The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 1 endorsed a new resolution to reinvigorate the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program during the 4th Quarter regional development council meeting.
The meeting intended to boost support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while celebrating the distinct cultural heritage of each town in Region 1.
It emphasized the establishment of OTOP local program offices and hubs in high-traffic areas such as municipal and city halls.
The hubs are designed to enhance MSMEs’ competitiveness and provide accessible marketplaces for their products.
Nine OTOP hubs and pasalubong centers were established across the region as of Oct. 31, 2024, serving 145 MSMEs and offering greater market visibility and sales opportunities for locally crafted products, including processed food, handmade crafts, and skill-based services.
The region also recognized the importance of partnerships to ensure the success of the OTOP program revitalization.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office and local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to set up OTOP local program offices and hubs within their jurisdictions.
DTI Region 1 also called on the Department of Tourism regional office 1 to integrate OTOP hubs into regional tourism development plans.
DTI Region 1 is spearheading research to develop new products and services while improving existing ones within the OTOP program.
The partnership also includes market research to better understand consumer preferences, emerging trends, and potential markets for OTOP products and services.
