‘Review non-performing OTOP products’
The Iloilo provincial government is asking the Department of Trade and Industry to review the existing One Town, One Product programs of all municipalities in Iloilo, a report of the Philippine News Agency said.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said Gov. Arthur Defensor wants to know if the products of each municipality actually sell.
It is high time that DTI review the products of towns who have failed to penetrate the national market despite promotions and support through the OTOP program, he said.
Banias said the governor wanted the Iloilo towns to improve their local economy by showcasing their local products through the OTOP initiatives and other venues.
If the products of these towns does not do well in the local market despite support from the DTI, it should be changed, he said.
Meanwhile, DTI Provincial Director Wilhelm Malones said the DTI will coordinate the request of the governor and determine which OTOP has not performed well in the past years.
Nevertheless, he said the OTOP program has been very successful since it was launched five years ago.
The OTOP has already brought in millions worth of revenues in the province, created more than 4,000 jobs, and helped establish small business players in the region.
DTI is holding an OTOP Fair at SM City Iloilo until July 18 in partnership with the Iloilo Small and Medium Enterprises Development Foundation Inc. and the Business Counselors League of Iloilo.
DTI records show the OTOP program has created 991 small and medium enterprises and some 4,708 jobs since its launch in 2005, a separate report of the Philippine Information Agency said.
It has also generated P60 million in investments and P263.5 million in sales for the past five years.
Patterned after Japan’s One Village One Product project, OTOP encourages local government units to identify, develop and promote specific product or service in their respective areas through the use of available indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.
Some Iloilo OTOP products are already successful with their products exported as far as United States and Guam, as in the case of Boyel Marketing of Oton and Rgies Delicacies of Jaro, Iloilo City. Boyel Marketing is known for its lightings and Rgies for its butterscotch, yema, and butterscotch products.
This year’s OTOP fair is participated by 35 exhibitors including guest exhibitors from the provinces of Antique, Aklan and Guimaras.
