The 2025 OTOP (One Town, One Product) Next Gen program officially commenced on May 28, 2025, with the Assessment, Consultation, and Triage (ACT) facilitated by the Office of the Provincial Cooperatives Development Officer (OPCDO), at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Trece Martires City. The activity marked the beginning of a comprehensive product development journey for 20 selected entrepreneur-beneficiaries from the province of Cavite.
The ACT session served as a vital platform for participating entrepreneurs to engage in one-on-one consultations with representatives from key government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA). In addition, they had the opportunity to work with a professional outsourced designer who will guide them in enhancing their product branding and packaging.
A seminar on Design Trends was also conducted, where participants learned about the stages of creating impactful logos, labels, and packaging—essential elements for making their products market-ready and globally competitive.
The OTOP Next Gen Program, scheduled to run from May to September 2025, is a flagship initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aimed at supporting and scaling up micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity-building, product development, and market access.
Present during the opening activity were Ms. Llibeth R. Chavez, OIC-Provincial Director of DTI Cavite, and Ms. Rizalie P. Enero, Officer-in-Charge of OPCDO, who both delivered inspiring messages of support and encouragement to the participating entrepreneurs.
With the continuous support from various government agencies and the provincial government, the 2025 OTOP Next Gen Program is expected to significantly uplift the quality and marketability of local products from Cavite, paving the way for broader economic opportunities and inclusive growth.— OPIO