by admin | May 16, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced the opening of another Go Lokal! store in partnership with the country’s largest mall chain, SM Group, on 17 May at SM Makati.
“This launching is another milestone for DTI’s initiatives to provide greater market access for our micro entrepreneurs that are part of Go Lokal!,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.
Last March, SM Group signed an agreement with DTI which allowed SM’s Kultura Filipino to operate and manage Go Lokal. It will display and sell world-class products sourced from micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) all over the Philippines which offer consumers, institutional buyers, and tourists, value for their money.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez together with SM Investments Corporation Vice-Chaiperson Teresita Sy-Coson will lead the ribbon cutting ceremonies which will be held at the ground level of SM Makati where a 3-day Go Lokal exhibit will also be up. Meanwhile, the Go Lokal permanent store located at the 2nd level concourse area near Kultura Filipino will be open to the public starting May 17.
“Most of our small businesses are unable to pay high rental fees in consumer-frequented areas. Through Go Lokal, DTI with its partners aim to provide support services by providing free-spaces for their products for a certain period of time,” explained Secretary Lopez.
DTI sees Go Lokal! as an opportunity for the country’s MSMEs to go mainstream and test the marketability of their products without incurring the high costs of operating a retail outlet.
SM Group, the largest chain mail in the country, vowed to help DTI in achieving its goal of helping small businesses by partnering with it. DTI and SM Group partnership aims to ensure a strong and nationwide presence of Go Lokal stores in prime locations for the convenience of the buying public.
At present, Go Lokal stores are operational in Enchanted Kingdom’s Pugad souvenir shop and at Robinson’s Ermita branch. DTI also signed partnership with Double Dragon’s CityMall.
Initiated by DTI, in collaboration with selected retail partners, Go Lokal! aims to be an excellent marketing avenue for MSME incubation, marketing, and branding. Go Lokal! carries everyday products made from indigenous materials but modern in design, world class in packaging, and are competitively-priced: from food, home décor, arts and crafts, health and wellness products, to fashion apparel and accessories.
Through Go Lokal, DTI advances inclusive growth by driving MSME development, generating jobs and promoting meaningful livelihood. It provides market access to hundreds of MSME’s, as well as contributes to the upliftment of communities and other vulnerable sectors of society by apportioning part of store sales to community-based projects including drug rehabilitation.
by admin | May 15, 2017 | Headlines
An Abu Sayyaf bandit was killed in Pangganan, Calape around 1 in the afternoon on Monday, May 15, 2017.
The alleged ASG member attempted to take hostage a man at the shore in that area. The authorities are still yet to ascertain the identity of the casualty.
Two alleged ASG members were spotted in the area late last week.
Reports from Calape Police Station — heard over DYRD-AM Worldwide
Update: 2:38PM over DYRD:
The ASG member is identified as Abu Ubayda. He was killed by police operatives at Barangay Lawis, near a mangrove area. Conflicting reports were provided by different news casters on the actual location but the barangays mentioned are next to each other. The other barangay mentioned is Barangay Cahayag.
The area were the body was found is already cordoned off by the police.
Update: 3:17PM over DYRD:
The ASG member was able to steal a motorcycle. They were hiding in the mangrove area.
The suspect had hostaged a family of a certain Mr. Tuloy since last Friday and made them into lookouts and ordered them to provide food and protection. They threatened the family that they will be killed if they tell authorities about them. However, the ASG suspects did not go into the house of the family though. Mr. Tuloy was ordered Monday morning to check if there are still soldiers and checkpoints.
A Porterio Kusina, a local resident, was wounded when he attempted to fight back the suspects when they passed by. The suspects, fortunately, were in a hurry to evade authorities and left Mr. Kusina.
Update: 3:37PM over DYRD:
The dead ASG was bringing a long firearm and fought back Army troops that pursued them. However, the identity could not be ascertained yet because the face was badly damaged from the firefight. The other suspect is still being pursued.
SWAT, 47th IB, PNP-Calape and Rapid Response teams are in the area.
by admin | May 14, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
WHEN it rains, it pours.
This saying perfectly describes the four-point celebration that Rep. Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) and family wish to honor their father and grandfather – the solon’s immediate past congressional predecessor, Erico Boyles Aumentado, on his birthday on May 18. He would have turned 77 years old.
When he was still alive, the Aumentado patriarch and his wife Grenie who was born on May 16, used to celebrate their birthdays together. The two-day difference did not matter. They were in love. And their union brought into this world eight children, 20 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
This year’s thanksgiving is made even more special with the passing of the bar of the only grandchild who took up law – lawyer Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor – daughter of Razel, Aris’ eldest sister. The Aumentado brood had taken up medical and other courses not related to lawyering.
