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
by admin | Aug 26, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, August 26 (PIA)–Sugod karong Setyembre 15, 2016, ipatuman na sa Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ang online registration system alang sa mga seafarer.
Ang pagbag-o sa sistema tuyong mahatagan og paspas ug hapsay nga serbisyo ang mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Kini human gi-aprubahan sa POEA Governing Board ang Resolution No. 13 Series of 2016 nga magpatuman sa maong online registration.
Gimanduan sa maong resolusyon ang POEA nga alisdan ang Seafarers Registration Certificates (SRC) ngadto na sa online seafarers’ registration.
Ang online SRC system nahisubay sa direktiba ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa tanang buhatan sa gobyerno nga tun-an og balik ang mga sistema aron malikayan ang duplikasyon sa buhat, wagtangon ang mga pila ug tarungon ang paghatag og serbisyo sa publiko.
Makapahimos sa online registry ang may 50,000 ka aplikante sa SRC matag tuig ug matangtang na ang tag-as nga pila sa mga buhatan sa POEA.
by admin | Aug 26, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, August 26 (PIA)–Nipahinumdom ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa mga employers nga mosunod sa gitakdang balaod sa paghatag og holiday pay sa mga mamumuo sa pagsaulog sa Nationa¬l Heroes’ Day nga gi-deklarar isip national holiday.
Ang abiso gipagawas ni DOLE Kalihim Silvestre Bello III diin gi-deklarang regular holiday ang adlaw sa Agosto 29.
“Proper observance of the pay rules on regular holidays and special non-working days will lead to more productive and competent employees¬,” matud pa ni Bello.
Nakalatid sa balaod nga kun ang usa ka emple¬yado nga mosulod sa Agosto 29 sulod sa 8 ka oras angay makadawat og 200% nga suholan.
Kun ang empleyado dili mosulod sa maong adlaw, pagabayaran siya og 100 porsiyento sa iyang suholan sa maong adlaw kun [(Daily Rate + Cost of Living Allowance) x 100%].
Alang sa pagtrabaho nga molapas sa walo ka oras kun overtime work, angay siyang bayaran og dugang 30 porsiyento sa iyang inoras nga suholan kun (hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked), sigun pa sa DOLE. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Aug 25, 2016 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
MANILA, August 25 (PIA)–Dako ang posibilidad nga masumpo na ang illegal recruitment sa nasod human magpagawas og kamanduan ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa paghatag og ganti sa bisan kinsang makatudlo o makatabang sa pag-aresto sa mga illegal recruiter.
Matud pa ni DOLE Kalihim Silvestre Bello, makadawat og P50,000 cash reward ang mga concerned citizen nga mosumbong kalabot sa panghitabo nga illegal recruitment nga mosangpot sa pagkadakop sa mga illegal recruiter.
Tuyo niining ma-aghat ang katawhan nga motabang sa mga awtoridad sa pagsumpo sa illegal recruitment.
Matud pa ni Bello, maggikan ang pondo nga ihatag isip ganti sa hugpong sa mga pribado nga lisensyadong recruitment agency.
Giingong mahimong sugdan sa publiko ang paghatag og kasayuran sa higayong magsugod na ang 24/7 hotline sa DOLE.
Ning bag-o lang, gi-anunsyo sa DOLE nga magbutang sila og 24/7 hotline call services sa mga sakop niining ahensya ug mga regional offices sa tibuok nasod. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Aug 25, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, August 25 (PIA)–Hingpit nang ibawal ang pagduwa sa nisikat na karong reality based game application nga Pokemon Go sa tanang mga buhatan sa gobyerno.
Matud pa sa Civil Service Commission (CSC), wala gitugotan ang pagduwa og Pokemo Go sa oras sa trabaho ang mga kawani sa gobyerno aron dili maapektuhan ang pagserbisyo sa publiko.
Plano usab sa CSC nga padalhan og sulat ang developer sa maong game application nga tangtangon ang mga pokestops ug pokemon gym sa tanang mga buhatan sa gobyerno.
Ang Pokémon Go usa ka location-based augmented reality mobile game nga hinimo sa Niantec alang sa mga Android ug iOS devices.
Mogana kini pinaagi sa GPS nga maoy mo-detect kun asa ang nagduwa ug ang internet connection.
Ang mga pokestops mao ang mga lugar sa Pokemo Go nga mahimong makakuha og mga items sama sa Pokéballs, Lure, Incense, Revive, Potions ug Pokèmon Eggs.
Ang mga pokestops may koneksyon usab sa atong tinuod nga mga lugar sama sa usa ka makasaysayanong lugar o monumento sa nagkalain-laing lugar. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
