DTI urges CamNorte municipalities to allocate funds for ‘One Town, One Product’

By Rosalita Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camarines Norte is encouraging local government units (LGUs) to allocate funds to support and promote programs that will strengthen the One Town, One Product (OTOP) initiative in their respective municipalities.

DTI Provincial Director Christie Rivera stated that the main objective of the OTOP program is to build a strong identity for each municipality through its unique, resource-based products.

She expressed her satisfaction that out of the 12 municipalities in the province, nine have already passed ordinances and resolutions declaring their OTOPs.

The municipalities with OTOP ordinances and resolutions include Basud, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, Santa Elena, Talisay, and Vinzons. The three remaining municipalities are still finalizing their declarations.

The provincial government has approved a Sangguniang Panlalawigan ordinance and resolution in November and December of last year to support the OTOP program.

Last year, six LGUs—Basud, Daet, Mercedes, Paracale, Sta. Elena, and Vinzons—implemented initiatives in line with their OTOP ordinances, with total funding exceeding P500,000.

These funds were allocated for various purposes, including product development, subsidies for market regulatory compliance certification, and participation in trade fairs, Rivera said.

Rivera said the DTI will prepare proposals for the LGUs’ review and approval and that the OTOP funds allocated by the LGUs will directly benefit local OTOP players.

This year, the DTI has allocated P300,000 for OTOP programs, which will cover product development, skills training, participation in trade fairs, launching OTOP hubs, fabrication of signage for shared service facilities, and conducting meetings and consultations.

Teofisto Zaldua, the OTOP focal person for Mercedes, attended the budget hearing for 2026 and proposed a P180,000 fund for the implementation of OTOP programs.

Meanwhile, Jayraid Lladones, the OTOP focal person for Sta. Elena, said that the OTOP budget for 2026 has already been included in the municipality’s annual investment plan.

The OTOP declarations for each municipality include:

– Basud: pineapple-based food and beverages

– Capalonga: uway-based products and handicrafts

– Daet: pili and pineapple by-products

– Jose Panganiban and Paracale: fine jewelry

– Labo: pineapple by-products and pineapple fiber

– Mercedes: processed marine products

– San Vicente: cacao-based products

– San Lorenzo Ruiz: pineapple wine and pineapple by-products

– Sta. Elena: coconut food and non-food products

– Talisay: rice by-products

– Vinzons: native delicacies and pastries

For Camarines Norte, the provincial OTOP declaration consists of pineapple-based products and jewelry. (PIA Bicol/Camarines Norte)