This year, Laguna province earned the distinction of one of the top performing economies not only in the Calabarzon region but also in the entire Philippines.
Data recently shared by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that Laguna’s economy expanded by 3.9 percent, rising from P990.44 billion in 2022 to P1.029 trillion last year.
The challenge now for the local government units in the province is how to translate this rapid economic growth for the benefit of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who have become a significant driver of the local economy.
One solution the provincial government has created is the "Likhang Laguna," a dedicated platform that seeks to give spotlight for their products and services.
Through its Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LEDIPO), emphasized the critical role of the initiative in providing opportunities for MSMEs.
“The main purpose is to advocate, promote locally made products produced here in Laguna. Our products are from the venue through the Likhang Laguna concept stores, there are bulk orders especially this Christmas, tokens, giveaways, they order them at the Likhang Laguna concept store and we package them”, LEDIPO Officer Fatima Villaseñor said in a recent media interview.
The store, located at the Laguna Provincial Capitol in Santa Cruz, offers a retail opportunity for MSMEs to establish a foothold in the market by featuring products such as handcrafted goods, processed food, coconut products, coffee, and clothing locally made by Lagunenses.
Beyond retail opportunities, Likhang Laguna also serves as an incubation hub by offering programs to help entrepreneurs improve their products and operations which include workshops on branding, packaging, and digital marketing, thus promoting innovation and strengthening of community ties.
Earlier this year, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez issued an Executive Order mandating that all tokens, giveaways, and gifts to be provided by the provincial government and its offices be sourced from the Likhang Laguna Concept Store.
“Likhang Laguna is more than just a store; it’s a celebration of Laguna’s unique identity. By supporting this initiative, we’re not only helping our entrepreneurs but also preserving our culture for future generations,” Villaseñor said.
(With report from PIA/OpinYon News Team)
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