PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the reopening of the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City, as he assured Filipino designers of continued government support to enhance their global competitiveness.
“To our designers, artisans, entrepreneurs, exporters, and partners: come, make this space your own,” Marcos said. In his speech on Thursday, he noted that the revived Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls will be a platform for local designers, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
“I can assure you that this government will support you in your endeavors as you show the world the meaning of Filipino ingenuity through our products,” he added.
Marcos credited first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos for her instrumental role in the rehabilitation and reopening of the venue.
Originally known as the Philippine Trade Center and inaugurated in 1979, the Likhang Filipino Halls have been envisioned as a platform to promote Philippine crafts and products abroad.
The president honored his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, for her pioneering efforts to present Philippine crafts and products to the world.
The venue features several galleries that serve as a year-round showroom, marketplace, and incubator, celebrating Filipino craftsmanship across various industries.
The president said the venue would strengthen export promotion initiatives, enabling greater market access and international exposure for Filipino products.
Through Executive Order 75, Marcos empowered the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) to lead the cultivation of Likhang Filipino (Filipino Creations) as a national brand by promoting Philippine products and services to the global market.
In a related development, Citem announced its partnership with the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) in conjunction with the launch of Likhang Filipino on Thursday.
Under the collaboration, PHLPost will serve as an Acceptance Post Office for Express Mail Service (EMS) shipments to allow artisans, producers, and consumers participating in Likhang Filipino to immediately ship products to local and overseas destinations.
“This initiative strengthens our commitment to empower Filipinos to promote and ship homegrown products on the global stage,” Acting Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Maximo Sta. Maria III said. “By providing accessible and dependable logistics services, we help bridge local craftsmanship to international opportunities.”
