DTI Region 6 posts PHP 11.18M trade fair sales

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 surpassed its PHP 8 million target by recording PHP 11.18 million in total sales at the Panublion 2025 Trade Fair held from November 6 to 10 at SM City Iloilo.

The five-day fair brought together 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from all six provinces of Western Visayas—Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

DTI Region 6 reported PHP 3.3 million in immediate cash transactions and PHP 7.9 million in booked orders, with an additional PHP 217,000 still under negotiation.

If finalized, total sales could reach PHP 11.4 million, underscoring strong buyer interest in locally made products.

Aklan emerged as the top-performing province with PHP 5.7 million in sales, followed by Iloilo with PHP 2.8 million.

Guimaras recorded PHP 966,000, Negros Occidental PHP 902,000, Capiz PHP 548,000, and Antique PHP 502,000.

DTI Region 6 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Ma. Dinda Tamayo said the success of the fair proved that “Region 6 is an embodiment of the craftsmanship of MSMEs.”

She said the sales performance validated this year’s theme, “Local Ingenuity, New Opportunities,” and reflected rising market recognition of Western Visayan products.

Panublion 2025 featured a wide range of items including fashion accessories, home decor, food and beverages, processed goods, coconut-based products, cacao, coffee, handwoven fabrics, and souvenirs.

The fair highlighted products developed under DTI programs such as One Town, One Product (OTOP), the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), and the Creative Industries initiative.

Aside from retail sales, the event hosted enterprise visits linking MSMEs with institutional buyers and Metro Manila-based business partners.

These business-to-business meetings helped open new markets and strengthened supply chains across the country.

Held in parallel was the OTOP Roadshow at Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, which deepened engagement among MSMEs, local government units, and DTI offices on the implementation of Republic Act No. 11960, the OTOP Philippines Act.

DTI also launched MentorMatch Startup Pitching under its Moonshot TNK 2.0 initiative, connecting startup founders with investors and industry mentors.

The DTI Bagwis Awards recognized 41 establishments for excellence in customer service and ethical business practices.

The MSME and Heritage Awards honored outstanding entrepreneurs and creative enterprises that merged tradition with innovation.

Special citations were awarded to Aklan and Guimaras for securing Geographical Indication (GI) status for their flagship products—piña fabric and Guimaras mangoes, respectively.

Aklan’s piña became the third GI-registered product in the Philippines and the second from Western Visayas after Guimaras mangoes.

These recognitions helped boost the profile of heritage products in both domestic and export markets.

The Creative Industries Series: Malikhaing Pinoy—Creatives in Focus added a cultural dimension to the trade fair through culinary showcases, art exhibits, live music, and sustainable fashion events.

The series opened with Sabor: Slow Food Talks, followed by live painting and interactive visual art exhibits.

It featured Sine Ilonggo and the Original Kinaray-a Music Showcase, and concluded with Himò: Creativity Woven into Design and Sustainable Innovation.

Designers such as Sherie Reynaldo and Sheryl McBride showcased modern uses of traditional materials like raffia, hablon, and piña.

A family-friendly zone featured the Panublion Kiddie Ambassadors 2025, teaching children the value of local products and entrepreneurship.

The Food Tasting Pavilion delighted crowds with coconut-based delicacies and drinks, including Mang-Coco, jams, cookies, and coffee.

Provincial fashion shows curated by PJ Aranador highlighted signature textiles—Aklan’s piña and raffia, Antique’s patadyong, and Iloilo’s hablon.

The fair culminated in the MARAGTAS: Heritage in Motion Gala, which celebrated regional talent through runway collections that blended tradition and innovation.

DTI Region 6 said 70 percent of total sales were from booked orders, indicating continued revenue streams and long-term partnerships for MSMEs.

Now on its 22nd year, Panublion—named after the Ilonggo word for “heritage”—remains Western Visayas’ premier platform for showcasing local enterprise.

Admission to the fair was free, drawing thousands of visitors to the SM City Iloilo Activity Center and increasing foot traffic for exhibitors.

The success of Panublion 2025 affirms the viability of Western Visayan products and sets the stage for future expansion of local enterprises.

DTI Region 6 continues to support MSMEs through market access, product development, and capacity-building programs.