Kris Crismundo
Go Lokal! Goes to Metro
Among the best products in the Philippines can only be found when you’re travelling to different parts of the country.
Go Lokal! at Robinsons Department Store
You wish to buy hand-woven bags from Northern Luzon or from Visayas, or some batik-inspired items from Mindanao, or those unique food products, or organic goods from provinces nationwide, without travelling too far or spending big for your transpo expenses.
But finally, these quality-products from outstanding micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) from various parts of the country are now in Metro Manila through the Go Lokal! stores.
This shop is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in which the government aims to bring local MSMEs to the mainstream markets or by exposing their products in mall in the metro.
Just last March 24, DTI launched its first Go Lokal! outlet at Robinsons Place Manila.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Robinsons Department Store President and Chief Operating Officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe, and Robinsons’s brand ambassador Marica Reyes-Poon led the launching of the store in Robinsons Manila.
In this outlet, you can find shoes, handbags, backpacks, clutch bags, wallets, accessories, women’s tops, organic hair products and skincare, lipstick, perfumes, home décor, delicacies, and other unique products from different parts of the Philippines.
DTI Sec. Lopez described the products from the shop as modern but with a local touch, which the young consumers – particularly millennials – would love.
For example, this chocolate from Davao called “Hiraya”.
Hiraya means imagination. However, the word “hiraya” is uncommon to use for Filipinos’ daily conversation.
Another product in Go Lokal! store in Robinsons Manila is this perfume which bares sweet Filipino words like “Kilig”, “Lambing”, and “Unang Halik”.
Robinsons’ Gokongwei-Pe said the company welcomes this partnership with MSMEs through Go Lokal! as this initiative also widens the product range of Robinsons Department Store.
Gokongwei-Pe added that they are also looking forward to open more outlets inside Robinsons Malls in Metro Manila.
On the other hand, the DTI chief aims to open eight Go Lokal! stores within the year.
