SIQUIJOR, Dec. 7 (PIA) – The Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCII), in partnership with the AFOS Foundation for Entrepreneurial Development Corporation will conduct Thursday (December 8) an orientation-meeting cum planning activity for souvenir and pasalubong item producers in the province.

SCCII president Roberto Pajermo said the activity is part of the Sector-Unit Approach/WE-CAN program which targets micro/small producers to support the tourism industry of selected provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao through their respective Chamber of Commerce.

Provincial Science and Technology director Mario de la Peña, in an interview with PIA, also said the province is very lucky to have partnered with AFOS as he finds its program very supportive of the island's tourism endeavor.

De la Peña is one of the focal persons to present the DOST’s role in various aspects of livelihood technology in manufacturing.

Participants are mostly DTI and DOST-assisted local producers in the island such as makers of handicrafts in Lazi and Maria towns, wrought iron and herbal tea in Siquijor town.

He said the activity is one way of gathering producers, identifying their needs and assisting them to boost tourism in Siquijor.

The AFOS, he said, aims to assist these producers particularly in handicraft design and labeling to attract more buyers.

To be held at the DOST conference room, it is done in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DOST, and the Siquijor Provincial Tourism Office.(PIA-Siquijor/RACalibo)