Baguio’s Sunday showcase at Session Road promotes local products
Display of quality products from local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) along Session Road will continue through the “Sunday Market Showcase” activity of the city government, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Now on its third year, the Sunday Market Showcase has become a permanent activity along Session Road where MSMEs sell their products along with the promotion of agri-business as well as arts and crafts.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong had been issuing executive orders on a monthly basis for the temporary closure of both lanes of Session Road from Baguio Post Office down to Magsaysay Avenue from 7AM to 7PM for the said activity.
Closure of Session Road from vehicular access on Sundays started as a traffic experiment in August 2019 in an aim to cut air pollution in the central business district and encourage walking among the residents.
The closure of Session Road resulted in people promenading on the road until pocket activities such as busking and chalk art activities evolved.
The conduct of the first Mindafruit Festival on Aug. 25, 2019 where exotic fruits from Mindanao came on sale kickstarted the conduct of the market showcase.
Mayor Magalong said local entrepreneurs are earning close to P5 million a year on the average based on total received sales from the conduct of Sunday Market Showcase along Session Road.
MSMEs interested in joining the event are encouraged to coordinate with the DTI or the City Planning and Development Office at Tel. No. 442-6607 or the City Tourism Office at Tel. No. 446-2009.
The mayor explained that Session Road is the perfect setting for the MSME products to be showcased considering accessibility, space and open air – ensuring adherence to minimum public health protocols.
He said the Sunday Market Showcase is in line with the city government’s thrust to strengthen its livelihood and entrepreneurial services as part of the efforts on good governance. – JMPS