BORONGAN CITY – The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry in Eastern Samar opened the “One Town, One Product (OTOP)” hub in this city which is seen to help boost the income of local producers.
During the December 1 opening of the facility, located at the Fun Borongan building at Baybay Boulevard, DTI provincial director Ruthelma Samonte said that the OTOP hub is not just a place to exhibit products produced by local producers in the province but is also a venue where producers and exhibitors have a chance to connect with possible clients.
The DTI official also said that with the OTOP building now in existence, the local producers could seek assistance from government agencies for the improvement of their products and make them competitive.
Samonte said that the OTOP hub ensures that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) not just in Borongan but in all of Eastern Samar province are assured that they have a place to go to for marketing, promoting, and permanent display or exhibit area.
Samonte added that having an OTOP hub would not only help the MSMEs but also the tourism industry and economy of the city.
Pedro Tan, DTI-8 chief of staff who represented regional director Celerina Bato, lauded the local producers which he said will help in providing identity to the city.
“This time we have the potential, hindi tayo natutulog, and our best can compare with the world’s best. An kinahanglan la an marketing access, financial support, commitment hit LGUs,” he said, adding that the MSME sector is the leading economic driver of the country providing a 99.6% contribution to the Philippine economy.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
