DTI strengthens OTOP by linking suppliers w/ buyers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) is strengthening the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) promotion by incorporating the exising Leveraging Industries Supply Chain (LINKs) program to improve marketability of the products identified in each town.

DTI-CPO provincial director Nelia F. Navarro said that although there are towns which are now able to attract the market through the OTOP identification, it is also good to further help towns, especially those that are yet to take off, in making their products more commercially visible.

Through the LINKs program, DTI will be able to connect the OTOP product suppliers to consumers, specifically the tourism stakeholders. Instead of sourcing out their requirements from other sources, DTI will convince owners of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism related establishments to prioritize the products identified in the OTOP program.

Under the OTOP program, LGUs take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting specific product or service that their areas have specific advantage.

The program also provides a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies, and the private sector. This includes business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing.

OTOP is a priority program of the government started by then DTI Secretary Mar Roxas to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs.

Elias Tecson, DTI-CPO division head, said that there are already successful OTOP products that have generated good commercial potentials such as the shoemaking in Carcar, Sinamay in Carmen which is now being exported, and the Pintos product in Bogo.

Argao also has a good potential to attact the strong demand for health products with the development of herbal products like Malungay Tea and capsule, and Guyabano Tea.

“We will see what kind of trainings they need in order to further develop these industries in the countryside,” said Navarro.

In the strongest tourism cluster in the province, which start in the southern part of Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, and Santader, Navarro said DTI will work closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office.

Boljoon is known for its world-class ceramics products, Oslob for Coco Coir, Samboan for handicraft, and Santander for its baked product in “Tuscado.”

Other popular town-identified products recognized under OTOP are Humba in Ronda; boneless Danggit in Bantayan; Madridejos’ famous “fish tocino”; Saruk in Consolacion; Suli-Suli in San Francisco and handicrafts in Poro (Camotes Island); and Talisay City’s lechon. (FREEMAN)