Sandugo ’08 showcases Skills Demos and Band Showdown

July 26, 2008 was a big day for weavers, crafts artist and bands alike.

The Skills Demo started late in the morning showcasing the weaving and crafting skills of Central Visayas. At the Island City Mall Activity Center, different organizations presented their skills like Ceramic Making and Raffia-made Cellphone Straps Making of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers; Fashion Accessories Making of Imagination Creation; Raffia-made Pencil Case Making of Antequera; and Pandan-made Bags of Maribojoc.

While in the afternoon, the Band Showdown begun. It was participated by bands from different schools who played up their instruments and sung out their songs.

Auza.net gains new customers for BoholbBiz and BoholClassifiedAds

During the Sandugo Showcase ’08 at the Island City Mall, Auza.Net – a technology firm in Tagbilaran City that is committed to the delivery of information services, provide dedicated Internet access service for call center operations, develop and maintain free information web sites, resell web hosting services, provide IT consulting services and provide training on Linux and other open source software; gains new customers for the BoholBiz.com and BoholClassifiedAds.

BoholBiz.com is a Free Online Bohol Business Directory that allows you to advertise your business for free. While BoholClassifiedAds is a free classified ads website that caters to advertisers selling products and services in Bohol.

Auza.net gains 11 more customers for both websites. Customers say that the aforementioned services are amazing, efficient and very satisfying. They find it nice and they feel that anything is possible. Theyare assured because products are easily sold and there is fast release of information.

Customers quote that “In this generation where change is constant, we need to be updated, and BoholBiz and BoholClassifiedAds provides this opportunity not only to the people of Tagbilaran, but to all Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) here in Bohol.”

Bohol Launches Bohol ICT Council

On July 24, 2008, the Bohol Information and Communication Technology Council was launched. The launching was done with a press conference held at the Prawn Farm, Island City Mall. The Council members who were present were Ms. Leah Magno (Chairman) of University of Bohol, Mr. Jerome Auza (Vice-Chairman) of Auza.net, Ms. Ma. Fe Dominise of Bohol Investment Promotion Center (BIPC), Ms. Nannette Arbon of Department of Trade & Industry, and many more. Also in attendance were representatives from Globe and PLDT who expressed the commitment of their companies to help Bohol achieve its goals in the ICT sector.

The ICT Council is a council that concentrates on ICT and will assist the Governor and Bohol. Its goal is to generate jobs for Boholanos through ICT. They aim to define strategic directions and encourage organizations to reduce poverty. It hopes to push for policies that improves the delivery of basic services.

The council foresees development through a strategic approach in implementation and sustainability of ICT by means of government support, skills training, and infrastructure development.

The launching was opened by a presentation of the Bohol ICT Council and was followed by a question and answer portion between the council and the press.

Launching of the Bohol Food Safety Team – an ITS SAFE Project

On the afternoon of July 24, 2008, the Bohol Food Safety Team -a project of the Integrated Technology System & Support Amenities for Food Enterprises (ITS SAFE), was launched at the Island City Mall Activity Center. The event was opened up by a presentation of the ITS SAFE Project. Afterwards, a talk show followed with Mr. Norris Oculam, Mr. Fortunato Lim, and Ms. Pureza Chatto of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Arnold Labunog of PROFOOD. The theme of the talk show was “The Food Safety Movement and its Importance to Bohol’d Tourism Industry.”

The Bohol Food Safety Team will make sure that all can avail of the services for product development, and that when the product gets to the consumer, it is still safe to eat. Food Safety is not only important to tourists since all of us eat. Bohol has an industry where the consumer profile is not only local but international as well.

It is only Bohol that has a Food Safety Team.

After the talk show, there was an introduction of the Food Safety Team and an MOA Signing.

Launching of the Sub-contracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) Program

On the afternoon of July 24, 2008, the SPIN Program was launched at the Island City Mall Activity Center. It was an event with a talk show format where the panelists were Regional Director Aster Caberte f DTI-VII, Mr. Jennifer Cruz of 33.3 Exports, Engr. Ramir Bongahoy of Cebu GTH Foundation, and Col Raul Reyes and Col Cesar Yano of the AFP. They were there to talk about the SPIN Program and how it affects each branch they represent. The talk show was hosted by Jojie Villamor of DTI – VII.

The SPIN program is about how to develop sub-contractors/exporters in the countrysides. It hopes to place in the minds of the sub-contractors the consciousness of quality products and provide jobs in rural areas. So far the SPIN Program has been able to do trainings in Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Leyte and hopefully Region 6.

This program is a joint project between the government and the private sectors. It runs on the theme of “Magtulungan at Magkaisa Laban sa Kahirapan.”

After the talk show, it was followed by an MOA signing and pictorial of the SPIN program members.

Launching of the DTI-SMEDSEP Programs

The Launching of the Department of Trade & Industry – Bohol and the GTZ Small and Medium Enterprises Development through Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP) took place at the Island City Mall Activity Center on July 24, 2008. This was one of the major events during the SME Day.

The launching was opened up with a Background of the SMEDSEP by Ms, Aster Caberte, the Regional Director of the DTI-VII. Shortly a Message on Partnerships was given by Mr. Volker Steigerwald, a representattive of the German Technological Corporation (GTZ). Afterwards, a presentation ws shown regarding the Bohol SMEDSEP Projects.

It was then followed up by speeches of the different branches of the SMEDSEP. First, was Dr. Elpidio Magante, the President of CVSCAFT; second, was Engr. Ramir Bongahoy, the President of Cebu GTH Foundation; and lastly, was Ms. Emilia Rosalinda, of PROCESS – Bohol.

The launching ended with an MOA signing and a pictorial of the SMEDSEP Members.