The three-day trade fair participated in by women entrepreneurs in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has generated PHP1.58 million sales, exceeding expectations for marketing events during the pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported on Tuesday.

DTI Regional Director Celerina Bato said the activity held at Robinson North Tacloban on March 26 to 28 was the first face-to-face trade fair since the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic last year.

“Our target sales was just PHP1 million since we’re just testing waters this time of the pandemic. We hope to conduct another trade fair in June if existing health protocols will allow us,” Bato said in a virtual press briefing.

At least 27 women entrepreneurs joined the “Juana Laban sa Pandemya” trade fair as part of the 2021 National Women’s Month celebration.

Exhibitors showcased locally-produced wearables, homestyle, and processed food in the region considered as prototypes of newly-developed products and packaging innovation under the various DTI programs.

This year’s Women’s Month celebration serves as a platform and a call to action that highlights the extraordinary roles of ordinary women in society as trailblazers and harbingers of change.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Juana Laban sa Pandemya: Kaya!”

Bato said the DTI underscores the increase in the number of women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises during the pandemic, showing how women play a vital role in the overall economic recovery of the country. (PNA)