On the 2nd Provincial OTOP  (One Town One Product) Forum last November 25, Governor Aurora E. Cerilles and Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Maria Socorro M. Atay awarded Plaque of Recognition to the following local entrepreneurs as Most Promising OTOP Micro-Small Medium Enterprises across the province, namely:

1) Nutribooster Food Philippines owned and managed by Concordio Bolusan who produced nutribooster cerials based in Balangasan, Pagadian City; 2) Village Technocraft manufacturing furnitures and housewares made of lapakanay in Parasan, Molave, this province owned by Pedro Hernan, Jr., 3) Yllana Bay Food Products of Nerita Pastrana in Tiguma, this city producing bottled sardines, 4) J Angel’s Food Products with banana chips of Josefina Jamero from Maralag, Dumingag, and Lady “J” Food Products (salted dried fish) of Jocelyn Rambon at Poblacion, Vincenzo Sagun, this province.

The Most Supportive LGU award went to Dumingag and Ramon Magsaysay while provincial directors Virginia Bonbon  of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Ebenezer Tulog of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) were recognized as Most Active Partner Agencies of OTOP in the province.

For the provincial OTOP, Governor Cerilles sees a bright prospect of rubber, saying: “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.”

The lady governor pointed out that Zamboanga del Sur soil is generally suited for rubber plantation. She said, “we need to further expand the areas planted with rubber and strengthen its economic advantage to back us up in this time of recession.”

OTOP is a priority project of President Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and job creations in the municipalities. 

In Zamboanga del Sur, DTI, DOLE, TESDA and DOST are the 4 Aces working hand in hand with other the local government units in advocating OTOP, according to PD Atay.

These 4 agencies provide MSMEs with assistance package such as business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development and marketing.

DOLE Provincial Director Bonbon has urged budding entrepreneurs in the province to avail of their financing assistance.   

Last update: 26-01-2009 01:20