Resorts in Panglao grope for preference in the market of fish, fruits and vegetables from Bohol farms.

Rommel Gonzales, president of the Panglao Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mayette Gasatan of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) raised the concern on access to local farm produce during the press conference with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-7 Regional Director Aster Caberte for the launching of the Panglao Weekend Bazaar yesterday.

Gonzales, also manager of Bellevue Resort sought government interventions such as regulation measures or encourage local producers to prefer resorts instead of eyeing for markets outside Bohol.

The government should also assist fishermen, farmers producing fruits and vegetables to be able to supply more and augment local economy.

On the other hand, PCCI also asked the DTI to facilitate product-market matching, especially in the micro, small and medium enterprises to supply industry needs.

Resorts have been clamoring for lower prices of seafoods, fruits and vegetables which could be more possible if local farmers and fishermen would prefer supplying for them.

Fishermen reportedly prefer big-time fish traders supplying the Cebu market for quick sales than going around Bohol to find buyers where they have to spend the whole day waiting for sales.

In most cases, they have to return home with unsold products.

While Bohol is abundant with marine products, fish and seafood made available in local markets came from Mindanao.

Local fishermen also consider the high demand of marine products in Bohol, being a tourist destination as one of the factors in posting high prices on fish and other seafood.

Even flowers that resorts use for their ambience have to be supplied by farmers outside Bohol.

Resort owners in Bohol lament that resorts in other provinces have even more access to fish and other seafood, fruits and vegetables, and other products from Bohol than them.

On this, resort owners asked the government to act on their concerns and come up with measures to encourage local producers would prioritize local clients and contain a bigger percentage of the farm produce and supply of other local products inside Bohol.

On the other hand, the DTI serves as the lead agency in the celebration of Consumer Welfare Month, showcasing an advocacy program that aims to build the virtue of responsible entrepreneurship among the business sector.

DTI also aims at raising the level of competencies among local enterprises and improving high customer satisfaction.

To achieve these objectives, the DTI conducts seminars on fair trade laws and customer relations for the entrepreneurs in the provinces.

“The orientation of entrepreneurs on business-related laws will greatly help them become more law-abiding citizens and their businesses more customer-friendly,” according to Caberte.

The seminar covers business name law, product standards law, retail trade-related laws, service-related laws and customer relations.

The Consumer Welfare Month is celebrated every October in compliance with Presidential Proclamation 1098.(with reports from Leah Marchil Sumampong and Angeline Valencia)