CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In a bid to further support budding Fernandino entrepreneurs, the City Government here opened its first Pasalubong Center on Friday, September 2.
The 18-stall shop will showcase products from different barangays in this city managed by micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).
“This is part of the City Government’s program to help Fernandino MSMEs as well as promote our various products to tourists through the One Barangay One Product (OBOP),” said Mayor Edwin Santiago.
The Pasalubong Center will complement the city’s one-stop shop, alongside with the Go Negosyo Center and the Tourism and Investments Promotions Office located at the City Hall Annex.
Santiago said that MSMEs play an important role as economic drivers for the growth of a community and its people.
“With the entry of big malls and companies in our city, we would not want our very own MSMEs to be left behind. Our City Government is always ready to assist them,” he stressed.
The stores, which sell various products including lanterns, guitars and musical instruments, arts and crafts, organic produce and other food products, will occupy the center for free.
Santiago said that shops will be transferred to the public market, which is now being redeveloped to be a trading center.
“A floor will be allotted for MSMEs and OBOP there,” he said.
Santiago also clarified that the Pasalubong Center will not be a rival to the Provincial Government’s Salilungan since it only showcases products from the city.
“Salilungan is participated in by businessmen from the whole province while our Pasalubong Center is only from our barangays, that is why we called it OBOP,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry Pampanga Officer-in-Charge Director Elenita Ordonio lauded the initiative of the City Government here in assisting its MSMEs.
She cited its Go Negosyo Center, which is the first in the province, that continuously helps entrepreneurs who are having their documents processed.
“With all of these, we cannot doubt and deny San Fernando’s achievement as one of the most competitive cities in the country,” she said.