ANGELES CITY – Riding the crest of buying, gifting, sharing that the ‘Ber’ months inevitably bring, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. pushes for the promotion and marketing of local products through the city government’s OTOP (One Town, One Product) store.
“We fully support our local entrepreneurs to further open markets for them not just nationwide but worldwide,” Lazatin said. “Lalo na po ngayon na nalalapit na naman ang Pasko, pwede po ang mga Gawang Angeleño products natin na pang-regalo o souvenir.”
The OTOP store is set to host various trade fairs in the run-up to the Yuletide season.
The “100 Days of Happiness,” an annual Christmas bazaar by SM Supermalls is slated from Sept. 16 to Dec. 15 at the Ground level of SM City Clark. As part of the celebration of the Philippine’s longest fiesta – the city’s own Fiestang Kuliat on Oct. 17-26 – OTOP will hold a trade fair at the Museo Ning Angeles, Heritage District.
It will also participate in the celebration of Organic Agriculture Month by hosting a trade fair on Nov. 21-23 also at the Museo Ning Angeles.
In preparation for these OTOP activities, Lazatin’s chief adviser IC Calaguas, executive assistant IV Reina Manuel and Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions officer Irish Bonus-Llego have started checking on the potential products to be featured, beginning with a visit on Sept. 12 at the Impact Balibago Arts and Crafts, owned by Julio Pamintuan.
The revitalization of the city’s OTOP program including the expansion of its market is a priority of the Lazatin administration.
This year, the OTOP store has installed a new kiosk at the Prime City Hotel, where Gawang Angeleño products are displayed. To date, there are 21 existing member-merchants in the OTOP store, from its 12 initial member-merchants in 2019.
