BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
The 62 One Town One Product (OTOP) hubs in the Cordillera region generated over 167 million pesos in sales in 2024, supporting more than 1,300 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Among these hubs is Layad di Cordillera, which was established in 2018 to showcase and sell local products. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, it has grown to help over 500 small businesses.
Helena Butigan, head of the Layad di Cordillera OTOP Hub, emphasized the hub’s role as both a marketplace and a training center, providing workshops for entrepreneurs.
Brigida Ordoñez, an MSME owner specializing in knitted products, hopes to expand her reach through OTOP. “It’s my dream to see my products recognized, not just locally but also abroad,” she said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to expand the OTOP program by establishing eight more hubs in Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. According to DTI-Cordillera OIC Assistant Regional Director Atty. Samuel Gallardo, the initiative aims to enhance product quality and prepare MSMEs for export.
The OTOP program was institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11960, signed in 2023, to further strengthen support for local businesses across the country.
