform and educate the public about the merits of federalism,” Año said. (JCR/FGL, PIA1)

La Union fetes 18 years of OTOP, tourism expo

By Joanne Namnama P. Dilim

SAN FERNANDO CITY, October 18 (PIA) —  The province of La Union has long been known as the surfing capital of the north because of its inviting beaches. But there is so much more to love and experience in the province especially its local products and tourism.

From October 18 to 24, people and tourists in the metropolitan Manila will have an opportunity to have a taste of La Union in terms of its homegrown products and tourism through the 18th La Union’s Fairest.

The week-long event is a one-town, one-product (OTOP ) and tourism expo to be held at the Robinson’s Galleria Activity Center in Quezon City. It is led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) La Union, in close partnership with the Provincial Government of La Union and the Department of Tourism Region 1.

Merlie Membrere, DTI La Union provincial director, said since the fair’s inception in 2001, it has become a venue to promote the province’s products to the mainstream market.

“The event gives our local micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) a good opportunity to showcase their ingenuity as seen in their products,” Membrere said.

During the fair, the best products of some 50 local entrepreneurs in La Union will be available such as hand-crafted and bamboo products, furniture, and home furnishings, crochet items, best tasting processed and fresh foods, and organic and natural health and wellness products, among others.

Judith Maron, owner of the Familiar Table and one of the fair exhibitors, shares how the DTI has helped her in the three-year-old tablea and chocolate business.

She said, with the help of the DTI, she was able to transform her passion for tablea making into a booming business.

“My business was conceived from my grandmother’s recipe which is tablea with sugar,” Maron shared.

She added that her usual buyers before were only her relatives but since she registered her business with the DTI in 2016, her market has gone wider.

Further, she claimed that she started her enterprise with only one employee which grew in number to four at present.

Her enticing items’ package and design is also a result of product development under the DTI.

Now, she manufactures different blends of tablea and tsokolate bites and is considered the first cacao processor in the province.

Aside from local products, this year’s fair will feature the various tourism destinations in La Union. Affordable travel packages to the province will be offered to visitors in time for the popular La Union Surfing Break from October 25 to 27 and in the upcoming holiday season.

Meanwhile, the 1st La Union Investment and Business Forum will be held today, October 18, which is aimed to bring key buyers and potential investors under one roof and give them the opportunity to be informed of the latest product innovations, trends, agri-tourism and business prospects in the province. (JCR/JNPD/PIA La Union)