CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Nueva Ecija is ramping up its One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Generation program in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to further empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and boost local economies.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) SONA, the President vowed to continue providing capital to more entrepreneurs so they can start their micro-enterprises at low interest and without collateral.
He also emphasized giving protection to intellectual property and providing free training and capital assistance to help poor families establish their own small businesses.
“Ipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbibigay ng puhunan sa mas marami pang negosyante para makapagsimula ng maliit na negosyo o microenterprise, sa mababang interest, at walang kolateral,” Marcos said.
DTI Nueva Ecija OIC-Provincial Director Warren Patrick Serrano said the agency is using a data-driven approach to identify which products have the strongest market potential.
“Our review of OTOP is evidence-based, wherein products should be connected to the culture of the area where they are made and produced. This ensures that when these products are brought to local and national trade fairs, entrepreneurs will earn,” Serrano said.
DTI Nueva Ecija Business Development Division OIC-Chief Maria Odessa Manzano said the OTOP Next Generation program goes beyond supporting long-established products by continuously developing new ones with market potential.
“We continuously work on product development and encourage new enrollees for the One to One Product. While longganisa remains our flagship product, we also encourage and support other products with potential. We provide the same support such as assessment, diagnosis, and possible steps for promotion,” Manzano said.
She noted that proper packaging and branding are essential before products can qualify for join trade fairs.
Among the province’s top-performing OTOP products are the Cabanatuan longganisa, Gapan footwear, gatas ng kalabaw, vacuum-sealed tinapa from San Leonardo, and tilapia ice cream from the Science City of Muñoz.
Currently, over 200 local products consistently receive assistance from DTI, with more than 100 others undergoing product development.
The agency has also strengthened partnerships with academic institutions, particularly Central Luzon State University (CLSU), to nurture young entrepreneurs and link them with local MSMEs.
Entrepreneurship students are given the chance to choose and sell OTOP products as part of their training, generating over a million pesos in sales in one semester.
“This collaboration not only teaches students real-life business skills but also opens opportunities for their parents and communities,” Manzano said.
DTI Nueva Ecija encouraged the public to support locally made products by visiting OTOP nooks and bazaars, and trade fairs to help uplift MSMEs and preserve the province’s culture and traditions through entrepreneurship. (MJSC/MCAL,PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija GIP)