VICTORIA, LAGUNA – The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI Laguna), through the One Town, One Program Next Generation (OTOP Next Gen) Program, conducted the Assessment, Consultation, and Triage (ACT) Session for the Laguna micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) enrolled in the OTOP Next Gen Product Development for CY 2023. A total of twenty (20) food and non-food manufacturers based in Laguna attended the activity as the start of their Product Development under the OTOP Next Gen Program.

OTOP Next Gen Program is a priority stimulus program for MSMEs as the government’s customized intervention to drive local and economic growth. Through this program, an ecosystem of interventions and assistance is provided to MSMEs to level up their products and services in terms of design, quality, and volume. OTOP Next Gen also enables localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote culturally rooted products or services which they can be best known for.

Gracing the said activity were DTI Office of the Secretary Undersecretary Ana Carolina Sanchez and DTI 4A OIC Assistant Regional Director Revelyn Cortez. USec Sanchez congratulated the OTOPreneurs for their active participation and willingness to further improve their products. She also mentioned that once the “OTOP Philippines Act of 2022” is approved, DTI will be able to provide assistance and accommodate the needs of more MSMEs to strengthen local economic activities and boost national economic growth.

Together with the designers Artministree Advertising Services and Mr. Ronald Rommel Viloria (also a Go Negosyo mentor and Managing Director of Viloria Product Design Enterprise), the identified local products of the OTOPreneurs were assessed and evaluated to determine the interventions needed for product development. Also, the designers provided a plan of assistance for the OTOPreneurs for the duration of the program. ♦

Date of Release: 22 March 2023