TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac has assisted 17 entrepreneurs in upgrading their local products through the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Next Gen program.
DTI OIC-Provincial Director Florencia Balilo said the initiative aimed to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by helping them develop competitive and market-ready products.
“We could see a lot of promising local products, but they could not keep up with the market just yet. Through OTOP Next Gen, DTI will assist them in enhancing their products so that they can compete in the market,” Balilo shared.
Under OTOP Next Gen, the Assessment, Consultation, and Triage or ACT session served as a diagnostic and mentoring phase where MSME products were evaluated for upgrading.
Eleven participants from the food sector underwent one-on-one product development consultations with Designer Ryan Hope Bautista, while Designer Carlo Dizon mentored six from the non-food sector.
Bautista likewise conducted a seminar on design trends and updates, focusing on color and sustainable and smart packaging.
Participants were given time to develop prototypes, which will be evaluated in the second phase of the program. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
