Bacolod City officially launched its One Town, One Product (OTOP) Retail Store on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, following the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the city government and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negros Occidental. The ceremony took place at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
Partnership Signing
Mayor Greg Gasataya and DTI–Negros Occidental Provincial Director Lynna Joy Cardinal led the signing, witnessed by DTI Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist Engiemar Tupas and City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office (CCLDO) head Brenda Burdeos. This initiative aims to strengthen support for local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by enhancing product quality, branding, and market access.
Gasataya noted that Bacolod becomes the seventh local government unit in Negros Occidental to join the OTOP program. The retail store will be located in front of Bacolod Public Plaza, providing a dedicated space for local entrepreneurs.
Support Amid Economic Challenges
The mayor emphasized the timing of the partnership, as the city continues to assist MSMEs facing rising fuel costs and broader economic difficulties. Cardinal described the launch as both a continuation and enhancement of ongoing efforts, noting that the showroom has been operating since 2011 but its transformation into an OTOP Hub reflects a stronger commitment to improving product competitiveness. The program has expanded from focusing on one product per locality to encompassing food, non-food, and creative industries, particularly with the implementation of the OTOP Philippines Act of 2023.
Ceremony and Facility
The event included the unveiling of the OTOP signage, marking Bacolod’s official entry into the national OTOP network, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the retail store. Executive Assistant April Rose Mayo, representing the mayor, highlighted the facility’s importance for local producers, stating that it provides a dedicated space to showcase products that reflect Bacolod’s culture and identity.
The OTOP Retail Store operates in the same facility as the Bacolod Showroom, managed by the CCLDO. Established in 2011, the showroom features products from over 80 MSMEs and serves as a central hub for local entrepreneurs. Burdeos noted the progress, saying that previously they relied on trade fairs and temporary spaces, but now producers have a stable platform to grow.
Entrepreneur Testimonial
Mark Vincent Cabuag, owner of Arteko Digital Printing Services, shared how the showroom helped expand his business. Being part of the showroom exposed his products to a wider market, motivating him to keep improving and showing that young entrepreneurs can succeed.
