Tabo sa Kapitolyo ’26 reaches P4 million in sales

CEBU, Philippines — Three days after it was launched, Tabo sa Kapitolyo 2026 has already generated P4.34 million in sales, with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) expressing confidence that this year's week-long trade fair will surpass the P7-million mark before it ends.

The cumulative sales of P4,343,935.50 were recorded from August 3 to August 5, generated by 52 participating local government units (LGUs) and 16 private enterprises showcasing Cebu's agricultural produce, processed food, and local products.

Of the total sales, P3,255,926.50 came from the participating LGUs, while P1,088,009 was contributed by private exhibitors.

Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Roldan Saragena said the strong turnout during the first three days has put this year's trade fair on track to surpass last year's seven-day total sales of P7,703,278.

According to Saragena, one of the biggest factors behind the sustained influx of visitors is that the public has already made Tabo sa Kapitolyo part of Cebu's annual Founding Anniversary tradition.

"Naanad naman gud ang tao diri sa city nga during month-long celebration sa founding anniversary naa juy week-long nga Tabo sa Kapitolyo," he said.

Because of the growing public interest and strong sales, Saragena said the Province is already considering extending the duration of the trade fair beyond its usual one-week run in the future.

He also credited the overwhelming participation of local governments, saying many municipalities invested resources to ensure their local producers could participate in the event.

"Huge participation ang diha sa LGUs nga ilang support kay kanang mga LGUs nangapil diha kay ang gisakyan ang LGU vehicle baya," he said.

Saragena said the earnings generated by participating farmers, cooperatives, and exhibitors are not merely profits but are often reinvested in agriculture.

"They're here to sell sa ilang produkto then in return mapalit pud nila og igtatanom napud, like liso, abono, farm tools," he explained.

Among the participating LGUs, Tudela recorded the highest sales at P181,181, followed by Santa Fe with P172,125, Argao with P154,685, Daanbantayan with P131,230, and Madridejos with P130,180.

Meanwhile, Saragena noted that among private exhibitors, food products such as Bisayang manok and lechon continued to attract the largest number of buyers.

One of the exhibitors benefiting from the event is Peregrina Arquio, 59, owner of GPA from Barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan, who showcased processed peanut products, banana chips, kamote chips, and breadfruit chips.

Arquio said she started her business in 2019, producing peanut butter and other peanut-based products before gradually expanding her product line during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her enterprise later gained wider exposure after finishing among the Top 5 winners of the Provincial Government's Sugbo Negosyo Season 2.

Sugbo Negosyo is a livelihood program that provided assistance to micro-enterprises through training and capital support in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Arquio said the recognition opened more opportunities for her products to reach bigger trade fairs and exhibitions.

"Dako kaayog tabang ang Sugbo Negosyo kay nakadaog ka as Top 5 ma connect ka sa DTI and Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) kung asa ang mga exhibit ipadala ko," she shared.

The products are sold for P100 per pouch, P130 for peanut butter, and P200 each for banana chips and potato chips.

Among the bestsellers during this year's Tabo sa Kapitolyo were her banana chips, which had already sold out even before the event reached its final days.