Shopping locally has never been more relevant than it is today. As we all continue to navigate and recover from the impact of the pandemic, it is important that we show our support for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Go Lokal program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to unlock new market segments for MSMEs as it formally launches the Go Lokal in-store selling area in Manila Canvas, strategically located at the historic walled city of Intramuros, a tourist destination that has been recognized, for the third time, as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2022 at the World and Travel Awards in Asia and Oceania. Intramuros has received this honor in 2020 and 2016. The Go Lokal x Manila Canvas store will have its grand opening on 27 March 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Manila Canvas is owned and operated by CANDC Plants and Woodcrafts, one of the leading suppliers of plant and woodcraft souvenirs in the Philippines. Its services include customization of their products through laser etching and engraving services. Starting out as a souvenir shop, Manila Canvas added a café for its soft opening in December 2022. Through partnership with Go Lokal, it has expanded its offering of homegrown brands from artisanal home décor and fashion accessories to local wine and snacks, bottled milkfish, Arabica brewed coffee, and sustainable arts and crafts.
The store currently carries the products of 12 Go Lokal MSMEs: Delfa’s Food Products, Mama Cili Enterprises, Sangkutsa Food Products, Dielle’s Apiary and Meadery, Inc., Cocolibre Corp., Marigold Commodities Corporation, Ginga Food Manufacturing, CANDC Plants and Woodcrafts, The Cattwrites Bag and Accessories, HIPH888 Merchandising, JVLR Prints, and Woven Handicrafts.
The Go Lokal x Manila Canvas in-store selling area aims to promote Filipino products by providing customers with unique items from all over the country. With this new initiative, the DTI hopes to strengthen the economy by helping local businesses reach out to more customers, including foreign and local tourists.
The event will be graced by officials from the DTI, Department of Tourism, Intramuros Administration, and Maya, as well as the owners of Manila Canvas and representatives of MSMEs.
In conjunction with the Go Lokal x Manila Canvas grand opening, the DTI’s Bagsakan event for tourists will also be held on March 25 until April 2 at the Flag Pole area of Fort Santiago. Thirty-one MSMEs from Regions 2, 3, 4A, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, ARMM, CAR, and NCR will proudly showcase their local food and non-food products.
We invite everyone to drop by the Go Lokal x Manila Canvas store located at Chamber 8, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. The store is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Go Lokal outlets are also found in selected malls, supermarkets, Duty-Free shops, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms such as LazMall and ShopeeMall.
Go Local! has partnered with 29 retailers, opened 131 locations across the country and assisted 466 MSMEs to become regular suppliers of partner retailers. It was launched by the DTI in 2017 as a free-market access platform for Philippine MSMEs in partnership with select retail partners. The program has so far generated PHP 533.17 million in sales. You may send your inquiries to golokalph@dti.gov.ph, DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion’s Director Marievic Bonoan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph, and Ms. Andrea Manzano, Go Local Program Manager, at andreamanzano@dti.gov.ph.
For more information, visit our official website and social media accounts at: Website: https://golokal.dti.gov.ph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTI.GoLokal/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dti.golokal/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DTI_GoLokal
Buy Local, Go Local! *
Date of release: 21 March 2023