TI-CAR for MSME Product and Market Development

Creative Industries and Market Showcase

The Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region continues to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its capacity-building and livelihood seeding programs. The agency has also been active in promoting Cordillera MSME products through various local and national trade fairs both through physical fairs and online platforms as support to the local sectors and industries. The Local Government Unit of Baguio, in collaboration with various agencies such as DTI, initiated a new normal marketing avenue for MSMEs through Sunday Market Showcase in Session Road, Baguio City.

In his virtual State of the City Address during the 112th Baguio City Charter Day Celebrations on September 1, 2021, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong presented various programs that the city has undertaken including collaborations with other agencies. “The strengthening of Livelihood and entrepreneurial Service is evident in the way we have transformed Session Road as a regular venue for family fun and bonding as well as artistic displays of admirable creativity, and a showcase of local entrepreneurship through our strong collaboration with DTI-CAR. To date, 9.3 million pesos in receipted sales to these homegrown MSMEs had been recorded.”

One Town, One Product (OTOP)

The OTOP program is a priority stimulus for MSMEs that assists and enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products or services that are rooted in its local culture, community resource, creativity, connection, and competitive advantage. As their own ‘pride-of-place,’ these are offerings where they can be the best at or best renowned for. It endeavors to capacitate our ‘OTOPreneurs’ to innovate and produce market-ready products and services. There are two components under the program, the OTOP NextGen and OTOP Philippine Hub. The NextGen side of the program refers to the package of assistance provided to capacitate the MSMEs. This component is primarily the product development initiatives, training, referral, and others with the goal of leveling up the products in the areas of design, quality, volume, among others. The OTOP Philippines Hub is the response to the demands side of the program. The hub provides the physical and online channels and market access platform where OTOP products – especially those which has been assisted via product development – are showcased on a day-to-day basis.

The Negosyo Center of Tuba conducted seminar on Product Packaging and Labeling Design for Tuba MSMEs. Photo shows resource speaker Joel M. Wanhay giving pointers to participants from Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. The seminar is meant to capacitate and train MSMEs to grow and develop their products through the enhancement of product packaging and labels.