ILOILO City – Producers from several towns in Iloilo have found a way to showcase their products amid this health crisis through the Tumandok, a trade and travel fair organized by the province of Iloilo’s Office of Culture, Arts, History, and Tourism.
Tumandok, a Hiligaynon term for indigenous, began on Sept. 20 and will conclude on Sept. 26 at Robinsons Place Jaro in this city. According to provincial tourism officer Gilbert Marin on Wednesday, it promotes agricultural products and arts and crafts.
“So far, we have 12 municipalities that participated this year because some are afraid due to the pandemic. We understand. Nevertheless, we are happy with the results, the opening was successful, and we have inquiries,” he added.
The yearly event, now in its 15th year, was launched in 2004 in collaboration with various academic institutions offering tourism courses in this city.
Prior to the pandemic, students chronicled the attractions of the province’s numerous local government units, which they promoted as tourist spots during the Tumandok.
“However, since it’s pandemic and we have no students, we opt for product selling of local produce from participating municipalities,” Marin explained.
The trade fair aims to help local producers that were impacted by the pandemic.
This event is part of the activities commemorating National Tourism Month this September.(PNA/PN)
