Saturday, August 13, 2005
2 Cebu towns get aid
The municipalities of Carcar and Argao have expressed willingness to work with the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) in the development of their products.
The two have enlisted under “One Town One Product-Philippines” (Otop), a priority program of President Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.
Through Otop, local chief executives of each city and municipality identify, developing and promote a specific product or service .
Footwear
Carcar Municipality Planning and Development Coordinator Valentin Ga-mutan Jr. said during the Kapihan sa PIA (Philippine Information Agency) on Wednesday that the municipality, together with the Carcar United Footwear Manufacturers Association Inc. (Cufmai), will use the P1 million grant to the Cufmai for the further development of the Carcar’s footwear manufacturing industry.
Carcar and DTI have identified footwear as its niche product. But Gamutan said Carcar will also develop its other potential niche products, such as chicharon, using the P1 million allocation from the National Government, under the “Isang Produkto, Isang Bayan, Isang Milyong Piso” project.
Torta
Argao, also a recipient of a P1 million-allocation, is in the process of identifying a non-government organization that is willing to manage and develop its identified niche product, the torta.
DTI-CPO program and management division chief Eli Tecson told Sun.Star Cebu that the DTI will help Argao improve the packaging and in increasing the shelf-life of its “torta.”
DTI’s pilot area for the Otop is Carmen, which has identified sinamay-a woven abaca-as its niche product.
Tecson said DTI has scheduled to launch the Otop in Asturias for the development of its fashion wooden beads manufacturing sector.
Other products
He said DTI has also identified the products, which local government units (LGUs) must focus on, like for Lapu-Lapu, guitar; Bantayan, marine products specifically boneless dan-guit; San Remigio, coco craft; Dumanjug, handicraft; Liloan, rosquillos; Barili, handicraft; Alcoy, dolomite and other construction materials; and Dalaguete, vegetables.
The identification of the municipalities and products were based on the availability of raw materials, skilled labor, dedication of local government chief and sustainability of the project.
Otop offers a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies and the private sector. (JBN)
(August 13, 2005 issue)
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