Trade fair to boost local trade

Parañaque Mayor Jun Bernabe’s effort to make Parañaque City a center of trade in Metro Manila is earning support from the business sector.

The mayor disclosed that a group of business, commercial and industrial firms currently operating in the city have signed up for the city government’s year-end trade promotion dubbed "Tatak Parañaque, Gawang Parañaque," which will be launched on Nov.1 at SM-Sucat.

Bernabe lauded the firms for their support and expressed confidence that his project will succeed in boosting Parañaque’s local trade.

Sen. Manny Villar, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila and Tourism Secretary Ace Durano are expected to grace the opening rites.

"I am particularly delighted to know that even some pioneers as well as new businesses in Parañaque will participate in the trade fair," Bernabe told The Star.

The initial list of exhibitors is led by SM Malls. SM-Sucat and SM-Bicutan will also be the main venues of the promotional activity themed "Propel Our Economy, Bring Pride to Our City."

Other participants are Toyota Motors (Bicutan), Philippine Duplicators, San Miguel Rengo, PLDT, Manila Memorial Park, Green Cross Corp., Lupel Manufacturing, PSP Manufacturing, Industry Association Acsie and Superior Maintenace Services while Toby Marketing.

A priority project of Bernabe, "Tatak Parañaque, Gawang Parañaque" is organized by the Parañaque Workers Affairs Office (PWAO), Parañaque Livelihood and Resources Management Office (PLRMO) Cultural, Historical, Tourism Promotions Division (CHTPD), the City Information Office (CIO) and Special Services Office (SSO).

PWAO chief Julie Pascual-Torres said that the three-week activity will be combined with skills demonstrations on livelihood opportunities and cultural presentations as entertainment.

She said it is essentially an effort for home-grown enterprises that have lost their markets in recent years to be recognized again such as hand embroidery of Barong Tagalog materials and sherbet-making. — Michael Punongbayan