by Debra Magallon-Estero
AN OFFICIAL from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)Cebu Provincial Office admitted there has been a “struggle” in looking for good packaging and labeling designs to improve various products in Cebu, which are identified under the Otop (One Town, One Product) Program.
Aside from this, the manufacturers of Otop products also face a financial setback in the actual production of the packaging and labeling of the products, said DTI-Cebu program management division chief Elias Tecson.
He added that most of the raw materials for packaging and labeling are also sourced from Manila that is why most producers have difficulties in handling the cost of production.
Tecson said the DTI is hoping to come up with a solution to this concern soon since it wants to bring various Ce-buano products to the International Food Exchange (Ifex) exhibit in Hong Kong this May.
For its part, DTI already hired consultants to assist the processors who are mostly micro and small entrepreneurs.
During last year’s Ifex, DTI was able to exhibit processed bagoong (fish paste) and chocolate products from Cebu.
This year, Tecson said the department wants to include budbud kabog (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf) from Catmon town, Argao’s torta and tableya (local chocolate) and otap, a delicacy from Carmen town.
One solution that the DTI is looking at is for concerned local government units (LGU) to provide financial assistance to Otop manufacturers.
Tecson cited the pintos industry in Bogo where the local leaders of the northern town gave a particular group financial aid for them to put up their own building. Pintos is a local delicacy that is made of ground corn.
“Instead of (financial assistance) for a building, (the money) may be used for manufacturers to invest in labeling and packaging,” he told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
With an improved labeling and packaging, especially for food products, manufacturers may be able to sell more. At present, some food products are wrapped in used newspapers.
Meanwhile, various Otop manufacturers have already attended a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Food seminar hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This seminar aims to help food processors improve the shelf life of their products and conform with export requirements.
Tecson said that at present some products are already being “indirectly exported” as pasalubong (souvenir gifts).
“But it is critical for the products to last long (if we want to export them),” he said.
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