LAOAG CITY – Another mobile weekend market is up in the province to encourage residents to buy and support their own products.
At least 20 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) joined the three-day pop-up event that started Thursday and hosted by the municipal government of Dingras, one of the five towns in the province with no confirmed case of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte through its Buy Ilocos Norte (Buy IN) bazaar continues to organize pop-up events in various parts of the province to assist MSMEs in promoting and marketing their products.
Buy IN also operates a digital platform to regulate and promote existing and potential local businesses by providing them e-marketing strategies and consultations.
In an interview Friday, Ace Rumbaoa, product development, and marketing officer of the Ilocos Norte Trade and Investment Office (INvest), said they prioritized to help partner merchants who specialize in producing artisanal and quality products of the Ilocanos.
Rumbaoa said they hope to conduct monthly pop-up shops, targeting areas of the province that have been greatly affected by the pandemic, to revive small businesses by helping them put up their booths and generate income.
Starting with eight partner merchants when they first launched the first pop-up bazaar in August at the provincial Capitol, the number has grown to 20 MSMEs.
“We are happy that the numbers keep on growing including excited shoppers who buy our products,” said Mary Tess Gaspar, one of the usherettes in the bazaar.
The next pop-up bazaar was held in Batac City in September to boost the local economy and adapt to the new normal.
In attending the bazaar, shoppers are reminded to observe minimum health protocols. (PNA)
