To market more innovative and competitive micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with strong brands that contribute significantly to the national economy, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 4-A launched its second One Town, One Product (OTOP) Hub in the province of Cavite on February 14, 2023 at the 2nd Floor Main Square Mall, Bacoor City. The project is in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Bacoor City, Main Square Mall, and 39 Cavite OTOPreneurs who were beneficiaries of the OTOP Next Generation Program of DTI Cavite.
OTOP is a priority stimulus program for MSMEs as government’s customized intervention to drive inclusive local economic growth. The program enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products or services that are rooted in its local culture, community resource, creativity, connection, and competitive advantage. One of its major components is the OTOP.PH or OTOP Philippines Hub. This provides the physical and online channels and market access platform where OTOP products, especially those that have been assisted via product development, are showcased on a day-to-day basis.
“This new OTOP Hub in the province of Cavite will offer quality food and non-food products and cater not just to Caviteños but also to the general mainstream market in the CALABARZON region, local buyers from other regions, and tourists,” said DTI 4-A OIC Director Marissa Argente.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to inaugurate the new OTOP Hub led by DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Assistant Secretary Dominic Tolentino, Region 4-A OIC Director Marissa Argente, Region 4-A OIC Assistant Director Revelyn Cortez, Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla, Board Member Ram Revilla Bautista, Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla, Vice Mayor Rowena Bautista Mendiola, and AGIMAT Party List Representative Bryan Revilla.
Present during the launching were partner agencies and organizations such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood, & Entrepreneurial Development Office, Cavite Small Medium Enterprise Development Council, Food Processors Association of Cavite, Likhang Kabitenyo Foundation, Inc., and the Philippine Information Agency.
“We want to encourage our MSMEs to join our programs as we help you step up your game by producing quality products in terms of design, packaging/labeling, marketability, branding, and production and delivery capacity. By doing so, we also help our economy by creating more jobs,” said DTI 4-A OIC Assistant Director Revelyn Cortez.
OTOP Hub Cavite offers food products like mushroom chips, banana chips, tahong chips, pastries, coffee, peanut butter and jams, lemon tea, tablea, papaya pickles, bagoong and non-food products like hand-painted bags and bayongs, candles and candle holders, vases, embroidered kitchen linens and utensils, rugs, pet supplies, and many more.
“This is not a personal achievement but a collective achievement of all sectors. We, in the government, always lead, advocate, nurture, and inspire. The OTOP Hub is a welcome addition to the array of services that we offer to our constituents, visitors, and tourists. We hope that this will become a go-to destination for everyone,” said Congresswoman Lani Mercado-Revilla.
