BATANES – This archipelagic province in the Cagayan Valley Region can now showcase its own products with the launching of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Hub here last Dec. 5.
The hub, located at Itbud, in the Municipality of Uyugan, is the first in Batanes and the sixth in Region 2.
OTOP Hub Batanes not only promotes the province's culture, but also showcases the identity of the Ivatans from the OTOP Hub's exterior design inspired by Ivatan stone houses.
During the opening on December 5, Department of Trade and Industry ( DTI) Region 2 Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said in her message: “Your presence in today’s launching of the OTOP Hub Batanes is a symbolic manifestation not only of our support to this activity but of our hope that in the very near future, we will be able to reach our vision of having more MSME products that are competitive and can give pride to our region not only in the domestic market, but more so in the global scene.”
Governor Marilou H. Cayco thanked the private sector partners of the project.
The governor has also assured that the Provincial Government of Batanes will continue to support the agency's projects.
With the opening of the 6th OTOP Hub of DTI Region 2 in Batanes, every province in the Cagayan Valley Region now has its own OTOP Hub to promote their native and unique products in the mainstream market.
OTOP Hub Batanes is a collaboration between and among the Local Government of Uyugan, Amboy Travel and Tours, and Milagrosa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) assisted by the DTI which will be managing the OTOP Hub.
On display and for sale in the hub are the ‘GawangIvatanTatakBatanes’ products from Uyugan and other municipalities of the province.
Among the products for sale are sea glass necklaces, earrings and bracelets, traditional beaded accessories (namet), processed Hahay (garfish) Spanish sardines, Inaynap traditional skirts, vakul and kanayi traditional farmwear, keychains and ref magnets, snack chips, processed garlic, coffee and the many creative paintings and art works of the Ivatan artisans.
Products from the other provinces of Region 2 (Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya) are also available.