Saturday, December 20, 2008 Otop develops MSMEs in Davao Region
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its One Town One Product Program (Otop), has helped develop at total of 47 MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) in Davao Region this year.
Otop implements focused projects in each town and cities in the region with the strong involvement of the local government units and local partners.
It is supported by another pro-poor program, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp), especially intended for Carp beneficiaries.
DTI-Southern Mindanao Regional Director Marison Loreto reported that the program has generated 1,688 community-based and home-based jobs, generated exports sales worth US$1,390 and domestic sales worth P67 million.
Loreto also bared that around P16 million worth of loans were plowed into the MSMEs enterprises.
The program's services include business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies, and marketing.
The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2004-2010 outlines the dual strategies of product development through OTOP and credit provision through Sulong or SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth to support three million entrepreneurs and generate 6 to 10 million jobs.
