KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has stepped up the promotion of local products in the province by capacitating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in product development.

To strengthen this goal, the DTI Cotabato ensures the regular conduct of Assessment, Consultation, and Triage (ACT) sessions wherein MSMEs are educated and assisted in improving their products’ marketability, safety, and palatability.

“It is important that we promote local products because this also supports our local producers who contribute to our local economy,” Mark Nikko Manginsay, trade promotions officer of the DTI-Cotabato, said.

He added that promoting local products also creates jobs within the community as well as promotes culture and identity.

The ACT session, a product development under the One-Town, One-Product program, is aimed at upskilling MSMEs, resulting in better products, a bigger market, and improved business operations.

Manginsay said that DTI conducts the session among MSMEs in the province at least three times every year.

He also disclosed that they have recently held such activity in the municipality of Arakan, where MSMEs in the town actively shared their thoughts, learned from their consultants, and developed networks. 

The ACT session in the municipality was the first this year, Manginsay added.

According to him, the session centered on combating the hazards that threaten food processors since most of the MSMEs in the town are involved in the food business. 

The team also conducted lectures on branding and labeling to improve the marketing of their products. 

“Most of the MSMEs in the area are into agri-based products such as strawberry jam, roasted coffee, and calamansi juice,” Manginsay said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jeam Villasor, who graced the session, thanked the DTI and its partners for helping the MSMEs in the municipality push for improvements. 

He also challenged the MSMEs to strive hard to improve and promote their products and encourage others to kick off their startup businesses in the town.

“We can start by planting our raw materials before harvesting, manufacturing, and selling these processed goods. Should we need more raw materials, we can provide the seedlings for our neighbors to plant and sell these raw materials to us,” he told MSMEs.

The local chief executive emphasized that through this, the municipal government will be able to assist the MSMEs by securing raw supplies that they need from the community.

The next ACT sessions are scheduled in Kabacan and Midsayap in April and Kidapawan City in May this year.

Aside from agri-based products, Cotabato also manufactures fabrics like Inaul and crafts made of local materials, which the DTI helps promote by providing them not only the necessary training sessions but also spots in its annual expositions.

DTI also encouraged MSMEs in other towns to visit the official website of the DTI at dti.gov.ph or visit the nearest Negosyo Center in their respective area if they want to avail of or know more about the ACT sessions. (SJDM - PIA Cotabato Province)