Mindanao's OTOP players growing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 5, 2007) – From 109 exhibitors and entrepreneurs last year, Mindanao's One Town One Product (OTOP) players rose to 180 in this year's annual trade fair.

"This means more market were sought which encouraged more entrepreneurs to venture," said Ibrahim Guiamadel, trade and industry regional director.

Region 12 hosted the second Yamang Mindanao OTOP Island Fair at KCC Mall of Gensan from June 29 to July 2. It also hosted the 2006 exhibit.

The fair showcased President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's One Town One Product (OTOP) priority program, tapping local government units to take the lead in promoting local economy through their own product.

"(The) Island Trade Fair exhibits unique products, from food to arts and crafts, of the six regions in mainland Mindanao ," Guiamadel said.

He said P39.6 million was generated in 2006 from the exhibits.

Institutional buyers across the country and from Europe who have been interested in Mindanao's crafts and food products have expanded Mindanao's market.

"We still have to get the total amount of negotiated sales concluded from the institutional buyers, but I'm sure the total amount will be more than 50 million pesos this year," Guiamadel added.

"This means more income and livelihood to the people."

OTOP is supported by the private sector and national agencies like DTI, and departments of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Labor and Employment, Environment and Natural Resources, and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority.

July also celebrates the national Small and Medium Enterprises month.

On July 16, Sarangani province will showcase its United Towards a Strong, Wealthy and Globally Competitive Sarangani (USWAG) project which has millions of investments and jobs.

"We are promoting Sarangani Province as an eco-tourism destination," said Nenita Barroso, DTI provincial director.

Two of the province's unique products this year are the bamboo crafts from Shane Sarangani Handicrafts of Glan town and the old-fashioned brew of rice or corn coffee by Cresing's Food Products from Maitum.

Western Mindanao (Region 9), Northern Mindanao (Region 10), Davao Region (11), South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City (SOCSKSARGEN) and Cotabato Province (Region 12), Caraga, and ARMM composes mainland Mindanao. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/RGP)