By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY – The “One Barangay, One Product” (OBOP) fair generated PHP629,992 in sales during its three-day run at Aurora Park in this Ilocos Norte capital, highlighting the growing potential of community-based enterprises in driving grassroots economic activity.
Budding entrepreneur Karen Lucas of Barangay 5 said every sale can help provide capital for the next production cycle, support household income and encourage one to pursue a business.
“Thank you to all who patronized my inabel earrings, necklaces and brooches at the OBOP product fair. Sleepless nights are so worth it,” Lucas posted on Facebook, adding that all her handwoven products and empanada (turnover pie)-inspired brooches were sold out.
Lucas, an accredited tour guide of the Department of Tourism and village treasurer, also expressed gratitude to Project ImPACT, a livelihood and entrepreneurship training program for women and out-of-school youth of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University, for inspiring her and her village mates to start a small business.
The OBOP fair provided participating entrepreneurs from Laoag’s 80 villages with a platform to introduce their products directly to consumers without having to shoulder the cost of establishing a permanent retail outlet.
Face-to-face interaction allowed producers to receive immediate feedback from customers — valuable information that can help them improve their products, packaging and marketing.
Liga ng mga Barangay president Roque Benjamin Ablan said the sales reflected strong consumer interest in locally made products.
“Definitely, there will be more like this in the future,” Ablan said in an interview following the successful conduct of the weekend event. (PNA)
