OTOP elevates over 1,000 MSMEs in Visayas, over P100M estimated sales since 2004

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to elevate the status of over 1,000 micro small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in the Visayas with an estimated sale of more than P100M from its various OTOP Fairs since the program was institutionalized in 2003.

DTI-Cebu opened its first OTOP Fair this year at the Ayala Center on November 24-28, featuring 29 OTOP- assisted MSMEs showcasing premium quality, innovative and competitive products from the processed food, homestyle, and wearables sectors, with an estimated two days’ sales of over P275,000 already.

According to Mark Aristotle Cabagnot, DTI-Cebu OTOP program manager and senior trade industry development specialist that for Cebu Province alone, the DTI has been assisting some 500 MSMEs and they continue to search for those emerging MSMEs that can be aided by the program’s various services.  

DTI-7 also mounted the OTOP Regional Trade Fair dubbed as “Kalibutan Project” on June 24-26 this year, after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic and this is the first OTOP Fair in Cebu this year.

Cabagnot shared that the Cebu OTOP program has already established partnerships with various business organizations in Cebu and assisted local government units/partners in the province with an annual budget of more that P1.2M to P1.3M while the regional OTOP has an operating budget of over P5M annually.

DTI-7 regional director, Maria Elena Arbon shared that OTOP Trade Fairs are mounted as a culmination of the agency’s efforts and initiatives in developing these MSMEs through series of services including product development, packaging, labelling and entrepreneurial and financial trainings and seminars.

“We plan to open an OTOP Hub, a permanent showcase of local products here at the Ayala Center Cebu by the end of the year to encourage people to our campaign ‘Support local and buy local, mga Bai!’ Arbon revealed.

Arbon said that OTOP Fairs are usually the venues to introduce MSMEs and tests for new markets of new products in terms of public and market acceptance.  The program also determines that these are all locally-sourced out products and pride of place of a particular town, organization or MSME.

“We have to support the MSMEs because 90 percent of them run our local economy.  When we buy from them, we are helping them grow to become viable and profitable entrepreneurship which in effect help the country’s economy,” Arbon said.

 OTOP program briefs

According to DTI-7, after a decade and a half of combined gains and challenges, OTOP remains to be a strategic tool that provides an ecosystem of assistance from local government units, national government agencies, and the private sector.

It is now transitioning to a convergent effort to its next phase of execution in the form of OTOP Next Gen.  It covers only tangible products and skills-based services. Experiences, tourism activities, festivals are not covered.

OTOP includes the following: Processed Food such as processed fruits and nuts, delicacies and 'kakanins’; juices and beverage, pastries and bakery goods; preserved food, sauces, cakes and desserts; wine, tea, food supplements and culinary-based specialty products.

Agri-based Products including coffee, cacao, agricultural produce; agri-processing such as processed meats, coconut oil, other; seafood preserved and processed.

   

Arts and Crafts including coco coir, weaves, bamboo, paper artistry, wood.  Home & Fashion/ Creative Artisanal such as gifts, souvenir items, furniture, décor, houseware, fabrics, garments, toys and textiles.

Services that are skills-based and others including hilot, sculpting, wellness products such as essential oils, etc; industrial products, personal care as soaps, lotions and cosmetics are also considered under the OTOP program.

 Meet DTI-Cebu OTOP designers

Cebu OTOP designers Alyssa Camille Baldelovar, Via Louise Biaco and Christine Villones.  They are in-charged in helping MSMEs produce new designs and improve packaging and labeling.

 

This product development project of DTI Cebu started in 2017 and has reached MSMEs from the different cities and municipalities in Cebu thru its Negosyo Centers. At least 220 developed and enhanced products are being displayed at the ‘special setting’ of the Cebu OTOP Fair at Ayala Center now.

The OTOP program is a platform for branding and marketing of local products and services with product development as its primary instrument of assistance.  It has a comprehensive assistance package with the private-public partnership and collaboration to develop MSMEs, create jobs and stimulate both local and international trade.

OTOP program services include Product Development, Design Services and Intervention, Packaging and Labeling, FDA, Nutrifacts, and Testing. Assistance includes Technology Updating, Capacity-Building, Brand Equity and Development, Intellectual Property Assistance, Access to Finance, Marketing Platforms and Promotion. (Photos: MBCNewman)