Saturday, November 29, 2008

DTI-Zambosur cites active OTOP enterpreneurs, partners

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau

PAGADIAN CITY—The trade and industry department has cited five business establishments involved in fabrications and manufacturing and classified as micro-small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) for leading as OTOP partners in the province.

otop stands for “One town one product,” priority program of President Gloria Arroyo, which promotes free enterprise and jobs creation.

Chief executives are tasked to identify, develop, and promote a specific product or service in their respective areas for OTOP.

Helping DTI are DOLE, TESDA and DOST in advancing OTOP, providing MSMEs with assistance package like business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development and marketing.

Aside from the five establishments, two local government units and another two line agencies were recognized during the 2nd Provincial OTOP Forum held Nov. 25.

Governor Aurora Cerilles and DTI provincial director Maria Socorro Atay handed plaques of recognition to Nutribooster Food Philippines, Yllana Bay Food Products, Village Technocraft, J. Angel’s Food Products and Lady “J” Food Products.

Nutribooster Food Philippines sells nutribooster cerials while Yllana Bay Food Products produces bottled sardines; J. Angel’s Food Products is famous for their banana chips; Lady “J” Food Products for their salted dried fish and Village Technocraft for their furnitures and housewares made of lapakanay.

Also, Dumingag and Ramon Magsaysay were cited as “Most Supportive LGUs” at the same time DOLE’s Virginia Bonbon and DOST’s Ebenezer Tulog were awarded “Most Active Partner Agencies.”

Cerilles identifies rubber as a good OTOP, saying there is likelihood that this commodity will boost employment and enterprenurial prospects in Zambosur.

“Ang industriya sa goma dinhi sa atong lalawigan padayon natong gipalapdan pinaagi sa rubber-based farming ug sa pag-apod-apod sa budded rubber seedlings ngadto sa mga kalungsuran,” she said.

The soil all around the province is well suited for rubber planting too as the governor said she will expand areas planted with rubber to strengthen economic advantage and back the province in times of recession.