Officers and staff of the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 led by SMEDD OIC Chief Atty. Michael Paggabao, together with the DTI Isabela Provincial Office led by OIC Provincial Director Ramil Garcia, convened with the Municipal Mayor of Cabagan, Isabela Atty. Christopher A. Mamauag and other officials from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabagan on 6 October 2023, to discuss areas of collaboration for the establishment of the OTOP Hub Cabagan to be launched in December this year.

OTOP Hub, as one of the initiatives of DTI, is a one-stop shop for promoting and marketing various food and non-food products of the region that have undergone intensive product development. The OTOP hubs cater to tourists, enthusiasts, and locals looking for souvenir or pasalubong items that are locally produced.

As of date, Cagayan Valley has six operating OTOP hubs and targets to launch the seventh in the region at the Public Market of Cabagan, Isabela.

Mayor Atty. Mamauag expressed his full support in funding the renovation of the existing Pasalubong Center in the area that would become the new OTOP Hub Cabagan.

The meeting was also attended by other officers of DTI R2, namely CTIDS Elmer Agorto, STIDS Ma. Filomena Magauay, TIDA Kate Aglipay, TIDA Rojann Calivoso, and the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator of LGU Cabagan, Mr. Rey Gumiran, and Tourism Officer Ms. Joylin Dairit. ♦

Date of release: 12 October 2023