by admin | Oct 26, 2017 | ASEAN agenda, DTI Updates, National News
In the recently concluded Slingshot ASEAN led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), winners for the Startup World Cup – Philippines Regional were announced to represent the Philippines and compete with the rest of the world in the upcoming Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley on May 2018.
Storm Technologies topped the ten finalists as it bagged the grand prize, which includes an all-expense paid trip to San Francisco and a chance to win $1,000,000 by competing in the Startup World Cup Global Finale. Storm Technologies is the largest flexible benefits and incentives firm in the Philippines. It serves over 100,000 employees across different industries.
Meanwhile, runners-up include Beam and Go as 4th runner-up; Zennya, 3rd runner-up; Qwikwire, 2nd runner-up; and Ayannah, 1st runner-up. All runners-up will be attending Startup World Cup Finale in Silicon Valley.
Startup World Cup Philippines Regional grand finals is a collaboration between DTI, Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development(DOST-PCIEERD), DENTSU X Philippines, Fenox Venture Capital Southeast Asia and Brainsparks. Startup World Cup on the other hand, is a global conference and competition that brings together the top startups, venture capitalists (VCs), entrepreneurs and world-class technology executives.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, Slingshot ASEAN is one of the official events lined up by the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (ASEAN-CBIP) being chaired by DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group Nora K. Terrado.
In photo: Startup World Cup Philippines Regional grand prize winner, Storm Technologies with DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado (2nd from right).
by admin | Oct 25, 2017 | DTI Updates, Major Events
The Department of Trade and Industry CALABARZON recently gathered the leading automotive industry players for the 1st Regional “Kapihan” for Automotive Industry in pushing for the agency’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program in Cabuyao City, Laguna.
Toledo said that the activities will start a collaboration between the government and private sector to integrate and push CALABARZON’s automotive industry towards an inclusive and prosperous Philippines.
“We, in DTI, really want to uplift the capacity and competitiveness of our MSMEs. We want them to be part of the value chain of the industry. Hence, we are asking for the participation and commitment of the industry players, specifically the private sector, and government agencies to make it happen. The 7M’s (mindset, mastery, mentoring, market, machine, money, and business model) of DTI Secretary Mon Lopez would be a good strategy to promote productivity and profitability,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo.
The CARS Program aims to jumpstart the Philippine automotive industry and make the country an auto manufacturing hub in the ASEAN region. The Program also intends to raise the production level to a competitive scale by providing $1,000 per unit fiscal support for the production of three models with a 200,000-unit production requirement over six years and mandatory local production of body shell and large plastic parts. It is expected to amplify the Philippine workforce, strengthen industrial linkages and attract additional investments.
Participating companies were the Federation of Automotive Industries of the Philippines (FAIP), Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI), Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA), Motorcycle Parts Producers and Exporters Association (MCPPEA), Phil. Ecozones Association (PHILEA), Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), some government agencies such as the Board of Investments (BOI), UP National Center for Transportation Studies, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), National Economic and Development Authority CALABARZON, Deptartment of Public Works and Highways CALABARZON, Department of Science and Technology CALABARZON, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency – Nomura Research Institute (JICA-NRI).
While the Philippines moved up to become the second fastest growing automotive market in the Southeast Asia at the start of 2017, its market is smaller compared with other ASEAN countries. Furthermore, its manufacturing capabilities are mostly oriented towards the domestic market rather than regional chains.
by admin | Oct 25, 2017 | ASEAN agenda, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines – Philippine Overseas Construction Board (CIAP-POCB) converges with the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP) of the ASEAN National Organizing Council to gather local and foreign construction industry key players at the first ever ASEAN+6 Construction Forum in the Philippines.
Local guests from the public and private sectors; ASEAN Member delegates; Dialogue partners from China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand; and Philippine delegates and VIPs are present to grace the event being at the Solaire Hotel in Parañaque City.
Today’s activity targets to increase global participation and harmonious international relations of PH construction industry players with the rest of the world. The forum also serves as a platform to engage participation and solicit the cooperation of the key players in the ASEAN Construction industry to ramp up infrastructure development especially now that the country is at the onset of the “Golden Age of Infrastructure”.
With the POCB initiative, Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo believes that the ASEAN+6 Forum is a fitting development platform as ASEAN becomes a major player in the international community.
The ASEAN+6 Construction Forum convenes four panel discussions namely: Blueprint: ASEAN Connectivity, Bolting Together: Strengthening ASEAN Connectivity towards ONE ASEAN, The Mobilizers, and Pioneering Innovation; all of which are poised to proactively engage stakeholders by cultivating relationships and identifying mechanisms to regularly and effectively communicate updates on the progress of the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025; coordinate existing resources with the end in view of delivering support across the full life cycle of infrastructure projects to ensure sustainability; and address the need for infrastructure spending to more than double from levels prior to the 1987 global financial crisis.
THE BLUEPRINT
Moderated by Engr. Michael Roberto Reyes, POCB Board member, the Blueprint: ASEAN Connectivity session provides a macro-overview of the region-wide construction and infrastructure development programs in Asia, such as the ASEAN Masterplan 2025, One Belt, One Road and other big-ticket development projects funded by financing institutions and how key industry players can take part in accomplishing these projects.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Richard Bolt, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Susumu Ito, Bank of China Country Manager Deng Jun and Provincial Affairs Committee Chairman and China-Jiangsu Association for Friendship and International Exchanges (JAFIE) Executive Vice President Jiang Xiao participate in the discussion.
