by admin | Mar 31, 2017 | Headlines
DTI CHIEF SPEAKS AT THE BIENNIAL CONVENTION OF FEDERATION OF FILIPINO-CHINESE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez addressed recently (26 March) hundreds of Filipino-Chinese business leaders representing 150 member organizations across the country, during the 31st Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) in Pasay City. The same event also saw election of officers and formulation of FFCCCII’s new plans and commitments for the next two years. As keynote speaker, the trade chief emphasized the government’s commitment to cultivate an enabling policy environment that is inclusive, as well as assured continuous improvement in the country’s business climate through President Rodrigo Duterte’s 10-point socio-economic agenda. Sec. Lopez called on the members of the private sector to remain active government partners towards the development of the Philippine economy, especially as it experiences sound macro-economic fundamentals, strong investors’ confidence and good governance. He also hoped that the organization’s future initiatives would complement current nation-building efforts, such as in mentoring micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in support of spurring economic prosperity though employment and entrepreneurship. In this photo are key members of the FFCCCII, led by its Chairman Emeritus Lucio Tan (5th from L), President Angel Ngu (4th from R) and Honorary President Alfonso Siy (4th from L).
by admin | Mar 31, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, March 30 (PIA)—“Dili man ni sanga, pague man ni.” (This is not the meat of the banned manta, this is another kind.
By this thin line of excuse, traders of poached manta birostris better known in Bohol as sanga, sell the protected rare giant Atlantic manta ray meat in raw, dried or processed and easily get away with it.
Not anymore.
Starting next week, April 4, the lame excuse of selling manta meat because they are not from the biriostris kind stops as the whole country enforces a full ban on taking, possessing and transporting all big manta rays.
The Convention on International Treaties on Endangered Species (CITES), a 1973 international agreement between governments to protect endangered species of plants and animals from being extinct due to international trade and over harvest, has listed the manta ray as among its rare, endangered and species threatened to extinction.
The classification is also based on the International Union on the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as the manta birostris (Giant Manta Ray) along with the Manta Alfredi (Reef Manta Ray) also found in Bohol are being in the red list as vulnerable to extinction.
In the Philippines, Section 97 of the RA 8550 of the Fisheries Code of the Philippines states that it is unlawful to fish or take rare, threatened or endangered species as listed in the CITES and as determined by the Department.
Meanwhile, section 2 of Fisheries Administrative Order No 193 issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) prohibits the taking, catching, selling, purchasing, possessing, transporting or exporting manta rays, be they dead or alive, whether raw of processed state.
In addition, the same order prohibits wounding or killing manta rays in the course of catching fish, any manta ray caught in nets shall be immediately released unharmed, dead mantas washed in shore shall be surrendered to the BFAR for proper disposition.
Incidentally, the CITES recently includes the manta rays other than the manta birostris on the Appendix 2.
Mobulids (pagi or pantihan) have been classified similarly, announces Fisheries Regulatory Officer Pedro Milana at the recent Provincial Oeace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting
As FAO 193 took effect in 1998 focusing its protection on the manta birostris, by April 4, already included in the ban are manta alfredi (Giant reef manta), the mobula eregoodootenke (Pygmy Devil Ray) commonly known in Bohol as “pilong, mobula japanica (Japanese devil ray) or binsulan, mobula tarapacana (sicklefin devil ray), mobula thurstuni (Bentfin Devil Ray) or masinaw and mobula Khuli (lesser devil ray).
This development is expected to stir anew the already troubled fisheries waters in the region.
It may be recalled that last month, elements of the Philippine Coast Guard in Panglao, on a routine patrol in Baclayon chanced upon 2 tons of manta birostris meat for transport to Pamilacan Island.
The carrier said she bought the meat from a fisherman in Jagna, which still has an unregulated manta trading industry.
According to the BFAR, violation of section 2 of RA 8550 like catching, selling, transporting and possessing aquatic species listed in the Appendix 2 and 3 of the CITES, will both have administrative and criminal liabilities.
For the Administrative liability, the culprits would be fined three times the value of the species transported or possessed or P3 million, whichever is higher.
And the government forfeits the traded or possessed specie.
For the criminal liability, a culprit can be imprisoned for 5 to 8 years, a fine twice that of the administrative fine and forfeiture of species, Milana stressed.
As the news about the capture of the illegal meat spread across social media, locals in Bohol who have been hooked to the exotic manta ray meat pointed out more issues needing resolve.
Reports also came out that there is a bustling manta ray meat trading in Jagna, and that Boholanos continue to buy the dried meat for its accordingly delectable taste.
Boholanos love to cook the manta ray meat into linabug: a coconut milk cooked spicy meat, or manta skin cooked in coconut milk and green jackfruit or humbang banggis, or coal grilled sanga.
Other Boholanos said sanga sashimi is a superb delicacy.
In several areas, sanga gills commend a high price for pharmacological use, sources said.
The ban and enforcement however is expected to force Boholanos to shirk off the exotic food offer for the steep penalties.
BFAR said while they are undermanned to implement the law, very few people know which is manta ray meat of that from simple mobulas.
The while ban now makes it easy for enforcers to apprehend, since traders will now have no more excuse to sell sanga as pague and get away with it. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Mar 31, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced to the companies operating in the country that it will strictly enforce the 30-day submission of application for a sales promotion permit prior to implementation.
The Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau’s Sales Promotion Division (FTEB-SPD) of the DTI conducted a forum for Philippine businesses on the strict implementation of securing a sales promotion permit 30 days prior to the start of their promotional programs and activities last 14 March 2017 at the Berjaya Hotel in Makati City.
