The MSME digitalization is part of the One Town One Product Philippines (Otop PH) program, which is a priority stimulus program of the DTI for MSMEs.
It aims to drive inclusive local economic development by enabling localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products and services that are deeply rooted in their cultural identity and comparative advantage.
DTI and Somago seek to collaborate in realizing the objectives of Otop program, promoting local products, and onboarding MSMEs/OTOPreneurs as sellers to their e-retail store.
Through the Somago online application, the MSMEs will have a bigger platform to market and sell their items nationwide, including the hard-to-reach areas. This can also give consumers a chance to patronize and buy their items at their own convenience.
The partnership also aims to increase the number of participating MSMEs on this app to provide more opportunities for local businesses. As of May 2023, there are already over 80 OTOPreneurs actively selling in Somago.
“We can strengthen the Otop’s digitalization by improving the e-marketing and digital campaigns with Somago so that more people will engage in the platform,” DTI Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut said.
Through Otop PH program, DTI aims to further intensify its online presence through digital marketing collaboration with Somago. This partnership will potentially impact the Otop PH’s with Somago’s publicity campaigns and initiatives to help promote the said program via social networking sites.
“Somago can provide more support to increase Otop PH’s online popularity by leveling-up our marketing collaboration via social media,” said Tim Zhou.
Aligned with DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual’s strategic priorities toward MSME advancement, the collaboration will push further to upgrade, upskill, and upsize the OTOPreneurs to provide a bigger and better way to market and sell their products across the country and the international marketplace.
At present, the Otop PH has around 16,000 Facebook followers and 2,735 on Instagram versus Somago with over 41,000 Facebook followers and 9,500 followers on Instagram. / PR