By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Iloilo-Ilang-Ilang is currently conducting a weeklong exposition featuring the products and services of 25 female micro-entrepreneurs at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol canopy.
Dubbed as “Tiendas Ilonggas,” the product exposition opened yesterday and will continue to run until Friday, June 9.
JCI Iloilo-Ilang-Ilang President Haycia Kamil Olivar said the product exposition, now in its third year, promotes female empowerment through entrepreneurship.
“Tiendas Ilonggas is just one of the many projects under ‘All About Her,’ our flagship program that endeavors to provide solutions to the needs of women in terms of legal, medical, and economic,” Olivar explained. “Hopefully, through this, we can help market their products and we can all contribute to the attainment of the fifth UNSDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).”
The exposition features products produced by women, including food products such as lengua de gato, pickled seaweed, hablon; alongside paintings, headbands, and handbags.
Additionally, beaded accessories made by female inmates of the Iloilo City District Jail, part of their livelihood and rehabilitation programs, were also on display.
There were also pillows and pillow cases made by the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina-Dumangas Chapter, a grassroots organization assisted by the Provincial Social and Development Office.
Other exhibitors include 3R Babes’s, Igpigus, Brendan House of Lengua de Gato, Teachercare’s Choice, Nating’s Peanuts, Buk’s Ann, LB Bravio Salted Peanuts, Nitz and Paz Food Ventures, Ligaya Herbal Products, Beat N’Bake, Nanay’s Best, Jenny’s Food Products, J’Wills, SDMSIA, Melvan’s, Lezeth’s Food Products, Sun’s Pot Catering, Linie’s Enterprise, Sunburst, BMOPA, Grances & Jamer Piaya, TASFA, and Eljun’s Herbal and Homecare Products.
Tiendas Ilonggas is produced in coordination with the Gender and Development Unit of the Province of Iloilo, the Department of Trade and Industry-Region VI, the Iloilo Negosyo Center, and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development. (PR)