Lanao Sur holds trade fair amid Ramadan 2023

By Claire R. Gigje

MARAWI CITY – The holy month of Ramadan this year in Lanao del Sur province has been filled with not just religious activities but also initiatives to aid local businesses and boost the economy of the entire place.

This, as the provincial government through the Provincial Cooperatives Of- fice (PCO), Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) and Lanao People’s Park and Public Library (LPPPL) organized a trade fair that was attended by roughly 15 traders who were displaying various food and non-food items.

Starting on March 28, the event will last until April 21 this year at the LPPPL grounds in Barrio Saber in Marawi City.

PCO Officer Ashadie Alonto said the Ramadan trade fair is an annual event held to help entrepreneurs showcase their products.

He said this is taking into account that not all of them will have the opportunity to bring their products closer to the public as markets during this season are congested, leaving them no room to display and sell.

"Nahihirapan sila maghanap ng pwesto dito kapag Ramadan kaya tinutulungan namin sila para magkaroon din sila ng kita

(They are having a hard time looking for spots during Ramadan, that is why we are helping them so that they can still have income)," said Alonto.

The PCO Officer further shared that the sales of their traders this year are still unstable due to the weather condition in Marawi City, however, he was hopeful that in the following week, the weather condition would be fine and participating businesses would gain more profit.