ILIGAN CITY -- The city’s first gathering of women and youth on September 24 to 25, dubbed Tipok-tipok sa Kababayen-an ug Kabatan-onan, was a success, Iligan City Councilor Rosvi Queenie Belmonte said.
Recognized by the 2016 Diyandi Festival Executive Committee as one of the highlights of the month-long tourism and fiesta celebration in honor of the city's patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel, the event was jointly initiated by Belmonte’s office, the Iligan City Council of Women, Inc., (ICCW) the Iligan Youth Council, and various civic clubs like Jaycees, Inc.
Participants from 44 villages displayed products from their respective villages such as processed food products, handicrafts, agricultural produce, and ornamental plants.
"Other entrepreneurs’ products sold out before the activity ended,” Belmonte said.
"I was overwhelmed by the end results. However, there is a need for continuing advocacy to promote products from the women and youth of Iligan City," Belmonte said.
Songs, dances, and a beauty pageants added color to the Tipok-tipok, Belmonte said.
Renefe Padilla, chairperson of the ICCW, said the ICCW has long been a partner of the Iligan City Government when it comes to gender and development.
“With the full support of Councilor Rosvi Queenie Belmonte and Iligan City Lone District Representative Frederick Siao, the activity of the ICCW is one way of promoting and showcasing the city’s products,” Padilla said.
"We are now geared towards higher level by helping them through marketing support so that they will sustain their business endeavors. Each product has its own brand to determine the source, quality, and market access of their respective products," Padilla said.
"Ang pwersa sa kababayen-an maoy kusog para sa kalambuan sa dakbayan. Hopefully ang ICCW pinaagi niini mag pabilin nga malig-on, mag pabilin nga manag hiusa alang sa kalambuan sa kababayen-an," Padilla said.