Pasay City: Some 26 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Occidental are set to showcase export-quality Negrense food products during the International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from May 22 to 24. In a media forum on Tuesday, Engiemar Tupas, chief trade-industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, highlighted the participation of Negrense MSMEs once again in the event, which aims to foster networking avenues among key players in the food, beverage, and ingredients industry.

According to Philippines News Agency, previous participation of Negrense exhibitors at IFEX resulted in generating millions in sales, providing an opportunity for buyers and suppliers to engage, discover, and optimize sourcing experiences for premium-quality products. Tupas emphasized that a Negrense enterprise that previously joined the event continues to transact with buyers and achieve substantial annual sales.

Lynna Joy Cardinal, provincial director of the DTI Negros Occidental, mentioned that Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has committed financial support for the participation of the Negrense exhibitors in the event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), DTI's export promotion authority. Cardinal noted that not many provinces are represented at IFEX, making it a source of pride for Negros Occidental to be part of the event.

This year's exhibitors from Negros Occidental include entrepreneurs engaged in the production of beverages, confectionery, bakery products, frozen foods, condiments, snacks, essential oils, and plant-based products. Some of the participating businesses are Clara's Food Products, Shiena Mae Ana's Homemade Food Products, Ere±ata-Manaloto Food Products, and Moks Recipes Frozen Foods, among others.

The delegation will be led by the provincial government's Technology and Livelihood Development Center and the DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Office. In the IFEX Kitchen 2025 on May 22, three esteemed members of the Slow Food Cooks' Alliance-Negros will be featured. Chefs Ziggy Segunial and Kiko Torno will prepare the beloved Negrense dish, 'KBL' or kadios, baboy, and langka, using locally sourced ingredients from Negros Occidental. Expert mixologist Paul Jasper Javellana will craft a selection of blended drinks to complement the dish's flavors.