Calabarzon 4th OTOP congress held in Cavite

by Charlie Dajao (DTI)

Cavite City (31 July) — Cavite, currently recognized as the leader in cooperativism and entrepreneurship in the country, hosted the 4th CALABARZON OTOP Congress last July 17 at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City.

Attended by the micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSME), academe, representatives from partner government agencies and non-government organizations, executives of local government units, and guests, the congress serves as venue where stakeholders of the OTOP program discuss topics to build capabilities of the entrepreneurs; present achievements, issues and concerns; share learnings and experiences; and renew commitments.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the OTOP program, or the “One Town, One Product” program, is a strategy to develop micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in towns, cities, provinces or even regions possessing a strong domestic product base with local ingenuity and skills to be globally competitive consequently bringing out the prominence and uniqueness of each locality.

In his welcome address, Governor Maliksi underscored the significance of intensifying the development of businesses and enterprises. He added that employment alone one could not enrich oneself but through engaging in a profitable business no matter how small it would be.

Gov. Maliksi, himself representing the true and committed Caviteño revolutionary, leads to confront today’s economic revolution, that is, the fight for freedom from the bondage of poverty and towards economic independence. “Sa pamamagitan ng OTOP at ng Bagong Rebolusyon, Bagong Cavite, tayo’y magtulong-tulong dito sa Cavite”, as he appealed to everybody to be part of the “revolution” to liberate Cavite (and the rest of the country) from the bondage of poverty”.

RD Toledo presented the performance of the Calabarzon OTOP Program, the OTOP product catalogue, and announced the tie-up of DTI Calabarzon with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO).

She also acknowledged the OTOP partnership with other government agencies and reviewed the highlights of past regional congresses, and cited the relevance of the integration of OTOP in the educational curriculum by using local or OTOP products as examples in arithmetic lessons.

RD Toledo also announced the holding of the OTOP National Awards and the turn-over of the OTOP flag to Rizal as highlight of this congress.

She briefed about the’bayong development project’ and cited the environmental policies of the Los Baños municipal government that influenced the bayong industry.

Moreover, Director Toledo cited the successes in the access to financing by MSMEs under OTOP in Calabarzon; and the various linkages and the participation of Calabarzon OTOP to international activities.

Merly M. Cruz, DTI Undersecretary for regional operations and development discussed the performance of OTOP in a national scale.

“In 2008 alone, P2.6 billion in investments were posted, 88,490 jobs generated; and P3.56 billion in domestic sales”, Usec. Cruz disclosed.

She also expressed that although DTI is the lead agency, it is the LGUs that are the prime movers of OTOP. The undersecretary added that OTOP is a priority project until 2010.

In all, the DTI undersecretary summarized that the OTOP program achieved a cumulative total of P10 billion in investments, USD 417 million in export sales; 3,072 products developed; and 369 pasalubong centers established within the period 2005 to 2009.

She also revealed plans to embark on online marketing and test-market OTOP items on the web and use the OTOP portal as a stage for credible Philippine products, and to sustain marketing for OTOP via the opening of the Philippine Products Depot.

Usec. Cruz also announced to launch 4th National OTOP Congress in October this year.

She added that OTOP will look at the preservation of the environment, and that OTOP particularly the water lily-bayong project is’one stone that would hit two birds’, that is, employment generation and the production of items for livelihood.

Delivering the keynote message in behalf of Sec. Jesli Lapuz, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Franklin Sunga disclosed that’entrepreneurship education’ would be integrated in the DepEd curriculum and that other entrepreneur competencies are already incorporated to imbibe the culture of entrepreneurship and business to students at an early age.

In a turn-over, Gov. Maliksi handed over the OTOP flag to the Rizal Vice-Gov. San Juan, symbolizing the transfer of charge for the holding of the 5th OTOP Congress in Rizal next year.

“The Province of Rizal is very eager and proud to host the 5th Calabarzon OTOP Congress in 2010. In fact, Rizal has long been waiting to host the event”. Said Vice-Governor San Juan, as he accepted the turn-over.

He reaffirmed that OTOP ties the public with the private sector and called for the stakeholders to work together for further prosperity of OTOP.

“After all, OTOP now is not really a big challenge. It is now taking off”, the vice governor added.

Delivered by their proxies, Governors Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas, Rafael Nantes of Quezon, and Teresita Lazaro sent their messages of inspiring to continue creativity and innovation, the consistency of quality of products, and most importantly, the unrelenting support through funding local OTOP.

All five governors acknowledged DTI’s efforts in leading business development for livelihood and employment.

The congress also celebrates the partnership of DTI Calabarzon with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) to assist selected micro, small and medium enterprises in the region.

Canadian lead volunteer advisor Robert Bourdeau gave a briefing about the Canadian Executive Service Organization and its assistance for OTOP and enumerated the services provided by his organization.

Mr. Bourbeau indicated that the CESO CPB6 Program will come in support to OTOP Philippines by providing technical support through senior executive volunteer advisers to help Philippine micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Earlier in June, DTI Calabarzon and CESO inked a memorandum of understanding for the assistance of micro-entrepreneurs of which CESO would provides specialists, technical, professional and managerial assistance including advisory and mentoring services to selected small and medium enterprises and industry clusters.

DTI Region III Director Blesila Lantayona presented the objectives, mechanics and prizes for the about the forthcoming National OTOP Awards and National OTOP Congress in October this year.

Mr. James Rodney Romana of the Center for International Trade, Expositions and Missions (CITEM) presented the entrepreneurs a briefing on how to join the Manila FAME, an international trade exposition organized by CITEM every April and October every year. The briefing also included topics on how to attract more buyers.

Back to back with the congress is a mini-trade fair selling OTOP products from all over Calabarzon.

The 4th Calabarzon OTOP Congress is spearheaded by DTI Provincial Director Noly Guevara.

Previous OTOP congresses were held in Sta. Cruz, Laguna (2006), Batangas City (2007), and Lucena City (2008). (DTI)