560 Iloilo City market vendors undergo capacity building

The Iloilo City Government, through the Local Economic Enterprise Office, in partnership with SM Prime Holdings, held another capacity-building seminar, “Vendor Success: Entrepreneurial Insights for Market Excellence,” on Wednesday, August 28 to upskill 560 participating local vendors and start-ups.

Market vendors and business owners learned firsthand from Mr. RJ Ledesma, an entrepreneur and consultant, author, journalist, host, and motivational speaker.

“This is a good public-private collaboration. With the skills set SM brings here through resource speakers like us, or business incubator and mentor as I call myself, plus the support of the LGU, it is a great step in making the City of Love also become a City of Industry and food destination,” Ledesma said.

As an enabler for micro, small, and medium enterprises and co-founder of Mercato Centrale, the largest and most popular weekend food market and food business incubator in the Philippines, Ledesma gave valuable insights into the market landscape and practical strategies.

“I look forward to the long-term collaboration with the Iloilo City Government to help improve our entrepreneurs. I look forward to one day finding a great entrepreneur here in Iloilo City so we can bring the best of Iloilo to the rest of the world,” the resource speaker added.

On top of making valuable connections and leveraging assets, the capacity building highlighted the importance of empowering local vendors and business owners by creating conducive, clean, and comfortable trading spaces, which Iloilo City is close to achieving through the rehabilitation of its public markets.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and SM City Assistant Mall Manager Darrell Defensor, who were present at the event, shared enthusiasm for the developments that await Ilonggos, especially the public market vendors. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)