Bayong lifts trade fair gains

By Rey M. Nasol

LEGAZPI CITY – The reintegration of indigenous bags in lieu of non-biodegradable plastics has a new wave of benefit to other parts of Bicol region, even as Albay pioneered the ‘no plastic’ policy for food and other products, while others have yet to follow suit, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry said.

“The OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade Fair (RTF) has tallied P18.7M sales this year, or a 10 percent increase over P17.015M recorded in 2011,” Trade and Industry regional director Jocelyn Blanco told this writer adding that Albay’s campaign coupled with the innovations in the indigenous materials that yield better designs due to ingenuity of Bicolano artists and traders.

Of the 98 Bicolano entrepreneurs who participated, 21 or 20 percent of which are new. These micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sold their wares ranging from food, giftware & holiday décor, home furnishings, marine products, organic & natural products and wearables. Home furnishings garnered the highest sales with P6.96M or 37 percent of the total sales.

“For this year, we highlight the evolution of ‘Bayong’ (Native basket made from Karagumoy) in the special setting and in the daily fashion shows featuring bayong pamalengke, bayong pang eskwela, bayong pang opisina and bayong pang fashionista.

The induction of the newly elected officers of the OKB Association, Inc. also took place during the opening ceremony with Atty Leni Robredo as the inducting officer.

Another highlight for this year’s fair was the OKB Café, which offers Bicol delicacies. We want the Bicol micro entrepreneurs to take center stage as they showcase the best homegrown products in the mainstream market,” Blanco said.

Among the six provinces, Camarines Sur had the highest sales earned with P6.8 million; followed by Albay with P4.1 million; Catanduanes with 2.9 million; Sorsogon & Camarines Norte with P2.2 million each; and Masbate with P.524 million.

The OKB-Gayon Bicol RTF 2012, which was held from October 4-7, at SM Megamall had provided opportunities for our 98 homegrown entrepreneurs and had developed and found new markets for their products.

Blanco has expressed appreciation to gov. Joey Salceda’s plastic prohibition that is starting to reap its benefits for the Albayanos and giving rise to the revival of a shelved industry and now spreading like sunshine to other parts of the region.