Duterte pushes Mindanao products
President Duterte raises the hand of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte during the Organic and Natural Expo Mindanao Trade Fair held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City yesterday. Also in photo are Sen. Cynthia Villar and DA director Ricardo Oñate Jr.
DAVAO CITY – President Duterte is pushing for the development of various products coming from Mindanao, including organic and natural agriculture produce.
Duterte opened yesterday afternoon the Organic and Natural Expo (ONE) Mindanao that showcased organic and natural food products and ingredients, as well as indigenous fibers and weaves from more than 200 food producers, processors and entrepreneurs from all over Mindanao.
The ONE Mindanao exhibit, ongoing at the SMX Convention Center-SM Lanang Premiere until tomorrow, showcases fruits and vegetables, local artisan chocolates, singleorigin coffee, natural butter and dairy products and marine and fishery products caught using sustainable methods.
Special assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Department of Agriculture undersecretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat and Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte were among those who attended the opening ceremony yesterday. Romulo-Puyat told
that more than 60 exhibitors from various groups in the south have joined ONE Mindanao.
“This is a good venue for them, the farmers and the other groups, to highlight and to help in the further development of their products,” she said.
The ONE Mindanao exhibit also focuses on the rich cultural heritage of the various tribes and indigenous peoples of Mindanao through the natural and traditional fibers and weaves coming from Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Maguindanao.
Belmonte’s Linea Etnika clothing line, which sources its materials from Mindanao, is among the exhibitors in ONE Mindanao.
Romulo-Puyat said the event serves as a prelude to the island-wide organic and natural expo for the Visayas next year and Luzon in 2020, designed to raise awareness about the benefits and availability of natural and organic products in the market.