04/10/2026
One Barangay, One Product (OBOP) Trade Fair
N e w s R e l e a s e | As local economies nationwide navigate inflation and economic recovery, Laoag City is proving that true financial resilience begins at the grassroots level.
Through its One Barangay, One Product (OBOP) Trade Fair held from September 18 to 20 at Aurora Park, the city government transformed all 80 of its barangays into self-sustaining micro-enterprise hubs, generating impressive local revenue while creating a scalable blueprint for community-led development.
More than a traditional trade display, the three-day showcase demonstrated a coordinated whole-of-government approach to poverty alleviation.
By uniting local entities—such as the City Tourism Office, the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the City Agriculture Office—with national agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the initiative provided micro-entrepreneurs with complete developmental support.
Working alongside sectoral partners like the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) women’s organization and the Rural Improvement Club (RIC), these institutional collaborators delivered essential assistance ranging from skills upgrading and product standardization to direct market access.
This multi-sectoral strategy translated into immediate financial gains for local households.
Cluster 1 led the trade fair’s overall sales performance by generating ₱329,960.00 in direct revenue, while Cluster 5 and Cluster 2 secured second and third places with ₱74,130.00 and ₱51,840.00, respectively.
Featured goods—ranging from processed food and beverages to artisanal furniture bearing the proud “Laoagueño” brand—demonstrated strong commercial viability ready for broader regional distribution.
Liga ng mga Barangay President Roque Benjamin “Rbee” C. Ablan highlighted the human development aspect behind the economic figures.
“Today is more than an exhibit of products; it is an exhibit of our people. Every product displayed here carries a story,” Ablan said.
“It represents the creativity of the entrepreneurs, the hard work of our farmers and producers, the skills of our artisans, and the determination of our barangays to create opportunities for our people.”
Echoing this vision in a message delivered on behalf of the city leadership, Councilor Bjorn Lao emphasized that driving growth from the bottom up aligns with broader national goals of inclusive economic expansion.
“Because the economic vitality of the city often relies on grassroots communities, the OBOP fair fosters a sustainable cycle of local empowerment and cultural pride,” Lao stated.
“By encouraging entrepreneurship, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting quality innovation, this initiative helps lift barangays out of hardship and struggle.”
To sustain long-term momentum, organizers recognized top-performing barangay clusters in product innovation and exhibition design, with Cluster 3, which includes Barangays 1, 2, 3, 4, 45, 47, 55-C, and 57 claiming top honors for both the Best Innovative Christmas Pasalubong and Best Booth categories.
As local government units across the Philippines seek sustainable strategies to decentralize economic opportunity, Laoag City demonstrates that investing in barangay-level innovation converts local traditions into powerful engines of inclusive growth.
You may also read the full story here: https://pia.gov.ph/news/luzon/ir/laoag-city-empowers-grassroots-entrepreneurs-at-community-product-fair/
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