The elder Aumentado entered politics as senior Board Member, who was then elected at large. He became vice governor, completed three terms as congressman, completed three terms as governor, and was into another term as congressman when death overtook him.
Through those years, he authored many ordinances, resolutions and laws. He also wrote long-running columns in local newspapers and was even a correspondent news writer-reporter and features writer for national dailies while still a student until he became a lawyer.
His love for writing never faded – even during his final days on earth.
But what he never got to finish because of his primary work was his autobiography. He had done several chapters, and had chosen the pictures he would have liked to lend graphics to his book.
Luckily enough though, two authors who had idolized him – Ben Cal and Bingo Dejaresco – pooled talent and resources to complete the senior Aumentado’s unfinished book.
Erico Boyles Aumentado – A Great Boholano Leader is now off the press.
Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. has confirmed his presence at the book launch as guest speaker, to be held at the Fortridge Pavillion. The launching program at 10 a.m. follows the Holy Eucharist an hour earlier.
Also to give testimonials are former Gov. David Tirol and Villamor. Tirol will talk about the elder Aumentado’s life as a student and politician.
Villamor will talk of him as a grandfather and his work ethics.
Grenie will give the closing remarks.
Following Evasco’s message, Aris will give the response on behalf of the family. His mother, the Birthday Girl Grenie, will give the closing remarks.
by admin | May 12, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 12, (PIA)–There might be a little hope for Balicasag, Panglao and maybe Cabilao to set up their municipal ports to be supervised by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), but they have to redo the proposals to get the plan back on track.
PPA Engineering services Division chief Engr. Richard Elopre told members of the Association of United Development Information Officers in Bohol (AUDIO) meeting at the PPA Multi-Purpose Hall that there used to be a proposal for the PPA to help build Balicasag and Cabilao Ports.
Although technically beyond the jurisdiction of the PPA, as the proposed ports would be serving small motorized boats and are regulated by the Maritime Industry Authority of the Philippines (MARINA) and fishing boats by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the PPA would have all operated ports under their supervision, PPA chief safety officer and public information officer Archt Epelito Arao-arao bared.
Earlier, information officers who listened to the PPA mandates asked how the PPA determines the establishment of ports.
Concerned about the haphazard manner by which boat operators dock in Panglao’s tourism island Balicasag, Panglao Information Officer and Executive Assistant Danny Reyes asked if the PPA can help put up a port of sorts to streamline Balicasag dive, snorkel and island hopping operations and spare the tourists from the hassle.
Reyes said around 80 to 100 motorized bancas come to Balicasag every day and dock just everywhere.
On this, Archt Arao-arao explained that since the 1970’s creation of the PPA, it has predetermined ports based on revenues, income, size and strategic locations as part of PPA ports system, then which were strategically spaced less than 50 kilometers.
Balicasag happens to be less than 50 kilometers from Tagbilaran.
All [established] ports in the country shall be under the supervision of the PPA, Araoarao, who has almost 20 years of PPA work in his belt, cited the mandate of the office and added that in Bohol, the PPA also exercises supervision over municipal ports like Bien Unido, Loay and Alburquerque.
He said, “we evaluate, as we are mandated by law, to assess the capacity of the operator, private entities, individual private ports.”
For those starting to operate one, he advised, they should have approval and permission from PPA as the agency will have it under its supervision.
In Bohol, PPA operates the ports of Tagbilaran, Loon, Tubigon, Getafe, Talibon, Ubay, Tapal and Jagna.
But, for Panglao, Archt Arao-arao, who presented his presentation by soliciting ideas, insights or suggestions on how to further develop the PPA services, also leaked that the PPA in Tagbilaran may help endorse the project proposed to the Central Office.
Engr Elopre said a common port for Balicasag and Cabilao has been tackled way back but the move died, himself not privy to what had happened.
The PPA engineering chief even added that an ocular inspection has been completed then and resurrecting the plan would also restart the paper process.
For now, the establishment of a PPA supervised port in Balicasag could be a move supportive of the town’s efforts to regulate and streamline motorized banca operations as well as stop the degradation of Balicasag coral cover, the indiscriminate dropping of anchors ruining patches of marine coral gardens. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | May 12, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
The Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions (CITEM) is set to launch the 11th edition of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) – Philippines, the biggest international food trade exhibition which will compose of over 700 exhibitors showcasing ethnic and specialty food from various Asian countries.
High on this year’s food exhibition is the promotion of the historical, geographical and cultural influences behind the best of Southeast Asia’s distinct cuisines through “TASTE ASEAN,” that is set on 19-21 May at the World Trade Center (WTC) and at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.
