16/10/2026
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to showcase not only the products but also the culture of Region 12 in the upcoming Treasures of Region 12 Trade Expo in Metro Manila.
DTI Region 12 will bring 70 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the four‑day expo, which opens on October 15 at Ayala Malls Market! Market! in Taguig City. The event aims to expand markets and introduce products that are distinctly Region 12.
DTI‑12 Regional Director Flora Politud‑Gabunales underscored the need to promote not only mainstream products but also those with cultural significance.
“Region 12 is home to a wide array of Indigenous Peoples, including the Tboli who produce the beautiful T’nalak cloth. These are crafted into luxury handbags, pouches, statement fashion accessories, and even art pieces, unique products that only our region has,” Politud‑Gabunales said.
The expo will feature products from the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City, with Koronadal City as the regional center.
Aside from product displays, DTI‑12 will also present daily cultural performances at 12:00 noon, 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Dance Troupe, a cultural ambassador group that has showcased Region 12’s dances locally and abroad.
This year, DTI targets P30 million in sales and will implement digital payment facilities for all exhibitors. Politud‑Gabunales said MSMEs underwent rigorous product assessment and training to prepare them for the expo, including digital readiness.
“We want our MSMEs to be competitive, and this includes making them ready for the ever‑changing market transactions such as cashless payments through digital platforms,” said Politud-Gabunales.
Shoppers can expect a variety of roasted coffee products, as Region 12, dubbed the country’s coffee capital, produces more than 35 percent of the nation’s supply. They can also look forward to tuna value‑added products that highlight the region’s role as the tuna capital of the Philippines, an assortment of fruit‑based items such as jams, preserves, and chocolates, and homestyle and wearable products made from indigenous materials.
The trade expo also highlights partnership and collaboration, as the local government units of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat, together with General Santos City, will promote investment areas to prospective investors.
DTI‑12 is likewise partnering with the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Coconut Authority, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Since its inception in 2014, the Treasures of Region 12 has served as a potent marketing platform for MSMEs assisted by DTI through its One Town, One Product (OTOP) program. Iloilo City hosted the expo in 2025. -END