DTI to extend 'One Town, One Product' program

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will extend its One Town One Product Program (OTOP) due to the success of the project in attracting new investments.

The OTOP was a five-year program which began in 2004. It was supposed to end in 2010 but DTI said its success has prompted the Aquino administration to extend the life of the program. DTI said OTOP was an effective strategy in stimulating economic development in Philippine countryside.

Some of the noteworthy achievements of OTOP are the creation of 33,964 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in 1,518 municipalities and cities; the generation of 668,000 jobs; the generation of P7.431 billion investments; the generation of P12.377 billion domestic sales and $522 million export sales.

DTI said OTOP Philippines was envisioned to build a strong nation backed by progressive municipalities that boast of competitive MSMEs that, in turn, would provide employment and fuel the local economy by providing products and services that were distinctively identified with their respective cultures and that maximized the use of their local resources.

Thriving OTOP MSMEs were ultimately projected to create jobs and alleviate poverty, and gave rise to self-reliant towns. This goal would be achieved through an enabling business environment that would encourage more competitive entrepreneurs that were motivated to deliver quality products and services for the local and export markets. Consequently, a market-driven consciousness among MSMEs would enable them to maximize the use of local materials and skills that were available in the regional and rural areas of the country and to continually produce globally competitive and distinctive products.

As the primary government agency mandated to promote the growth of enterprises, the Department of DTI rolled out OTOP Philippines to promote the unique and competitive products or services of Philippine towns and cities. DTI also initiated the formulation of the National OTOP Strategic Plan (2006-2010) after it obtained the approval for the required budget and the designation as the lead agency to implement the OTOP Program.