The recently-concluded 2023 National Food Fair, with its theme “Go Discover, Taste, Enjoy!” closed on a high note after a five-day run from July 12 to 16, at the Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Based on preliminary reports, the fair was able to generate sales amounting to Php 23.586 million for the 268 onsite exhibitors. The event also drew in 29,000 fairgoers.
At the opening ceremony, the House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez noted the Php1.2-billion 2023 National Budget allocation to fund MSME programs. He also reiterated Congress’ continued commitment to advance policies that support Filipino MSMEs.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also sent her well-wishes via a video message saying, “This activity is highly impactful in enhancing and solidifying connections with the MSME community that will facilitate their economic growth.”
In his Keynote Address, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual expressed his confidence in attaining the ‘Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan’ goals as part of the mid-term Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. He further remarked, “One of the programs of the department is to spur an entrepreneurial revolution and encourage the growth of MSMEs through market access programs as well as e-commerce and digitalization initiatives.”
Organized by the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in coordination with the DTI Regional Operations Group, the 2023 National Food Fair carried a simultaneous online version on the Lazada e-commerce platform with over a hundred exhibitors. The show was also supported by Shopee and TikTok.
Showcasing the fusion of tradition and innovation, special settings, pavilions, and MSME clusters drew attention to developments that elevate traditional Filipino products to meet stringent food industry standards and be competitive in the global market. Also part of the daily program were entrepreneurship talks and learning sessions that provide food entrepreneurs with resources and ideas about how to strengthen and position their businesses for continued growth.
For culinary enthusiasts, renowned Filipino chefs were featured in the daily program of activities, with live cooking and food preparation demonstrations, among others. The culminating highlight of the 2023 National Food Fair was a celebration of the diversity and rich heritage of Filipino food through an interactive cultural presentation of the BARMM Pagana Maguindanao, led by Mustafa Ala and Chef Yed Dimaporo.
For those who missed the daily program of activities, these were livestreamed and remain accessible on BDTP’s Facebook page (DTI.BDTP).
Up next in the DTI-BDTP calendar of events is the 2023 National Food Fair, scheduled from August 23-27, at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall. To stay updated about the programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). You may also email BDTP Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.
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