VICTORIA, LAGUNA – The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna) conducts orientation-screening of Laguna homegrown micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for the Department’s One Town, One Product Next Generation (OTOP Next Gen) Program for 2021.
Background, rationale, criteria, and requirements for the OTOP Next Gen Program were discussed. Activities such as product development sessions, trade fairs, and trainings from the previous years were also shown to the participants. More so, a brief discussion on other programs/services like the Kapatid Mentor Micro Enterprise – Money Market Encounter Online Program was also provided.
Spearheaded by DTI-Laguna Officer-in-Charge Marcelina B. Alcantara and Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist Arnel M. Magpily, manufacturers of food products and wearable were assessed face to face on 3 February 2021, in order to identify the kinds of intervention/assistance for their companies. One-on-one interview and screening of products were also facilitated afterwards.
OTOP Next Gen is a flagship program of the Philippine government for MSMEs in stimulating inclusive economic growth. It aims to level up the products and services of the MSMEs through assistance in the areas of products’ design, quality, production, and marketability. It also promotes the “Pride of Place” and “Cultural Value” of each municipality in Laguna which will contribute in increasing the market responsiveness of products.
Product Development is among the major interventions offered by OTOP Next Gen to help Laguna MSMEs in reaching the world market. It is referred to as a general process of organizing, conceptualizing, producing, and marketing newly created or newly rebranded products. It also involves logo, labeling, packaging, and product design development, among others.
This activity is said to be first of many series of activities lined up for MSMEs under the OTOP Next Gen Program of DTI-Laguna for 2021. Another set of MSMEs is scheduled to be screened and assessed on 15 February 2021.♦
Date of Release: 17 February 2021