THE 4TH Weekend Tienda sa Iloilo — a pop-up bazaar featuring local industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) — opens today, Sept. 15, and will run until the 17th at the Atria Park District in Iloilo City. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Western Visayas Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal said the Regional Development Council (RDC-6) is planning to replicate the Weekend Tienda in areas other than Iloilo. “We want this to be a mainstay and not just a product advertisement. So we will assess the success of the previous events if it is right to opt for expansion,” said Ms. Bacal, who is also a member of the RDC-6. About 60 local producers will join the event to exhibit their products varying from handicraft, delicacies, fresh poultry, fruits, vegetables, and aquaculture produce, among others. Cherry Ganancial, executive director of Tinukib Foundation, Inc. of Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc., said the event does not only sell local produce but aims to establish markets for entrepreneurs. “The past events paved the way for small producers to establish linkage with institutional buyers,” she said. Ms. Ganancial said they aim to raise at least P600,000 during the three-day event. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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