by IT Cabañes

Legazpi City (18 October) -- Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila will be the keynote speaker of the opening program of the 10th Orgullo Kan (OK) Bikol Regional Trade Fair on Thursday, October 19 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The OK Bikol Fair is an annual marketing event which aims to promote the distinct products of the region.

“This year’s OK Bikol staging marks a decade of promoting the distinct products of Bicol and providing substantial gains for Bicolano small and medium enterprises,” says DTI Bicol regional director Jocelyn L.B. Blanco.

Blanco said this year’s OK Bikol trade fair will focus on the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program of the DTI. “OTOP products will be showcased in a special setting and will highlight the convergence efforts of the local government units (LGUs), line departments, and the private sector.”

Secretary Favila and Congressman Edcel C. Lagman (Albay 1st district). among the special guests in the opening program, will be joined by Usec Carissa Cruz-Evangelista of DTI Regional Operators Group (ROG), Usec Zenaida C. Magalaya of Consumers Welfare Group, other DTI officials and some prominent Bicolano personalities.

Ms. Bicolandia 2006, Yuzilyn Shimizu of the province of Masbate, will also grace the occasion to render an intermission number and join the other guests in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

One of the highlights of the opening program will be the induction into office of the newly elected officers of the OK Bikol Association, Inc. This association was organized with the primary purpose of mounting the succeeding OK Bikol Trade Fairs in partnership with DTI or other institutions.

The top sellers of last year’s OK Bikol Trade Fair for gifts and houseware sector, furniture sector and food sector likewise will be given due recognition with Plaque of Recognition to be awarded by Congressman Lagman and Usec Cruz-Evangelista.