by admin | Mar 12, 2018 | Headlines, Negosyo Center Updates
The Department of Trade and Industry through its Go Lokal! program recognized four (4) top MSME suppliers as Top Brand Discoveries for 2017 during its Go Lokal! Buyers’ Day celebration on 8 March 2018 at the DTI Go Lokal! Showroom in Makati City.
Lipi Enterprises, Vicky’s Pili and Food Products, Green Life Coconut Philippines Inc., and Gifts and Graces Fairtrade Foundation Inc., were awarded Top Brand Discoveries for 2017 after careful screening of all established Go Lokal! MSME suppliers with the following criteria: sales performance, number of retail partners carrying the brand, social impact and professionalism.
“As you know, this initiative of the Department is really meant to elevate and upgrade the kind of Micro SMEs that we have here in the country. We want them to be discovered. We want them to be empowered. We want to give them the mainstream place that they deserve—retail malls and outlets which are our partners. It’s different when they are given the chance to succeed,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez during the awarding.
The awarded brands were among the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) registered in Go Lokal! that availed the product development provided by DTI and the free marketing platform through DTI’s retail partners.
Mr. Joseph Lucero of Lipi Enterprises, admitted that access to selling areas was their primary obstacle before being a Go Lokal! supplier. “With Go Lokal! initiative, the DTI helped in bringing us into the malls. They were the conduit between the malls and us, small businesses,” added Lucero. In 2017, Lipi sales increased to 100% after joining Go Lokal!.
Meanwhile, Gifts and Graces, a foundation that was created to connect Filipino artisans and underprivileged communities with consumers, was able to showcase their products at the Go Lokal! retail store in Robinson’s Place Manila.
For Green Life Coconut Products, their presence in various Go Lokal! store locations such as Rustan’s, Robinson’s Ermita, and in 25 City Malls nationwide contributed to their big sales in 2017 amounting to over seven hundred thousand pesos. Vicky’s Pili and Food Products was also recognized for their high-quality pili nut products which recorded a 13% increase in their total sales in 2017 through Go Lokal!
Go Lokal! is a retail concept store and an innovative marketing tool developed by the DTI to showcase quality, cool, modern and 100% Filipino products and help MSMEs in accessing mainstream market.
At present, DTI Go Lokal! has established partnerships with Enchanted Kingdom, SM, Robinsons, Ayala Malls, Rustan’s, Duty Free Philippines, Shopwise, Marketa and City Mall. These partnerships paved the way for over 30 Go Lokal! retail stores in the country.
In photo (from left to right): DTI One Town, One Product (OTOP) Consultant Leon Flores receiving the award for Lipi Shoes, DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Assistant Secretary Rosvi C. Gaetos, Gifts and Graces Executive Director Victoria Jalandoni, Vicky’s Pili and Food Products Managing Owner Myra Zandra Gestiada, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Greenlife Coconut Products Sales and Marketing Director Ma. Frances Rubio and Pamela Rubio, and DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion Director Rhodora Leaǹo.
by admin | Mar 11, 2018 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
THE Congress Bicameral Conference Committee has approved the Balik Scientist Act – the measure designed to attract Filipino scientists now working abroad to return home.
Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) who chairs the House Committee on Science and Technology says the move aims to invite home scientists, engineers and innovators either for short term stays to lead researches and experiments, or to come home for good for the same purpose.
Aumentado expressed gratitude to Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, his counterpart in the Senate, for pushing the same legislation “to bring back Filipino scientists, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs to work in various fields, including heath, food and agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), and even alternative energy.”
The act institutionalizes the program first established in 1975. Aumentado said his move came after observing that the program “has been a tremendous success in accelerating the flow of strategically important strategies that are vital to national development and progress.
The solon said among others, the scientist will be given free round trip or one way air fare from his country of origin, reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance, tax-exempt daily allowance, exemption from the licensing permit from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), tax and duties exemption for donated equipment.
Those staying for good will also have relocation allowance, exemption from tax of his monthly allowance, housing arrangements.
