by admin | Mar 13, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez met with senior executives of Japan’s seven major trading houses in Tokyo recently (March 1, 2017) to discuss President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic programs and Japanese Companies investment interests in the Philippines, conservatively valued at Php198.5B.
During a breakfast dialogue, Lopez—together with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and PH Ambassador-Designate Jose Laurel V—got together with representatives of the sogo shoshas or Japanese companies with a broad range of business activities. Companies present at the meeting were Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui and Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Toyota Tsusho, and Sojitz.
“Through sound and consistent macroeconomic policies, the country continues to attract serious investments. The fundamentals are there in terms of a fast-growing economy, a 109-million population base, standing trade agreements, and a young, talented, and dedicated work force,” Sec. Lopez said on the Japanese companies’ willingness to investment in the Philippines.
“All these—plus political will and focused trade and investment policies—act as a magnet for foreign investments,” Sec. Lopez added.
The investment interests of the sogo shoshas would cover the period spanning late 2016 to 2020, and include:
- Marubeni willing to invest in additional coal power plants worth Php75B over the medium term;
- Itochu and Sumitomo (through PH subsidiaries Dole and Sumifru respectively) willing to invest an additional Php12.9B through 2018 to expand their integrated farming projects in Mindanao;
- Sumitomo, Sojitz, and Mitsui jointly invested in Coral Bay Nickle Corporation and Taganito High Pressure Acid Leaching (THPAL) Nickle Corporation in Surigao and Palawan, at a cost of Php80B;
- The CARS program, under the DTI-driven Manufacturing Resurgence Strategy, enjoying the support and participation of Mitsubishi, Sojitz, Mitsui, and Toyota Tsusho; and,
- All 7 trading houses expressing interest in the Philippines’ “Golden Age of Infrastructure,” i.e. the Railway and Subway Projects, the Clark Green City Project, the Expanded Port and RoRo Building Programs, and the Airport Development Projects.
“With DTI’s inclusive business model, our resource-based country has the potential to become a major supplier to the world by fostering value chain linkages and partnerships between the MSMEs as suppliers of goods and services, and the large enterprises as buyers,” Sec. Lopez said.
When asked about the Philippine government’s mining and tax policies, Secretaries Tugade and Lopez responded that government reforms are being crafted along balanced and fair consideration of both industry and consumer interests.
They also assured investors that with public sector agencies rigidly adhering to President Rodrigo Duterte’s zero corruption dictum, projects would receive adequate protection and fair treatment.
The two officials likewise encouraged the Japanese trading houses to use their expansive business systems to help in planning an efficient set of economic infrastructure, such as farm-to-market roads, bridges, seaports, airports, railways for cargo, passengers and RORO vessels, and service providers
by admin | Mar 13, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is now finalizing the general policies and specific guidelines of the 2017 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP) following the approval by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the plan on 28 February 2017.The IPP, approved through Memorandum Order No. 12, was published in the March 3, 2017 issue of Manila Bulletin and will take effect on March 18, 2017.
The IPP was approved as proposed by the BOI. The submission to the Office of the President on December 29, 2016, three months ahead of the March 31deadline under the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987, and the subsequent approval of the new IPP is a milestone for the agency.
Trade and Industry Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez welcomed the early approval of the new IPP saying “this development is concrete proof of the administration’s decisiveness to further propel the growth of investments and job generation in the country and attain sustainable economic growth”.
The IPP is a list of priority investment activities that may be given incentives. With the theme “Scaling Up and Dispersing Opportunities,” the 2017 IPP brings forth significant additions and changes, following the President’s zero + 10-point Socio Economic Agenda, the aspirations embodied in AmBisyonNatin 2040, and the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. Broadly these changes include further emphasis on innovation-driven and job-generating businesses; inclusive business for agribusiness and tourism; broadened coverage of manufacturing; information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services for the domestic market and telecommunications services for new market players; environment and climate change-related projects; LGU-initiated PPP projects; drug rehabilitation centers; state-of-the-art engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services; and the lifting of geographical restrictions for most agriculture and tourist accommodation facilities.
