THE CALL to patronize Cebu-made products has been renewed during the recently concluded three-day Sugbo Negosyo Fair participated by 48 micro and small entrepreneurs.
Ma. Elena Arbon, Department of Trade and Industry 7 Director, said the event was necessary and timely to show support to local enterprises.
“This initiative enabled our communities to develop, support and promote products and services as a pride of (their) place,” she said.
The trade fair is part of the entrepreneur’s stint to get to the Top 10 and qualify for the next level of business coaching. The exhibitors were top and promising business owners who were chosen among a bevy of rejuvenated businesses and start-ups that made it to the Sugbo Negosyo roster of top contenders.
The business fair ran from Oct.1 to 3, 2021 and took place in the SM City Cebu Northwing.
The Sugbo Negosyo is a P100-million livelihood assistance program of the Cebu Provincial Government in partnership with the DTI and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the Sugbo Negosyo program started when she saw the burdens of MSMEs due to the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“That’s why we thought of doing a program that would revive the local economy in the province of Cebu,” Garcia said.
“There was no guidebook. There wasn’t any previous program that we could look into. That’s why we have numerous meetings. It is an evolving program and yet, we never lost sight of the goal which was to help Cebuanos help themselves,” she added.
MCCI president Steven Yu said they are honored to be part of the program.
“We are the sole chamber partner for this program, which we see as an opportunity to help grow and hone businesses and livelihood skills in the countryside in line with our efforts of reviving the local economy,” he said. (JOB)