ILOILO City – The coffee industry needs support, Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed during the opening of the Iloilo Coffee Festival 2022 on Aug. 24 at SM City Iloilo North Point Event Center.
The coffee festival is an annual gathering of local coffeshop brands and coffee enthusiasts in Iloilo. It is part of the Iloilo Business Week organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Iloilo Chapter, Inc. and is also in line with the celebration of Iloilo City’s 85th Charter Day.
“Lokal ini nga industry nga dapat buligan gid naton,” said Treñas, referring not just to coffee shops but also to coffee farmers in Iloilo province.
The Iloilo Coffee Festival will run until Aug. 28 together with the ILOBEX or the PCCI-Iloilo Business Expo also at SM City Iloilo.
Ruby Melliza, OIC Division Chief of Business Development of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – 6, said coffee is one of the seven industry priority sectors along with cacao and high value coconut.
This 2022 DTI is trying to create 525 new jobs for the industry involving more than 330 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Melliza also emphasized to the coffee entrepreneurs the importance of packaging their product right.
“When the product is packaged very nicely ang gasulod sa paminsaron naton namit na sya. So we have to improve packaging. This year, DTI has prepared at least 18 trainings,” said Melliza.
For his part, Engr. Gilbert Domingo, SM City Iloilo Mall Manager, stressed that through the years SM City has been an active partner of local government units and PCCI in creating programs to enrich and sustain the growth of MSMEs.
“This is our commitment to the city of Iloilo and its MSME sector…We believe in forging stronger ties with the community. Combined with the power, drive and a passion of MSMEs, together we can reach greater heights,” he stressed./PN