Agrarian reform beneficiaries in Central Luzon took the center stage to offer to the public a wide array of quality products as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched on Thursday the four-day CARP Regional Trade Fair at Ayala Marquee Mall in Angeles City, this province“.

With the theme “Likhang ARBOs: Ipagmalaki at Tangkilikin,” the event that is now in its fifth year is being participated in by some 103 beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) from the region’s seven provinces — Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

DTI-Bulacan Provincial Director and CARP Regional Manager Edna Dizon said the participants in the trade fair are agrarian reform beneficiaries who were assisted by the DTI through its various programs and services such as livelihood skills training and provision of shared service facilities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagbili sa kanilang produkto, makakatulong kayo sa kanila (Through buying their products, we could help them). Thus, we would like to invite everyone to support our local products and visit the CARP trade fair at the Marquee Mall,” Dizon said in a television interview.

The products that are put on sale in the trade include coco jam, ginger candies, bamboo handicrafts and “sabutan” (palm straw that is made into hats and mats) products from Aurora; and bagoong (shrimp paste) products, cashew nuts, garlic chips and gourmet tuyo, tinapa, and bangus from Bataan.

Also available are processed meat, fish and dairy products as well as bread products from Bulacan; and dairy products, herbal tea and coffee, camote chips, pots and furniture, handicrafts, and turmeric-based products from Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, from Pampanga are food and non-food items ranging from kitchen wares, bags, corporate souvenirs and delicacies such as yema, boat tarts, homemade nuts, chili pastes and fruit juices.

Tarlac CARP beneficiaries are offering sweet potato wine, essential oils, peanut butter, chicharon, soft brooms, corn husk products, mushroom and calamansi products.

Zambales farmers, on the other hand, are selling mango products, cassava chips, candied sesame, pickled products and bamboo-based handicrafts. (PNA)