By John Noel Herrera
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Iloilo Chapter officially opened on Monday, Jan 16, 2023, a “bigger, grander, and bolder” Dinagyang 2023 Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) to help local entrepreneurs expand their business networks.
“As Dinagyang Festival takes back its glory this 2023, ILOBEX hopes to bring together corporate partners, sponsors, and government organizations to assist local businesses and entrepreneurs in addition to promoting the best of Iloilo,” PCCI-Iloilo said in a statement.
PCCI-Iloilo director Jordan Toledo said that over 100 exhibitors showcasing various products, from local delicacies, fresh produce, garments, accessories, and native products joined this year’s Dinagyang ILOBEX, held at the Robinson’s Place Iloilo, SM City Iloilo, and Festive Walk Iloilo from Jan 16 to 22, 2023.
“For the past two years, I can say nga daw mas simple ang ILOBEX because of the pandemic, so I think we had fewer venues, subong we have three, and of course, hambal ko gani kagina, it’s bigger, grandeur, it’s bolder so mas madamo sang participants and members subong nga nag-ugyon sa amon,” Toledo added.
Aside from the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), PCCI-Iloilo also partnered with different local government units (LGUs) and government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the organization is “really hand and hand with the government agencies to promote their products.”
Toledo also said that they are hoping to generate close to P1 million in sales from the income-generating project that will run for a week inside three of the malls in the city.
“The bigger, the better. Last year, we gathered almost half a million, so hopefully this year, we can gather close to P1 million kay ina ya it’s also for our participants man. Ang PCCI (Iloilo Chapter) ya nagatindog lang kami nga facilitator for them to be organized diri sa city, and everything para gid na sa participants,” he said.
Toledo also emphasized that with PCCI-Iloilo serving as the voice of the business industry, they also aim to help local entrepreneurs to recover from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing their products closer to different market opportunities.
“Ang COVID-19 pandemic dako gid na nga halit sa business sector,damo nagsarado, but because of the ILOBEX, the biggest trade fair in the region, nagahatag kita sang oppurtunities para ma-expose sila diri sa city, especially subong nga Dinagyang nga mas damo turista kag bisita makakita,” he said.
PCCI-Iloilo also said that buying the products will not only support the MSMEs but the Ilonggo culture as well since the products are produced by Ilonggos.
“ILOBEX continues to be the forefront of promoting not just business, trends, and opportunities in Iloilo City, but more importantly, economic recovery,” PCCI-Iloilo added in a statement.
