Looking for quality products locally made by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is now as easy as buying an item in the supermarket with the establishment of more One Town, One Product (OTOP) hubs in the Cordillera, thus helping these businesses grow.

“It was the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that helped create us and helped us extend assistance to our MSMEs,” Helena Butigan, manager of the “Layad di Kordilyera” (love of the Cordillera), an OTOP hub that sells the products of some 108 MSMEs in the region.

Initially partnering with 45 MSMEs during the pandemic at a store in a shopping mall along Session Road here, Layad Di Kordilyera is now in partnership with more of such businesses.

Their products are sold at the “Souvenir Shop” that doubles as an OTOP hub located along Upper Session Road.

“They consign their products to us and we also partner with other OTOP hubs in other provinces and region for exchanges in products so that there will be more opportunities for the public to see their existence and purchase their items. Aside from training on product development, packaging, permitting financial management, the provision for a place to sell their produce for visibility and for return purchases also help the MSMEs, giving a chance for sales and income,” Butigan said on the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday.

She added that after helping them establish a physical store, “the DTI also brings us to trade fairs in the region and outside, including the annul IMPAKABSAT trade fair in Metro Manila.”

The MSME partners are also being trained to adapt to the modern way of marketing and selling.

A project of the DTI, there are currently 62 OTOP hubs operating in the region. More will be opened in partnership with a multi-billion cooperative in the region which has agreed to set-up OTOP nooks within its business establishments and facilities.

There were only 35 OTOP hubs in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in 2023.

Lawyer Raymond Panhon, regional director of the DTI-CAR, said during the Kapihan that total sales generation reached PHP167 million.

“There are 1,302 MSMEs being assisted by the OTOP hubs through the sales of their products in physical stores,” Panhon said.

He also said the establishment of OTOP hubs has generated 940 jobs.

Accessibility

Cicil Tabilog, a resident of Baguio, said she goes to the OTOP hub whenever she travels out of the region to buy “pasalubong” for friends and relatives.

She also said that with office tokens preferred to be local products, the OTOP hubs are accessible sources.

“Mas madaling maghanap at bumili ng products saka maraming choices na di ka na kailangan pang mag-ikot sa iba’t-ibang store (It is easier to find and buy products with the wide array of choices thus no need to go to different establishments),” she said.

She added that while the prices are higher compared to when the products are bought at the source, accessibility is a big deal considering that they are readily available nearby.

Improving products

Lawyer Samuel Gallardo, assistant regional director of the DTI-CAR, said they are now focusing on encouraging development of OTOP products.

“We assess whether the taste is good, whether the product is associated with the source or place where they are produced and leveling up to meet the trend of furniture, and easily stored, aside from participation in international trade fairs,” he said.

“We have to go global. We cannot be contented with just being here so that we can produce more income for the MSMEs.” (PNA)