THE Association of Negros Producers (ANP) reported that the gross sales during the Arima, or opening night, of the ongoing 36th Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City have reached P9.08 million.
The amount is 350 percent higher compared to Arima night's gross sales of the Negros Trade Fair in 2019, the association said.
ANP Vice President for Advocacy Mary Ann Colmenares said that so far, four booths reported to have already sold out their products at the trade fair.
Colmenares said that it only shows how the the Metro Manila buyers missed (hidlaw) the Negros products.
There are 93 booths that are participating in the 36th Negros Trade Fair which officially opened on September 20 and will run until September 25, 2022.
"It is so heart-warming that despite that the fair did not happen in the past two years because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, people in Manila have shown how they missed the Negros products," she added.
On Tuesday, Negros Occidental officials headed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer led the ceremonial ringing of the bell that signaled the start of the biggest provincial trade fair themed "Hidlaw" and showcasing the best of Negros.
The organizer earlier said that year after year, the ANP and Provincial Government of Negros Occidental organize a trade fair to showcase a selection of products created with skilled craftsmanship and renowned Negrense heritage.
Meanwhile, "Buy Local, Go Lokal" was the content of the executive order (EO) issued by Lacson on September 16, as he recognized the substantial contributions to the Philippine economy of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) despite being adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lacson, in the EO, said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a nationwide campaign entitled "Buy Local, Go Lokal" which aims to help MSMEs in the country.
"The campaign is encouraging Filipinos to shift their buying patterns towards the consumption and purchase of Philippine fresh produce and manufactured goods," he said.
The campaign likewise will stimulate and boost domestic travel, while encouraging Filipino consumers to patronize Philippine owned and operated facilities and services, the governor also stressed.
Under the order, it was emphasized that the DTI encourages the participation of the local government units (LGUs) in said campaign to "buy local, go lokal" to help local producers in their respective areas.
All LGUs in the province are enjoined to also adopt the same campaign and that they are encouraged to use the official logo or seal of the said "Buy Local, Go Lokal" program in their products and post the same in conspicuous areas
The local producers particularly the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) and other industry sectoral groups are developing and promoting quality products, and that the LGUs are supporting promotional activities such as the Negros Trade Fair, the EO also stated.
