LAGAWE, Ifugao (PIA) - - The Department of Trade and Industry launched  recently the One Town One Product – Philippines (OTOP.PH) Hub in the province at the Manghi’s Pasalubong Center in this capital town.

OTOP.PH Hub is one of the major projects of DTI under the OTOP Next Generation Program. It is a retail store and space where OTOP products are showcased and made available for sale to the mainstream market of both local buyers and tourists.

DTI Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, in her video message, lauded the efforts and initiatives of micro, small and medium enterprises towards recovery and restoration of their businesses amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sa aming mga MSMEs, inspirasyon po kayo sa amin dahil kahit anong pagsubok sa inyong buhay ay buo ang loob ninyo na bumangon para sa inyong negosyo at pamilya lalong-lalo na sa mga taong umaasa sa inyo,” she said.

Du-Naga assured that the DTI is doing its best efforts to assist or help MSMEs in their journey. “Kami ay laging nakasuporta sa inyong pag-angat at pag-asenso. Sabay-sabay nating damhin ang ginhawa ng OTOP dahil ang galing ng Pilipino, tatak OTOP atin to," she stated.

DTI Regional Director Juliet Lucas expressed her appreciation to the efforts of all stakeholders to establish the OTOP hub for Ifugao.

“Congratutlation to Ifugao for coming up with this hub. It is an actualization of the marketing and sales for our product for poverty reduction,” she said.

Among the products on display and available for sale at the hub  are processed food, beverages and wines, native delicacies, agri-based products, non-food items and other Ifugao-made items.

Couple Cliff Martin and Jodelle Imayaho, the OTOP.PH – Ifugao hub operators,   thanked DTI for the giving them the opportunity. to help others through this OTOP hub, and committed to help local suppliers. (JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)