Eleven products from the province of Pangasinan were featured at the International Food Expo (IFEX) 2025 held at the World Trade Center from May 22 to 24.
The province’s delegation included both established and first-time exhibitors showcasing agricultural products and processed food items.
Among the participants were Hou Yang Food Corp. (bangus and chicken karaage), Elisha Bay Dagupan Bangus and Seafoods (processed bangus), Mama Cili Enterprises (bottled processed bangus), Dimalupig and Gabriele Food Products Trading (sugarcane vinegar), Bernal Bagoong (fermented fish paste), Abundance Agri Tourism and Training Center Inc. (organic products), Bantog Samahang Nayon MPC (dairy), and Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corp. (ready-to-eat fortified food).
First-time exhibitors included Rotico Food Products (Romana peanut brittle), Eldica Seafood Processing (processed bangus), and Anjo Farms Inc. (processed bangus).
Governor Ramon V. Guico III, now on his second term, expressed pride in the diversity and quality of Pangasinan’s MSME products.
“Congratulations to them. We still have many other products that we can try, taste, and improve,” he said in an interview at the expo.
Guico emphasized that while some MSMEs are already succeeding in international markets, others still face challenges in meeting compliance requirements. “We encourage our MSMEs to cooperate with the province and DTI para sa mga needed requirements at compliance so they could join next year’s exhibit,” he said.
Beyond the trade fair, Guico explained the province’s vision to raise product quality to global standards. “Hindi na pwede yung ‘pwede na yan.’ We must meet global standards if we want to compete internationally,” he said, citing Pangasinan’s MSMEs that have already achieved international certifications after years of work.
He also revealed plans for infrastructure improvements in Manawag, including a trade hub and road developments behind the Manawag Central School to address traffic and allow the establishment of new businesses catering to tourists and local producers alike.
“We want to establish a place where our producers can invest, be taught the process, and once their products improve, they can also be sold globally,” Guico said.
Despite global economic shifts and tariffs, Guico noted that Philippine, especially Pangasinan products, still hold an edge. “Even if the tariff increased, ours is still lower compared to other countries. That gives us a competitive advantage,” he said.
