MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Not intending to disregard the businesses affected by the 2017 siege, the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) alongside its member agencies and development partners ensured that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in this city are given the chance to display their products and gain more income amid this year’s commemoration of the Marawi Week of Peace (MWOP). 

This has been realized as they get to open their stalls in the organized trade fair which runs from May 17 to 23 this year. 

Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Team Leader and Community Organizer Nabilah Macalbe emphasized that the trade fair is a significant opportunity for their beneficiaries as they have been offered time to sell their products to a wider public. 

She stated that most of the residents they have been helping were forming cooperatives bearing their respective products and that they have already been participating since the trade fair was initiated in 2018.

Macalbe said they are hoping that the trade fair be repeated in the next years to come. 

“Isa itong karangalan na maipakita nila ang mga produkto nila na pwede nilang maitrade dito sa Marawi Week of Peace. We are hoping na masustain ito para rin sa mga beneficiaries na binigyan namin ng livelihood support,” she said.

(This is a pride that they can show their products which can be traded here in the Marawi Week of Peace. We are hoping that this will be sustained for the beneficiaries whom we have given livelihood support.

This was then affirmed by Samsia Pelandoc, the chairperson of Masaganang Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, who stressed the big help brought by the trade fair to them. 

She said every time there is a trade fair, they join to sell more products and increase their profit. 

Sunriser Service Cooperative Chairperson Norjanah Ramos likewise conveyed that through the trade fair, they have been able to exhibit to the public the livelihood opportunities provided to them by the government and which they successfully fostered. 

Maranao Women Solidarity Producer Cooperative Focal Person Hawlah Ibrahim, on the other hand, attested to the vital moment extended to them through the trade fair, especially since her organization is just starting and still striving to be recognized. 

She underscored that locals should patronize products like her group is selling as these are with their whole heart, being members also of the Bangsamoro Islamic Women Auxiliary Brigade (BIWAB).“Hopeful ako na sana maging okay ito at hindi lang na marecognize, kung hindi mas mafeel pa namin ang pagbebenta kasi nagsisimula pa lamang kami. Iniimbitahan namin kayo na tumingin sa aming produkto kasi ito ay hindi basta lang ginawa. Ito ay ginawa nang may puso dahil kami ay puro mga kababaihan na sinasabing BIWAB,” said Ibrahim.

(I am hopeful that this turns out well and that we will not just be recognized as we also want to feel our selling because we are just starting. I am inviting everyone to see our products because these were not just done ordinarily. These were done with heart because we are all women known to be BIWAB.) (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)