The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) have launched oneSTore.ph Hub, an online marketing platform that is expected to benefit over 50 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the oneSTore.ph Hub was unveiled on June 24 at the Paseo De Paoay in Ilocos Norte aimed at helping the economic status of MSMEs in the province.
"Over 50 MSMEs and more than 100 Ilocos Norte products are expected to be part of the oneStore.ph. This initiative is envisioned to help the MSMEs in Ilocos Norte to boost their sales and products by reaching a greater number of consumers,” he said on the DOSTv Facebook page on Friday, June 25.
The oneSTore.ph Hub was launched by DOST-I, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center-Ilocos Norte, and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, through its Small Medium Enterprises Office (SMEO).
“Most of the displays are DOST-assisted products, among which are agricultural items, processed local food products like ground coffee, chic acorn, bagnet, banana chips, camote chips, dried noodles, shell, and bamboo crafts, woodworks and artisan furniture, heritage fabrics like the Abel Iloco and binakol, and other traditional and souvenir items,” de la Peña, who personally graced the launch, said.
PGIN-SME Officer Elma O. Gabriel said they teamed up with the DOST to establish an e-commerce platform that would assist the MSMEs in expanding their market both locally and internationally.
She said with the launch of oneSTore.ph, they were expecting an increase in sales by at least 20 percent.
De la Peña said one unit vending machine was turned over for the hub and five units of RxBox telehealth device were given to five local government units (LGUs) in the province during the event.
RxBox was repurposed by the agency to benefit the country’s medical frontliners. The device can monitor a patient’s vital signs, and other indicators such as pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and even electrocardiogram readings.
Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc thanked the DOST for its assistance to their MSMEs.
Manotoc “held a dialogue with the Secretary to further discuss possible projects that will be implemented in the province”, the DOST said.