Published on page B2 of the December 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
URDANETA CITY—While the national government has its “One Town, One Product” program, this city has gone “micro” through its “One Barangay, One Product” (Obop) project.
Residents of 34 villages on Friday tried to upstage one another with their respective booths that showcased both agricultural produce and livelihood products during an agricultural and trade fair held as part of activities for the city’s fiesta celebration.
Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. said the city government pushed the Obop to encourage residents to come up with unique products.
He said the Obop started sometime in 2000 when the city sponsored trainings on food processing, bamboo crafts, wood carving, metal craft, paper flower making and broom making, among other things.
The Department of Trade and Industry conducted the training on packaging and marketing while the provincial government took care of micro business finance management training.
Each village formed a group that underwent training, Perez said. But only 18 associations established micro businesses and each was given a P5,000 interest-free loan.
The associations, mostly composed of women (only three groups are composed of men), were able to repay and were given fresh loans.
But this year, the city government went aggressive and encouraged the other villages to come up with their projects.
Thus, all 34 villages have livelihood projects, mainly spurred by women residents and village leaders who belong to their respective associations.
“There are many residents who are unemployed. This is teaching our people how to earn a living. They are happy. Even with just a small capital they are able to make their businesses grow,” Perez said.
The fair featured the versatility of the local products.
A booth showed colorful flowers made from used sheets of bond paper, newspapers, discarded plastic, candy wrappers and grocery bags. In another booth displayed brooms (walis tambo) made from local grass.
Another booth showed locally manufactured dishwashing products, fabric softeners and soap bars.
Many booths were filled with processed food (peanut butter, native cakes, preserved fish, processed meat, pickled bamboo shoots and katuray), woodcraft, bamboo and rattan products, woodcarving, pots and fresh agricultural produce.
Even residents with disabilities were given a chance to become businessmen. They were formed into an association and given a loan for a shirt-printing project.
Vice Mayor Charizzma Carancho said the city government helps the associations sell their products by bringing visitors and buyers to the backyard “factories.”
She said the city has no distinct product, “so why not capitalize on the product of each barangay?”
She said the city planned to put up a “Pasalubong Center” where all products would be sold.
Copyright 2007 Inquirer.
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