What started out as a store hub at a Bacolod mall for more than just 30 small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) from different localities in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, three years later has evolved into a lifestyle store that sells products and food made in Negros.
The OTOP Lifestyle store now located at the 2nd Level of Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City was launched on Friday, May 31, a press release said.
Lynna Joy Cardinal, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the OTOP (One Town, One Product) store is a program of her agency.
It used to be called the OTOP Provincial Trade Fair but has now evolved into OTOP Lifestyle under the management of Negros Export Industry Corporation (NEXCO) led by mother and daughter tandem of Maria Lily and Micah Rosquillo, Cardinal pointed out.
Originally there were 36 exhibitors in 2021 it grew to the current 106 exhibitors or what we call “OTOPreneurs” in its 3rd year, she added.
The best thing about the operation is the dedication and passion of the management team and the synergy among the OTOPreneurs, she said.
She said that the OTOP store at the Ayala Mall Capitol Central in Bacolod City “is the first OTOP Hub situated in a mall in the Philippines.”
“We at DTI look forward for the continued success of the OTOP Lifestyle to have its share in the upliftment of the MSMEs, creating jobs and driving economic growth in the whole of Negros Occidental. With the convergence of support and assistance, the Negrense OTOPreneurs have more reason to be inspired and strive to create and innovate to delight their buyers,” Cardinal said.
Cardinal added that the Ayala management acknowledged the significance of the OTOP store in their malls.
“They want the DTI to put up an OTOPP store in all their malls across the country,” she said “based on the success of the store in Bacolod.”
Also at the event were Negros Occidental Board Member Rita Gatuslao, representing Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Dr. Mae Llamas, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer of Bacolod City and Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie Miranda.*