by admin | May 8, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
MANILA—Trade officials from 10 ASEAN Members States (AMS) and six free trade agreement (FTA) partners China, Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and India are all set for the 18th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) Meeting and Related Meetings from 8 to 12 May 2017.
“RCEP should be able to demonstrate that we continue to underscore the developmental function of international trade that benefits ultimately the broader base of the economy,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, who also serves as chairperson of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meetings 2017.
To keep the momentum going, it becomes all the more important that the overall RCEP package will suit the developmental needs of the RCEP Parties.
“For the Philippines, RCEP should translate to more jobs and more business opportunities leading to higher incomes for many Filipinos,” the trade chief added.
Deeper ‘integration’ through RCEP
The ASEAN-centric and ASEAN-led RCEP is considered the new tailwind for global growth as it heads towards a more substantive phase following 17 rounds.
The Manila Round will entail redoubling of efforts in order to deliver the broader and deeper commitments being called for goods, services and investment liberalization given the mandate of Leaders to substantially conclude RCEP this year.
RCEP aims to achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement. Once concluded, this will further contribute in deepening ASEAN’s economic integration and heighten its role in global trade and investment.
RCEP is poised to boost global growth by expanding the ASEAN consumer base of 620 million to 3.5 billion, integrating the major economic player markets, which will account for almost half of the world’s population and almost 30 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
PH pushes interests in RCEP
As host, the Philippines joins the rest of AMS in finding creative solutions to outstanding issues, as Parties try to reconcile differing views and achieve a balance among the interests of the developed, developing and least developed economies, as well as to address these in the most efficient and equitable manner.
The bid to move RCEP forward requires political willingness, especially at the moment where return to economic protectionism is being considered in some parts of the world.
As one of the key players, the Philippines continues to push sectors, wherein the country has trade and export interests such as canned tuna, fresh pineapples, mangoes, garments of synthetic fibers, raw cane sugar, crude coconut oil, cut tobacco, bananas and coconut copra oil, among others.
The Philippines supports the streamlining of certification procedures for RCEP originating goods taking into consideration latest business practices.
RCEP also aims at streamlining customs procedures that go beyond some areas of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation. Parties are exploring setting a 48-hour release time for imported goods.
In the area of trade and services, RCEP is expected to bring freer movement of Filipino skilled labor in professional services such as accountancy, engineering, architecture, computer-related services and other business services across 16 RCEP participating countries.
Concrete achievements of the Manila Round will further contribute to the Philippine hosting of ASEAN 2017 as a milestone year. The 18th RCEP TNC Meeting and Related Meetings places the Philippines at the core of the region’s continuing work with its economic partners in further integrating ASEAN into the global economy.
by admin | May 8, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 8, (PIA)–Bike enthusiasts: mountain bikers and roadies including those with tri-aero bikes gather as much energy this week in preparation for the 263 kilometers 2017 Unity Bike Ride for Peace, Environment and Anti drugs, set May 13-14.
An event organizers, TriBohol said the ride needs no Lycra, no training, no racing, is just an easy fun.
Bohol’s 2017 Unity Ride is on its 6th year of taking the entire belt road of the island, Bohol Circumferential Road, in a two-day fun ride that unites all bike enthusiasts and the bike clubs all over the province.
Taking the Tagbilaran to Talibon route on day 1, the Unity riders, would meet up at the Plaza Rizal in Tagbilaran from 3:30 AM May 13.
They would then set off via the eastern belt to Jagna where the ride breakfast would happen as riders check in between 8:00 to 9:00.
Then the bikers would take the road again to Ubay some 53.3 kilometers for lunch and the noon break.
While the organizers have assured the hot summer ride would have both emergency medical support and police escorts, rests have been declared to riders, between 11 to 2 PM.
The ride picks up again in the afternoon to the long flat highway to Talibon, about 38.2 kilometers away.
In Talibon, riders would relax with a unity rider program and solidarity night of games, raffles and dinner, before preparing for the next morning’s ride.
By May 14, the group would be leaving Talibon at 4:30 and is expected to be in Tubigon around 8:00 for the breakfast, before heading off again back to the city.
In previous rides though, bikers who would be running at an average of 21 to 25 kilometers would be the first batch to be freed first, followed by those who could spin at 26-29 kilometers a few minutes later.
The faster riders who would be taking the 30-40 Kilometers per hour would be last to be sent out. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | May 6, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 28, (PIA)–While Jagna town celebrates its calamay industry in an aptly named festival, April 28-30, it also brings out to the world 17 other local products that the town’s small medium enterprises development churned in the past years.
Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla, during the opening ceremonies of the festival that celebrates a product support for Bohol’s tourism industry said the 3rd Calamay Festival is not anymore just about the calamay, but also about the new products which the communities have developed.
Most of these new products however produced by are small organizations assisted by Jagna Small and Medium Enterprise Development (JASMED) Unit and are in the food and home industry line.
Jagna information Officer Amiela Balaba identified the newest developed products as doormats, rugs and potholders of Jagna Relief Society Homemakers, a group organized by the Mormons of Poblacion, in town.
Another new hip product in line with vitamin fortification program of the government is the Malunggay Cookies and Rosquillos of Pangdan Women’s Association, the famous Ampao of the Tejero Women’s Association, candles by Faraon Women’s Association, peanut butter from Cambugason and the Torta de Jagna of Malbog Development Women Association.
Years back, JASMED also assisted communities in town develop their products to make them open for the market.
Among those are Cambugason Women’s Organization’s Caffeine-free Maize Cape, squash noodles Pancit Yaning of LACEH – Tubod Monte, the famed calamay of Jagna Calamay Makers Cooperative (JACAMACO), Jagna cookies of Nausok Women’s Association, Ube Polvoron of Jagna Women Ube Processors and Confectioners Association, Inc.
Also in there was Jagna’s Tableya de Binsoy and Jagna Banana Chips of Canjulao League of Women, Kinabag-an Virgin Coconut Oil of Kinagbaan Coconut Farmers and Processors Organization.
Councilor Maricris Jamora explained that the product development was part of the long term vision of the town to come up with a one barangay one product, a vision ably supported by the creation of the Jasmed.
JASMED also presented to the world the newest products that Jagna has developed after three years of the Calamay Festival. Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla said Calamay Festival incidentally also includes other town products that now support the tourism industry. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | May 4, 2017 | DOST Updates, Headlines
DAUIS, Bohol, May 4 (PIA)—The Congressional Committee on Science and Technology successfully held here the public hearing by the technical working group on the proposed laws strengthening the Provincial Technology Centers as well as attuning the Philippine standards to the world measurements.
During the public hearing held at the Bohol Bee Farm in Dauis Bohol, committee chair and Bohol Congressman Aristotle Aumentado said the public hearing is a mandatory process before both proposed measures can be calendared in the house for deliberation.
Foremost among the proposed measures is the packaged strengthening of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) by putting a better manned Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTC).
The premier science and technology agency in the country mandated to provide the central direction, leadership and coordination of all science and technology activities by formulating policies, programs and projects in support to national development, the DOST is composed of two advisory bodies, 4 sectoral planning councils, 7 research and development institutes and 8 science and technology research institutes.
The DOST’s most visible science and technology service institutes include the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGF-ASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVoLCS), Technology Application Promotion Institute, Science and technology Information Institute, Science Education Institute, Philippine Science High School System, Technology Transfer Center and the Information and Communications Technology Office.
Interestingly however, in a presentation, the DOST’s frontline service providers in the provinces; its PSTCs are not only ill manned, it is also dumped with the tasks of implementing flagship projects especially on the assistance to small and medium enterprises.
No less than Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, who stressed the role of science and technology in a developing society, pointed out the huge disparity between the government trade agency staffing as against the DOST.
During the public hearing, reacting to the presentation by DOST Bohol chief Engr Marcial Tanggaan, Sec dela Peña cited the three Bohol staff tasked with the DOST mandates as clearly wanting manpower.
The measure then presented by the TWG proposed for the upgrading of the PSTC positions and appropriating funds thereof.
On the other hand, other proposed bills presented included strengthening the National Measurement Infrastructure System (NMIS) which amends the National Metrology Act of 2003.
The move assures the integrity of measurements in the country that it meets in the regional and international standards while promoting the harmonization of the national requirements, technical regulations and standards and conformity assessment procedures.
This is also especially with the broadened markets as envisioned in the ASEAN Economic Community, World Trade Organization and other international agreements that redound to the freer flow of goods and services as well as better trading environment, DOST sources said.
When made into a law, the NMIS puts up the National Measurement Institute of the Philippines as the country’s national metrology institute which would be a DOST-attached agency tasked to keep and maintain national measurement standards for the Philippines, facilitate international harmonization and measurement compatibility.
At the public hearing, both measures found strong support from the public and private sectors including the business and the medium enterprises who would tend to benefit from these measures. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
Congressman Abaya, Congressman Mangaoang, Congressman Aumentado, Secretary Dela Peña and Congressman Sambar found time to pose for the media during the completion of the recent Congressional Committee TWG Public Hearing on the Metrology and the strengthening of the PTCS in the country. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)\
by admin | May 3, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
