DOST Biliran joins 2009 OTOP Planning

Another year has passed and the One Town One Product (OTOP) Program of the government spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry and actively co-implemented by other line agencies including the Department of Science and Technology is still lively pursuing its mandate of generating employment and investment in the countryside.

The planning and assessment for Biliran Province was conducted on January 28, 2009 at Marvin's Seaside Inn pool-side conference hall. The event highlighted what was accomplished in CY 2008 and what needs to be done in CY 2009.

DOST Biliran's contribution to the efforts of OTOP covered technical consultancy, provision of experts and facilities for training, and technology acquisition support funds for the participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). Innovation support assistance for acquisition of equipment totalling approximately 1.5 million pesos for three projects comprises the bulk of DOST's part in OTOP program implementation. These funds were directly provided to legitimate SMEs whose projects are aligned with the priority products of the LGUs.

The local government of Culaba was highlighted as among the best municipal OTOP implementers in the Province of Biliran. Their success was due to the active involvement of the local elected officials and the persistence of the Municipal OTOP coordinator Mrs. Epifania Loyola, the Municipal Agriculturist of Culaba, Biliran.