PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR — Local entrepreneurs from across the province put their products on display at the Provincial Covered Court of the D.O. Plaza Government Center on October 28, 2026, as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur hosted a selling fair alongside the DILG's 3rd AgSoar Awards. The event gave micro, small, and medium enterprises a direct platform to reach buyers, showcase their craftsmanship, and demonstrate the growing maturity of the province's local business sector.
A Showcase of Food and Non-Food Products
The fair featured a range of food and non-food offerings from DTI-assisted MSMEs. Food producers presented processed agricultural goods, cacao-based products, and other locally sourced items, while non-food exhibitors displayed crafts and other creative outputs. For visitors, the selling fair offered a chance to encounter products that carried the identity of Agusan del Sur's communities, from the upland farms to the coastal barangays. The variety reflected the province's agricultural base and the creativity of its entrepreneurs, who have been moving beyond raw production into branded, market-ready goods.
Behind the Products: Support That Builds Enterprises
The MSMEs that participated in the fair were not operating in isolation. DTI Agusan del Sur has been providing structured support through programs that address the practical barriers small businesses face. The RAPID Growth Project has supplied brand kits to enterprises, equipping them with packaging designs, labels, and guidance on intellectual property protection. A Shared Service Facility launched at Agusan del Sur State University has given food processors access to equipment for drying, grinding, and packaging. These interventions share a common logic: help local producers improve their product presentation, meet market standards, and compete beyond their immediate localities.
Why Buying Local Mattered
The fair also served as a call to action. Every purchase at a local stall kept money circulating within the province, supported household incomes, and reinforced the viability of enterprises that employ neighbors and relatives. For the MSMEs, the exposure mattered as much as the sales. A public event like the AgSoar Awards brought together government officials, community leaders, and residents, creating a captive audience for products that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. The DTI framed the activity as part of a broader push to strengthen the local economy by encouraging consumers to choose homegrown goods.
