by admin | Mar 6, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
MAKATI—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is poised to champion the Philippine trade agenda as it takes helm of the ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings on 8-10 March 2017 to be participated in by the 10 trade ministers from ASEAN Member States (AMS).
As lead agency for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Pillar, DTI led by Secretary Ramon Lopez will promote one of the current thematic priorities of ASEAN on “inclusive, innovation-led growth” for shared prosperity. The other two pillars touch on politico-security and socio-cultural.
Increasing trade and investment, integrating the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the global value chains and developing an innovation-driven economy are the identified measures to achieve said priority.
“Our strategic measures are consistent with our current agenda to promote employment and entrepreneurship. The AEM is an excellent platform to push for the country’s core thrusts on trade and investment, MSME development and innovation,” said Sec. Lopez, who will serve as the chair of AEM Retreat and Related Meetings.
The trade chief, however, ensured that his meeting’s chairmanship will be “fair, workable, rational and inclusive” among AMS.
The AEM aims at strengthening partnership with stakeholders to expand knowledge and utilization of ASEAN-related free trade and economic agreements, provisions and initiatives, including the benefits that an ASEAN national can receive.
The trade chief aims to give meaning to these highly-technical engagements, in a manner that ASEAN nationals, including the Filipinos, can identify how they can benefit from the opportunities posed by regional integration without fear and hesitation.
“It’s time for us to make people feel that their membership in ASEAN is relevant to their day-to-day experience,” he said, adding that DTI’s hosting also presents good opportunity to raise awareness, to promote understanding on the AEC and the Philippine participation in it, and to re-tell the country’s growth story.
On increasing trade and investment, Sec. Lopez emphasized that the creation of a sound policy environment and the right mix of support programs are crucial to improve the capacity of businesses to expand, upgrade and diversify. He mentioned that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an agreement involving the 10 AMS and the six Dialogue Partners will expand the ASEAN market from 600 million to 3.5 billion. DTI will be pushing for the substantial conclusion of RCEP by year-end at the AEM, according to him.
On MSME development, Sec. Lopez said that the thrust continues for instituting an enabling environment that allows the sector to develop and internationalize through e-commerce, as well as policies that ease the cost of doing business and provide skills and business training and facilitate the link with the global value chain.
The country will also prod ASEAN to embrace the evolving digital technology as leverage to enhance trade and investment, to provide an e-based business platform and to promote good governance and green technology.
“We hope to gather, harmonize and mobilize public-private efforts towards taking full advantage of opportunities under the AEC,” he concluded.
ASEAN 2017 bears the theme, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World”, which is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s objective to enhance cooperation with global partners, ensuring that ASEAN citizens, including the Filipinos, can live in peace, stability, security and growth, despite cultural diversities.
Following the AEM Retreat and Related Meetings is the ASEAN Summit in April to be chaired by President Duterte. The bigger meeting 49th AEM, meanwhile, is scheduled in September 2017
by admin | Mar 6, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
Given the pronouncement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte that the administration is gearing to ramp up infrastructure spending to 7% of GDP or a total of Php 8 Trillion in the next five (5) years, the Department of Trade and Industry-Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (DTI-CIAP) initiated a dialogue with the construction industry and government implementing agencies, to determine the capacity and readiness of the construction industry to face the Golden Age of Infrastructure.
Participating in the dialogue were representatives from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA), National Constructors Association of the Philippines Inc. (NACAP) and the Chairmen of the different Implementing Boards of CIAP.
According to Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, Undersecretary for CIAP, the dialogue also aimed to identify and look into the concerns of our local contractors to encourage them to participate in government infrastructure projects.
During the dialogue, the constructors associations raised several issues encountered in the procurement and implementation of projects specifically in the pre-qualification system, project pricing, payment delays, and levelling of the playing field with the entry of foreign contractors, among others.
On the perception that local contractors do not have enough capacity and inadequate capability to handle big ticket infrastructure projects, PCA President Engr. Dante M. Abando emphasized that the local construction industry is ready, willing and able to face the Golden Age of Infrastructure. Engr. Abando said that the local contractors in the past has demonstrated strong capability by its proven track record of completing the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Project (TPLEX) thru an organized consortium supported by local financial institutions.
