Bigger market opportunities await Local Entreps

The Department of Trade and Industry Ilocos Region, in partnership with the Local Government of Alaminos City, Pangasinan, launched the first One Town One Product (OTOP) Tinda One in Region 1 yesterday (January 30, 2018) at the Plaza Enrique Braganza, Brgy Poblacion that will serve as a Pasalubong Center where the primary target buyers are tourists visiting the famous Hundred Islands of Alaminos City. Its strategic location was purposely chosen to provide easy access and convenience to customers.

The OTOP Tinda One is a one-stop-shop of products that are indigenous to the area. Items sold in the OTOP Tinda One are local food, non-food and products such as souvenir items and handicrafts, processed fruits and nuts, fish and meat products produced by local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of the city, province of Pangasinan and Ilocos Region. These products are endorsed and assisted by DTI, local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies.

The OTOP TindaOne is one of the projects under the DTI’s OTOP NextGen Program, which aims to level-up products that were identified under the One Town One Product (OTOP) program that was launched in 2004. The program will also enable localities and communities to determine and develop their “pride-of-place” products.

Building from the gains of the initial OTOP program, the OTOP NextGen offers a package of public-private assistance to attain a significant improvement and innovation in the areas of quality, product and design development, standards compliance to brand development and improve marketability of local products.

Alaminos City Administrator Dr. Emellou Gellado and Sangguniniang Bayan Members expressed their commitment and utmost support for the newly-launched project.

DTI Ilocos Region Director Florante Leal pointed out that the OTOP Tinda One will not only provide MSMEs the physical market channel to sell their products, but it will also help link small enterprises to bigger ones to generate more sales and market opportunities.

The OTOP TindaOne is open all week-long from 6AM to 5PM.♦