Antique launches OTOP Pasalubong Center
SAN JOSE, Antique – The Provincial Government of Antique formally launched the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) Pasalubong Center at the New Capitol Grounds, San Jose.
The Pasalubong Center according to DTI will showcase OTOP products of the 18 towns of the province and can undertake market promotion activities. Other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can also display their products in the center.
Regional Director Dominic Abad of DTI during the opening program of the Pasundayag center said that micro, small and medium enterprises play crucial role in poverty alleviation program and a potent force in propelling the economy to cope with the global economic crisis.
Governor Salvacion Z. Perez expressed her all out support to this endeavor in line with the program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of generating jobs in the countryside to address poverty. Likewise she said that the center is also a response to the call of sustainable development using culture and arts as common medium. The project is undertaken in collaboration with DTI and the Binirayan Foundation, Inc.
Meanwhile, OTOP is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. OTOP Philippines supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.
Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.
OTOP offers a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from Local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and the private sector. This includes Business Counselling, Skills and entrepreneurial training, Product design and development, Appropriate technologies and Marketing.
The program targets MSMEs with an asset size of not more than P100 million, which account for about 99% of business establishments. The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 outlines the dual strategies of product development through OTOP and credit provision through SULONG (SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth) to support 3 million entrepreneurs and generate 6 to 10 million jobs.
Two of the country's leading business groups have given their support to the OTOP program. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DTI giving OTOP entrepreneurs access to the groups' financing program. (DTI/PIA)