Laoag City—The Ilocos Norte provincial government through the Ilocos Norte Trade & Investment Office (INvest) now provides support to the micro, small, and medium enterprises that are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the new ‘Buy IN’ project.
Inspired by the unique “bayanihan” culture of the Filipinos, “Buy Ilocos Norte” or “Buy IN” is the digital platform of the provincial government to regulate and promote potential and existing local businesses in the province by providing them e-marketing strategies and consultations.
“Dahil sa pandemiya ay nag-shift ang mga local entrepreneurs natin from doing their business in a physical store to digital market or e-commerce. Kaya dito sa‘Buy IN’, tutulungan natin ang mga entrepreneurs sa pag-promote ng kanilang mga produkto hindi lang sa probinsiya kundi pati rin sa labas. We will also offer free marketing consultations to them as to how to position their products, set prices, determine the appropriate packaging, and more,” INvest product development & marketing officer Ace Rumbaoa explained.
“Buy IN” is comprised of three phases: the creation of a social media page and conduct of tutorial videos; invasion of popular online selling platforms; and the establishment of “Kabuhayan Para sa Lahat, Lingkod ng Gobyernong Probinsiyal ng Ilocos Norte” (KABALIKAT nINyo), which will provide business for repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Also, under phase I is the operation of “Buy IN Bazaar” that will gather a limited number of partner merchants to sell their products.
The provincial government launched this on July 29-31, 2020 at the lobby of the Provincial Capitol Building.
“Kung maaari, priority natin yung mga nawalan ng trabaho, yung mga‘no work, no pay’ ang scheme sa trabaho, at yung mga potential entrepreneurs na kasisimula lang ng online business dahil walang ibang pagkukukunan ng ikabubuhay. Sa ngayon ay ongoing ang registration ng ating mgaapplicants via our Facebook page: ‘Buy Ilocos Norte’,” Mr. Rumbaoa added.
Among the preferred enterprises include artisanal and home-grown brands and products such as inabelproducts, accessories, home-cooked meals and desserts, locally processed meat, and rice coffee, among others.
In addition, the provincial government also plans to hold monthly pop-up shops in the most affected areas of the province to revive small businesses by helping them put up their booths and generate income.
“One of our goals is also to conduct pop-up shops every month in strategic places of the province. Ang mangyayari, pupunta kami sa isang area kung saan maraming nagsara na establishments o shops at doon namin gagawin ang pop-up activity para kahit papaano ay maipagpatuloy nila yung negosyo nila at makapag-ipon ng kahit konting halaga. Sa pamamagitan ng project na ito, makakapag-provide tayo ng trabaho para sa ating mga kailian hindi lang sa panahon ng krisis but also in the long run,” Mr. Rumbaoa stressed. (Stewart C. Ocampo)