Among others, no doubt that the construction industry, given the chance to demonstrate its capability to design and build major infrastructure project, will accomplish the projects faster, within standard specifications and at a much lesser cost. Undersecretary Castelo said that “the construction industry is excited to build, build and build in the Golden Age of Infrastructure.”
The dialogue marks a strengthened public and private partnership that will help the construction industry prosper and meet the demands of the Philippine Infrastructure Development Plan. Among other measures identified to address the issues are: (a) government to find ways on how to improve and simplify the procurement system, (b) establish a hotline for contractors’ complaints, and (c) continue to hold similar discussions with the industry.
The CIAP is the central authority of the construction industry mandated to promote, accelerate and regulate the growth and development of the construction industry in conformity with national goals.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Mar 5, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Police Reports
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 28 (PIA)–The past month may have seen a lull in the local anti-drugs war, but now, expect some change.
If the suspension of police in anti-drug operations dealt a huge setback in the anti drug war, the undermanned Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the lead role, and the army being thrown into the task they were not trained for, arrests which then happened daily, ebbed.
Both the military and the PDEA are not equipped to wrestle the immensity of the beast that the drug problem has mutated, a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) member commented at the February 2016 drug war accomplishment.
Last Tuesday however, two teams of nine squads from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed the 77 days 496 hours of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) along with 46 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The full 72 hours training course equips the AFP with 18 men some serious capability to handle a variety of crisis situations in urban warfare, counter-terrorism, urban assault, hostage taking, close quarter combat and a menu of aggressive breaches of closed structures, said PNP Deputy regional Director for Administration PCSupt. Franklin Moises Mabanag.
Coming in as keynote speaker and guest in the possibly first in the country joint training for AFP and the PNP, General Mabanag hailed Bohol for the rare convergence of police and army and assured that the PNP still has some more skills for the trained group which has just been enthroned to the ranks of the police elites.
All belonging to Class 32-2016, Class Pinagsanib is actually a team of 63 men and a woman survivor of the converged PNP and AFP men and women from the initial 72 who showed at the start of the training in November of last year.
But when police SWAT have been feared for their strategic planning and offensives, this batch may have an ace in its sleeves.
Two of the top three performing graduates come from the AFP ranks.
Army 2Lts Giovanni Payumo and Michael Imperial took the top and the third spot among the 64 graduates who have successfully racked up points in theory, physical fitness and psychological strength tests to be rated the top among elites.
And another thing, from the ranks of the Army SWAT team is the batch’s fire-arms proficiency expert: Corporal Kurt Agapito, who received a Certificate of Proficiency.
The three from the 18 officers and men of the AFP would now be leading their teams in keeping up with the presidential mandate to lead anti-drug operations in Bohol.
47IB Commander Colonel Jose Dodgie Belloga, in fact reported at the PPOC that they would have to commit their two squads for the anti-drug operations.
“We are deploying 2 army squads graduating from the SWAT course to support the campaign against drugs,” Col Belloga said. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Do not be deceived by the new SWAT members. They may be looking weak and fragile but behind that innocent smile is a core so tough you would rather not mess with them. 64 new SWAT members graduated to complement Bohol’s drug drive. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Mar 4, 2017 | DTI Updates, Major Events, Tech Talk
Everything starts with a dream and a strong commitment, Gov. Edgar Chatto addressed Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry experts and Boholano government, business, academe stakeholders at the three-part forum that was the 5th Visayas ICT Organization (VICTOr) conference, 1st Bohol Education Summit, and 3rd Visayas Creative Congress this week.
The governor along with Usec. Monchito Ibrahim of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed commitment to support Bohol’s bid to become IT-BPM investment haven.
He affixed his signature along with Bohol ICT industry stakeholders in pursuing the IT-BPM industry specific 2017 Education Action Plan.
The gathering of industry experts and stakeholders focused on effective talent development and was aimed at linking education and industry needs in order for Bohol to become a major player in the industry, alongside initiatives to meet requirements on infrastructure and business environment.
The education and industry linkage replicates bridging models for already established economic pillars of tourism and agriculture in the province.
