Local products from Eastern Visayas generated P53 million in combined cash and booked sales during the five-day Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair held from October 1 to 5 in Metro Manila.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 8, the annual event brought together 94 local producers to showcase regional goods and expand their market reach beyond their home provinces. The sales are expected to support continued production, meet customer orders, and create more jobs for local communities.
Since its launch in 1987, the Bahandi trade fair has served as a vital platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to boost sales, refine their products, and prepare for broader domestic and international distribution.
“Bahandi is more than a venue for trade; it is a hub for transformation. Through DTI’s flagship programs, our MSMEs have enhanced their capabilities, developed market-driven innovations, and created products that meet the demands of both domestic and international markets,” said DTI Region 8 Regional Director Celerina Bato.
Food items emerged as top sellers at the fair, including peanuts, peanut-based goods, local noodles such as odong, misua, pancit canton, as well as chocolate moron. Visitors also drawn to non-food items snapped up handcrafted tikogbags, curtains and nito handicrafts, underscoring strong consumer interest in the region’s artisanal crafts and culinary specialties.
Coconut products received a dedicated spotlight in a special pavilion supported by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). The pavilion featured culinary items like coconut sap, vinegar, tuba or coconut wine, coconut flour, choco-coco jam, desiccated coconut, balsamic vinegar, and bukayo or bukarillo. It also highlighted industrial and agricultural uses, showcasing coconut peat mixed fertilizers, and planting tools made from coconut-based materials, demonstrating the diverse economic potential of the region’s coconut industry.
The trade fair provided local entrepreneurs an ideal setting to launch new offerings. Zeg Food Products drew attention with “Purple Rain,” a carbonated blue ternate drink that quickly became a crowd favorite, highlighting how product innovation can help local brands stand out in a competitive market.
The P53 million generated in immediate cash and booked orders will help participating enterprises sustain operations, fulfill new supplier contracts and raw material suppliers across Eastern Visayas.
DTI Region 8 continues to assist local businesses through initiatives such as the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen Program. These initiatives guide enterprises in improving product quality, develop market-ready goods, meet regulatory standards, and participating in major trade expos. Through expanded market access and ongoing product refinement, Eastern Visayas MSMEs remain poised to translate local craftsmanship and natural resources into sustainable economic growth for their communities.