Highlighting the Filipino culture, the OTOP Next Gen, the improved and more innovative version of the program, has been advocating for the continued development of fashion and design professionals to make them more competitive while showcasing the locality’s culture and unique attributes.
DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the goal of their office in intensifying its efforts to assist the participant-designers is for them to hone their craft, display their talents and help OTOpreneurs, especially in these trying times.
“What we want to witness is for our local talents in design to continuously grow amid the pandemic," Ambi said.
She said times have been difficult for Filipinos for more than a year now but they consistently strive to meet the challenges with utmost resilience and with the help of innovation.
The agency’s commitment is being carried out. This aims to support the use and patronage of locally sourced and crafted weaves and materials. For Batch 1 Phase 2, which started on October 29 and will run until December 10, DTI 11 has sent four of the region’s designers to MODA Manlilikha 2021 Advanced Designer’s Competency Course.
Junie Artajo, Benjune Alatraca, Bianca Sabellano and Joseph Daniel Malabar have been undergoing a series of lectures and workshops.
As part of the designers’ final output for the OTOP Next Gen MODA Manlilikha 2021, each of them is required to assist one MSME in product design and development, as well as, in packaging and labeling design. The commencement activity shall be on December 10.
Apart from the MODA Manlilikha 2021, the OTOP program has been assisting MSMEs in marketing, too. The establishment of the respective OTOP PH Hub throughout the region is among the institutionalized strategies to assist them in widening their market reach.The Davao Region has a total of nine OTOP PH Hubs already. (Armando Fenequito)
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