VICTORIA, LAGUNA — The Laguna Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) headed by OIC Provincial Director Christian Ted Tungohan together with DTI Region 4A led by OIC Regional Director Marissa Argente welcomed visitors from the Department of Industry – Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment of Royal Government of Bhutan in their exposure trip to the Province of Laguna on July 26, 2023.
The exposure trip is part of the latter’s implementation of the project titled “Improving Market Linkages for Cottage and Small Industry.” This activity aims to visit production centers and/or businesses of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) and learn and exchange industry know-how mainly product packaging, standardization, and certification with OTOPreneurs.
The 15 delegates were also accompanied by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Senior Financing Partnerships Assistant Ms. Ella Arienda. ADB provides assistance to its members and partners by granting loans, knowledge and support technical assistance (in which the above project is included), and equity investments to promote social and economic development in line with its commitment to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.
The following Laguna OTOPreneurs actively participated in the exposure trip and shared business experiences and government’s support for inclusive local economic growth through the OTOP program:
1. Vegetari Vegetarian Products known for their plant-based snacks (located in Los Baños)
2. Oryspa Spa Solutions known for their all-natural rice bran products (located in Calamba City)
3. Marcel Philippe known for their essential oil blends, skin care products, and aromatic sprays (located in Calamba City)
The Philippine Franchise Association Chairman-Director for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and Homegrown Franchises (Non-Food) Ms Sherill Quintana who is also the CEO of Oryspa Spa Solutions also gave inspirations to the delegates as she talked about branding and value proposition side by side to latest trends in Philippine franchising set-up.
Side trips to IvorySpace Restaurant (an ideation space) and GreenPlus Corporation (an FDA-licensed toll manufacturer), both in Calamba City, were also conducted. The said exposure trip to the Laguna province generated positive feedback from the delegates as seen from their reactions on the day of the visit. They were also able to get a copy of Quintana’s book “Yes, the Filipino brand can” and were inspired by testimonials of the three Laguna homegrown OTOPreneurs. ♦
Date of Release: 8 August 2023