THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the local community of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), opened its One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) pasalubong store located at Gaston Park on Saturday, June 15.
OTOP.Ph Ginamâ is a one-stop-hub for quality native products, from food to crafts, of Northern Mindanao.
Ginamâ is rooted in three main motives: to empower micro entrepreneurs in marketing their goods, to give significance to authentic local products and to evoke a sense of support and appreciation of handcrafted products.
According to City Investments and Promotions officer Eileen San Juan, the eproject is one way of helping the MSMEs to have an avenue to display and sell their products as part of the alleviation program of the City Government.
San Juan said the products displayed in the pasalubong center are from entrepreneurs who have undergone the training program of DTI-Northern Mindanao.
"Gipili gyud sad ni sila kay they have gone to different levels of trainings sa business, how they will manage their business, ang ilahang financial training, ang ilang packaging, so parang naa na gyud sya'y presentation sad, it's not just any products," San Juan said.
"Amo pa sad bantayan kun unsaon namo ma-sustain gyud sad ang ilang production," she added.
DTI Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, who was present during the soft opening and launching, said they will continue helping the MSMEs in marketing their products through the Ginama.
"Kung ano ang naitulong namin, dapat ma-display dyan para makita naming kung may market. Kung may market na, eh di ok na yun. Pag hindi pa, ibabalik namin ulit, tutulungan pa rin, hindi kami magsasawa tumulong para maging maganda na yung produkto nila," Du-Naga said.
The products displayed in the pasalubong center are affordable, according to Du-Naga, as they made sure that they are reasonably priced for both the Filipino and tourist market.
At present, the initial suppliers for Ginama reached 16, however they are still accepting more entrepreneurs who are interested to sell their products through Ginama.
"Yung requirements dapat may produkto sila, and they must be involved in OTOP para ma-assess sila sa packaging, sa leveling and design ng kanilang package, para maaya-aya naman, yung maganda tingnan sa tao at mabenta sa merkado," Du-Naga said.
The opening of Ginama is in line with the celebration of the Cagayan de Oro City's Charter Day. Present during the opening, apart from San Juan and Du-Naga, were Leon Flores of the Regional Operations Group, DTI Regional Director Linda Boniao, and several City Government officials.