by admin | Apr 11, 2018 | DOH Updates, Headlines
TAGBILARAN CITY, Abril 11 (PIA)–Gipahinumdoman sa Department of Health (DOH) ang publiko batok sa mga sakit nga kasagarang makuha matag panahon sa ting-init, human pormal nang gi-deklarar sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ang panahon sa ting-init sa nasod.
Sa abiso sa DOH, miingon kini nga usa sa mga sakit nga angay likayan karon nga inanay nga pag-init sa panahon mao ang heat stroke nga mahimong makamatay.
Aron malikayan ang heat stroke, giingong likayan ang pagbuwad sa init gikan alas 10:00 sa buntag hangdtod alas 3:00 sa hapon.
Apan kun dili malikayan ang paggawas sa balay, giingong mas makaayo nga mogamit og ‘protective gears’ sama sa payong ug kalo ug batasanon usab ang pagdala ug pag-inom og daghang tubig aron malikayan ang dehydration nga mahimong maule sa heat stroke.
Gawas sa heat stroke, angay usab nga molikay sa sore eyes o piskat nga dala sa bakterya o virus nga daling makatakod kun ang mata mapahiran og kamot o gamit nga may bakterya o virus.
Pasidaan pa sa DOH, kun pasagdan ang sore eyes o piskat, mahimo kining maule sa pagkabuta.
Aron malikayan kining sakit, angay batasanon ang kanunay nga paghugas sa kamot ug gitambagan ang publiko nga magpakonsulta una sa doktor sa dili pa mogamit og mga eye drops.
Dali ra usab magka-sunburn kun panahon sa ting-init mao nga dili angay nga magbuwad sa init kun kanus-a taas ang lebel sa makadaot nga UVA ug UVB rays.
Mahimong mogamit og sunblock nga dili mo-ubos sa SPF-30, 30 minutos sa dili pa mogawas ug magbutang na usab og sunblock human sa duha ka oras ug dili kalimtang pahiran ang dalunggan, tangkugo ug tiil.
Dali ra usab makuha ang sip-on ug ubo matag panahon sa ting-init tungod sa init ug pabag-o bag-ong panahon.
Gitambagan usab ang publiko nga susihon ang mga kaonon ug imnon tungod kay ang pagkaon ug ilimnon nga kontaminado maoy hinungdan sa pagkalibanga ug pagsuka.
Matud pa nga angay mag-andam og magbalon og Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) aron imnon kun magkalibanga. Batasanon usab nga moadto sa pinakaduol nga Health Centers aron mokunsulta ug malikayan ang ‘severe dehydration’.
Ang sakit sa panit sama sa boils o pigsa kasagarang makuha sa mga lugar diin may kakulang sa tubig, huot nga lugar ug dili regular nga maligo ang mga tawo sama sa mga prisohan.
Mahimo usab makuha ang mga sakit sa panit sa mga ligoanan o swimming pools nga hugaw mao nga batasanon unang maghunawnaw sa dili pa og human maligo sa mga swimming pools.
Samtang gitambagan sa DOH ang publiko nga kun mapaakan og iro, hugasan dayon ug sabonan ang samad ug moadto sa mga animal bite centers aron mahatagan og bakuna batok sa rabies. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol).
by admin | Apr 11, 2018 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) welcomed USD 9.8 billion-worth of investment intentions from Chinese companies that will cover the construction, electronics, agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceutical sectors, and will provide an estimated 10,800 employment opportunities.
