The recent Anilag (Ani ng Laguna) Festival was not just a celebration of Laguna province’s rich history and culture but also served as a vehicle for the growth of small industries in the province.
That was the assertion of local officials during the first “Kapihan sa PIA Calabarzon: Ugnayan at Talakayan sa Laguna” forum of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) last March 20.
During the forum, officials of the Laguna Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) shared that the recent Anilag Festival was also a convenient forum for the province’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products.
This was accomplished through the weeklong Trade Booth and Fair at the Laguna Provincial Capitol, where local government units (LGUs) and their industries displayed local and indigenous products, mostly foodstuffs, according to LEDIPO head Fatima Villaseñor.
Total sales
According to Villaseñor, initial data gathered by her office during the weeklong Anilag Festival showed that a total of 62 traders participated in the Trade Booth and Fair.
The LEDIPO head added that local traders initially recorded a total of P3 million in sales during the festival, while booths operated by LGUs recorded total sales of P8 million.
While the LEDIPO is still compiling total data from the various sponsors and traders, Villaseñor expressed the provincial government’s hopes that the total sales recorded for the 2025 festivities will beat the P25 million recorded during the 2024 Anilag Festival.
“Nagiging area po ng economic development among the MSMEs ang ating Anilag Festival. Ito po ay dahil sa mga produktong nasho-showcase dito, and basically 70 percent po ng mga nagtitinda during the festival ay mga may kinalaman sa pagkain,” she said.
LGU winners
LGUs who participated in the Anilag Festival also reaped rewards, and not just due to the massive sales recorded at the Trade Booth and Fair.
The city government of Santa Rosa was declared the overall winner at the Anilag Festival, with a total cash prize of P1 million.
Meanwhile, the town of Famy also bagged P1 million after being declared the champion of the Trade Booth and Trade Fair and Exhibit Competition.
This was followed by the LGU of Siniloan (P500,000), Los Baños (P300,000), Luisiana (P100,000), and Calauan (P75,000).
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #Anilag #PIA