LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—“Quality is very important. Hindi pwede ‘yong pwede na. Kaya nga ang thrust ng Pangasinan ay ‘Ang Galing’ or excellence . We need to imbibe in us the value of excellence, that’s the only way we can make it.”
Governor Ramon V. Guico III disclosed this during a simple thanksgiving ceremony at the Urduja Hall in Lingayen by various Micro Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) representatives on June 14.
Through the recent staging of Manila Fame and International Food Expo (IFEx), the door of opportunities opened up to various local entrepreneurs.
A brainchild of the governor’s mother–Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, Founder of Project ‘Abound,’ it was through her initiative that MSMEs in Pangasinan successfully reached the global market.
“The measure of success for MSMEs is the number of contacts gained and sales we generated,” she stated.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Director Natalia Basto-Dalaten reported that local MSMEs that participated in IFEx 2024 have managed to increase their contacts and booked orders not just from local but international buyers.
The activity has generated booked sales of about $81,370 and total cash sales of P274,031.
Thankful of the support given by the provincial government, Jocelyn Ong Perez of Crafter’s Joy PH, expressed his appreciation to Gov. Guico. “Napakahirap po na wala akong masabi na suporta way back. There are so many Pangasinense na talagang magagaling and we can really go international but the government has been sleeping for a long time. Now, masayang-masaya kasi napakarami po natin dito and I know that with the provincial government magkakaroon tayo ng fruition into going international,” she lamented.
Rocky Doctor of Nutridense Food Manufacturing, on the other hand, stated that “lack of opportunity and support” from the government has become a setback in the past. “Nais ko pong magpasalamat sa ngalan ng kapwa ko MSME sa ating provincial government led by our passionate and visionary leader, Gov. Ramon V. Guico III,” he said.
Also expressing their support on behalf of the provincial board was Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino who cited the successful participation of the MSMEs in the two recent activities that ignited the fire.
“The two activities are just the beginning of what we can expect in the coming years,” he stressed.
In addition, Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague II hailed the local MSMEs as he said that the call of the governor to support the opening of a new era for the sector is an appreciation for them being one of the backbones of the province’s economy.
Manila Fame was launched in 1984 under the Center for International Expositions and Missions of the DTI to introduce non-food products of local MSMEs and artisans to consumers both local and international.
IFEx Philippines, on the other hand, is the country’s largest food exhibition which gives business to business platform for local food companies to launch their products in the global market.
The following MSMEs participated in Manila Fame 2023: Crafter’s Joy PH; Rach Arts and Crafts; Herwitanyo Art Studio; Kawayan Nature PH; Blessed Six; Women Empowerment and Livelihood Association of Binalonan (WELAB); Alma’s Handicrafts; DM Blades Metalcraft; Sword Rubio Enterprises; Ilokana Handicrafts; and, Erastus.
Ten MSMEs who joined IFex Phils 2024 include Freshious Inc.; Mama Cili Enterprises; Elisha Bay Dagupan Bangus & Seafood; Juris Bay Foods Inc.;Hou Yang Food Corp.;D &G Food Products Mfg.; Abundance Agri Tourism & Training Center; Bernal Bagoong; JNS Fish Processing; Nuridense Food Mfg. Corp.;Bantog Samahang Nayon MPC.
(Ruby F. Rayat, Orlan Llemos /PIMRO)
