OTOP Visayas showcase to open next week in Cebu

Cebu City (5 October) -- A One Town One Product (OTOP) Permanent Showcase for the Visayas will formally open next Saturday, October 13 at the Natalie Accessories Shop in Ayala Center Cebu.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) Regional Director Asteria Caberte said the OTOP Showcase will feature products of some 15 to 20 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Visayas like raffia bags, fashion accessories, souvenir items, Capiz-based products and handicrafts made from local fibers. Capiz is a province of Region 6.

The opening and blessing of the Visayas OTOP Showcase is a joint activity of the DTI-7 and Aquarose Designs, Inc., an export company that deals mainly with fashion accessories.

OTOP-Philippines is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which aids in promoting entrepreneurship and creating new jobs thereby improving the quality of life of the people in the long term.

Employment generation is a primary thrust of President Arroyo as she intends to fulfill her promise of providing 10M jobs before her term ends. In her 2007 State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), the President bared her administration's accomplishments including the provision of six million jobs.

The presence of a permanent OTOP Showcase at Ayala Center, where retail product orders may be made and OTOP enterprises matched with wholesale buyers, is seen to further boost the product sales of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Visayas.

The opening is expected to be graced by Aquarose Designs President Joyce Natalie Yang, DTI-6 Dir. Dominic Abad, DTI-8 Dir. Cynthia Nierras, DTI-7 Dir. Asteria Caberte, Philexport-Cebu President Jennifer Cruz, Christina Angana of Hannah's Bags, Nilo Medidas of Medidas Native Products, Salmy Beltran of Hamtco Cooperative and many other OTOP SMEs.

A press conference will be held on October 13, 9:00 in the morning at the Oh George Café in Ayala to provide the local media more information regarding the OTOP showcase, OTOP updates and future projects for SMEs.

The SMEs in the Philippines have been acknowledged by local leaders as major job providers for Filipinos, aiding the government in its goal to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)