The Department of Trade and Industry, through its One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program, brings the best of Philippine quality products to one of the Metro Manila’s central business districts, as the 17th OTOP Philippines Hub was launched at the ground floor of the DTI Main Building, 361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City last April 23.
Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya, together with Undersecretary, Management Services Group (MSG) Ireneo Vizmonte, ROG Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, National Capital Region (NCR) Officer-in-Charge – Regional Director Rodolfo Mariposque and Clark Nebrao along with the Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP) members, graced the soft opening of the store. The 17th OTOP Philippines Hub is in partnership with ALAFOP. The Association is tasked to run the day-to-day business operations of the Hub.
The 17th OTOP PH Hub features products ranging from processed food and delicacies, to gifts and decors, and health and wellness goods, proudly crafted by 69 micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) suppliers from across the regions, with 241 stock keeping units (SKUs). The store, through the displayed products, also connotes a feeling of homecoming for those residing in the metro who miss their home provinces.
This initiative sees the MSMEs’ boost in sales and market reach, adding the cultural upliftment it brings to the provinces, as their products serve as valuable representations of their respective localities.
Through the OTOP Next Gen Project, the products displayed at OTOP Hubs underwent product development, augmenting their marketability. OTOP Hubs serve as a regular outlet and space where the developed products may be accessible conveniently for the consumers.
Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya reiterated that the creation of the OTOP Philippines Hub is aligned with the idea of Market under the 7Ms of the Secretary Ramon Lopez, one way to strengthen the support to MSMEs. Moreover, OTOP Philippines Hub addresses the situation of culturally-rooted products that are yet to be discovered.
To date, there are 681 suppliers of OTOP Hub nationwide and are being continuously supported by the Department. This has been a noteworthy contribution to the program’s impact, may it be in a micro or macro level.
“Market is very important for our MSMEs. We, at DTI, aim to improve and help our MSMEs from Product Development to catering them one-stop shops before they level up to the premium market,” said Assistant Secretary Du-Naga, Program-in-Charge.
As of 2018, the OTOP Program has assisted 7,151 MSMEs, developed 5,465 products and generated P341M sales.
The other 16 OTOP Hubs are located in Laoag City, Tuguegarao City, Santiago-Isabela, Malolos City, Tagaytay City, Legazpi City, Masbate City, Boracay, Bohol, Siquijor, Zamboanga City, Iligan City, Butuan City and Baguio City.
The DTI Main Building’s OTOP Hub is open for consumers from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m from Mondays to Fridays.