KIAMBA, Sarangani)—The month-long business celebration dubbed “United towards a Strong, Wealthy and Globally competitive Sarangani (USWAG-Sarangani) gained ground here early this week with Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao eyed as an endorser of products from this municipality.
Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said that he will talk to Pacquiao to endorse the products of the town’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) collectively labeled as “Kiamba’s Best.”
The world-renowned boxer, popularly called the “Pacman,” was in the United States for a family vacation when USWAG 2012 formally opened last Monday.
Now on its eighth year, USWAG Sarangani 2012 carries the theme “Sarangan, Business Tayo” (Sarangan, Let’s Do Business).
Dominguez lauded the small entrepreneurs behind “Kiamba’s Best,” noting their products “have the potentials to make it big in the commercial market.”
“If you have quality products that are well-packaged and with the right endorser, there’s “no reason people would not buy them,” he said.
“I will try to have your products endorsed by the “world’s best endorser,” the governor said, referring to Pacquiao.
Pacquiao and Dominguez will reportedly run as governor and congressman in the 2013 mid-term elections, respectively, under a unified slate. Dominguez is now on his third term as governor.
“Kiamba’s Best” includes product like bamboo shoots pickle, corned fish, Spanish sardines, fish paste, Elvie’s nipa vinegar, Elvie’s nipa sinamak, Joe Dels corn coffee, Joe Dels peanut butter, Joe Dels turmeric powder, Joe Dels salabat, Joe Dels native coffee, and Joe Dels tablea.
Ibrahim Guiamadel, Department of Trade and Industry Region 12 director, said that Kiamba has “vibrant” MSME players.
“Kiamba has 686 MSMEs operating with licenses,” he said.
Guiamadel said the town has recorded in the past several months P10 million in new investments coming from micro to medium business enterprises.
Kiamba hosted the opening ceremonies of USWAG Sarangani 2012 as part of the innovation to bring it to the province’s seven towns.
Last year, the opening ceremonies were held in Maitum and in Malungon in the previous year.
“Uswag” in Visayan means progress.
The province institutionalized USWAG Sarangani through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2006-5-053, which adopts the month-long celebration as the socio economic festivity of Sarangani.
The first USWAG Sarangani was held in 2005.
Mr. Guiamadel said that some of Sarangani’s products have already joined national trade fairs.
They boast of a packaging that is “globally competitive, he added.(Mindanews)
