DOST OneSTore Program is another effort of the Department of Science and Technology. This is through its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). It aims to assist hundreds of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in technology acquisition and equipment upgrading. This leads MSMEs to an increase in production and improvement of their competitiveness and product quality. Given that these enterprises have produced quality products, DOST aims to help them widen the scope of their target market.
DOST OneSTore Program Humble Beginnings
The oneSTore Program is initiated by former DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. It aims to address the goal of putting the products of MSMEs on a bigger market. The program incorporates two major strategies. First is the e-commerce or online shopping platform (oneSTore.ph). Then, the second one is the consolidators or physical hub, which must be operated in every region (oneSTore hub).
Through onestore.ph, the customers can order their favorite Filipino products online. MSMEs are the major local producers of these products. The e-commerce platform has uploaded products from various sectors. This includes food, agriculture, furniture, handicrafts, health and wellness, apparel and metal. Also, this online store enables the customers all over the country to purchase items conveniently. As a result, more of their time and effort is saved. Lastly, MSMEs can showcase their products not only in their locality, but in the whole country
DOST OneSTore Hub
For those who want to purchase Filipino-made products within their locality, they can visit the nearest oneSTore hub. The oneSTore hub is the physical store that markets the products from the MSMEs. The total number of hubs in operation are 23 and it continues to grow in numbers.
In Western Visayas, the DOST VI Multi-Purpose Cooperative located at Magsaysay Village, La Paz, Iloilo City. It operates as the oneSTore hub. You can find the products from various MSMEs in the region here. The hub is like a pasalubong center. Here you can buy food products. This includes butterscotch, biscocho, tablea, organic red and brown rice, handmade scarf, bread and pastry, and health teas. In 2018, DOST VI received the award for Sunburst Balay Tablea as one of the three oneSTore Top Rated Sellers. Region VI is also one of the top six pick-up locations in the country. And this was presented by the partner logistics company of oneSTore. And this means that most of the customers prefer to order products from Western Visayas.
Wow! Let’s support Local Products 👍👌😁
Thanks for the comment! I truly agree that we should support everything local in our own ways. 🙂