“Philippines is among the top exporters of food worldwide. We hope that with this year’s IFEX, we could target sales of up to $118 million,” said DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.
On 6 May, during the IFEX Al Fresco event with the media, CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon announced that with IFEX success in recent years, it should be held annually. “IFEX helps not just uplift the Philippine brand, but also allow our exhibitors to introduce their products to a whole new market globally,” Tugonon added. Past years, the Philippines would hold IFEX after every other year.
“ASEAN is home for so many delicacies and food brands that are truly world-class. We hope to make these brands widely known to our local and foreign buyers,” explained Undersecretary Terrado.
Tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh and processed seafood, sauces and condiments, and other food products that make up the food industry worldwide will be up for selling during the exposition.
Exhibitors, aside from the ASEAN member states, who also confirmed their presence at IFEX 2017 include China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey.
DTI noted that IFEX is the only business-to-business and export-oriented food show in the country designed for local and international food companies to meet and transact with the world’s top buyers.
IFEX Philippines is organized by CITEM, the leading attached agency of the DTI that conducts international trade expositions and missions promoting the Philippine brand.
At present, the Philippine food industry is among the top industries where micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) thrive. In 2015, out of the 896,839 established MSMEs in the country, 13.3% of these are in the food and accommodation services which created a total of 666,254 jobs.
by admin | May 12, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Police Reports
TAGBILARAN CITY, May 11, (PIA)–Proven to be very reliable, information from the grassroots about the where-about of the remaining two wounded members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has kept government troops on their toes.
It might not be long before the timely report could come anytime and the capture of the remaining bandits could happen, Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño said, May 10.
With plenty unfiltered information getting in and communities on their toes, a regional police official summed, “right information at the right time should help.”
To do that, authorities are now organizing communities and capacitating residents what to look out for the of terrorists trying to evade government troops, through security briefings and impressed on the need to organize for information networking, while asserting and assuring tourists that travel in Bohol is still safe.
The Provincial Government gathered Bohol local officials: mayors and barangay captains including barangay peacekeeping action teams (BPATS) May 10, for the authorities to talk about helping government troops in reporting the presence of suspicious persons and of the Philippine National Police program Bikes for Peace and its events.
Explaining to members of the BPATS, barangay officials and local officials gathered for the Anti-Terrorism Information Drive at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran and at the Quinale Beach in Anda, General Taliño emphasized Boholano courage and unity which thwarted the terror attempts of the notorious group here.
The police regional chief cited the crucial information of the community in Napo, in validating the presence of the armed men after the intelligence sources report a plan by the ASG to venture into the Visayas.
The information resulted to the encounter and the death of 4 armed men, 2 supporters and 4 government troopers.
He also cited the information from a motorcycle for hire driver about the presence of suspicious men near a cave in Bacani Clarin, a week later.
Band leader Joselito Melloria and three of his armed companions died in the ensuing gunfight after the validation of the information.
The community also efficiently caused the apprehension of another ASG bandit who survived over nearly a month roaming the jungles of Inabanga, Clarin and Tubigon before giving himself away when he attended a fiesta and refused to eat pork.
In fact, Taliño pointed out that the government troops’ engagement with the bandits succeeded because of the timely action of local authorities.
Without the courage and unity, [of Boholanos] the ASG could have done [what they intend to do], he pointed out.
Because of this, Police Chief Superintendent Taliño led the Regional Police Office and the Bohol Provincial Police Office and civilian bike enthusiasts in a two day Bike of Peace events in Bohol.
For the 20 kilometer Ride for Peace in Panglao May 9, General Taliño said the Rides for Peace would be held to assure tourists that it is still safe to go to Bohol or any place in the Visayas.
In Anda, after taking the 44 kilometer ride, bikers danced the zumba while waiting for the barangay officials for the terrorism briefing.
Topics during the forum with the local officials and peace advocates include Community and personal Profiling as well as Community Organizing.
Both topics are very important in fortifying communities against the entry of suspicious strangers that may further do crimes and start terror cells, the Tagalog speaking police chief said.
Importanteng bagay ang gusto nating ma-achieve, he said of the Bike for Peace and the Anti-Terrorism Forum.
We want people to help and we want fortified communities to help take care of their security, he added.
As to the Bike for Peace, Taliño said we will be doing this [Bike For Peace] in Bohol, Cebu or Siquijor, little this may be, but anything that can help, we will do, he capped. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
PCSuperintendent Noli Taliño speaks to BPATS and barangay officials of Anda, Candijay and Guindulman during the recent Anti-Terrorism Forum held at the Quinale Beach in And Bohol following a 44 kilometer Bike for Peace Ride from Jagna to Anda. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
