TARLAC CITY, TARLAC — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Tarlac (PGT) and the Tarlac Henyo Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative (THEM Coop), relaunched the Komunidad: Home of Tarlac Products and officially opened the OTOP Kiosk and Learning Center at the Tarlac Capitol Center in Tarlac City.
This multi-part activity aimed to empower local enterprises by improving visibility for Tarlac-made products, equipping MSMEs with knowledge and tools for growth, and introducing technologies to support business innovation and sustainability. These efforts reflect the core priorities of DTI Secretary Maria Cristina Roque’s five-point agenda, which includes digitalization and AI integration, broader market access, franchising development, better financing opportunities, and strong support through coaching and mentoring.
“The Komunidad and OTOP Kiosk and Learning Center are not just physical space—they are symbols of our shared commitment to homegrown entrepreneurship,” DTI Tarlac OIC Provincial Director Florencia A. Balillo said in her welcome remarks.
“We envision it as a vibrant hub where our local producers can showcase their creativity, connect with markets, and access learning opportunities,” she said.
The event opened with a short ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a walkthrough of the improved Komunidad store and the newly launched OTOP Kiosk and Learning Center. It was attended by key regional and provincial leaders, including DTI Region 3 Regional Director Edna Dizon, ARD Richard Simangan, DOST Tarlac Provincial Director Karen Dañez, PCCI Tarlac President Aileen Chan, and PCEDO Enterprise Development Division Supervisor Marina Lopez.
One highlight of the event was the unveiling of the “Creatives Wall,” which celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of Tarlac local entrepreneurs. This was followed by a dialogue between MSMEs and agency heads, where participants raised issues such as FDA compliance, logistics, and point-of-sale systems. In response, DTI and its partners shared available programs and pledged continued support to address these challenges.
“We encourage our MSMEs to comply with proper documentation to access more markets through the DTI Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace. It’s not enough to just produce and sell—we must be ready for bigger opportunities. With SME hubs being set up in embassies, let’s work together to bring Tarlac products to the global stage while also strengthening our domestic market. Central Luzon is already a top-performing region—let’s keep the momentum going.” RD Edna Dizon said.
In the afternoon, the DOST Tarlac team led a session on science, technology, and innovation programs for MSMEs. They introduced ready-to-adopt technologies, business improvement tools, and capacity-building activities such as food safety training and consultancy support.
“Maraming salamat sa DTI para sa OTOP Kiosk at Learning Center na malaking tulong sa aming mga MSMEs. Lalo na para sa mga nagsisimula pa lamang, napakalaking bagay na may ganitong platform kung saan kahit papaano ay nakikilala ang aming mga produkto. Napakahalaga rin ng tamang dokumentasyon upang mapalawak pa ang aming maliliit na negosyo. On behalf of the Tarlac MSMEs, taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng partner agencies para sa programang ito.” Ms. Natividad Yadao, board of director of THEM Coop shared.
With the successful reopening of the Komunidad and the introduction of new support facilities, DTI Tarlac reaffirmed its commitment to helping local enterprises thrive. Future activities include innovation and creative workshops, participation in upcoming trade fairs, and building stronger linkages with the tourism and logistics sectors to boost MSME visibility and reach.
