QUEZON LAUNCHES E-COMMERCE PROJECT

22 September 2005 – The Province of Quezon has marked another first in record as it formally launches Quezon E-Commerce Project. Yesterday, this undertaking was officially introduced alongside the blessing of the Quezon E-Commerce Services Office.

Basically, the Quezon E-Commerce Project was organized for the benefit of not just the entrepreneurs in the province, but most especially for the farmers and cooperatives. This is the idea of bringing the province's local products into the world market by selling through the Internet. With the advent of E-Commerce, farmers and co-ops stand a chance of taking advantage of the new technology, gaining wider market reach and a greater negotiating leverage. This is because they get the best return by going directly to their potential buyers without the middlemen.

At the outset, E-Commerce was introduced through conduct of road shows in municipalities. As of this time, there were 10 roadshows conducted which includes the municipalities of Dolores, Lucban, Atimonan, Catanauan, Gumaca, Tiaong, Tayabas, Mauban, Unisan, and Tagkawayan. From these roa shows, more than 70 traders and products were officially registered.

Quezon is the first province in the whole Philippines that initiated the concept of doing this kind of business electronically.