The 34th IMPAKABSAT Regional Trade Fair generated P13.27 million in sales for micro, small, and medium enterprises from the Cordillera Administrative Region during its five-day run at Shangri-La Plaza from July 1 to 5.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Cordillera Administrative Region office, the event aimed to connect regional entrepreneurs with Metro Manila consumers, corporate buyers, and institutional retailers.
Direct cash sales accounted for P7.84 million pesos of the total, while booked orders made up 40.9 percent, or P5.42 million.
Trade officials reported a 100 percent conversion rate of pending business negotiations into confirmed orders by the fair’s conclusion.
DTI Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyot said the region’s cultural heritage gives local business owners a market advantage, adding that events like IMPAKABSAT allow enterprises to refine products and prepare for larger domestic and export markets.
DTI-CAR Regional Director Raymond Panhon stated that the fair continues to broaden market access for regional creators while preserving cultural traditions.
The event featured 34 business owners displaying handwoven textiles, fashion accessories, handcrafted furniture, home decor, processed food, local coffee, and cacao.
Several participants credited government assistance for their growth, including Marcelino Bumilac, owner of Abella’s House of Arts, who said DTI’s mentorship program helped him convert a weaving hobby into a business that now employs 20 weavers.
Elizabeth Galuba, owner of PDES Batong Asul House of Silver International, noted her family business has joined the fair since its inception following the 1990 Luzon earthquake to maintain Baguio’s silver jewelry tradition.
Jovelina Enong, production head at Gift of Grace Food Manufacturing Corp., said access to government equipment facilities allowed her company to expand production and product lines.
Abra recorded the highest sales among the region’s provinces at P5.42 million, led by wholesale and retail demand for handloom woven goods. Baguio-Benguet followed with P4.32 million, while Kalinga recorded P2.01 million.
Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Apayao generated a combined total of more than P1.5 million, primarily through direct cash transactions.
DTI-CAR presented special awards at the closing ceremony. Trixie Dhel’s Loomweaving and Mondiguing’s Woodcraft earned top seller honors in the non-food category, while Garcia’s Food Products and Log Cabin Sagada took top seller awards in the food sector.
Apayao Pasalubong Center and Log Cabin Sagada won best booth awards in the food division, with Roby’s Pick Woodworks and Siegried Bangyay Pottery winning for non-food displays. Barruti Health and Beauty Products Trading and MA Woven Designs were named most innovative enterprises.
DTI-CAR officials said the agency will focus on helping regional enterprises build long-term commercial relationships, enhance market readiness, and secure institutional buyers. NLMonitor
