Wednesday, February 6, 2008

DTI-Cebu helps push Cebu products out to market

Cebu City (1 February) -- In an aggressive move to help push Cebu's best products in the market, the Department of Trade and Industry - Cebu Province (DTI-Cebu) is facilitating the opening of an outlet display in one of the malls in Cebu City and will soon showcase these locally-made products in a video presentation to be shown in fast crafts.

DTI-Cebu's Elias Tecson bared they are currently negotiating with Kultura Pilipina, a boutique located at SM City Cebu that sells distinctively native products and items ideal as 'pasalubong,' to display and promote the popularly known products of various towns and cities in the province under the 'One Town, One Policy' (OTOP) Program spearheaded by the DTI.

Tecson, OTOP Cebu program coordinator said there is already an existing outlet in Ayala, the Natalie Shop that displays OTOP Cebu products but that most of these are handicraft items.

OTOP is a flagship program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that aims to promote entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities for the local community. The program encourages local chief executives of every city and municipality to take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

Some of the local products distinctively well known in particular municipalities and cities in the province include the shoes of Carcar City, guitar of Lapulapu City, wooden beads of Asturias, Sinamay of Carmen, ceramics of Boljoon, deboned bangus of Pinamungahan and bamboo craft of Alegria.

Tecson said the OTOP Program is in line with the thrust of the national government to assist micro, small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents and provide a sustainable source of livelihood for the local residents largely contributing to the economic growth of the locality.

SMSEs constitute about 99 percent of the country's economy but only provides direct employment of about two percent as government sees the need to provide technical, financial and marketing assistance to small and medium enterprises to further their growth and offer more jobs, it is learned.

Employment generation is a priority thrust of the President to fulfill a previous promise she made to provide 10M jobs until her term ends in 2010.

DTI-7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte also recently disclosed to tour guide operators of the negotiations with the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority to put up a corner outlet at the airport where popular products from various towns and cities of Cebu will be made available.

Tecson further said that they have ink an agreement with the management of Super Cat, a fast craft bound for neighboring island provinces to show to passengers a 36-minute video presentation on the best products Cebu has to offer per municipality and city.

Showing the video can have more impact to better appreciate what Cebu has to offer which in part is also promoting local tourism, Tecson added.

Caberte proudly boasted that Region 7 is way ahead compared to other regions in its efforts to help market OTOP products. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

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