CABANATUAN CITY – Industry and local government officials were upbeat of the prospects of having Nueva Ecija-made products, mostly created by village-based entrepreneurs, penetrating both national and international markets even as key players of the One Town One Product (OTOP) program were awarded Friday.
Department of Trade and Industry director for Nueva Ecija, Brigida Pili, said that while most of Nueva Ecija products have gained wide recognition from consumers in several parts of the Philippines, they intend to penetrate the world market.
“We seek registration,” she said, stressing the effort of local producers to further enhance the marketability of their produce.
Except for the widely popularized footwear of Gapan City, Nueva Ecija OTOPs include agri-based industries such as dairy products, rice and rice by-products like wine, citrus, meat products, onions and garlic, among others.
Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija (KMNE) which is based in the tiny town of Quezon bagged the award for Outstanding OTOP SME (Small Medium Enterprise) Partner for the year.
KMNE started in 2000 with 30 members “to generate employment opportunities through the work operations on fruits and vegetables processing.”
Pili said the KMNE “has since become known as a food processor making the best quality sweet tomatoes, sweet tamarind, karamuy, guava jelly, and many more.”
A continuous cooperation with the DTI, Pili added, made its product line improved and expanded. With its base several kilometers northwest of Cabanatuan City, KMNE managed to penetrate big supermarkets such as NE Supermarket and pasalubong stores here, and about 10 outlets in Metro Manila, including Promdi Deli, SM Kultura, Serendra and Robinson’s Supermarket.
Headed by Vilma Joson, it has now 80 employers and indirectly benefits some 100 people through extension works, the DTI said.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) North Nueva Ecija, meanwhile, earned recognition for its active role in upgrading the livelihood of farmers and their families within its area of jurisdiction by providing both financial ang technical support under its Comprehensive Agrarian reform Program (CARP), according to the DTI.
The agency, it said, provided training for cooperative members in dairy production. DAR-North Nueva Ecija was named Most Supportive OTOP Partner Agency.
The municipal government of Bongabon, under Mayor Amelia Gamilla, was dubbed Most Supportive OTOP LGU (Local Government Unit) for actively pushing for the improvement of onion industry, which started in 1935, in the town.
It engaged in various activities to protect the industry, according to the DTI.
Dr. Anthony Umali, who represented Gov. Aurelio Umali, said the provincial government will be supporting OTOP program all the way to improve the lives of its people.
Department of Trade and Industry director for Nueva Ecija, Brigida Pili, said that while most of Nueva Ecija products have gained wide recognition from consumers in several parts of the Philippines, they intend to penetrate the world market.
“We seek registration,” she said, stressing the effort of local producers to further enhance the marketability of their produce.
Except for the widely popularized footwear of Gapan City, Nueva Ecija OTOPs include agri-based industries such as dairy products, rice and rice by-products like wine, citrus, meat products, onions and garlic, among others.
Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija (KMNE) which is based in the tiny town of Quezon bagged the award for Outstanding OTOP SME (Small Medium Enterprise) Partner for the year.
KMNE started in 2000 with 30 members “to generate employment opportunities through the work operations on fruits and vegetables processing.”
Pili said the KMNE “has since become known as a food processor making the best quality sweet tomatoes, sweet tamarind, karamuy, guava jelly, and many more.”
A continuous cooperation with the DTI, Pili added, made its product line improved and expanded. With its base several kilometers northwest of Cabanatuan City, KMNE managed to penetrate big supermarkets such as NE Supermarket and pasalubong stores here, and about 10 outlets in Metro Manila, including Promdi Deli, SM Kultura, Serendra and Robinson’s Supermarket.
Headed by Vilma Joson, it has now 80 employers and indirectly benefits some 100 people through extension works, the DTI said.
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) North Nueva Ecija, meanwhile, earned recognition for its active role in upgrading the livelihood of farmers and their families within its area of jurisdiction by providing both financial ang technical support under its Comprehensive Agrarian reform Program (CARP), according to the DTI.
The agency, it said, provided training for cooperative members in dairy production. DAR-North Nueva Ecija was named Most Supportive OTOP Partner Agency.
The municipal government of Bongabon, under Mayor Amelia Gamilla, was dubbed Most Supportive OTOP LGU (Local Government Unit) for actively pushing for the improvement of onion industry, which started in 1935, in the town.
It engaged in various activities to protect the industry, according to the DTI.
Dr. Anthony Umali, who represented Gov. Aurelio Umali, said the provincial government will be supporting OTOP program all the way to improve the lives of its people.