Formulated through a participative, analytical, and multi-sector process, the new IPP is expected to generate more investments to strengthen manufacturing resurgence and create more jobs as targeted in the PDP 2017-2022. The BOI-approved investments grew 20.4 percent in 2016, reaching P441.8 Billion from the P366.7 Billion registered in 2015. This is the second highest since 2000, with the highest registered in 2013 at P466 Billion. The 20.4 percent growth also exceeded the agency’s 7 percent growth target for 2016.
The BOI is set to conduct IPP Roadshows in key cities all over the country to be led by Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo to inform and promote to the various stakeholders the salient features of the new IPP.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph#
by admin | Mar 12, 2017 | Headlines, Kita ug ang Gobernador, Local News / Bohol Balita
IT WAS IN the late 19th century when the International Council of Women (ICW), the first international women’s rights organization, was formed.
Now, more than a century later, women’s rights organizations are still going strong; and women all over the world have chosen the Month of March as International Women’s Month and March 8 as International Women’s Day (IWD).
In the Philippines, the designated month and day are the same as that of the IWD’s, given credence through Presidential Proclamation No. 227 series of 1998 and Republic Act 6949 series of 1990, respectively.
As per Joint Memorandum No. 2017 by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Education (DepEd), this is to give recognition to the important role and contribution of women to Philippine society.
This year’s theme is “Be Bold for Change.”
To ensure a more meaningful and uniform observance of the 2017 Women’s Month here in Bohol, and in consonance with the Philippine Commission of Women and Women’s Month Celebration, Liza M. Quirog, Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person and SEEM Cluster Head of the PGBh, informed all concerned that the PGBh, through Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, is strongly supporting the advocacy with the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women.”
The same memo enjoins all local chief executives to conduct simultaneous and synchronized activities mentioned therein.
These are the conduct of a Female-led Fun Run (Run for a Cause) last March 8 at 5:00 in the morning; immediately followed by a Zumbabae for All (Zumba).
A three-day rummage sale also began last March 8, coinciding with a Poster/Slogan Contest on the same day.
Come Wednesday, March 15, a City/Municipality Advocacy Campaign for Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) will be staged simultaneously in all local government units (LGUs) in Bohol.
Precisely a week later, that is, on March 22, all LGUs will again simultaneously conduct a Barangay Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign, together with the DepEd, PNP, and the Liga ng mga Barangay.
Both Gov. Chatto and Ms. Quirog are urging every woman to actively join in the activities to ensure and celebrate the independence and power of the female specie. (JLV/PGBh/EDCom)
by admin | Mar 12, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
By JUNE S. BLANCO
GUSO crackers, anyone? How about some guso noodles?
Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado’s (Bohol, 2nd District) said many products from guso or the edible carrageenan-rich seaweeds abundant in the shallow waters of northern Bohol towns are waiting to be developed.
On top of supporting the planting itself as his constituents’ livelihood, the solon said he will also support those who will venture into processing the seaweeds harvest into crackers and noodles.
Aumentado vowed to bring the technology to his district.
He said the idea was well-received by his constituents when he first broached it to them.
On the “how” part, the solon said he will bring in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for more training on planting and securing the planting materials.
He will bring in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to cover questions on the processing part, the actual cooking and packaging, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the marketing side.
He wants the new products to be marketed not only in Bohol but to other provinces and even outside of the country in light of the ASEAN economic integration.
The novel and exotic products, he said, will bolster Bohol’s position in the tourism map. He expressed confidence that soon, buyers from all over the world will be looking for the items on the shelves.
In effect, he explained, the convergence of BFAR, DOST and DTI in his first attempt at branding Bohol will up the province’s eco-tourism attractions.
When the project goes full blast, Aumentado said Bohol’s eco-tourism will sell not only for the tarsier, the Chocolate Hills and white sand beaches but because of the guso crackers and noodles as well.
by admin | Mar 12, 2017 | Headlines, Kita ug ang Gobernador, Photo Story
CLERGY SUPPORTS CRIME WAR. Seriously taking on issues on Bohol’s peace and security situation, members of the Special Action Committee (SAC), which is under the umbrella of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), meet with Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Bishops Alberto Uy and Patrick Parcon, of the Dioceses of Tagbilaran and
by admin | Mar 11, 2017 | Headlines, Kita ug ang Gobernador, Local News / Bohol Balita
FEBRUARY IS NOT only the Love Month but it also is the time of year when Filipinos can have their fill of our rich culture and feast their eyes on colorful events and activities.
This is because the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has chosen February as the country’s National Arts Month (NAM).
NCCA is the country’s prime agency for arts and culture and is leading the whole nation in celebrating artistry, creativity and a whole lot of imagination, led by National Artist Virgilio Almario as Chair, and OIC-Executive Director Marichu G. Tellano.
The NAM had its opening salvo last February 5 at the Rizal Park, followed by a month-long celebration with an impressive line-up of activities and events all over the country.
NCCA’s Sub-Commission on the Arts (SCA) led by Teddy Co has come up with this year’s theme as “Malikhain. Mapagbago. Filipino.”
The SCA comprises the national committees on architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theater and the visual arts.
Here in Bohol, the Provincial Government led by Gov. Edgar M. Chatto celebrated the NAM with a string of activities like an exhibit on industrial design and visual arts, a theater festival, drama workshops, an art fair, printmaking workshop, a film screening and forum, and a musical tertulla.
The opening celebration at the Bohol Cultural Center last February 7 was followed by a “Drama Explosion of Creative Transformative Filipinos,” “Visual Arts and Literary Explosion of Creative Transformative Art Works,” “Cinema Explosion of Creative Transformative Filipino Films,” and eventually, the culmination and closing program, an expo/explosion of Boholano creativity, innovation and transformation.
The closing program consequently also became the blessing and re-launching of the enhanced Abatan River Amphitheater Space at the Abatan River Main Village Center in Cortes.
Gov. Chatto graced the occasion with his lady, Balilihan Mayor and Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC) Chair Pureza Veloso-Chatto; together with other local chief executives of the Abatan River Life Tour municipalities of Maribojoc, Antequera, Catigbian and the host-town of Cortes led by Mayor Lynn Iven Lim.
The musical and culture-rich evening began with an afternoon of sights, sounds and magic right after the blessing of the Abatan River Theater Space, which incidentally became a live backdrop of green mangroves and a rainbow of colors too beautiful to behold.
As always, the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir and the HNU Chorale wowed the crowd with their usual world-class singing prowess.
Romulo Tagaan of the Center for Culture and the Arts (CCAD) of the Provincial Government gave the event’s statement of purpose, followed immediately by PROCESS Bohol Executive Director Emmie Roslinda.
Other true-blooded Boholano talents worthy of praise and applause who shared their God-given talents with the audience were the Lingcud Maribojoc Cultural Collectives, the WinArts Dance Company, HNU Diwanag Dance Theater, Rodolfo Mercado, Noel Tuazon, Paul Joseph Vistal, Kasing Sining Blue Way Dance Ensemble, Tagbilaran City Balitaw Champions, Kasing Sining Teatro Bol-anon Ensemble, and the Bohol Singing Champions, who have given additional laurels to Bohol by having won in different singing competitions.
Bernan Joseph Cruz of the NCCA Plan/Policy Formulation and Programming Division could not contain his excitement due to all the excellent and explosive performances he has witnessed and admitted that “as of this moment, I am already thinking of a thousand ways of how to make use of all these Boholano talents and promote Bohol, not only in the local, but also in the global market as well.”
Given the theatrical ambience, organizers deemed it apt to have the oath taking of the officers of the Bohol Film Commission at the culmination program with Gov. Chatto swearing them all in to subsequently officially assume their posts.
An excerpt of the musical drama “Dagon sa Hoyohoy” got an explosive encore from the audience, especially when its Masters of Ceremonies Lutgardo L. Labad and Marianito Luspo mentioned that First Lady Pureza Chatto was part of the original cast as Dagohoy’s wife.
For that wonderful evening of lights, sounds, dances, songs and world-class talents, Gov. Chatto had this to say: “Let’s keep the tradition of excellence going. We won’t settle for anything less. Behold the beautiful music! BEHOLD BOHOL!”
And this is more than the Muses could hope for. (JLV/PGBh/EDCom)
