Davao's Pasalubong Center a boost to local traders

SEVERAL local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have found a new place where they can reach their markets -- foreign or domestic ones -- at the city's one-stop shop that is the Pasalubong Center along Palma Gil Street.

Honorata Nalangan, owner of the Mommy Babes, said she is now able to sell their products and that her customers are within reach through the Pasalubong Center.

"I'm happy because the City Government favors those who have no other means of living just like me by putting up this center," said in the vernacular. Before, she sells her products through delivery upon orders.

Nalangan said all her pies, ranging from coconut, pineapple, fruit mix and apple are homemade. She added this has been her business for three years now.

Nalangan said she been displaying all her products at the one-stop shop for almost 11 months now since December of last year.

Fe Gauran, owner of the ZFFI Souvenir Shop, is another entrepreneur who has benefited this project for eight months now. Her stall is in display since March, this year.

Her products are hand-made bags and wallets woven using the raw materials, which can be found in the city like abaca fiber. Some of her products are made of T’nalak cloth, a traditional cloth originated from the T’Boli tribe in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

"Here, we have our own display. Unlike before that I still needed to deliver every time there were orders," she said in the vernacular, adding that bulk of the orders she had before came from Cotabato area.

She said many of her customers at the Pasalubong Center are foreigners and locals. However, she added that sales are going down since the first week of October.

"It only lacks in promotion. I hope the City Government will also help us promote our products)," Gauran said.

Michael Saavedra, a farmer and owner of the Davao Fresh Fruits, said he is elated to have his products displayed at the one-stop shop since he is given another place where he can have another place to sell his fresh fruits, aside from his stalls in Tugbok, Ponciano, and Ecoland.

He said some of his products are pomelo, durian, mangosteen, and mangos, but the availability is depending on the production of the fruits.

Saavedra also lauded the City Government for putting up one-stop shop for SMEs.

"It's good that they have put one a one-stop shop like this because other cities have this like Cebu)," he said, adding this will encourage more SMEs to embark on business.

Saavedra said all of the entrepreneurs are not charged for rental, except when there are big celebrations like Araw ng Dabaw at Kadayawan.
The Pasalubong Center opened last December.