A Pushcart Became a Place for Other Businesses
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The story began in 2011, when sisters Marites Salinda-Walker and her sibling sold bread from a small pushcart during market days in Barangay Malandag, Sarangani. Their business eventually expanded into baskets, accessories, traditional Blaan crafts, and other locally produced goods. In August 2026, that journey reached another stage when the Salinda Native Products and Pasalubong Center became the site of DTI General Santos City's fifth OTOP kiosk. The center is now more than a place for one family's merchandise. It provides a regular selling space for food and non-food products made by MSMEs from General Santos City and neighboring Sarangani.
One Store, Many Local Stories
The new kiosk gives the idea of “local products” a more concrete form. Instead of entrepreneurs relying solely on occasional fairs or temporary displays, the OTOP setup provides a physical location where customers can encounter different products in one place. DTI General Santos City explained that the OTOP program includes assistance in product development, packaging, labeling, branding, design, and technical support. Its OTOP PH component also works toward establishing physical and online selling platforms. For shoppers, that can mean an easier way to discover products made within the region. For participating entrepreneurs, the kiosk offers another avenue for presenting what they produce to customers.
When Business Growth Creates Space for Others
Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is what happened after Salinda Native Products grew. The business that once depended on a small pushcart display has become a venue where other entrepreneurs can sell alongside it. That gives the General Santos City story a refreshing angle: business success does not necessarily end with one enterprise becoming larger. It can also create opportunities for other small producers. The DTI said purchases of local products can contribute to job creation, livelihood opportunities, and community enterprises. For GenSan shoppers looking for food, crafts, and regional products, the new kiosk offers a simple way to put that idea into practice—by buying locally made goods.
