Eastern Visayas State University officially opened its KADIWA Trade Fair on Monday, February 23, 2026, through an Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. This marked the beginning of a vibrant showcase of local products and community partnerships. The event gathered community partners and local entrepreneurs within the university grounds, highlighting innovation, culture, and grassroots enterprise within the region.
In an interview, Sir Rustom Clemente, Director of the Extension Services Office, emphasized that the primary aim of the KADIWA Trade Fair is to empower community partners by providing them with an avenue to exhibit their products and services to the wider public and the EVSU community. He noted that the event is necessary not only to support local producers but also to strengthen the University’s partnerships with its partner agencies. Creating direct access to markets and consumers, the KADIWA Trade Fair reinforces EVSU’s commitment to inclusive growth and community development.
In addition, Director Clemente also shared that this year’s KADIWA Trade Fair is distinct from previous editions due to its expanded reach, now featuring products from Samar in addition to Leyte. This broader participation reflects EVSU’s growing network of collaborators across Eastern Visayas. Looking ahead, the Director also mentioned his vision of having external campuses and more community partners, encouraging them to take part in future trade fairs, also transforming the KADIWA initiative into a larger, more inclusive platform for regional empowerment and sustainable collaboration.
This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth; (SDG) 17: Partnerships for the Goals
via NJ Gubatana
