RINGING OF THE BELL. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer lead the “Arima” or symbolic ringing of the bell to mark the opening of the 36th Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on Tuesday night (Sept. 20, 2022). The country’s longest-running provincial trade fair, which features the best of Negrense crafts and creations, returns after a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, until September 25. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has lauded the return of the Negros Trade Fair following a two-year break due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, calling it a testament to the ability of Negrenses to overcome challenges.
“After two years of uncertainty and dread caused by the pandemic, here we are together, to once again, ring the bell to start this year’s historic trade fair,” the governor said in his message during the opening rites of the 36th Negros Trade Fair at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on Tuesday night.
Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer led the “Arima” or symbolic ringing of the bell to kick off the six-day trade event organized by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) with support from the provincial government and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The 2022 edition of the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair in Metro Manila features 93 booths, 56 company exhibitors, and 13 local government units, which showcases the best of Negrense crafts and creations.
“This event is a testament of our ability as Negrenses, to overcome. To the ANP, Negros Occidental is fortunate to have non-government organizations with initiative like yours. Your ingenuity has opened opportunities to our small and medium enterprises both in the local and international platforms,” Lacson said.
He acknowledged the Negrense women who started the Negros Trade Fair amid seemingly insurmountable odds to provide an alternative source of income to the Negrense farmers who were badly hit by the global sugar crisis.
“The story of our Negros Trade fair is one of resilience, ingenuity, hope, and courage of the Negrense spirit,” he added.
Lacson also said this year’s trade fair includes community-based initiatives of the ANP in partnership with the provincial government and Philippine Army to promote social entrepreneurship.
“As an active member of the civil society organization sector of our Provincial Peace and Order Council, ANP will showcase their peace, economic, and capability livelihood projects in the remotest and conflicted areas of the province,” he said.
Among these countryside-based artisans are the “tikog” (reed grass) weavers of the now insurgency-cleared Sitio (hamlet) Madaja in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City.
“We applaud their three-pronged approach towards building a culture of peace that will result to a steady supply of raw materials, protect the degradation of our forest, and build the capacities of our upland communities for their socio- economic development,” Lacson added.
This year’s theme is “Hidlaw”, which is the Hiligaynon term for yearning, longing, or missing.
Mary Ann Colmenares, ANP vice president for advocacy, said the theme speaks of how much the association misses hosting the activity that they have been undertaking since 1985.
“The past two years has given us the opportunity to retool, reflect and restart. The 36th Negros Trade Fair will serve as a testament to the resilience of the Negrense spirit,” she added. (PNA)
