Taguig City, Metro Manila—Aiming to promote Filipino entrepreneurship and support local industries, PNOC hosted its two-day PNOC Bazaar on July 17–18, 2025, at the PNOC Energy Center. The event featured over 30 vendors, including Kadiwa ng Pangulo merchants and PNOC’s own employee-entrepreneurs, offering locally produced goods from across the country.

Items on sale ranged from fresh produce such as lowland and highland vegetables, fruits, and organic rice, to artisanal food items including baked bangus, gourmet sardines, buko pie, and traditional kakanin. Sweet and savory options included cassava cake, fruit jams, calamansi curd, and the bestselling ube buko de leche from Nueva Vizcaya-based Domz Bukopie.

One of the bazaar’s highlights was the inclusion of products made by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from Taguig City Jail. Their handcrafted goods, ranging from accessories and snacks to home items, represented not only their creativity but also their aspirations for reintegration and livelihood sustainability.

“These handmade products give them a chance to express themselves and support their families and personal needs while serving time. The PNOC Bazaar helped boost visibility and appreciation of what our PDLs can produce,” shared Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Jail Officer Noemie Rodelas.

Entrepreneurs like Jennelyn Pauig, owner of Domz Bukopie, also shared their stories. Starting in 2018 with a single product, buko pie, her enterprise has grown to include a full range of locally inspired baked goods, dried fruits, and pickled products.

“The bazaar gave us a platform to connect with new buyers. Even early in the morning, we already had strong sales,” Pauig said. She emphasized the importance of government-initiated opportunities like the bazaar, noting how local producers can now tap support systems and expand to new markets. “Events like this help small businesses grow and find partners or resellers. It’s a great time to start a business now with the available support from the government,” she added.

Through this initiative, PNOC highlights its commitment to inclusive economic growth, support for local enterprises, and meaningful contributions to nation-building going beyond its mandate in  the energy sector.