MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Local cooperatives and entrepreneurs who participated in the trade fair held during the weeklong Marawi Week of Peace 2023 in May this year expressed their profound gladness to the government and its partner stakeholders for putting up a trade fair that allowed them to display their respective products.

Shahanie Esmael, a member of Mamaanan Bangsamoro Farm Producer Cooperative from Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur, thanked the organizers as they earned big sales while enjoying the chance to introduce the name of their group and product to the crowd.

"Maliban sa nakakabenta ka ng product mo is nakikita rin ng mga tao na may kakayahan din pala ang mga miyembro ng cooperative namin na gumawa ng cassava cracker na produkto namin," she said.

(Aside from selling your products, people saw that the members of our cooperative have the capability to make cassava crackers, which is our product)

Maranao Women Solidarity Producer Cooperative member Rahima Aloyodan also shared that they were grateful for the trade fair as her group participated and sold various linens and textiles, while some of them joined the digital literacy training where they learned how to use a computer and post their products online.

Apart from recording an increase in sales, traders were likewise elated over the distribution of sacks of rice and relief goods pledged by the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) here in partnership with the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), and Raheemah Peace Weavers Producer Cooperative.

The same aid was also distributed to the participants of the digital literacy training spearheaded on the same occasion.

Sabala Manao Cooperative member Monner Macarampat showed his delight at the help he received, especially since his life is now suffering from a crisis.

Sapiyah Somangcad, a member of the Assa-adah Women Multipurpose Cooperative, exclaimed with joy after receiving her share of the MSSD's aid.
Norhaniza Basmala from the Ranao Brothers and Sisters Business Cooperative here, on the other hand, stressed that the relief given to them was indeed a big one, with the sack of rice that could bridge their consumption for a month.

"Malaking tulong ang ayuda kasi ang bigas ay pang-isang buwan na naming kain. Kapag ganitong krisis, ito lang ang inaasahan namin," she said.

(The aid is a big help because the rice can be ours for one month's consumption. Whenever there is a crisis, we can only rely on this)

Traders conveyed that if the same event took place next year, they would still heartily join and showcase their products to the public. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)