by admin | Aug 30, 2016 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
MANILA, August 30 (PIA)–Gitudlo ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte si Chief Protocol Officer Marciano Paynor, Jr. isip bag-ong ambassador sa Pilipinas sa Amerika.
Alisdan ni Paynor si Philippine Ambassador to US, Jose Cuisia.
Si Paynor kanhi nang nahimong ambassador sa Pilipinas sa Israel ug Cyprus.
Nahimo usab siyang protocol officer nilang kanhi Presidente Fidel Ramos ug Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Si Paynor nahimong miyembro sa Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1971.
Samtang si Robert Borje, kanhi Second Secretary sa Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN), ang mahimong bag-ong chief protocol officer ni Presidente Duterte.
(ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Aug 30, 2016 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
MANILA, August 30 (PIA)–Gimando na ni Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Kalihim Perfecto Yasay ang dayon-dayong suspensyon sa pag-isyu og Hajj passports.
Kini samtang naghulat pa sa resulta sa imbestigasyon sa mga Indonesian nga nakuhaan og mga pekeng pasaporte.
Matud pa ni Yasay, ang mga pekeng passport gi-isyu base sa certification gikan sa National Commission on Filipino Muslims.
Giingong kadaghanan sa mga gipagawas nga pekeng passport gikan sa Aseana Office sa DFA. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Aug 27, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
Bohol will soon enjoy a digital transformation as talks of “Digital Bohol” were initiated on August 27, 2016 at the Governor’s Mansion with Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, representatives of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bohol ICT Council, tourism players and some advisers. During the meeting, the group discussed the high level steps that will be taken for the Digital Bohol project.
Among the components of the Digital Bohol project is a co-working space and shared facility for multimedia arts and a recording studio for developing audio and video content, connectivity for communications during disaster situations as well as for broadcasting announcements for government, business and academe, digital economy participation for MSMEs and more.
The first action is to organize the self forming and organizing communications network that can be used for broadcasting important information during non-disaster scenarios. The same network can be used during disaster situations when cell sites are disabled. The idea is to setup the channels and organize Boholanos to use it on a daily basis for broadcasting important information so that everybody is ready to use the system during disaster scenarios. Users only need to use their smart phones using WiFi and Bluetooth connections.
Another meeting was held with the technology enthusiasts and young entrepreneurs was held at Just Sizzling restaurant at 8PM on August 27. In this meeting the group talked about the possible contributions they can make as a group. It was agreed that the group form a small group of volunteers to lead the community building effort.
Technology enthusiasts and the young entrepreneurs are excited about their role as community builders in the Digital Bohol initiative.
by admin | Aug 27, 2016 | Headlines, Tech Talk
By: Jerome Auza
The laid back venue at a beach in Panglao, Bohol, the shorts and rubber sandals do not indicate a fast paced, information packed technology, design and startup conference. The province of Bohol hosted this year’s Geeks on a Beach on August 25-26, 2016 at the Bellevue Resort Pavillon.
On the 24th, there was a pre-event investors only roundtable discussion followed by the Techstars and Startup Weekend Appreciation Night sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and TechTalks.ph. Techstars had just concluded its APAC conference on the same venue.
The conference kicked off with Ms. Tina Amper, founder of Techtalks.ph, delivering the opening message. Mr. Mon Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant of the new Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) spoke about the how the government is working with the community to empower startups to innovate.
“Geeks on a Beach” (GOAB) is a unique international conference featuring the cutting-edge of the tech world in a laid-back atmosphere. With the theme “Empowering startups, leading change”, GOAB4 will once more highlight communities of startups or innovation-driven enterprises based on software or apps, which have seen remarkable growth in the Philippines in the last few years. GOAB has greatly contributed in empowering Philippine startups.
“We are looking at startups taking the lead in strategically leveraging opportunities offered by a bigger regional market of ten countries with some 617 million people and a combined GDP of US $2.1 trillion opened up by the Asean integration,” said Ibrahim.
GOAB is rganized by TechTalks.ph and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and co-presented by PLDT SME Nation, Ideaspace, PLDT Innolab and SmartDevNet.
