Treasures of Eastern Visayas at “Bahandi” Regional Trade Fair 2019

By DTI-ROG
September 8, 2019

MAKATI CITY – Around 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Eastern Visayas converged to bring the treasures of the island to Metro Manila.

The Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City turned into a festivity area as the 22nd “Bahandi” Eastern Visayas Trade Fair formally launched last October 3.

During the opening ceremony, DTI Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff of the Office of the Secretary, Rowel S. Barba delivered the keynote message on behalf of DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

In his message, Secretary Lopez, through Undersecretary Barba, reassured that DTI firmly supports trade fairs like the annual Bahandi Trade Fair because it serves as a marketing platform where big buyers do business with regional producers. Undersecretary Barba also associated “Bahandi” to MSMEs as they serve as treasures of the Philippines. The opening ceremony was also graced by key officials from the local government units in Eastern Visayas and other key officials of DTI Region 8 lead by OIC-Regional Director Celerina T. Bato.

“Bahandi” Trade Fair features the treasures of the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte in the form of fashion accessories, housewares, decors, furniture, and artisan food. The 150 participating MSMEs came from the Wearables and Homestyle and Processed Food sectors assisted by the different programs and projects of the Department.

This annual trade fair aims to provide a trade venue for producers from the region, link the producers with institutional and walk-in byers, and showcase the programs and projects designed for the MSMEs such as Shared Service Facilities (SSF), OTOP Next Generation and CARP. The five-day trade fair aims to generate at least P35M total sales for producer-exhibitors.