CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Showroom inside its regional office to highlight the finest products of Central Luzon.
 
The facility primarily aims to educate clients about the OTOP Program as a priority stimulus program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the different products developed under this initiative. 
 
“This OTOP showroom carries the pride of Central Luzon – its quality products made by the ingenuity, creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and passion of the MSMEs of Region 3, and provides visitors with a visual experience on the Likha ng Central Luzon products,” DTI Regional Director Leonila Baluyut said.
 
For her part, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona thanked industry partners for supporting the agency’s initiative, and lauded the OTOPreneurs for their determination to push through despite the pandemic. 
 
“Your ‘Laban Lang’ attitude this pandemic is truly admirable. Rest assured that we [DTI and industry partners] are here to support you all the way as we face this challenge together,” Lantayona said. 
 
Meanwhile, Alvin Belarmino of the Regional MSME Development Council said the Philippine government actively pursued efforts to uplift the livelihood and businesses of local MSMEs despite the pandemic. 

“Even in the midst of the pandemic, there are successes which are emerging right now. One of the physical proofs are the products which shall be showcased in the first Regional OTOP Showroom,” he said. 
 
DTI cited the importance of the OTOP program in ushering inclusive local economic growth by enabling communities to develop and promote products or services that are based on local resources, local culture, local creativity and competitive advantage.
 
With this, homegrown ‘OTOPreneurs’ are capacitated to innovate and produce market-ready products and services, and level them up to add value and enable them to be marketable here and abroad. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)