by admin | Jan 24, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as the lead agency in developing and promoting the Philippine halal industry, is set to implement initiatives toward the development of the country’s Halal exports highlighting its potential contribution in driving trade and investments in the country.
Speaking at the recent World Halal Assembly held in Manila last 18 and 19 January, DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Assistant Secretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman cited figures validating the need for the Philippines to get involved in halal export, import and production.
“Muslim population worldwide has been steadily growing at a 1.84 percent per annum. In 2016 Muslim population was at 2.14 billion, growing to 2.18 billion in 2017. At present, 32.43 percent of Asia’s current population of 1.4 billion is Muslim. In Africa, there are 635 million Muslims. World Muslim population translates to a $3.2- trillion halal industry worldwide. It is expected to increase to $10 trillion by 2030,” explained Assistant Secretary Macatoman.
He added, “the sheer size of underserved markets makes it easier to penetrate the industry. There are simply more people who need Halal products and services than there are existing businesses.”
At present, the Philippines only contributes five (5) percent of the global halal trade. With the new Philippine halal law in place, Assistant Secretary Macatoman explained that Filipino entrepreneurs are in the best position to take advantage of the rising halal industry worldwide. According to him, Filipino Muslims naturally understand what the global market wants and needs, being part of the market themselves.
“Filipino entrepreneurs like the ones based in Zamboanga are in a unique position to take advantage of this trend, particularly the efforts of the Zamboanga Ecozone and Freeport and Regional Economic Zone Authority of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Preparation of halal food and fashion pieces requires a great understanding and obedience to Muslim culture, and we Filipinos have a great grasp of this culture and unique practices,” said Assistant Secretary Macatoman.
Assistant Secretary Macatoman also emphasized the importance of having harmonious halal certification and accreditation policies and standards for the Philippines to improve its integrity and credibility both at the national and the international communities.
The DTI’s Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB)—as the sole agency mandated by the Philippine halal law to handle the accreditation of halal-certification bodies, inspection bodies and testing and calibration laboratories—is currently developing the national halal-certification scheme that will embody the official guidelines for the accreditation of all Philippine halal-certification bodies that wish to be accredited by the PAB.
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Region 11, the World Halal Assembly was in line with the DOST’s mandate under Republic Act 10817, known as the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Program Act of 2016, which took effect after its implementing rules and regulations were approved on July 26, 2017.
Islamic scholars, Muslim academicians and scientists, international certification bodies, government officials, entrepreneurs and Muslim and non-Muslim consumers were in attendance during the conference.
by admin | Jan 22, 2018 | Business, Headlines
MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed another milestone for Philippines (PH) and European Union (EU) trade relations as export products hit a 31% growth wherein EUR 2 billion-worth of PH products were exported through EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
“We are pleased to hear of the significant increase of our exports entering the EU market through the GSP+. This trade preference has benefitted several communities in the Philippines and opened opportunities for our Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). In the same manner, it has allowed our MSMEs to be more competitive in the local and foreign market,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The 31% of total PH merchandise exports to the EU amounted to USD 8.4 billion in 2017. This made the EU the third largest export partner of PH.
In the EU Trade Preferences Monitoring Report released on 19 January 2018, the robust trade relations between the two parties was highlighted with EUR 2 billion-worth of PH exports in 2017 benefitting from the GSP+ compared to the EUR 1.66 billion in 2016.
A major increase was in food and agriculture exports such as animal products, fish and related products, prepared food, and edible fruits. Likewise, automotive parts, leather, textile, and footwear showed significant growth.
Since the beginning of the preferential treatment in 2014, both PH and EU have enjoyed the mutual benefits of GSP+ by letting Filipino MSMEs participate in a bigger value chain and giving the EU market more options for their consumers.
Local communities can take advantage of the export opportunities under the GSP+, like fishermen in General Santos and coconut farmers in Lanao del Norte, as their products can join those by other MSMEs in contributing to EU’s dynamic market.
“We acknowledge that the GSP+ has been an important tool in making the country’s economic growth more inclusive. It also encourages investors to come in and provide job opportunities to many Filipinos,” Sec. Lopez said.
Meanwhile, dialogue on the expansion of the trade preference is ongoing between PH and EU, with both parties continuing to engage through relevant government agencies and other existing mechanisms.
by admin | Jan 21, 2018 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
HUNDREDS of patients with cleft lips, cleft palates and teeth problems can now freely smile without worry of being made fun of, teased or bullied, due to their facial deformities.
This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) invited anew the medical-surgical team of the Faces ofTomorrow (FOT) headed by its director, Dr. Brian Rubinstein, who will perform the corrective surgeries on these patients at the Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services or the Bohol Cooperative Hospital in Dampas District, this city.
Aumentado said the team members come from different states in America while the Abounding in Love Foundation is the non-profit organization that connects Filipino children to cleft lip and palate surgeries.
Abounding also provides ongoing medical, educational and spiritual support after surgery. All donations it gets go directly to help these disadvantaged children.
The surgeries will start on Monday, Feb. 12. But listing is now on-going until Sunday, Feb. 11.
