One Town One Product (OTOP)

What is OTOP?

One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

OTOP Philippines supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.

Coconut: Bansalan's OTOP

Coconut has been identified as Bansalan's OTOP. Others tagged coconut as the "tree of life". Nearly all parts of the coconut palm are useful, and the palms have a comparatively high yield, up to 75 fruits per year; it therefore has significant economic value. The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations.

In support to the growing coconut industry in Bansalan, the Local Government Unit (LGU) had integrated an Agri-Trade Fair in the week-long 56th Town Anniversary celebration. The event which will be done this coming September 14-16, 2008 will be participated by the various exhibitors coming from the different business entities such as cooperatives, farmers associations, private farm owners and the like. Displays of coconut by- products will be situated in the booths along the side of the ABC Gym.

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BANSALAN TO SHOWCASE COCONUT PRODUCTS

By Henrylito D. Tacio

BANSALAN, Davao del Sur -- If you happen to come to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, this week, don't be surprised. The town is celebrating its 56th anniversary on September 18 (but celebration will start this coming Monday, September 15).

Part of its celebration is the launching of its "one barangay, one product." And the town has chosen coconut as its pride.

"Coconut has several uses and we found out that we can make several products out of it," said Julian Albores, the municipal agricultural officer. "Different cooperatives of the town will display their various coconut products. On the last day of celebration, we will honor those cooperatives which have done the best out of coconut."

Known as the "tree of life," the coconut is one of the most important agricultural crops of the Philippines. It yields timber; food; fermented and unfermented drink; alcohol; vinegar; thatching material; splints; strips and fiber for making baskets, mates, rope, hats, brushes, brooms, and other articles; fuel; caulking material; utensils for household use, such as cups, bowls, spoons, and the like; oil for food, cooking, illumination, for making soap, substitutes for butter and lard, ointments; and oil for cake for feeding domestic animals and for fertilizer. -- ***