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Go Lokal! Opens First Store in Robinsons Place Manila

Many Filipinos love to buy imported products. We have a mentality that if a merchandise is from another country, its quality must be better despite its higher-than-usual price. Actually, this notion is not true. We have our own locally made products that are at par with the quality of its imported counterparts. We just don’t know where to find them.

This is why Robinsons Department Store, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), launches Go Lokal!, a public-private collaboration between DTI and local retailer partners that aims to showcase modern and indigenous quality products crafted, designed, and created by innovative Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It is a program designed to serve as incubation, marketing, and branding platform for the best of Philippine MSMEs products including next generation One Town One Product (OTOP) offerings.

Maricar Reyes-Poon graces the opening of the first Go Lokal! Store.

Maricar Reyes-Poon graces the opening of the first Go Lokal! Store.

The first Go Lokal! store opened Last March 24, 2017, in Robinsons Place Manila. Robinsons Department Story Celebrity endorser Maricar Reyes-Poon graced the momentous event which marks the first time that a mainstream outlet will carry Go Lokal!

“I am one of the endorsers of Robinsons Department Store and I am so proud to be part of this family and I am extra proud today, actually Sec. Lopez was thanking me for being part of this event, but actually ako po ang dapat magpasalamat kasi as a small business owner it’s really a big honor for me to see something like this that the Government is helping small business owners like myself to have hope.”

“Let’s imagine, halimbawa taga Davao ka, tapos marunong kang gumawa ng chocolate na handed down from your grandmother na sobrang sarap. Paano mo ipaparating sa Manila kung wala ka namang budget, wala ka namang kilala. So yun yung ginagawa ng Go Lokal! Binibigyan tayo ng pagkakataon bilang maliit na negosyo na makarating at makita sa Manila ang mga produkto mo, ma-sample nila, at ganun din as Go Lokal! goes to other branches of Robinson’s Department Store, other Filipinos from different parts of the country will be able to experience kung ano yung magagandang produkto ng kapwa nila Filipino.”

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who was also present during the launch, said DTI is more than excited to open its first mainstream Go Lokal! store with Robinsons Department Store as its dynamic partner in this effort of maximizing market access and providing exposure to our MSMEs.

“Go Lokal! is truly a vibrant model for MSME development and inclusive business. We are happy that committed partners like Robinsons have taken on this challenge. We look forward to opening more outlets in their malls and department stores across the country,” Sec. Lopez said.

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and COO of Robinsons Department Store

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and COO of Robinsons Department Store

Robina Gokongwei-Pe, President and COO of Robinsons Department Store, said the program will benefit MSMEs because it’s a mainstream platform that brings them closer to a more diverse market and creates positive effects to the economy by encouraging entrepreneurship.

“This partnership with DTI is Robinsons Department Store’s contribution to nation-building by providing our entrepreneurs an environment where they can be passionate about their businesses and prosper from their efforts, as we create opportunities for MSMEs to grow, succeed and make an impact to the retail industry,” she said.

Go Lokal Execs

Here are more photos from the event:

Sec. Ramon Lopez, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Maricar Reyes-Poon, and other people from DTI and Robinsons Department Store during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Go Lokal Execs2

Maricar Reyes-Poon checking out the products of Go Lokal!

Maricar 2

Maricar 3

Maricar Reyes shopping

Maricar Reyes Poon talks about how Go Lokal! helps promote Philippine made products

https://youtu.be/aXyq40S5kIg

Maricar Reyes Poon checking out the different products carried by Go Lokal!

https://youtu.be/rcEFxJFayGQ

A portion of Go Lokal! revenues will go to the various corporate social responsibility projects of Robinsons Department Store including the government’s drug rehabilitation program.

For updates on Go Lokal!, like the Facebook page of Robinsons Department Store at www.facebook.com/robinsonsdepartmentstore.

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