“Investments are important in bringing more job opportunities for all Filipinos. Our bilateral cooperation with China continues to deepen and strengthen. We have agreed to discuss cooperation plans for the next five or even up to 10 years to move forward in specific fields,” said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“As one of the world’s top investment destinations, the Philippines enjoys the confidence of foreign direct investors. And due to our enhanced bilateral and trade relations with China, Chinese companies have increasingly expressed interest in investing in our country,” added Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The President witnessed the signing of nine Letters of Intent (LOI) from the following companies: Shanghai GeoHarbour Group, Jovo Group Co. Ltd. Guangdong, Zhongfa Group, Haocheng Group, China Green Agriculture Group, East-Cloud Biz Travel Ltd., China National Heavy Machinery Corporation, Sino BMG, as well as Shanghai Shinehigh Biotechnology Ltd. Co. and Zhejiang Dongyang Jinxin Chemical Co. Ltd. The signings were held at the sidelines of the Boao Forum 2018 held in Boao, China on 10 April.
The total approved investments from China grew by 53.61% from Php 1.52 billion in 2016 to Php 2.33 billion in 2017. Industries that played a big role in this breakthrough include manufacturing, electricity, service, and finance.
In 2017, China ranked as PH’s top trading partner, 4th largest export market, and top import supplier. PH exports to China grew by 9.73% due to the increase in exports of digital monolithic integrated circuits, cathodes of refined copper, and other fixed capacitators.
“We continue to improve the Philippine business environment and soon, we will be adopting new domestic policies and regulations to promote ease of doing business and competitiveness in various industries,” Sec. Lopez said.
Meanwhile, DTI is strengthening its presence in China by activating three offices and deployment of commercial officers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
The Department will also lead the Philippine delegation to the inaugural edition of the China International Import Exposition (CIIE) on November. This major event is organized by the Chinese government to facilitate increase in imports from partner countries and contribute to balancing bilateral trade. The Philippine delegation will consist of major Filipino exporters and will occupy 100 booths in the Enterprise Zone
by admin | Apr 6, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will tie up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their market and reach clients online with the OneSTore.ph.
“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy. And as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-of-government approach to assist MSMEs, we are teaming up with DOST to impact the lives of more Filipino entrepreneurs,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
The OneSTore.ph is a first government e-commerce platform (Business–to-Customer and Business-to-Business platform) dedicated to marketing high-quality Filipino products of MSMEs through the worldwide web by “bringing quality products at Filipino doorsteps.”
This comes as DTI intensifies marketing capabilities of MSMEs to help them reach the mainstream market.
Under the OneSTore.ph agreement, DTI will Promote the oneSTore.ph to MSMEs through Negosyo Centers as a platform where they can market their products on-line.
At the same time, DTI will make Negosyo Centers accessible to clients of DOST and allow clients to display and dispatch their products with its payment and logistic partners in One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines HubStores, subject to availability of space and to DTI priorities and promote oneSTore and provide signage for the spaces provided for oneSTore.ph and oneSTore hub in every OTOP Store identified as co-branded hub, among others.
The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines is DTI’s collaborative program with national government agencies and local government units as a customized intervention to level up the products of various localities and drive inclusive local economic growth.
DOST, on the other hand, will develop and maintain oneSTore.ph where its accredited Regional Hubs and MSMEs may sell products and services to its clients and engage with payment and logistics partners and provide better oneSTore.ph services to its accredited Regional Hubs, MSMEs and its partner agencies.
DOST will also Provide priority to jointly identified OTOP products for product development initiatives including improvements in packaging and labeling, subsidy or discounts in testing fees, equipment support such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), and strengthen research and development efforts
by admin | Apr 4, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will tie up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their market and reach clients online with the OneSTore.ph.
“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy. And as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-of-government approach to assist MSMEs, we are teaming up with DOST to impact the lives of more Filipino entrepreneurs,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
The OneSTore.ph is a first government e-commerce platform (Business–to-Customer and Business-to-Business platform) dedicated to marketing high-quality Filipino products of MSMEs through the worldwide web by “bringing quality products at Filipino doorsteps.”
This comes as DTI intensifies marketing capabilities of MSMEs to help them reach the mainstream market.
Under the OneSTore.ph agreement, DTI will Promote the oneSTore.ph to MSMEs through Negosyo Centers as a platform where they can market their products on-line.
