Permanent OTOP store to open in Ayala Center
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) announced the opening of first OTOP (One-Town-One-Product) store in Cebu at the Ayala Center Cebu.
DTI-7 regional director Nanette Arbon announced that the upcoming Cebu OTOP store will be situated at the second floor of Ayala Center Cebu and will be managed by Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative.
Unlike the usual pop-up trade stores that are bound to limited number of days, the opening of permanent OTOP store aims at helping micro and small local entrepreneurs build their brand and developed regular customer-based.
Having a presence in malls, where high foot traffic is guaranteed, otopreneurs get to attract various kinds of buyers like local, foreign, and even balikbayans or Filipino returnees.
The food products to be sold in the OTOP store, Arbon said are strictly Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved, “we are not selling products that are not FDA approved.”
Aside from procurement processes, Arbon said works for store’s interiors are being rendered by the Design Center.
Otop is an international program that originated from Japan’s One Village, One Product. This program has been in the Philippines since 2002.
Otop covers only tangible products and skills-based services such as processed foods, agri-based products, arts and crafts, home and fashion/creative artisanal, and services like hilot, sculpting, wellness products, industrial products, personal care and cosmetics.
Arbon added that the ‘otopreneurs’ that are selling in the OTOP stores pay only affordable rental fees, as the Ayala Center management is also offering lease discount.
The government’s OTOP program enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support and promote products or services that are rooted in their local culture, community resource, creativity, connection and competitive advantage.