ILOILO City – Dinagyang Festival 2023 is more than just a celebration of faith and culture. Its activities also have economic value that helps local entrepreneurs recover from the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
One such festival activity is the Dinagyang Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) 2023 – an evolution of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) Iloilo Trade Fair and Iloilo Market which started in 2016.
Poised to be the city’s biggest trade fair, this year’s expo showcases the best products of an estimated 100 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).
Visitors can find at ILOBEX diverse selections of unique local products to include delicacies, fresh produce and handicrafts, among others.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, together with PCCI-Iloilo headed by Engineer Fulbert Woo, PCCI-Region VI governor Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) chairman Judgee Peña and other distinguished guests led the opening of ILOBEX at SM City Iloilo on Jan. 16.
“Ini daku gid nga bulig sa aton mga negosyante nga makabawi-bawi man sa epekto sang pandemya. My advance congratulations to the men and women of PCCI Iloilo Chapter for this very successful 2023 ILOBEX,” Treñas said.
The city mayor also thanked SM City Iloilo not only for its support to the business expo but also to the Dinagyang Festival.
He disclosed that among corporate sponsors, SM City has the biggest assistance given to the Dinagyang at a total P17 million, P10 million of which is cash.
“Amo na ini ang pinakadaku nga amot sang isa ka negosyo sa aton Dinagyang. Daku gid ang aton pasalamatan sa SM sa ila nga bulig,” Treñas stressed.
SM City Iloilo is a co-presentor of the Iloilo City government for this year’s Dinagyang celebration.
Tagged as the ultimate destination for the Best Dinagyang Festival experience, SM City Iloilo hosts several Dinagyang-related activities. On Jan. 21 at 6 p.m., SM City Iloilo will be the main judging area for the Dinagyang Ilomination showdown, the newest competition of tribes in lighted costumes and performances.
Meanwhile, aside from SM City Iloilo, ILOBEX also runs in two more malls – Robinsons Place Iloilo and Festive Mall – until Jan. 22.
ILOBEX continues to be a forefront of promoting not just business, trends and opportunities in lloilo City but more importantly, economic recovery.
It hopes to bring together corporate partners, sponsors and government organizations to assist local businesses and entrepreneurs in addition to promoting the best of lloilo.
More importantly, it will enable local entrepreneurs to expand their business network with other MSMEs in the same way that PCCI works to establish and maintain linkages with other regional business organizations and agencies.
Peñaflorida said the ILOBEX is open not only for MSMEs from Iloilo but also from other places. In fact, there are exhibitors from Bacolod City and Tacurong City.
“Ang thrust subong sang PCCI is ‘let us recover together’. Paagi sa sini nga mga activities aton matagaan sang boost, kahigayunan ang aton mga micro, small and medium enterprises,” said Penaflorida.
“Bukas ang aton ganhaan because ang pag-recover indi lang syudad sang Iloilo kundi sa bug-os nga region kag bug-os nga pungsod,” he added.
On the other hand, Treñas stressed that Dinagyang has become an opportunity for the Ilonggos to showcase their unity. From big to small business and to ordinary residents, everyone is cooperating for the successful Dinagyang Festival.
“Subong pa lang pwede ko na mahambal this is the biggest Dinagyang ever. Congratulations to Iloilo Festivals Foundation (Inc.). Padayon lang kita nga magbinuligay, padayon ang pag-uswag sang aton syudad,” said Treñas./PN
