IN A bid to address issues and concerns hounding the local wearables and homestyle sector, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Occidental and stakeholders have crafted a localized roadmap for its development.
DTI-Negros Occidental Industry Division Chief Engiemar Tupas, who spoke at the "Localization of the National Wearables and Homestyle Industry Cluster Roadmap" activity held at the Negros First Negosyo Center in Bacolod City on Thursday, said issues and concerns with regard to furthering the growth of the industry cluster were already identified at the national level.
Though, Tupas said, these may not be applicable to the local level, particularly Negros Occidental, so there is a need for the localization of the development roadmap.
"Among the concerns identified include market development considering the pandemic, material sourcing and utilization of e-commerce," he said, adding that activities, programs and strategies were also identified to address these concerns.
The three-year local development will set the directions for the industry until 2022.
Tupas, however, said since it is already late part of 2020, the activities will start fourth quarter of this year.
The stakeholders mostly composed of local producers under various sub-sectors have identified "doable" activities given the restrictions and other challenges brought by the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Tupas said the roadmap will now be the basis as to the direction of the industry. Also, it includes other interventions needed to further boost the cluster.
"Through this development roadmap, we are looking forward to a stronger wearbles and homestyle cluster in the province amid this global crisis," he added.
About 15 producer-representatives from garments, fashion and accessories, decor, furniture and furnishing, among other sub-sectors attended the activity organized by DTI-Negros Occidental.
The official stressed that the province has potential in terms of this industry cluster.
"Our products can compete against other products," Tupas said, adding that the local industry just needs to be supported.