At the same time, DTI will make Negosyo Centers accessible to clients of DOST and allow clients to display and dispatch their products with its payment and logistic partners in One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines HubStores, subject to availability of space and to DTI priorities and promote oneSTore and provide signage for the spaces provided for oneSTore.ph and oneSTore hub in every OTOP Store identified as co-branded hub, among others.
The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines is DTI’s collaborative program with national government agencies and local government units as a customized intervention to level up the products of various localities and drive inclusive local economic growth.
DOST, on the other hand, will develop and maintain oneSTore.ph where its accredited Regional Hubs and MSMEs may sell products and services to its clients and engage with payment and logistics partners and provide better oneSTore.ph services to its accredited Regional Hubs, MSMEs and its partner agencies.
DOST will also Provide priority to jointly identified OTOP products for product development initiatives including improvements in packaging and labeling, subsidy or discounts in testing fees, equipment support such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), and strengthen research and development efforts.
by admin | Mar 27, 2018 | Business, Headlines
MAKATI – In efforts to enhance trade and investment relations between the Philippines (PH) and Japan (JP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez together with officials of the Department of Finance (DOF) addressed the issues and clarified the concerns raised by Japanese investors on the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Package 2, which rationalizes tax incentives to investments.
“We would like to highlight the aspects of TRAIN Package 2 that would benefit new and existing investors. While Japan is our number one source of investments, there are still a large number of Japanese investors who have not located in the Philippines. The TRAIN Package 2 provides us with the mechanisms both to encourage existing investors to further expand their business, and to attract new investors into the country,” said Sec. Lopez.
During the discussion, Japanese investors expressed their concerns on the new tax incentives for new and existing investors as well as the preferential corporate income tax.
According to Lopez, the proposed legislation is not meant to remove incentives, but in fact recognizes the important role of incentives and the need to make them more responsive, relevant and effective, i.e. they should conform to the principles of being performance-based, time-bound, focused, and transparent.
Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head and DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo explained further that the second tax reform package will in fact provide better incentives.
“First, investors will no longer be limited to just the Income Tax Holiday (ITH) and the 5% tax on Gross Income Earned (GIE)—but will now be able to choose other incentives that may be more relevant, including long enough Net Operating Loss Carry-over, accelerated depreciation, and double-deduction of certain expenses critical to upgrading competitiveness such as R&D, training, and others,” said Usec. Rodolfo.
“Equally important, the TRAIN Package will remove the nationality bias as well as the export bias of incentives. This means that as long as an activity is listed under the Strategic Investments Priorities Plan (SIPP), this will be eligible for incentives regardless of citizenship of owners or the markets they will serve. For Japanese companies, they can receive incentives even if they will sell to the domestic market,” Usec. Rodolfo added.
Meanwhile, DOF Director Juvy Danofrata noted the concerns of investors on the sunset provisions for existing tax incentives. Danofrata said, “While transition mechanisms will be provided including replacing the 5% GIE with a reduced 15% corporate net income tax, we are open to suggestions on how we can design better transitions, as long as these will comply with the basic principles of being time-bound, performance-based, focused, and transparent.”
The discussion was part of the agenda of the 10th Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) Sub-Committee on the Improvement of Business Environment (SC-IBE) Meeting on 22 March co-chaired by Sec. Lopez and Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda. Officials from the Philippine Board of Investments, Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, National Economic Development Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Finance, Department of Labor and Employment, Manila International Airport Authority, Metro Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority were also present during the meeting.
by admin | Mar 26, 2018 | Headlines
DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, the Philippines’ Chief Negotiator at the WTO, announced that an inter-agency delegation headed by DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo will appear before the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Policy Review Body in Geneva, Switzerland on 26 and 28 March 2018 for the Philippines Fifth Trade Policy Review.
Undersecretary Rodolfo will be joined by senior officials of the Departments of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Labor, Board of Investments, National Food Authority, Food and Drug Administration, Intellectual Property Office and the Government Procurement and Policy, as well as officers of the Philippine Mission to the WTO.
