Robinsons Supermarket reintroduces Island Favorites in line with DTI-led OTOP program

Daisy Lyn Sy, Robinsons Supermarket Corporation AVP-Merchandising Food 243; Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Supermarket Corporation President & COO; and Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr., DTI-Industry Promotion Group officially open Island Favorites in Robinsons Supermarket Ermita, Manila.

Robinsons Supermarket relaunches its Island Favorites section in select stores, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) One Town, One Product Program (OTOP). In support of the DTI-led program, the grocery chain giant will feature a variety of locally made products in the said section.

OTOP-Philippines is a priority program of the government to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs by promoting patronage of products using indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents. And Robinsons Supermarket is the first retailer to launch the project by reintroducing the Island Favorites section to support the program.

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Supermarket Corporation President & COO and Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr., DTI-Industry Promotion Group

Stacked in the Island Favorites shelves are delicacies such as Ilocos Fish Crackers, Cebu Dried Mango Chips, Memer Durian Candies, Peanut Kisses, El Tesoro de Cebu Turrones de Mani, Pampanga Chicharon, and Bundy Wine, to name a few. Its mission is to highlight products from different regions that have competitive advantages, in the hopes of improving local products’ quality and marketing.

“As a Filipino retailer, we feel it is our responsibility to highlight the best of the Philippines’ products. Through the Island Favorites section, our consumers can be assured of the wide variety of pasalubong choices at competitive prices and of excellent quality – the same standards of DTI’s OTOP program,” said Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe.

Apart from being a staunch advocate of health and wellness, Robinsons Supermarket also recognizes its role in strengthening the economic base of every community it serves by supporting locally-made products. Head on to the Island Favorites Section of Robinsons Supermarket and make a difference by supporting Filipino products.

The OTOP Legacy

What started in 1979, in Japan, as a regional development program to help small-scale businesses flourish is now a business model adopted by many countries worldwide. Called “One Village One Product” in Japan and “One Tambon One Product in Thailand, the program is more popularly known worldwide as “One Town One Product “ or OTOP.

OTOP Philippines was established by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs). OTOP products are created by local communities, highlighting tradition and culture while emphasising sustainability and generating livelihood. OTOP’s role in nation building is extremely vital. Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the country’s economy and generate jobs nationwide. OTOP Philippines focuses on and develops a particular town’s or province’s or region’s main product or industry with the view of revitalizing each region’s economic activity. In the long-term, OTOP-supported products are envisioned to be very competitive in the world market.

DTI enables these budding enterprises by supporting them through product development, marketing, promotions, business counselling, skills and entrepreneurial training and capital sourcing. Their products are showcased nationwide through regional and national trade fairs. Those whose products have evolved in stature and with better quality standards are, then, introduced in the mainstream market through established retailers thus giving the general public and tourists as well, easier access to the country’s diverse and unique products. OTOP products are also introduced to the world market through international trade fairs and exhibits.

OTOP Philippines stands as a symbol of quality as well. Only products that pass DTI’s stringent standards for quality, market acceptance and competitiveness can carry the OTOP seal. To buyers, it is an assurance that they are getting even better value for their money.