The IT BPM industry specific Education Action Plan for 2017 is comprised of priority programs such as faculty development/industry immersion, curriculum development, equipment and facility improvement and center of excellence/development certification.
Its activities include trainings, industry partnerships, establishment of a business incubator, and accomplishing requirements for center of excellence/development certification as part of achieving academic roadmap to support IT BPM industry needs.
The 2-day conference featured industry best practices through sharing from Visayas ICT councils particularly about strategies on opening up the ICT industry in the province. It also highlighted the Philippine IT BPM roadmap 2022, talent development strategies, cybersecurity and governance with particular spotlight on Bohol.
Industry experts included Stephanie Rosalinde Caragos-president of the National ICT Councils of the Philippines, Dan Reyes-president of the IT Business Process Association of the Philippines, Jonathan de Luzuriaga-president of the Philippine Software Industry Association, Penny Bongato-Talent Development Executive Director of IBPAP, Breyvan Tan-managing director of EC Council Singapore.
It also presented creative industries sharing from Alvin Juban-Game Development Association of the Philippines president, JD Abenaza-CEO of Zeenoh Games, John Dave Duenas-Manager of the Technology Business Incubator Center in Bacolod City, Xteve Abanto-Concept artist and Creative Director of 13Headz Studios, and Genesis Rana-founder of UV New School.
According to Dan Reyes, the IT industry brings in $22billion in revenue with over 1.1 million employed and another 1.5 million unique online workers in the country.
The Philippines has over 650+ IT BPM companies, making it the biggest employer next to government and also holds the distinction of being the contact center destination of the world, he reported.
Bohol ICT Council Lai Biliran stated the conference builds on the gains of Bohol being in the limelight of the digital landscape with the launch of Digital Bohol last year and the holding of major IT conferences such as Geeks on the Beach, (Open Collaboration with East Asia New Champions (OCEAN16). (Leah&Jasmine/EDCOM)
by admin | Mar 4, 2017 | Features, Headlines, Kontra Droga, Kontra Terorismo, Local News / Bohol Balita, Police Reports
AFTER THE TRAGEDY that hit the Province of Bohol which left everyone stunned, the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) is sending the message that Boholanos can now feel safer.
This is because just last Tuesday, sixty-two members of the Philippine National Police and of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gladly participated in the graduation rites as new members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Class “Pinagsanib” group after an exhaustive and rigid two-month special training.
The number started out with sixty-four trainees, but then, of the three women who have initially enlisted, two dropped out which then left a sole woman survivor who eventually graduated with sixty-one men in uniform.
The SWAT graduation ceremonies at the BPPO grounds commenced with a simulation of an actual combat situation where SWAT know-how and special mind tactics were deployed right before the very eyes of the guests.
The adrenaline rush was upped even more when three explosions were witnessed by everyone and the graduating class exhibited more special tactics, not only to please the audience, but more so, to show what would happen to offenders when they cross paths with Bohol’s latest SWAT corps.
Participants and guests were warmly greeted by Bohol PNP Chief Felipe Natividad, with Guest of Honor, PCSupt. Franklin Moises R. Mabanag, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO-7; and Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” R. Damalerio, in lieu of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.
The Bohol SWAT Team is a composite group of the PNP and AFP, a clear innovation of the 302nd Achievers Brigade, the 47th Infantry Brigade, BPPO, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), and the Provincial Government of Bohol under the helm of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.
Provincial Administrator Damalerio proudly informed everyone that “this innovation is the very first in the country, and for the next step, we are now planning on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training.”
EOD performs, supervises, and manages explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations; and locates, identifies, disarms, neutralizes, recovers, and disposes of hazardous explosives; conventional, chemical, biological, incendiary, and nuclear ordnance; and criminal or terrorist devices.
Other guests during the SWAT graduation ceremonies were Colonel Arnulfo Matanguihan, Commander of the 302nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, LTC Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr., Battalion Commander of the 47th IB of the Philippine Army, Superintendent Renato Dugan of PRO-7 and Tagbilaran City PNP Chief Col. Nicomedes Olaivar. (JLV/PGBh/EDCom)
