by Carlo P. Canares

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (13 November) -- Banna Rice Coffee. Mouth-watering longganiza from Batac. Crispy-licious Chicharon or Bagnet from San Nicolas and Chichacorn from Paoay. Bibingka, puto and other native kakanin from Currimao and shellcraft from Pagudpud.

These are just of the products being displayed - and sold - at the 14th Partuat ti Kailokuan Trade Fair & Garden Show at the Ilocano Heroes Memorial Hall in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The trade fair is being conducted by the Department of Trade & Industry provincial office in partnership with the Partuat ti Kailokuan Association and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte under Michael Keon. The fair aims to promote the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of the various Local Government Units of the province. The OTOP is a government program aimed to support local entrepreneurs and LGUs develop markets for their products and help push the local and national economy.

Aside from the OTOP of the province, there are other products from other provinces of Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) being showcased at the trade fair. Some of these are Puto Calasiao and Kutsinta from Calasiao, Pangasinan; wood carvings and furniture from the CAR; gift items, hand-crafted products and novelties; fashion accessories; potted- poinsettias for the holidays, plants and other flowers.