50 exhibitors add flavor to 24th ‘Partuat ti Kailokuan’ trade fair

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

LAOAG CITY—Aurora Park in this city shone the brightest on the evening of December 17, 2019 as it hosted 50 local exhibitors from various parts of Region 1 in their traditional fashion wear while showcasing the best quality food and non-food products they have at hand.

Running for 24 years now, the ‘Partuat ti Kailokuan’ Trade Fair continues to attract exhibitors and consumers to uplift each other for inclusive growth.

For the Department of Trade and Industry which is on the frontline of conducting the annual trade fair, acting provincial director Rosario Quodala reiterated during the opening ceremony that micro, small and medium enterprises play a vital role in local employment generation and economic development.

As a flagship program of the national government through the DTI’s MSME Development Plan 2017-2022, Ms. Quodala said the conduct of trade fairs provides more opportunities to small entrepreneurs and small businesses to have access to bigger markets.

“But before bringing them (MSMEs) into trade fairs and exhibit, we do a lot more other things to prepare them penetrate bigger markets,” said Ms. Quodala as she cited various skills training programs and extensive product development activities are being conducted to empower local entrepreneurs.

“Every year, we always look forward to joining the trade fair to generate more sales and develop network with other local entrepreneurs,” said Adel Branguelo of Novocijano, a manufacturer of quality and fashionable footwear and other novelty items in Nueva Ecija.

As Laoag City is losing a number of businesses to its neighboring town of San Nicolas due to traffic congestion and increasing real estate property taxes, Laoag Mayor Michael Marcos-Keon said the Aurora Park which is located at the heart of the city has been developed into a more conducive space for business promotion and development.

“We are looking at various ways and means to attract more investors in the city and to encourage local business growth. You have my full support,” Mr. Marcos-Keon told the MSMEs who were all dressed up and excited to introduce their latest products to consumers as well as to visiting tourists here.

For her part, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos hopes the MSMEs will continue to be inspired to develop more innovative products for the Ilokanos to break free from poverty.

From December 17 to 22, 2019 genuine quality products of the Ilokanos ranging from wood furniture, process food products, abel iluko, ornamental plants, handicrafts and other novelty items were exhibited at the park to the delight of buyers who were busy shopping this Yuletide season.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog