by admin | Nov 7, 2017 | Photo Story
ADDITIONAL 600,000 JOBS FOR THE IT-BPM SECTOR BY 2022. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (5th from R) with DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado (4th from L) discussed with the members of the Information Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) current industry challenges and status of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. Despite the growing threats of Artificial Intelligence, automation, and protectionism, IBPAP remains optimistic that IT-BPM industry will remains in a stronghold, sustaining growth in employment rate of 1.2 million to 1.8 million by 2022. The industry is likewise expected to expand an average of 100,000 jobs every year with a revenue growth of 9%. In the span of five years, IBPAP forecasted that Philippines can cover 15% of the global IT-BPM industry from 12% global share. Stakeholders have high level of confidence in the Philippines, with existing locators consistently growing along the years due to the abundance of talented workforce. NCR remains to be the first choice of new investing companies, but long partners are keen on expanding off the center, extending to other regional centers in Cebu and Davao and other emerging growth centers which are friendly to investors. Also in the meeting were DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba (rightmost), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director Mary Harriet Abordo (2nd from L), IBPAP CEO Rey Untal (leftmost), Board of Trustees Vice Chair Cathy Lleto (3rd from L) with other IBPAP Board Members
by admin | Nov 6, 2017 | Business, National News
Japan – A total of eighteen business agreements were recently signed (30 October, 2017) during the sidelines of President Rodrigo Duterte’s working visit to Japan, bagging total investments pledges of USD 6 billion (PHP 300 billion).
“The growing number of Japanese corporations, interested in partnering with Philippine enterprises, shows the value proposition of the country as a favored destination for Japanese Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs),” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, who witnessed the exchange of business agreements with President Rodrigo Duterte.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez received Letters of Intent (LOIs) from the several Japanese companies who are keen on expanding operations in the Philippines, namely: Marubeni Corporation for power, railways and water projects; Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. for mineral processing; Taiheiyo Cement Corporation for plant and production related infrastructure expansion projects; Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. for medium-sized marine vessels manufacturing; Ministop Co. Ltd. and Lawson for HR training programs and outlet expansion in the Philippines; and Itochu Corporation for investments in agricultural equipment, bananas and pineapples production, and irrigation projects.
Japan Tobacco Inc., likewise stated its interest to further expand Philippine operation and contribute to the Department of Finance’s (DOF) improved revenue collection program.
Meanwhile, a number of companies from Japan also stated interest in pursuing joint ventures in areas earmarked as strategic to sustainable development and inclusive growth, such as agriculture, renewable energy, manufacturing, services, environment and research and development (R&D) includingTokyo Gas Co., Ltd., on joint study on natural gas usage in the Philippine domestic market with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Itochu Corporation with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) on additional renewable energy projects and infrastructure projects;Hitachi Ltd. with Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) on stationary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS); Nomura Real Estate Development Co.,Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., with Federal Land Inc., on a commercial/residential complex that will soon rise in Bonifacio Global City; Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd., with SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation on an integrated steel plant; Ubicom Holdings Inc., Advanced World Systems Inc., with Alsons/AWS Information Systems for a software development outsourcing, testing, and R&D project on data analytics, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), automotive software development, enterprise systems and web application, embedded systems, and mobile systems development, Hitachi Asia Ltd., Philippines with Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) in an information and communications (ICT), transportation and urban development projects; and Densan System Co. Ltd. (DSK) with CIS Bayad Center Inc. on a Technology – Business Processing Management (IT-BPM) agreement on financial technology.
“These projects, ranging from retail, commercial, and residential property development, are indubitable signposts of a growing modern economy,” Sec. Lopez said, adding that the tie-ups in these sectors are expected to generate more jobs, raise business standards, and improve business efficiency.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) also received LOIs from List Co. Ltd. and Subic Smart Community Corporation on mixed property development projects in Subic Freeport.
“These projects committed not only capital infusions but transfer in technology and human resource (HR) development programs, cementing anew the parameters and direction of Philippine-Japan economic exchange and complementarity,” said the Trade Chief.
“Ultimately, these projects will help chart greater trade and investment engagements between our two countries in order to generate broader inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all, he concluded.
by admin | Nov 5, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, November 4 (PIA)—What could have happened if then Bohol Governor Carlos Polestico Garcia did not speak fluent spanish?
Well, he could not have met and be endeared by then President Manuel L. Quezon.
And he could not be placed under the tutelage of the country’s top politician to write his name in history.
But even if he did speak fluent Spanish, if not for a big political figure in Bohol who died, he may still be nailed to a seat in an obscure province minding its intramural processes.
But the death of Senator Jose Arsenio Clarin, the senate speaker protempore and the country’s third most powerful man seemingly opened a way for the Boholano teacher, poet and governor to be starting his shortened way to the country’s top seat, sums up Bohol historian Jose Marianito Luspo.
Professor Luspo was retellingat the radio forum on air the accounts as told to him by fellow Tagbilaranon Jose Maria Rocha, the Boholano Presidents executive secretary.
The sudden death of JA Clarin had President Quezon’s executive secretary Jose Yulo (who would later be appointed Justice Secretary) come to Bohol to finalize the funeral arrangements and lay the way for the guests. IT was when he met the governor for the coordination that Yulo noted Garcia speaking impeccable Spanish.
While President Quezon also speaks perfect Spanish, Yulo told the President to just meet the governor and find out, Luspo who was invited to the Kapihan on Popularizing Caloy said.
As the President, also known as the Big Spanish, was so impressed with the guy from Bohol, he accordingly told him to run for senate.
While Garcia thought even with the president’s backing, we still could not be that popular to win the elections, the next thing the president did was to declare a block voting in the elections of 1941, the retired professor and respected historian narrated.
That way, the candidates were not elected per se, it was the president’s party, the Nacionalista which won, and the nationally unknown Garcia along with it.
Already a senator by 1941, the Japanese invasion disrupted government functions and President Quezon accordingly told Garcia to go home to Bohol to help the people carry the hardships of the occupation.
In Bohol, Garcia had other things in mind.
Totally against the Japanese occupation, the former governor organized resistance movements as a guerrilla leader, earning even more trust and fame from his co-guerillas and the national leaders who learned of his exploits in Bohol.
By 1953, Garcia was so popular that he was picked to be the running mate of Ramon Magsaysay, who both won in the elections.
By March 17, 1957, President Ramon Magsaysay died in a fatal airplane crash in the slopes of Mount Manuggal in Cebu, which ushered to his eventual ascent to the country’s top seat to lead the country until the end of the remaining term.
By the next Presidential elections, Garcia won with Diosdado Macapagal as Vice President.
Just like that star that sits in the Bohol flag, Carlos Polestico Garcia was destined to shine in his own time, Luspo stated.
He was a man destined for greatness, and like a start that is destined to shine in its appointed time, Garcia, Bohol’s most illustrious became the 8th President of the Philippines and the 4th President of the Third Republic. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Nov 3, 2017 | Headlines, Photo Story
TRADE CHIEF TO PH CONTRACTORS: TAKE CHALLENGE TO BUILD BUILD BUILD. As this year’s host of the regional meet, the Philippines recently (25 October) took the lead with the first ASEAN+6 Construction forum to advance institutional and people-to-people linkages among construction industry players in ASEAN Member States (AMS). Delivering the keynote address, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (center) shared the ASEAN vision of creating an integrated and seamless regional community, promoting competitiveness, prosperity, and inclusiveness. The forum aims to ramp up the PH construction industry in preparation for the Golden Age of Infrastructure through President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Build Build Build’ program. “To boost our global presence and keep up with our ASEAN counterparts, the Department of Trade and Industry is committed to its role in crafting fiscal and governance policies, while regulating contractors in comprehensive big-ticket infrastructure projects,” said Sec. Lopez. The Trade Chief further called on the local construction industry players to take on the challenges and opportunities of the ‘Build Build Build’ program as this would create and generate more local employment opportunities for Filipinos. To date, there are around 8,400 Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) registered contaractors in the country, with over 300 under the Triple A and Quadruple A categories. “We should keep in mind that all of these efforts is to ensures that we attain our ultimate goal of creating inclusive growth leading to shared prosperity for all, especially for our fellow countrymen at the bottom of the pyramid,” he concluded. Included in the picture are: DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo (4th from R), Department of Public Works and Highways Maria Catalina Cabral (2nd from R), Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Datu Abdul Alonto (4th from L), and other construction Industry Executives.
by admin | Nov 2, 2017 | Photo Story
TRADE CHIEF PUSHES FRANCHISING INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE STRENGTHENING THE MSMEs. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez urged members of the franchising industry to be role models, inspire Filipinos to be entrepreneurs, and help the government in uplifting the lives of those at the bottom of the pyramid during Francorp’s 20th Anniversary on 24 October in Taguig. Sec. Lopez highlighted the role of franchising in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) development. “Franchising is the game changer for any business model as it allows small-scale businesses to grow and become bigger players. Apart from encouraging people to be entrepreneurs, it also provides employment opportunities to many Filipinos”, said Sec. Lopez. The trade chief together with Sen. Miguel Zubiri acknowledged the Filipino brands which have managed to expand in Asia and in other continents such as the Europe, America, and Australia. The Trade Secretary also assured franchisors and franchisees that DTI will be an industry partner for programs and advocacies strengthening the MSME sector. In the photo are (L to R) Francorp’s Managing Director Manuel Siggaoat Jr., Chief Executive Officer Alegria Sibal- Limjoco, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, Chairman Samie Lim, Co-founder Manuel Siggaoat, and Chief Marketing Officer Christopher Lim.
