Marketplace Bazaar sells good items for making a living in Region 1

DT | Marketplace Bazaar sells good items for making a living in Region 1 | LAOAG CITY – A pop-up market is being held at Aurora Park in this city from October 3–6, 2023. It will feature hand-made bags, fans, hats, textiles, furniture, local treats, spread, and crops, among other things.

Around 28 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan are taking part in the bazaar. The DSWD is helping these groups, and Anniely Ferrer, acting assistant regional director for operations of DSWD Region 1, said in an interview Tuesday that the goal is to get more people to buy the products.

One of the best parts of the 4th SLP Congress in the area is the bazaar. This is where program implementers and beneficiaries get together to improve their marketing, network building, working together, and forming partnerships with public and private institutions.

The SLP is a government program that helps low-income families, especially those who have been hurt by poverty or natural disasters, make more money. They can get microfinance loans, training programs, and cash help through it.

“I am so happy that we can bring our high-quality goods to other places and promote them.” “The response from new buyers is so encouraging,” said Marilou Sarmiento, head of the Laoac Fabric Remnant SLPA, in an interview Tuesday at the bazaar’s opening.

Some of Sarmiento’s group’s best-selling items at the market in this city are locally sewn, high-quality rags, body pillows with cases, and bedsheet sets.

The 28 SPLAs, which include about 700 families in the region and are led by Sarmiento, were given Security Exchange Commission (SEC) certificates on Tuesday as part of the DSWD’s Sulong Security Exchange Commission (SEC) Express program.

“The Sulong SEC Express made it possible for us to speed up their registration in just one day.” Rogerio Bismonte, partnership officer of the DSWD Region 1, said, “Before that, we taught them how to do their reports and follow the rules, as well as how to protect their investments, keep up good business practices, and learn about money.”

After getting the certificates from the SEC, Bismonte said that the SLPAs that have become corporations have five years to get ready to bid on government projects and programs like feeding programs and DSWD’s rehabilitation and care facilities.

DSWD also helps people like Jovelyn Ragonjan make a living. In Pasuquin town, Ilocos Norte, she sells iodized salt, garlic, and anchovies.

Ragonjan told the media that she was excited about how many people stopped by her booth and bought things at the start of the bazaar.

Her sales are best during the holidays, when tourists stop at the stands selling fruits, vegetables, and salt along the national highway in Barangay Caruan, Pasuquin. “I hope to make good sales with the exposure of our products in the city,” she said.

Ferrer told the SPLAs to be patient and work together to fight poverty in her speech.

“Maliit man tayo sa ngayon pero buhay na lang, tayo ay lalaki at yayabong” (We may be small now, but over time, we will grow and do well),” she said.

At the conclusion of the fair, prizes will be given to those who had, among other things, the best display of their goods and the best booth. (via PNA)