As in the previous missions, patients will received not only the free surgeries, but, especially for those coming in from other provinces, they will also receive fare refunds and fare for the trip back, free board and lodging – and even toys for the children.
They had heard about Aumentado’s surgical medical through the news and public service announcements over the radio.
Patients staying over for post-surgery checkups or waiting for their turn at the operating table will be provided with free board and lodging.
Those coming in from the towns will get subsistence allowance for their meals. Those from towns out of radio coverage got alerted on the free surgical-dental mission from streamers, newspapers and social media.
FOT-Philippines coordinator Charina Torregosa-Asunto said they are now about finished with the paperwork and leg work for the permits and other requirements.
Abounding in Love Foundation will pay for the rooms, the materials, use of the surgical rooms, among others. This way, the patients and their watchers will just present themselves for screening and undergo surgery.
Many of the patients’ parents are expected again to be teary-eyed – most will even cry tears of joy – in appreciation for the surgery, the after-care and the gift of a brighter tomorrow that their children will receive.
HOLIDAY WITH A PURPOSE. Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (standing, center) led in welcoming the members of the Faces of Tomorrow surgical and dental team headed by Dr. Brian Rubinstein (standing directly behind Aumentado) at the city airport last year. A delegation from the Medical Mission Group (MMG) Coop Hospital (left) and some lady Jaycees (right) joined the welcoming fete. The scene will be repeated next month when the team will return to Bohol for another round of medical and dental mission. FOTO: Aris Aumentado’s Facebook Account
by admin | Jan 19, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
DTI Region 5 – The Department of Trade and Industry in Albay imposed a Price Freeze on basic commodities in the whole Province of Albay as lava continues to flow from the Mayon Volcano.
As of Tuesday, Albay Province has been declared under a state calamity by the Provincial Council of Albay through Resolution No. 670-2018.
The DTI-Albay Provincial Office is closely monitoring the price and supply of basic necessities in establishments throughout Albay. DTI will ensure there are sufficient and reasonably-priced basic necessities such as canned sardines, evaporated and condensed milk, coffee refill, laundry bar, detergent powder, candles, bread (Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal), salt, bottled water, and instant noodles.
A Memorandum Circular was also issued to all wetmarkets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, and water refilling stations, reminding establishments to comply with the provision of the Price Act. It will also serve as a warning that any violation of the Price Act shall be dealt with accordingly.
The DTI enjoins the retailers to comply with the price freeze while consumers are advised to be guided by the price freeze list in their respective areas in making their purchases.
Penalties for violation against the price freeze include at least the imposition of fine of P5,000.00 up to P1 million and/or imprisonment of one (1) year up to ten (10) years.
by admin | Jan 19, 2018 | Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is keen on fasttracking the revival of Marawi City’s illustrious business environment as the agency looks to provide more assistance to affected Maranao entrepreneurs.
“We plan to allocate more budget for this year to support the Bangon Marawi programs to provide livelihood assistance to around 80% of identified internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 2018,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
DTI Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said that the agency has set aside Php 50 million to fund the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project and will seek additional budget to fund the provision of livelihood starter kits, micro loans,mobile rice mills, tricycles, construction of public markets, and provision of retail spaces in major malls to promote Maranao products, among others.
“We will continue to provide assistance to our brothers and sisters in Marawi. As of now we are working to assist Maranao entrepreneurs with micro loans through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or P3, mobile rice mills, tricycles, and equipment,” Maglaya said.
The P50 million SSF fund will help address the needs of Maranao entrepreneurs in the aspect of loomweaving,wood working, and brasswares by providing equipment that matches their needs, she added.
The agency, through the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), also released a total of P375,000 micro loans in the form of P3 to 37 Maranao borrowers, who were also recipient of DTI’s business starter kits, received assistance from DTI.
SB Corp has earmarked at least 1,000 Marawi entrepreneur beneficiaries that will receive loan packages in the first quarter of 2018.
The agency has also provided entrepreneurs with mobile rice mills, livelihood starter kits such as sari-sari store kits, and sewing kits. The Department, in partnership with the Skills Mastery Institute (SMI), also trained and retrained the IDPs on garments making.
As of December 2017, a total of 588 equipment/starter kits were distributed and provided trainings to 1,963 IDP beneficiaries. In addition, 240 beneficiaries were linked to financial institutions.
Maglaya added that DTI will train these beneficiaries who were given aid on simple book-keeping to help sustain their businesses.
As part of Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), DTI, as lead agency, together with other government agencies comprising the subcommittee on business and livelihood (SC-BL), has assisted affected Marawi residents.
“With the help of member agencies of the Task Force Bangon Marawi Subcommitee on Business and Livelihood, we assure that Maranao entrepreneurs will be back on their feet in no time,” Maglaya said.
The assistance is in line with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide livelihood to IDPs in Marawi City and other affected localities. This also follows Administrative Order No. 03 of the President, mandating the creation of an inter-agency task force that would implement the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and other affected localities of which providing business and livelihood is crucial.
Member agencies of the Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood are the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
