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Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair celebrates 25th year

Central Luzon’s premier trade fair, Likha ng Central Luzon (LCL), kicked off its 25th year with a grand opening ceremony at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on October 25, 2023.

The silver anniversary of the event brought together 165 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) showcasing the best food and non-food products from the seven provinces of Region 3. The fair was jointly organized by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 3, Philexport 3, and Regional Development Council 3.

2023 𝑀𝑟𝑠. 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑎 𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝐺𝑙𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑙 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐸𝑠𝑔𝑢𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑎,  𝐷𝑇𝐼-3 𝑂𝐼𝐶 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑑𝑎 𝑇. 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑖, 𝐷𝑇𝐼 𝑈𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝐴𝑛𝑎 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑃. 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑧, 𝐵𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑎𝑛 1𝑠𝑡 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐺𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑇𝐼-𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝐿𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑎 𝑇. 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑦𝑢𝑡

With the theme: “Supporting Market-Ready Entrepreneurs for 25 Years”, the LCL serves as a vital platform for MSMEs to market their products, providing a unique opportunity for these businesses to showcase their locally crafted and artisanal offerings to a wider audience.

Featured in the fair are a wide range of quality and competitive products, including processed foods, furniture, home furnishings, gifts and holiday decors, bamboo products, bags, fine jewelry, footwear, and various other exciting and innovative products. A special setting showcases newly developed and improved products and product brands under the DTI’s OTOP NextGen Project, reflecting the region’s commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.

Among the personalities who graced the opening ceremony are Pangasinan 4th District Representative Christopher “Toff” V.P. De Venecia, Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jernie Jett V. Nisay, DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona, Mr. PhilExport 3 President Philip G. Repato, Regional MSME Development Council-3 Co-Chair Atty. Maria Amalia T. Cayanan, DTI Undersecretary Ana Carolina P. Sanchez, DTI-Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut, DTI Assistant Secretary Domingo Tolentino, Tarlac City Councilor Ana Aguas representing Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap, and DTI-3 OIC Regional Director Brigida T. Pili. 

RD Pili welcomed the attendees and shared her enthusiasm for this year’s event. “This event marks a significant milestone in our journey which embodies the spirit of unity and creativity that Central Luzon has to offer. For 25 years, the Likha ng Central Luzon has been a catalyst for economic growth, entrepreneurial empowerment, and the promotion of Central Luzon’s cultural diversity,” she remarked.

In his message, Congressman Toff De Venecia mentioned that recently, two laws have been enacted to further help in the development of MSMEs – RA 11960 of the OTOP law and RA 11961 Cultural Mapping Law. According to the legislator, both laws will work hand in hand with the Creative Industry law to enhance and expand the creative products of MSMEs like those exhibited in the Likha Ng Central Luzon Trade Fair.

Congresswoman Geraldine Roman congratulated and acknowledged DTI particularly Regional Office 3 and the other LCL organizers who are more than willing to help the MSMEs of Central Luzon in upscaling and leveling up their enterprises. She mentioned that a lot of MSMEs have leveled-up through the interventions introduced by DTI such as business consultations, product development, proper labeling ang packaging, and permits and accreditations among the few.  

Also included in the festivities is the 25th Likha Awards for the 25 outstanding Central Luzon MSMEs who have exemplified business excellence, resilience, and contributed significantly to the success of the LCL. 

The LCL ran at the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City until October 29. 

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