The One Town One Product (OTOP) Program takes root from the Buy Filipino campaign. It builds on the concept that each town and city in the Philippines can establish competitive businesses using abundantly available local resources and tapping on the ingenuity of the people. Since the program’s launch in 2004, it has encouraged the set-up and growth of
3,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME’s) generating at least 100,000 jobs nationwide.

Local chief executives of every city and municipality (LGU s) take the lead in identifying and developing a specific product or service, which could offer the most competitive advantage. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Regional Operations Group and SME Development Group, assists the LGUs in the product identification and
selection, and coordinates all relevant forms of assistance from various agencies including the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science
and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Coming from the private sector, ASKI actively promotes OTOP to its thousands of its micro and small entrepreur-clients through its BDSS Program. By linking qualified ASKI clients into the program, clients are able to receive a comprehensive assistance package, which includes business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, marketing, and introduction to appropriate technologies.

Grab the opportunity to be an OTOP entrepreneur and make your town proud! What’s your OTOP?