The WTO, of which the Philippines has been a member since 1995, conducts individual trade policy reviews, an exercise in which member countries’ trade and related policies are examined and evaluated at regular intervals. For developing countries like the Philippines, the review is conducted once every six years. Substantial developments that may have an impact on the global trading system are also monitored. The last Philippine review was conducted in 2012.
According to Secretary Lopez, “This fifth trade policy review will be an opportunity not only to highlight the country’s impressive economic growth but also to share critical policy reforms and aggressive infrastructure program being undertaken by the Duterte Administration. It also signals that the Philippine government is actively engaging the international community, self-confident in the policies we are implementing.”
The meeting in Geneva will be a culmination of an intensive process that began last year with the preparation of a Report on Philippine Trade Policy by the WTO Secretariat, which was supplemented by a counterpart Philippine Government Report submitted in December 2017.
Ahead of the meeting in Geneva, 22 countries (including US, China) have submitted questions covering a wide range of trade and economic issues such as the developments in the Philippines’ tariff structure, restrictions on investments, import licensing requirements and the rice tariffication process. Some questions which were not directly related to trade were also received, such as on gender equality and visa availments.
“The review process, while allowing other WTO Members to seek clarification on our domestic policies, presented a good opportunity for national agencies to reflect internally on our trade and investment regime in the context of our commitment to the WTO and more importantly our greater objective to make trade more inclusive so that, as President Rodrigo Duterte has clearly and repeatedly articulated, no one is left behind.” Undersecretary Rodolfo concluded. END
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US-GSP for Philippines approved for 3 years
Washington, D.C.—The United States Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) was reauthorized on 23 March 2018, after President Donald J. Trump signed the Omnibus Spending Bill which included GSP renewal language.
The renewal authorizes the GSP through 31 December 2020 and includes a mechanism that refunds tariffs paid from 01 January 2018 through the reinstatement date of the program. In addition, USTR will be required to submit an annual report to the relevant congressional trade committees on Beneficiaries’ compliance with country-eligibility criteria.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez welcomed the reauthorization of the US GSP. “We wish to thank the US Government for the timely renewal of the GSP program, as Philippine exporters will continue to benefit from enhanced market access to the United States under GSP”.
The GSP program covers a total 5,057 products or tariff lines or roughly 47.7% of the 10,600 total US tariff lines: 3,500 of which are open for all Beneficiary Developing Countries (BDC) while an additional 1,500 products are given to the Least-Developed Beneficiary Developing Countries (LDBDC). Effective 1 July 2017, a total of 23 travel goods articles were added to the program.
Lopez said that the Philippines has enjoyed preferential duty-free entry to the US through the GSP program for a number of products. GSP exports account for 18% of Philippines exports to the US, valued at an estimated US$ 1.59 billion. Top GSP exports to the US include telescopic sights for rifles, spectacle lenses other than glass, new pneumatic radial tires of rubber, non-alcoholic beverages not including fruits and vegetables, and electrical machinery and equipment parts.
The recent approval of the GSP is a triple-win for developing countries, US companies, and American consumers, according to Sec. Lopez.
Meanwhile Trade policy Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo highlighted the importance of the US GSP in the face of a brewing trade clash among bigger countries. The Philippines utilizes all available tools to maintain—and even improve its preferential access to key markets. This is important not only in ensuring advantage for our exporters but equally critical, to heighten the Philippines’ advantage as location for manufacturing of these products.”
DTI officials cited that in the case of the US, in addition to the DTI’s advocacy for GSP market access, the Philippines stands ready to engage with US authorities to assist our exporters in the face of additional tariffs which the US may impose on certain products. “With respect to the US, the longer term goal is to negotiate and conclude a free trade agreement,” concludes Lopez. It will be recalled that in a recent testimony to the House Ways & Means Committee, US Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer confirmed that US is considering an FTA with the Philippines.