Some of the brightest minds in the industry from the USA, Singapore and other countries will be on hand at the 2016 GOAB. Invited to speak in the confab are Techstars Co-founder and Managing Partner David Brown, Startup Weekend Co-founder Marc Nager, Chris McCann of Greylock Partners, Crowdsourcing Week Founder and CEO Epi Ludvik Nekaj, 500 Startups Managing Partner/Investor Khailee Ng, 500 Startups Corporate Innovation Director Arnaud Bonzom, Zalora Philippines Managing Director Constantine Robertz, PLDT SME Nation Head of Community Partnerships Francis Oliva, Ideaspace.ph Managing Director Diane Eustaquio, TechTalks.ph Chief Content Officer Robert Cristobal, Citrix Principal UX Designer Philip McKay, and STAC Silicon Valley President Cristina Laskowski.
Tina Amper, founder of TechTalks.ph who has been instrumental in conceptualizing GOAB said those who are into digital technology, web design, and innovation should not miss this opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the industry and meet the key players in the tech startup world.
“The Philippines’ remarkable work-play environment complemented by the famous Filipino hospitality and a unique cultural mix of East and West makes it the natural cultural doorway to the ASEAN for geeks and investors alike,” said Amper.
The first day of the conference was concluded with a dinner and cultural show hosted by the Provincial Government of Bohol. Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto welcomed the guests and encouraged the participants to explore the province not only for its tourism assets but also for the business opportunities that would be compatible with Bohol’s ecotourism and agricultural industries. Chatto highlighted that the IT/BPO industry and other technology ventures would be ideal for Bohol.
Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV was the guest of honor and spoke about the legislation that he has been working on in the Senate to support startups. He also requested participation from the startup community in crafting the laws to help make these more effective and relevant.
The crowd was entertained by various performers including the Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band which got a standing ovation from the participants.
The highlight of the second day of the conference was the pitching competition where 7 finalists were given a few minutes to make their pitch to the judges. EngageSpark won and received a trophy, a microfund and various other prizes.
Silicon Valley’s 500 Startups is thinking of creating a new microfund for the Philippines, according to managing partner Khailee Ng. It’s not yet a commitment or a promise, he adds.
Internet.org by Facebook hosted the cocktails and party that ended the 4th Geeks on a Beach conference with a blast.
The panel discussing Roadmap for Digital Startups and StartupPH.org
Mon Ibrahim of the DICT in a huddle with Gov. Chatto, Ms. Tina Amper, Dave Overton of Sym.ph and Ashran Dato’ Ghazi, CEO of the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre.
Gov. Chatto
Sen. Aquino
by admin | Aug 26, 2016 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
In its effort to catapult local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the global market, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), launched an innovation hub specifically catering to the processed food sector in August 2016.
The Food Connection Innovation hub is in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, Food Innovation Center (DOST-FIC).
“With the growing opportunities in the food sector and the anticipation of the huge market demand for innovative food products in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration, we would like to provide areas of assistance for our entrepreneurs specifically those processed food MSMEs,” said PTTC Executive Director Nestor Palabyab during the soft launch of the Food Connection innovation hub.
The hub will specifically house facilities that will equip food entrepreneurs in meeting technical requirements of the export market such as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and other safety and quality certifications. Food laboratory testing equipment such as metal detector, water activity meter and pH meter, are all aimed to be available during the hub’s full operation. Consultancy services on safe quality management, production, marketing and management will also be offered to enterprises that will be assisted by the hub. Other existing facilities at the PTTC such as seminar rooms, exhibit halls and meeting rooms will also be accessible.
Included in the latest Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), processed food sector is positioned to create demand in the growing market abroad especially with the rise of healthy food products, and Halal-certified products in non-Muslim regions. The Food Connection Innovation Hub will be housed with ASEAN trade experts, export marketing trainers and experts, and other trade experts that will cater to the needs of the hub’s clients.
Through the food connection innovation hub, DTI-PTTC also expects to promote networking among key players and venture capitalists in the sector to establish collaboration and develop viable business strategies.
According to Philippine Exports Confederation Inc (PHILEXPORT), there are about 500 processed food MSMEs that are currently registered as their members. These enterprises are expected to benefit in different trade assistance that the hub will provide to further their export products in penetrating the global market.
In 2014, Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA) reported that there are a total of 127,518 established MSMEs in the food and accommodation sector. These numbers are expected to grow as the Philippines prepares for the full integration of the ASEAN Economic Community.
Philippine Trade Training Center is the DTI’s training arm which promotes capacity building and mentoring among entrepreneurs especially those in the exporting industry.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