IN THE SENATE. Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña (center) is flanked by Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino (left) and Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, principal authors of the Senate and House versions, respectively, of the Balik Scientist Act. With them are sponsors Senators Nancy Binay and Edward Maceda (standing 2nd and 4th from left) and Representatives, from left, Salvador Belaro Jr., Arlene Arcillas, Divina Grace Yu and Yul Nieto. Not in picture is Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde Jr. Photo: Aris Aumentado’s Facebook Account
by admin | Mar 9, 2018 | Headlines, Tech Talk
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for automated government frontline services through mobile applications and the use of electronic payment scheme to enhance the ease of doing business in the country.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, chair of Inter-agency Ease of Doing Business Task Force, said that the ultimate goal of all the reforms is to make all frontline services online literally at your fingertips, providing a convenient and efficient means for public to transact with the government.
Lopez cited the Quezon City (QC) government’s Online Business Registration, where applicants can file for business permits online. This allows businesses to easily register their firms in the comforts of their home/businesses.
During the joint visit of the DTI, DILG and NCC, the QC government reported on the ePayment facility for business taxes and real property taxes. Payment of these charges can be made thru Landbank, Bancnet, or GCash. These reforms significantly improved doing business in Quezon City.
“As we continue to cut red tape and streamline procedures, we are now moving towards automation of government transactions. In the age of smartphones, we intend to harness its potential to ease of doing business. With the support of DICT, we are looking at developing a fully electronic registration process using smartphone apps.” Lopez said
Secretary Lopez also stated that with the enactment of the proposed Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, nationwide automation will soon become a reality. The proposed law mandates a central business portal that will link the systems of national government agencies and local government units, as well as the establishment of a Philippine Business Registry databank. This portal will serve as a central system to receive applications and capture application data involving business-related transactions.
“We must make doing business easier. A complicated business registration process is a huge turn off particularly to young entrepreneurs or millennials who would want to start their business. Our current business registration practices are not aligned with the preferences of this demographic who are totally dependent on their mobile devices,” Lopez said
by admin | Mar 8, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) intensifies its programs that support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing export markets through its Regional Interactive Platform for the Philippine Exporters (RIPPLES) Plus Program.
For full year 2017, RIPPLES Plus assisted a total of 408 exporters and implemented 33 marketing and promotional activities geared toward strengthening Philippine exporters’ capacities in support to increasing economic revenues for the country.
Through RIPPLES Plus, Philippine exporters are being assisted to penetrate markets by updating them on latest trends and market requirements.
“For the track 2 project, the conduct of the product development included the translation of the text of the chichacorn labels in Arabic language. This will open new export markets of my chichacorn products specifically in the Middle East,” said Clemencia Padre, a program participant from Region 1.
For 2018, the program aims to undertake targeted and more aggressive export promotion for priority industries, such as food and agri-marine, services, and industrial sectors.
“Our participation to the various trade and exhibitions and fairs allowed our cooperative to open new markets and new opportunities. Orders have increased from Manila- and Cebu-based exporters and converters. We generated a total of Php 6.40 million for 2016 and Php5.06 million for 2017 through RIPPLES Plus,” said Ma. Trina V. Sumayang, General Manager of of Tubigon Loomweavers Multipurpose Cooperative.
RIPPLES Plus is a focused program developed and being implemented by DTI-EMB that aims to expand the supply base of internationally competitive Philippine export products and services and to provide intensified, purposive and practical assistance geared toward the internationalization of Philippine MSMEs and expand the global export-market opportunities for large corporations.
RIPPLES Plus develops both products and exporters through four modes of assistance: training and capacity building; marketing and promotion; support for innovation through product development and design; access to markets through mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and certifications.
In 2017, the country’s merchandise export recorded a 9.5% increase compared to 2016. Total exported goods amounted to $62.87 billion with significant growth in non-electronic products, a reflection of the country’s efforts to diversify its export products.
by admin | Mar 7, 2018 | DTI Updates, Headlines
From L to R: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Senator Loren B. Legarda, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee, and DFA Assistant Secretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim.
Pasay City—Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez hailed the ratification of the Senate of the Philippines-European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (PH-EFTA FTA) during its third reading last 05 March 2018.
“The PH-EFTA FTA is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s strategy of pursuing trade relations with non-traditional as well as high potential trade partners. With this ratification, the Philippines will benefit from expanded trade engagements with non-EU members even as it gives us greater access to the European market,” said Sec. Lopez.
