2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair Receives Excellent Reviews

During the formal opening of the 2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair. (L-R): Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) deputy executive director Annray Rivera; HABI Philippine Textile Council founder and chairperson Maribel Ongpin; DTI-Trade Promotions Group undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman; DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion director Marievic Bonoan: and When in Manila chief operations officer and NACF event ambassador Sky Gavin.

Tagged as the “Philippine Artisans Show,” the 2019 National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) was held from October 24 to 27 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The four-day event lived up to its objective to promote our rich cultural traditions and national heritage, while at the same time expanding the market presence of MSMEs engaged in the creative industries.

This celebration of authentic Filipino artistry and ingenuity showcasing the best collection of high-quality indigenous materials, heritage crafts, and artistic mastery attracted close to 30,000 visitors, and garnered excellent reviews with 94% expressing satisfaction. Preliminary reports peg total sales at PhP 33.6-million.

During the formal opening held last October 24, Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of the Trade Promotions Group delivered the inspirational message. The keynote address of Deputy Speaker and Antique Congresswoman Loren Legarda was delivered by her representative Ms. Maribel Ongpin, Chairperson and Founder of HABI The Philippine Textile Council.

In addition to 269 exhibitors from all of the country’s 17 regions, there were special settings and pavilions by the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) featuring natural fibers and fabrics; the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) focusing on Philippine tropical fabrics; and the Philippine Forest Honey Network showcasing forest honey varieties from different parts of the country.

From the province of Antique, the thriving artisan communities and their traditional patadyong, hablon weaves, bariw handicrafts, and other specialties were highlighted with the participation of 27 exhibitors from all of the province’s 18 municipalities. A special section was also devoted to the Bangon Marawi initiative, with their brassware, gongs and bells, woodcraft and textile products. Selected beneficiaries of the DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program were also among the exhibitors.

The ubiquitous KAPEtirya offered choice local coffee blends from the regions, with a selection of native delicacies. There was also the usual leathercrafts workshop manned by the differently-abled workers of Handcrafted by Harl’s, while Baybayin experts rendered text in the traditional Tagalog script, and craft artists conducted brush calligraphy and mixed media art workshops.

Following the formal opening on Thursday, October 24, there was a daily program of activities focusing on business talks on Friday, October 25; arts and crafts activities on Saturday, October 26; and the performing arts on Sunday, October 27. A special focus of the daily program were the cultural presentations and live demonstrations of the arts, crafts, and practices that are being transmitted by cultural masters to the next generation through community managed learning programs of the Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The 2019 NACF was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) headed by Director Marievic M. Bonoan in cooperation with the Regional Operations Group, with support from the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda.

For more information, contact numbers are (02) 7751-3223 and (02) 7791-3102, or email bdtp@dti.gov.ph. You may also follow DTI-BDTP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

PRRD Orders Inclusion of Hollow Blocks in the List of Products with Mandatory Certification – DTI Chief

The Cabinet deliberated on the impact of the recent series of earthquakes and the measures moving forward. According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, among the concerns raised by President Rodrigo Duterte during the recent Cabinet meeting was the quality of hollow blocks, noting many small hollow block makers may not follow standard processes and specifications needed in production. Even as Sec. Lopez gave assurance on the standard compliance of steel and cement, among others, the President mandated the inclusion of hollow blocks in the list of products with mandatory certification as these are not yet included in the certification schemes implemented by DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards.

Relatedly, the President ordered all local government units (LGUs) and contractors to ensure that all construction materials being used in any construction activity must pass quality standards. If they are found to be using inferior quality construction materials and not adhering to the specifications in the Building Code as well as in its structural design, their licenses as contractors may be revoked. Likewise, contractors of government projects that use uncertified materials will not be paid and their contracts will be terminated.

“The quality of any building structure depends not only on the product standards, but also on the quality of the construction job, particularly on adherence to approved structural design and the Building Code, required steel density, cement mixtures, among others,” Sec. Lopez said.

DTI ensures the standard compliance of products under the mandatory certification list such as cement, steel, nails and glass (although glass’ inclusion is currently under court injunction).

Under the Duterte administration, DTI has tightened products’ certification and procedures. Apart from the PS accreditation of the manufacturing plant, products are also tested at the plant. For imported steel or cement, these are tested at pre-shipment and post-shipment. Sampling size for testing was also increased by more than 15 times.

More products are now being studied to be included in the mandatory certification list such as plywood, roofing, and tiles.