THIRTY-FOUR micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the Cordillera Administrative Region generated P13.27 million in sales at a five-day regional trade fair in Mandaluyong City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Monday.
The 34th Impakabsat trade fair, held July 1–5 under the theme “Heritage Meets Innovation,” connected Cordillera entrepreneurs with Metro Manila consumers, corporate buyers, and institutional retailers.
Impakabsat is an acronym that includes Ifugao, the Mountain Province, Abra, Kalinga Apayao, Benguet, Baguio City, and “kabsat,” an Ilocano word for sibling, which symbolizes kinship among highland communities.
Exhibitors showcased handwoven textiles, fashion accessories, handcrafted furniture, home décor, processed food, local coffee and cacao.
The event’s focus on business-to-business relationships paid off, with booked orders accounting for P5.42 million or 40.9 percent of total sales, while direct cash sales reached P7.84 million.
Organizers also converted 100 percent of pending business negotiations into confirmed orders by the close of the fair.
By province, Abra posted the highest sales at P5.42 million, driven by wholesale and retail demand for handloom-woven products. Baguio-Benguet followed with P4.32 million, while Kalinga earned P2.01 million.
Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Apayao collectively contributed over P1.5 million, mostly from direct cash sales.
“The showcase continues to expand market access for regional creators, preserving cultural heritage while sharpening the competitive edge of local brands,” DTI-CAR Regional Director Raymond Panhon said.
Trade Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyot said the Cordillera’s cultural heritage gives its MSMEs a distinct market advantage, adding that platforms like Impakabsat help local enterprises refine their products, adapt to consumer trends, and scale up for larger domestic and export markets.
Held annually since 1991, Impakabsat has grown into a major regional trade exposition featuring textiles, food and crafts from the Cordillera provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, as well as Baguio City.
The DTI-CAR said it will continue supporting Cordillera MSMEs in strengthening B2B engagements, improving market readiness, and securing institutional buyers to sustain market opportunities for the region’s enterprises.
