BALANGA CITY — Three Bataan-based businesses have made it to the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Go Local!” program.
This was confirmed by DTI-Bataan OIC Provincial Director Nelin Cabahug during an interview over Poweradio 104.5 FM’s “Morning Connections” with this reporter and Zeny Soriano as anchors.
“The Amanda’s Marine Products, Orient Sports Gear and Bagakeno Cashew Nuts were qualified to this new program,” Cabahug said.
Last February 2017, DTI and Robinsons Department Store signed on February 6 in Makati City an agreement to operate a “Go Lokal!” store in Robinsons Place Manila starting March 2017.
The move is in line with DTI’s objective of providing greater market access to the best products of Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the partnership solidified respective commitments of DTI and Robinsons to help communities and vulnerable sectors by allocating 10% of the net income generated by Go Lokal! stores to social causes and projects including government-led drug rehabilitation initiatives.
“This “Go Lokal!’ partnership with Robinsons is a clear manifestation of the growing number of private entities that are willing to strengthen collaboration with the government in making growth truly inclusive across the country, especially for our micro entrepreneurs,” said DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez in a media interview.
The trade chief also reiterated that the initiative can serve as a strategic platform for new entrepreneurs to test the marketability of their products without the fear of losing rental and commercial costs because their experience is free of charge.
Go Lokal! is a design-led concept store showcasing locally-made quality products crafted, designed and created by Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It can be found in consumer-frequented locations as a mainstream distribution channel for world-class products while offering value for money for the Filipino consumer.
Go Lokal! is a public-private priority project of the DTI serving also as incubation, marketing and branding platform for both One Town One Product (OTOP) and non-OTOP products. — MHIKE CIGARAL