PRODUCERS and entrepreneurs from different local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have generated total sales of almost P1.15 million last year by linking their products to the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC).
The TLDC office and showroom is located at the Negros Occidental Barangay Center of the Provincial Capitol Complex in Bacolod City.
The figure includes P642,297 in total sales from products sold at the TLDC, and the P503,425 generated through various trade fairs and exhibitions.
These include the Panaad sa Negros Festival, where TLDC generated P11,640; Fiesta in the City, P40,000; Negros Business Week, P23,517; MassKara Festival, P6,816; Organic Festival, P22,876; and Negros Island Fair, P23,576.
A total of P375,000 in sales came from the Negros Trade Fair, the biggest annual trade event of the province held at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati every September.
Of the P1.15 million generated sales last year, only 10 percent or almost P115, 000 went to TLDC as the province additional income. The income share of 90 percent, or about P1.04 million was earned by the producers.
TLDC records further showed that the biggest income-generating products are the processed turmeric produced by entrepreneurs from Kabankalan City and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and of other participating producers from Mabinay town in Negros Oriental; wines of producers in Victorias City; and chips from Murcia, Salvador Benedicto, and Kabankalan City.
Other Negrense-made products consigned to the TLDC center are handicrafts like pandan bags, fruit jam, candies, pastries and other processed food using locally-grown crops and ingredients.
Currently, TLDC assists more than 50 local producers and entrepreneurs, who are mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by providing them sure market and linking their products to more potential buyers.