According to Article 116 of the Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, “No person shall conduct any sales campaign, including beauty contest, national in character, sponsored and promoted by manufacturing enterprises without first securing a permit from the concerned department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the commencement thereof.”
Two hundred forty-eight representatives from small, medium and large companies in the country participated in the discussions on issues that they are experiencing in securing a sales promotion permit, particularly on concerns on the digital market environment.
During the forum, DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua emphasized, “It is crucial for the private sector to adhere to the said mandatory provision. The DTI will ensure that all companies with sales promotional activities will comply by its conduct of regular enforcement activities”.
The DTI-FTEB advised its stakeholders to plan and file their applications for sales promotion permit with the Department with enough lead time to meet their implementation date target.
For more information on securing a Sales Promotion Permit from the Department, call DTI Direct 751.3330 or send an email message tofteb@dti.gov.ph or cpg@dti.gov.ph
by admin | Mar 28, 2017 | Announcements, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Media Forum
M E D I A A D V I S O R Y
TO : ALL STATION MANAGERS/ REPORTERS
Radio Stations
ALL EDITORS/ WRITERS
News papers
RE : MEDIA FORUM / SITE VISIT TO BDJ
In line with good governance and transparency, a MEDIA FORUM and SITE VISIT will be conducted at the Bohol District Jail, Cabawan District, this city, on March 30, 2017, Thursday.
This is also an offshoot of a recent concern / query by media to BDJ as well as showcase the best practices, programs, projects of the Bohol District Jail.
The activity will start with a Forum and Interaction with Warden JCINSP Felilde Aroa Montejo, DDM at 10:00 in the morning. Site visit and tour of the facilities, projects, among others will follow then lunch at the cafeteria.
Transportation will depart at 9:15am at the governor’s mansion grounds to ferry to participants to Cabawan and back at around 2:30 in the afternoon.
We hope that with your presence, we can inform more on the programs of BDJ and support of the Provincial Government.
Thank you so much and let us work together in promoting a better Bohol.
by admin | Mar 28, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
PASIG CITY—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen affirmed the long-term partnership of the Philippines and the EU on trade and development with the completion of the third phase of the EU-Philippine Trade Related Technical Assistance project 3 (TRTA 3) on 28 March.
“By working on trade-related issues through the project, the EU and the Philippines collaborated on strengthening the framework for trade policy for inclusive growth, and enhancing our capacity to implement a competition policy and a national quality infrastructure that would protect consumers and improve compliance with international standards,” Sec. Lopez said during the closing ceremonies of the third phase of the EU-Philippine TRTA3.
“This will also help increase our access to international markets, and facilitate cross-border movement of goods,” he added.
“We are committed to support the strengthening of Philippines’ integration into the world economy, and to contribute to the country’s inclusive growth goals,” Ambassador Jessen said, with the EU already committing EUR 6.1 million for a fourth phase of the programme.
The EU has been supporting the Philippines with trade-related technical assistance since 2005. TRTA 3, the third phase of the program (2014-2017), aimed to build capacity among stakeholders for the Philippines’ integration into the international and regional trading and investment system. The project components covered Trade Policy, Competition Policy, National Quality Infrastructure, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Conformity, and Trade Facilitation.
The trade chief explained that the program worked with both public and private sectors to actively participate in global trade.
“Trade is a lever for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. As ASEAN chair in 2017, the Philippines also recognises the strong implications of trade for regional cooperation and stability,” he said.
A highlight of the TRTA3 closing program is the launch of the Philippine Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (PhilRASFF), a state-of-the-art web-based alert system for food authorities to immediately respond to food safety incidents. These include contaminated food products found on the Philippine market or at the Philippine border, as well as food-borne disease outbreaks involving marketed products.
In cooperation with the EU RASFF, ASEAN RASFF and the International Network of Food Safety Authorities (INFOSAN), the PhilRASFF system enables competent authorities to file notifications and exchange information–whether as a result of inspections or through foreign notifications–on consumer complaints or companies reporting food safety incidents.
PhilRASFF will also strengthen the capacity of the Philippines to efficiently tackle food safety risks and to contribute to the overall safety of food marketed in the ASEAN. The PhilRASFF was implemented by the TRTA 3 in partnership with the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Trade Undersecretary and TRTA 3 Steering Committee Chairman Rodolfo Ceferino said that the collaboration of stakeholders contributed to the successful outcomes of TRTA3 activities.
“A pro-active government, the collaboration of our development partners, and stakeholder participation in decisions that would affect trade, would combine to shape Philippine competitiveness,” Undersecretary Ceferino said.
The TRTA3 covered a wide range of activities supporting the country’s priorities, including supporting the development of the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), strengthening the capacity of the DTI and relevant government agencies on trade policy and trade negotiations, as well as hands-on training and capacity-building for staff at the departments of Agriculture, Health (Food and Drug Administration), Justice (Office for Competition), and Finance (Bureau of Customs).
Other highlights of the TRTA3 closing program included testimonials from beneficiaries on protecting the value of Filipino traditions and promoting women’s role in the economy by devising a collective trademark for the famous T’nalak cloth as well as working with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to combat illegal fishing.
TRTA3 success stories can be downloaded at http://www.eutrta3phils.org/uploads/2/4/8/1/24810749/traderelatedtechnicalassistanceproject3.pdf
*******
DTI – OSEC, Public Relations Unit
4/F Industry and Investments Building, 385 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City 1200, Philippines
Tel. No.: (+632) 895.3995 |897.6682 local 207 | Fax No.: (+632) 890.4517
E-mail: PRU@dti.gov.ph
www.dti.gov.ph
Enabling Business, Empowering Consumers
