ILOCOS NORTE —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) re-launched the One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines hub at the Laoag International Airport on March 9, 2023.  

This OTOP HUb is the first to be established in the province. It was in 2019 when it was first launched at the Departure Area of the Laoag International Airport. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the operation of the OTOP Hub was temporarily stopped. Fast forward to 2023, as the airport resume operations and flight schedules start to go back to normal, the OTOP Hub is now ready to re-open its doors and once again showcase the best offerings of homegrown OTOPreneurs from the Ilocos Region. 

The OTOP Philippines Hub serves as a platform for our micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase and sell their products and services to the local and international market. 

Extending his full support towards developing MSMEs and Ilocos Region products, Ilocos Norte Congressman Sandro Marcos joined DTI Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, DTI-Region 1 Director Grace Baluyan, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, CAAP Representative Ronald Estabillo, Mariano Marcos State University President Shirley Agrupis and DTI Ilocos Norte OIC Director Amelia Galvez in spearheading the ceremonial relaunching of OTOP HUB-LIA. 

Meanwhile, Usec. Lantayona extended gratitude to the key partners and stakeholders who are instrumental in the re-establishment of the OTOP Hub-LIA. RD Baluyan challenged the OTOPreneurs to never cease in improving their products to make the region one of the most competitive regions in the country.  

The OTOP Hub-LIA is managed and operated by the Partuat Ti Kailokuan Marketing Cooperative whose members are all Kapatid Mentor-Me (KMME) Program graduates.  

Date of release: 13 March 2023