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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate ratifies bicam report on bill institutionalizing 'One Town, One Product' program ​

Senate ratifies bicam report on bill institutionalizing 'One Town, One Product' program ​

Published Jun 1, 2023 04:18 am
  The Senate has ratified the bicameral committee report on the bill that seeks to institutionalize the government’s "One Town, One Product" (OTOP) Program.   Sen. Mark Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, and sponsor of the measure, reported the reconciled version of Senate Bill No. 1594 and House Bill No. 1171 on Wednesday, May 31, before the Senate goes into sine die adjournment.    According to Villar, some of the provisions added to the new version by the Senate and House of Representatives conferees are the formulation of a national OTOP strategic development plan and the setting of qualification criteria for OTOP products consistent with elements of culture, community resources, connection, creativity and competitive advantage.   He said the bicameral version also provides for additional program components such as provision of market access and product promotion.    “I firmly believe that the impact of this legislation may extend far beyond our shores. The OTOP Philippines Program will put our nation in the international stage, showcasing the diverse range of high-quality products that our towns and municipalities have to offer,” Villar said.   “This program will not only boost our local economies but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for other nations striving to uplift their MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) and promote sustainable development,” Villar said.    Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also welcomed the ratificaton of the measure.    The OTOP Program shall include product development as the primary instrument of assistance for the beneficiaries and will address gaps in entrepreneurial skills through capacity building, set standards, and market compliance to preserve the OTOP brand as a mark of excellence and access to local and foreign markets, Legarda explained.   “We welcome the Senate’s ratification of this measure as it will help institutionalize the OTOP program geared towards promoting our local products and capacitating our MSME sector through the development of our indigenous raw materials, utilizing local skills and talents, and featuring local traditions and cultures across our country,” said Legarda.   The bill, she said, also proposes that the products under this program must meet a set of criteria to be established by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).   Once enacted into law, the DTI shall serve as the lead agency that will implement the OTOP policy.   “The products should be consistent with the cultural values rooted in a locality, derive its sources from the community, evoke a sense of connection among locals, exemplify the Filipino people’s creativity and innovation, and draw from the locality’s innate and endemic strengths,” Legarda said.   “It will enhance our product promotion across different platforms,” she furthered.

Related Tags

OTOP Sen. Mark Villar Tatak Pinoy Senator Loren Legarda One Town One Product
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