The One Town, One Product Program (OTOP) Next Gen kicked off the year assembling all its regional and provincial focal persons through the “OTOP Visions 2020: Trade Promotions Officers’ Evaluation and Planning Session”, last February 5 and 6, 2020 at the Hotel Jen Manila.
The session aimed to assess the group’s performance, to earn from the best practices of each region, and to set the direction of the program for 2020. It was attended by DTI Regional and Assistant Regional Directors and all the Trade Promotions Officers who have played crucial roles in the continued success of the OTOP program.
“We hope to face 2020 with a clear and unified vision of OTOP. As we set out to elevate our level and quality of MSME support, may we grow all the more resilient. Let us remember why we are doing this and who we are doing this for – for MSMEs and for the continued development of our country”, OTOP Program Manager Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga stated during the opening of the OTOP Visions 2020.
The two-day conference also included learning sessions for participants given by various resource persons from the Department and other agencies. In line with rising global trends, the prospective e-commerce platforms are also being explored by the program.
The program surpassed its targets for 2019, successfully providing 10, 819 counts of MSME assistance, 6,771 counts of product development services, and enabling OTOPreneurs to generate Php 1.407 billion in sales.
To date, the program has already established 37 OTOP Philippines Hubs (OTOP.Ph), OTOP’s retail and marketing arm, nationwide with many more underway.
The Program also engaged with prospective foreign markets during a mission to Europe, where it participated in the ANUGA Fair in Cologne, Germany. There, it showcased the rich flavors of the Philippines on the world stage, enticing potential buyers and partners from all over.
The session only marked the beginning of OTOP’s continuous thrust to promote inclusive economic growth and increase the competitiveness of local MSMEs. Much can be expected from the program this year as it seeks to further expand its pool of new enrollees and level up the package of services it offers to OTOPreneurs.
QUEZON CITY - Government and private sector stakeholders converge to support the bamboo industry during the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council meeting (PBDIC) on 6 February.
As Chair of the Bamboo industry council, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez reported that various agencies like the Departments of Agriculture, Environment, Local Government, and Trade are aligning their various programs and connecting the dots in the value chain of the bamboo industry. These programs include from tissue culture, and planting materials developed by DA to plant propagation and greening program of DENR, to processing, product development and design and marketing by DTI.
Several private organizations and advocacy groups will likewise merge their activities into the council’s programs. Moreover, being an agribusiness activity, located at the countryside, Lopez added that these activities are included in the Board of Investments BOI investment priorities plan or IPP that can enjoy incentives. The PBDIC is now also heavily supported by the House Deputy Speaker DV Savellano, being a staunch Bamboo advocate for years.
“The DENR’s National Greening program is targeting to plant 19,000 hectares of bamboo nationwide" said Sec. Lopez.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar also expressed support for this effort in turning bamboo crops into an investment opportunity. Sec. Dar recently approved DTI’s request of including bamboo as a high-value crop. DA encourages farmers to plant high-value crops like mango, banana, coffee, and cacao as they are expected to generate more profit.
"With bamboo as a high-value crop, we can undertake various interventions that include research, processing and value-adding, and budgetary support, complementing the programs and projects of the PBIDC," said Sec. Dar.
Bamboo takes only three years to fully grow as compared to 10 to 20 years for wood trees. The plant can be used as construction materials, as well as furniture and paper-making, among others, providing a good livelihood source for a community.
Sec. Lopez shared that investments are welcome at all stages of the value chain from nurseries to design studios. Both secretaries also promoted the use of modern technology to quickly propagate and process the plant. Secretary Dar meanwhile encouraged the participation of big businesses to partner and help the small farmers, to make the project more competitive and profitable.
PBDIC Vice-Chair and Ilocos Sur Representative Savellano shared that the bills filed are to institutionalize the PBDIC and these are now being discussed at the 18th Congress. He also committed to push the bill at the bicameral hearings.
Senate Bill 524, proposed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, aims to make bamboo a main export product by creating the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap and the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to provide the overall policy and program directions, and coordinate the activities of the public and private sectors.
The council will have an official launch to promote the bamboo industry. The campaign will be named 5K: Kawayan, Kalikasan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kinabukasan.
STADA to Aquire an Established OTC Portfolio in the Philippines
Taguig City, February 7, 2020 - After announcing a number of acquisitions and partnerships in Euro, recently. the STADA Group is a. expanding its portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region. As the global manufacturer of high-quality generic drugs and consumer healthcare products announced today, STADA is acquiring the FERN portfolio in the Philippines. one Of the leading brands in the growing local Vitamin C market The product range Consists of FERN-C, a Vitamin C product that has been in the market for 15 years and FERN-C Kids and Kiddimin - two products for the vitamin supply for Ufildren.
STADA has a tong tasting history of selling pharmaceutical products into the Philippines, formerly through Croma Medic Inc. which was required by STADA in [early 2000] and recently renamed into STADA Philippines.
"After having formally launch. STADA Philippines. we are now fully enabled to execute our grow. ambitions in this market as well. The acquisition of FERN will help us to succeed. T" acquisition of these products is in line with our strategy to strengthen our portfolio with well established consumer healthcare brands and also expand in selected emerging markets'. states STADA CEO Peter Goldschmidt.
"STADA has been helping people by making high quality products. That is why STADA is always on the lookout for acquisitions and partnerships. Wtth the acquisition of these established brands, it will further STADA's vision to be a trusted partner that provides high-quality, holistic care for the people. With both STADA and FERN carrying heritage. we will be able to provide better health for Filipinos", declares STADA Asia Pacific Managing Director Gary Clark.
Sharmaine Abarientos, General Manager of STADA Philippines. adds: 'FERN has not Only an established brand heritage, but also a complete range for adults as well as for the pediatric application. With FERN in our portfolio. we will establish a strong consumer healthcare platform, to launch other quality medicines as well and provide better health for all Filipinos with our successful portfolio expansion activities. we are able to offer quality medicines at reasonable prices, across all segments of healthcare; specialty. generics and consumer health consisting of generics, including specialty pharmaceuticals and non-prescription consumer health products. Worldwide, STADA Arzneimittel AG sells its products in approximately 120 countries. In financial year 2018, STADA acrchived adjusted Group sales of EUR 2,330.8 million and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 503.3 million. As of December 31, 2018, STADA employed 10,416 people worldwide.
