Nakakalocal Year 4 Leg 8 opens in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 27 — The Nakakalocal Bazaar Year 4, Leg 8 officially opened Friday at the Atrium of SM City Baguio, with business leaders and government officials underscoring collaboration as key to strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

The three-day bazaar, which runs until 10 p.m. on March 1, gathers local brands and entrepreneurs under the theme “Come Together,” highlighting the link between enterprise development and tourism growth.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Lucien D. Tioco, executive vice president of Philstar Media Group, and Royston Cabunag, department head and assistant vice president for MSME, Job Fairs and Government Services of SM Supermalls.

They were joined by John Philip S. Baysac, mall manager of SM City Baguio; Michael Jason N. Pena, assistant mall manager; Raymond G. Panhon, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region; and Gladys Vergara, chairperson of the Baguio Tourism Council.

In her remarks, Vergara said empowering MSMEs directly strengthens tourism and local prosperity.

“When our entrepreneurs grow, our tourism industry grows. And when tourism grows, our city prospers,” she said.

She emphasized the need for collaboration, innovation and partnerships to sustain small businesses.

Vergara thanked SM Supermalls for providing what she described as a “world-class venue” for local entrepreneurs and cited continued support from the Department of Trade and Industry and the local government.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Jovita Ganongan, regional director of the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region, who said the theme “Come Together” reflects how tourism and enterprise depend on connection.

“Tourism thrives when communities collaborate. Local economies flourish when entrepreneurs support one another,” Ganongan said.

She described Cordillera MSMEs — from weavers and woodcarvers to coffee producers and artisans — as “cultural bearers” who preserve traditions while innovating for modern markets.

Ganongan said MSMEs play a vital role in building sustainable and inclusive tourism by generating employment and enriching visitor experiences.

“When tourists support local brands, they are not simply making a purchase — they are investing in communities,” she said.

She added that initiatives like Nakakalocal provide not only sales opportunities but also market access, visibility and collaboration platforms that allow small enterprises to scale up.

Participating MSMEs in the Baguio leg include Kakaw Galleon, Minnie’s Cakes & Pastries, Style Isle, Tsokorado, Everything is Pine, Wooden Sparkle, Crafting Time Art Jewelry, Alitaptap, AmiananPH, Bag’ito, and Airoms Leather Craft.

Organizers said the bazaar aims to strengthen public-private collaboration among media, national agencies, local government units and entrepreneurs to drive sustainable economic growth in the region.