By: Carla P. Gomez - Correspondent / @carlagomezINQInquirer Visayas / 12:29 PM September 25, 2019

Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, Association of Negros Producers chairperson Christina Gaston, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer,ANP president Arlene Infante, Michael Edward Claparols and Ayala Malls president Jennylle Tupaz ring the bell to signal the start of the 34th Negros Trade Fair at Glorietta 2 of the Ayala Center in Makati City.*

BACOLOD CITY — The push is on to bring more Negrense products to national and global markets.

The Negros Occidental provincial government and the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) are set to work together to help more producers from the 31 towns and cities of the province improve and market their products.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his speech at the 34th Negros Trade Fair Governor’s Night at Glorietta 2 in Makati City on Tuesday said he’s a believer of the Negrense talent and products.

“It is high time that we seriously reinvent to show the world that Negros is more than just sugar, that Negros is the place where you can succeed if you try, where a healthy economy can advance by what we make and innovate.”

This year’s trade fair carries the theme “Timeless Traditions.

Lacson stressed the need to remember and show gratitude to the Negrense women who faced seemingly insurmountable odds 34 years ago to start the Negros Trade Fair to provide alternative sources of income to Negrense sugar farmers who were badly hit by the global sugar crisis.

“The story of the Negros Trade Fair is one of resilience, ingenuity, hope and courage of the Negrense spirit,” he said.

“Please continue innovating and creating, and always aim for excellence,” he added.

He also thanked the cities of Bacolod, Silay, Talisay, Cadiz, and Bago who have booths in this year’s trade fair for their active participation.

Former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District said the provincial government and the ANP would work together to help producers upgrade and market their products.

They would provide the Negros Occidental producers with the link to the market, he said.

ANP will operate showrooms of Negros products at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, Magikland in Silay City, and at the South Capitol Road in Bacolod City.

Christina Gaston, ANP chairperson, said they have been asked to help develop the products for the 31 local government units of the province.

ANP president Arlene Infante said this year the 34th Negros Trade Fair has 64 booths and she is upbeat about their sales.

However, they have to tone down their expectations because of the ongoing renovations at Glorietta that have given the trade fair less space, especially for its food section this year./lzb