DTI chief: "Emulate Cebu"

CEBU, Philippines - Other provinces should emulate Cebu, an official said.

With a contribution of 20-25% foreign and tourist areas in the country which is considered to be a big chunk, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said that Cebu is very important to the national economy.

With tourism as its strongest point, he further said that aside from quality, Cebu is also known for its creativity and craftsmanship of the people

“As long as Cebu continues to be creative, nandon ang distinction ng Cebu. That’s why I always like coming to Cebu. There’s always something new,” he stated during the national launching of the Tindahang Pinoy at Bridges Town Square in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Domingo added that what people need to further develop and grow are faith, perseverance, ambition, and self-confidence. Sometimes Filipinos lack that but Cebuanos always have that. They have innate confidence. And it must be imparted to other parts of the country and emulate Cebu, he said.

With good governance action plus inclusive growth declared by President Benigno Aquino III, he explained that economic development is not just limited to a small set of people benefitting from it. It must be from the poorest to the richest by providing employment and generating more businesses in the countryside and rural areas, he said.

In the creation of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) concept, he said that it is intended to help the micro, small and medium enterprises to have national distribution of their local products, carrying the best of what Philippines can offer. However, he added that one can’t just simply display any products since a panel will consider its price and quality standards.

With the Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu as a joint project of the DTI and Cebu Gift, Toys and Houseware Foundation Inc., he said that it took a lot of cooperative efforts from the private sector and the government to be able to get the world-class products sold.

Referred as the real “brain” of the Tindahang Pinoy concept, Domingo said that it will be bigger since they are working with hotels and ensuring every hotel room has an OTOP store catalogue as part of the marketing strategy.

Cebu GTH President Ramir Bonghanoy expressed his gratitude since OTOP store provided an opportune time for MSME’s and exporters who need all the help they can get seeing that local tourism has registered positive growth.

“We also encourage more MSME’s and exporters to join the project, catering to the needs of the tourists coming in to Cebu. The more products we have, the more buyers we attract,” he said.

To enhance visibility to other target markets, he added that an online store is already in plan with its logistic partners such as FedEx for international orders and Air21 for domestic deliveries.

On the other hand, DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz said that the national launching of the OTOP-store Tindahang Pinoy depots in Cebu, Clark and Davao serves as a real milestone after almost a year of hardwork.—(FREEMAN)