DTI to help local producers connect with target market

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is intensifying its move to connect the local producers to the industry players in the tourism sector to maximize the use of local supplies.

In an interview yesterday, DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte announced the holding of Panglao Weekend Bazaar on October 23-24, in coordination with Panglao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the 48 resort owners in the island to expose the different local produce/products direct to bulk buyers.

"We would like to strengthen the relationship between the local suppliers and their target market, which is resorts and restaurants. We are also doing this in Cebu, Negros, and Siquijor," Caberte said, who is also the DTI National Cluster Manager for tourism support industry.

After the Panglao Weekend Bazaar, DTI will make an assessment of the event, and will determine if it will held regularly not only in Panglao, but also in other tourism destinations within the region.

Previously, DTI-7 mounted a similar event to connect the resorts, hotels, and restaurant operators in Cebu to suppliers, wherein owners were brought to Northern Mindanao, to meet first-hand the suppliers of vegetables, fresh meat and others raw material supplies needed for hotel and restaurant operation.

According to Caberte, there is a need for tourism facility players to patronize locally made products, not only for food preparation requirements, but also to decors, furniture, utensils, and other materials.

She mentioned that in one resort for instance, it uses a placemat that is made in China, and imported refined sugar, Caberte said these kind of practice should be curbed, via educating players to support local suppliers.

Boosting the realization of impressive inclusive growth, Caberte said buyers, including tourism facility operators, should adapt the "ProPinoy" advocacy, sourcing imported products should be a second priority.

Panglao Island, Caberte said a good destination point for this intensified campaign, considering that aside from the 48 resorts operating on the island, there are a growing number of investors putting up businesses, anticipating the completion of the Panglao Airport. (FREEMAN)