DTI Assistant Secretary and OTOP Program-in-Charge Leny Baluyut (middle) led the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of an OTOP hub at the General Santos City Airport. (Photo courtesy of DTI 12)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 has recently launched the One Town, One Product (OTOP) hub at the General Santos City Airport in Tambler, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The hub showcased marked-down products from 40 OTOP-assisted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
DTI Assistant Secretary and OTOP Program-in-Charge Leny Baluyut urged patrons and the public in general “to support and buy local products as pasalubong” or gifts from the DTI-assisted OTOP hubs,” not only from the airport but also from other OTOP hubs all over the country.
Baluyut told them not to look elsewhere anymore when in the airport but to take the opportunity to avail themselves of the “tasty food items and the beautiful wearable products” on sale in the area.
In that way, according to her, they will also help MSMEs generate more sales, adding to the local revenue.
DTI Assistant Secretary and OTOP Program-in-Charge Leny Baluyut hailed the delicious foods and wearable and trendy items sold at the OTOP hub, urging people to patronize and buy local products, if possible, as their support will help heighten MSME’s interest in improving their crafts as well as their income. (Photo courtesy of DTI 12)
It’s time for Soccsksargen local products to soar and be known to the world, Baluyut said as she expressed confidence in the OTOP ability to make sales and improve business.
Baluyut keynoted the event, citing in her speech Republic Act 11960, otherwise known as the OTOP Philippines Act, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
“This [law] provides for the establishment of OTOP hubs and local OTOP program offices in all local government units nationwide to guarantee inclusive local economic growth and regional development,” she said.
The OTOP law also “allows for the establishment of OTOP Philippines hubs in areas of high tourism and commerce” where the influx of people is notable.
RA 11960 supports the OTOP program to promote local products and capacitate the MSMEs to enable them to develop indigenous raw materials available to them, including the use of skills and talents that are rooted in traditions and cultures.
DTI-12 Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales pointed out that the OTOP concept has evolved over the years and that it may be possible to showcase the various products of a particular region in an OTOP hub. Since OTOP is associated with intellectual property rights, she also urged everyone to register their products with DTI’s Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. (Photo: PIA SarGen)
Meanwhile, DTI-12 Regional Director Flora Politud-Gabunales earlier explained the essence of OTOP, saying that its existence is also to motivate LGUs to back the latter’s efforts and initiatives to help boost local business.
“Ang OTOP natin [Our OTOP] has just recently been signed into law. So may OTOP law na tayo [we have OTOP law now]. Ang IRR is pinafinalize pa [the IRR has yet to be finalized]. But then again, ito [this] is to really encourage itong ating mga [our] local government units to support anuman ang mga [whatever] local products mayroon sila [they have],” she said.
As a program, OTOP aims to scale up MSMEs through product development, branding, marketing, and other customized interventions and services to upskill and empower them to great lengths.
The airport-based OTOP is “the 6th hub among CAAP-operated airports and the 122nd hub installed nationwide.”
Felicidad Into, chief operating officer of Ellynes Pasalubong Market, will operate the OTOP hub, committing to further promote and market other locally manufactured products in the hub other than hers.
CAAP General Santos Manager Joel Gavina also said he was happy to partner and collaborate with the DTI and the OTOP hub, assuring them of his full support and telling them that they have chosen the right place to sell.
He also took pride in the recent opening of the airport aerobridge, also known as the passenger boarding bridge, to allow passengers to easily board and efficiently disembark during travel. (CTA – PIA SarGen)