The agreement will allow duty-free market access between the Philippines and the EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) to trade products and services and facilitate investments.
Sec. Lopez said: “While there’s a large potential to expand our trade and investment relations with EFTA, the FTA also capitalizes on it since trade goods between the Philippines and EFTA are non-competing.”
The FTA benefits the PH especially in exporting agricultural, industrial, and fishery products. Once the FTA is in place, EFTA will grant duty-free market access to all industrial and fishery products from PH.
PH will also gain tax incentives on agricultural products, particularly those (1) that are currently being exported to the EFTA Member States such as desiccated coconut, prepared or preserved pineapples, and raw cane sugar; (2) with high potential export interest, including those exported to neighboring European countries, which can be alternatively exported to EFTA countries.
“This will improve the country’s market share vis-à-vis the other ASEAN countries in the EFTA market. The Philippines can take the opportunity to position itself as EFTA’s primary import source of these products,” said Senator Loren B. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during her speech at the Senate last February 26.
In return, PH will also grant EFTA countries duty-free market access on most industrial and fishery products as well as market access on goods such as temperate fruits, mineral and aerated waters, food preparations, chocolate, cheese and wine.
The agreement will also welcome foreign investments on renewable energy, computer and related services (IT-BPM), construction, environmental services, maritime transport, and finance.
Highly-skilled Filipino workers will also have easier entry in the 4 countries. The agreement allows temporary stay of the following service suppliers, without the need for an economic needs test: (1) executives, managers and specialists (who are intra-corporate transfers), (2) business visitors, (3) contractual service suppliers, and (4) installers of service industrial machinery.
The PH-EFTA FTA will be effective three months after its ratification in PH and at least one EFTA member state. Once implemented, this is the Philippines’ second bilateral FTA after the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in 2008.
by admin | Mar 6, 2018 | Business, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry Region and Department of Public Works and Highways Region in CALABARZON Region recently conducted a Regional Orientation for the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program to facilitate efficient and coordinated efforts among the two Departments to identify, prioritize, and implement road access infrastructure leading to various industries and economic zones in a technically-correct and politically-participative process with input and support from the business and civil society, as well as, local government units (LGUs).
The Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade or ROLL IT Program aims to further the growth of investments and other economic activities in the country through more road projects leading to manufacturing and economic zones.
DTI CALABARZON was tasked to identify potential industry road projects using the Road Leveraging Linkages Evaluation Rating System (ROLLERS)—identification, importance, necessity, and implementability/readiness.
“DTI and DPWH joined forces to address the damaged and impassable roads leading to industries and trade development cities and towns in CALABARZON because we aim to have inclusive economic growth,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Toledo.
Launched in November 2016, the two government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the ROLL IT project implementation on road connectivity for industry and trade development. Under the agreement, DTI will identify areas where industry sectors need road facilities and connectivity.
For 2018, ROLL IT has 229 total approved projects nationwide, with estimated number of 502.1 kilometers amounting to P12.5 billion.
In CALABARZON, there are eight ROLL IT projects amounting to P479 million in the following areas namely, Dasmarinas, Cavite; Cabuyao City, Laguna; Lopez, Quezon; Alabat, Quezon; Guinayangan, Quezon; Gumaca, Quezon; Atimonan, Quezon; and Tagkawayan, Quezon.
The ROLL IT Convergence Program will be one of the strong platforms of the promise of a Golden Age of Infrastructure for the Philippines, through a target of national infrastructure budget of 7% of Gross Domestic Product, roughly equivalent to around P8.2 trillion.
The ROLL IT Program will further fuel the recent high growth of domestic investments as well as the surge in foreign direct investments of the country, through more road projects funded within 2016-2022.
The ROLL IT program’s goal is to prioritize infrastructure development in the country. It will leverage on the success and experiences of the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program or the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) that lead to the upgrading of roads leading to tourist destinations.
The initiative of DTI and DPWH is intended to contribute in delivering accelerated infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth.
Through better road infrastructure connecting the industries, industrial and regional development strategy can be realized and will further facilitate balanced development, dispersal of industries away from urban areas towards the rural areas, creating more job and income opportunities to more Filipinos.