BOLTING TOGETHER: Strengthening ASEAN Connectivity towards ONE ASEAN
The session, moderated by SP Castro Inc. Chairman and President Engr. Salvador P. Castro, Jr., highlights government initiated efforts and policies that would facilitate entry and access to construction opportunities within the ASEAN countries.
Invited panelists are DPWH Undersecretary Dr. Maria Catalina Cabral, Ministry of Construction, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Dangcal Alonto, Business & International Division H.E. Muhammad Rizuan Hamzah and Ministry of Land Management, Urbanization and Construction, Cambodia Secretary of State H.E. Phuoeng Sophean.
THE MOBILIZERS
Joining the panel are Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) President Engr. Dante M. Abando, Overseas Construction Association of Japan, Inc. (OCAJI) COO Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) Council Member Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz, Sta. Clara International Corporation President Mr. Nicandro Linao and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco, to be moderated by Ms. Armie Jarin-Bennett, President of CNN Philippines.
The session discusses the role of the private sector and their action plans in maximizing the construction and infrastructure opportunities in the ASEAN and dialogue partner countries through sharing of strategies to overcome industry hurdles and challenges.
PIONEERING INNOVATION
The session, joined by BCDA Executive Vice President Aileen R. Zosa, Street Park Productions, Inc. President and Executive Producer John Aguilar, Arup Management Consulting Associate Director Mr. Bruce Chong and Australia Construction Industry Forum Executive Director Mr. James Cameron, presents the latest trends and technology in construction, and how these innovations impact the construction industry in terms of quality, safety, productivity, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. This discussion is moderated by Atty. Jean De Castro, CEO of ESCA Incorporated.
The activity ends with a synthesis of the keynote speech at the start of the program and the outputs of the Panel Discussions.
For more information on ASEAN+6 Construction Forum, please email ASEANConstructionforum2017@dti.gov.ph.
Event Hashtags: #ASEAN2017 #ASEANConstruction2017
by admin | Oct 25, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
On the Forum on Trade & Investment Opportunities in the Philippines, co-organized by the Trade Office, Philippine Consulate General-Toronto and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines held on October 23, 2017, at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Toon City Academy and Seneca College was signed. The MOU confirms the cooperation between the two institutions which seeks to widen the career opportunities of animators and create possibilities for professional exchange of staff expertise.
Photo by: Bin Kon Loo, Filipiniana News, Toronto
In photo: (Seated, L-R) Mr. David Agnew, President, Seneca College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Mr. Rene de Guzman, VP, Resources Development, Tooncity Academy, Philippines. Witnessing the signing are: (Standing, L-R) Undersecretary for Trade and Investment Promotion Group, Ms. Nora K. Terrado, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines and The Honourable Minister Michael Chan, Ministry of International Trade, Ontario.
by admin | Oct 24, 2017 | National News
Making ends meet is a great challenge for residents of Marawi City but these women are doing everything just to stay afloat and keep their family alive.
Sewing was their regular source of livelihood, but all of a sudden, it came to an abrupt end. On May 23, 2017, thousands of families were displaced by the war and scores of families had to flee to ensure their families’ safety.
But as they say, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.
To hasten the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which leads the Bangon Marawi Task Force Sub-committee on Business and Livelihood, provided these with sewing machines and cloth as starter kits to help them earn while staying either homebased or at evacuation centers.
Back in August, DTI-Region 10 identified 16 women internally displaced persons (IDPs) who will be trained for dressmaking and were awarded with the sewing kits. The 16 sewers are able to generate income for themselves.
From the Sta Elena Gymnasium, where they temporarily stay, the 16 women sewers go to the Provincial Training and Livelihood Development Center in Iligan City, where every sewer can earn at least P500 after a day’s work.
For Asnia Sandiman, 23, laying hands on a high-speed sewing machine was a dream come true. Even as a kid, Asnia has been sewing handwoven tube skirts or malong in Filipino, shoals, and long dresses to earn extra for her schooling and for her family.
But with the new sewing machines and cloth provided by DTI, Asnia can earn up to P1,300. At school, her classmates also ask her to sew for them, allowing her to earn even more.
To Asnia, the new sewing kits was her new lease on life amid the crisis that she and her family are going through.
“Naappreciate namin at sobrang masaya kami. Parang nabigyan kami ng panibagong buhay,” a teary-eyed Asnia said, while recalling the time when the terrorists where banging on their door.
“Malaking tulong sa amin ito,” she added.
On the other hand, the DTI’s Negosyo Center and PTLDC ensure that the handwoven malongs, shoals, and long dresses made by the IDP sewers go to the market. Indeed the products ended up in the right market with orders coming in from SM Cagayan de Oro, Manila, the Bangon Marawi Concert, Bangon Marawi Store at DTI main office in Makati City. There are also orders from Rustan’s for the Go Lokal! Project.
Fellow IDP and 36-year-old Memeng Dianal, said the sewing kits allowed her to feed her six children everyday. From P500 she earns before, now, Memeng earns P2,000 a day, finishing at least 20 handwoven malongs, shoals, and long dresses.
“Malaking tulong ito sa amin [sewing kits] kahit kaunti-konti natutustusan namin yung araw-araw na pangangailangan namin,” Memeng said.
Despite knowing that her family’s home in ground-zero is now levelled due to the conflict, Memeng is hopeful that once they return to Marawi, there will be more opportunities for her and other Marawi residents. If only she can handle two businesses, she would do it for her children.
“Kung pwedeng doblehin ang business, magdodoble kayod ako para sa mga anak ko,” she said.
Now with the fighting officially declared over by the government, Asnia and Memeng, together with other residents of Marawi will just have to wait for their return to their hometown.
After all, hope springs eternal.
