by admin | Feb 22, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Procter and Gamble (P&G) signed an agreement that will help micro entrepreneurs develop their business skills, and gain access to start-up capital.
A program for micro-entrepreneurs, which is also one of the key priorities in the current trade agenda, the agreement “P&G Angat Kita Program” is designed to help sari-sari storeowners and other micro-entrepreneurs advance their skills through seminars provided by the agency’s Negosyo Centers.
“This agreement is a huge lift for our micro entrepreneurs especially that we are targeting those who are at the bottom of the pyramid. We are a step closer to achieving the trabaho at negosyo agenda of the administration,” Operations Group Supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said of the signing.
The “P&G Angat Kita Program” will also help micro entrepreneurs gain access to start-up capital in the form of goods or products and network linkage micro entrepreneurs need to help grow, maintain businesses and lift their current status.
The agreement will also provide a P2,500 worth of P&G start-up package after successfully finishing a basic merchandising seminar in DTI’s Negosyo Centers to 1,000 initial participants of the program. In total, there are 448 Negosyo Centers operating since its inception in 2014.
In line with the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, the DTI-ROG launched Negosyo Centers nationwide to help MSMEs in providing access to information, business name registration, access to finance, access to market and access to training.
DTI and P&G target to cover 20,000 to 30,000 micro entrepreneurs nationwide, after the initial launching in Metro Manila, including the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Marikina and Quezon City.
“This is a welcome agreement for us. After the launching of the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso or P3, we hope that more industry partners link up with DTI to come up with Business Models specially for budding micro-entrepreneurs,” Maglaya added.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 20, 2017 | Headlines, National News
Now in the top-third of the ranking
Philippines leaps 12 ranks to No. 58 in Economic Freedom Index 2017
The National Competitiveness Council is pleased to announce that the country has advanced twelve notches to rank no. 58 out of 180 countries in the latest release of the Economic Freedom Index 2017, making it to the top-third of the ranking. This is the sixth consecutive time the country has upgraded its ranking since 2011.
Published annually by US-based think-tank Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal, the Index measures “a nation’s commitment to free enterprise” and scores economies in twelve categories, covering a broad range of factors including court system efficiency, tax rates, investment restrictions, and licensing requirements. Based on the average of these scores, economies are then classified as “free” (score of 80 or higher), “mostly free” (70-79.9), “moderately free” (60-69.9), “mostly unfree” (50-59.9), or “repressed” (below 50).
From the previous score of 63.1, the Philippines increased 2.5 points to 65.6, maintaining its status as a “moderately free” country for four years. This makes the Philippines fourth in the ASEAN region, trailing behind Singapore (2nd), Malaysia (27th), and Thailand (55th), and ahead of Indonesia (84th), Cambodia (94th), Laos (133rd), Myanmar (146th), and Vietnam (147th).
In the latest EFI, the Philippines significantly progressed in the area of Monetary Freedom, advancing 18 notches (from 86th to 68th) and also improved in the areas of Labor Freedom (up 6, from 109th to 103rd), and Government Integrity, formerly Freedom from Corruption (up 1, from 87th to 86th).However, it stagnated in the aspects of Trade Freedom (down 9, from 94th to 103rd), Business Freedom (down 8, from 99th to 107th), Property Rights (down 7, from 92nd to 99th), Investment Freedom (down 6, from 83rd to 89th), Government Spending (down 2, from 20th to 22nd), and Tax Burden and Financial Freedom (down 1, from 92nd to 93rd and 38th to 39th , respectively).
The index also noted the country’s gradual improvement of the business regulatory environment that includes reduction of time and cost involved in acquiring licenses.
Meanwhile, the new indicators (Fiscal Health and Judicial Effectiveness) placed the country in 26th and 110th rank, respectively.
The Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal lauded the Philippines’ notable economic growth amid challenging global economic environment, driven by strong export performance and inflows of remittances that have bolstered private consumption, though it pointed to the absence of entrepreneurial dynamism as a challenge to long-term economic growth.
by admin | Feb 19, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Tourism
By JUNE S. BLANCO
RESIDENTS of Buenavista and nearby towns better learn welding now.
This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) met with the top henchman of a company that plans to establish a shipyard in Buenavista town.
The company executive, Aumentado and Buenvavista Mayor Ronald Lowell “Sample” Tirol discussed possibilities and scouted around the district for the ideal location until the former settled for Buenavista.
Aumentado took the former’s decision as a good omen where employment opportunities for his constituents are concerned.
The shipyard, he said, is expected to attract other investors to the town.
This means job opportunities that will bring in money to increase the buying power or consumer spending of residents and visitors alike.
On top of skilled welders, the shipyard will also need workers for parallel industries and businesses like food prepararion for the workers.
Thus, he said, money circulation in the town, the district and the province will expectedly increase.
He vowed to continue looking for similar opportunities for his constituents so that their respective breadwinners need not go to bigger cities or even abroad for the proverbial greener pastures.
It is best, he observed, that families stay together.
by admin | Feb 18, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Sports
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 18 (PIA)—Bohol lost steam and sizzled as it slid to fourth among 13 sports delegations towards the closing days of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) meet held February 12-17, 2017 at the Teodoro Mendiola Sr Oval in Naga City.
On the second day of competitions, Bohol took a commanding second place, its athletes achievements even earning precious newspaper spaces all over Central Visayas but could not hold on to its edge.
Medal powerhouse Cebu City kept its 2016 lead and cemented a 25th straight winning streak for the CVRAA crown with 144 gold medals, 64 silvers and 77 bronze medals.
Observers always pick Cebu City as favorite, being the host of most schools with well-defined sports programs.
Cebu Province, which finished fourth overall in 2016 improved its position by skipping over two positions to trample then third placer Bohol and second placer Mandaue City to claim a spot as the region’s next delegation with the most medals.
Cebu Province nailed 37 gold medals, 41 silvers and 47 bronze medals to sidle in between Cebu City and next bigger contender Mandaue City.
On day three of the sports competitions, Bohol could not keep up with the gold harvest and settled for third, a position it continues to lose grip to Mandaue City, which had also a terrible showing in 2017.
Mandaue City finished off the sports hostilities emerging with 29 gold medals, 49 silver medals and 47 bronze medals to earn the third spot in the region’s pre qualifier to the Palarong Pambansa.
Bohol, which ranked third last year could only muster 25 gold medals, 38 silvers and 75 bronze medals to claim the fourth place.
Lapulapu City maintained its fifth place finish in 2016, with 23 gold medals35 silvers and 35 bronze medals.
Like Cebu Province, Tagbilaran City pulled out a stunning show and performed two notches better earning sixth place after five days of events.
Tagbilaran City bagged home 21 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 25 bronze medals in 2017, as against its 8th place finish in 2016 with only 8 gold medals, 20 silvers and 20 bronze medals then.
Tagbilaran City in 2017 overtook Danao City which has clung to the 7th place position it claimed in 2016.
Danao City could only make 17 gold medal finishes, 30 silver medals and 25 bronze medals this year.
From 9th rank in 2016, host City of Naga improved its standing to eight when its athletes finished off the games with 7 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 19 bronzes.
Then ranked 6th in 2016, Talisay City slumped to ninth position in 2017 earning 6 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 14 bronze finishes at the capping day of the tournaments.
The City of Bogo showed promise this year as from being last in 2016, the delegation improved its position massively; jumping over three notches to claim the 10th berth of the CVRAA 2017.
The City of Bogo posted 6 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze slate after the 2017 hostilities.
Toledo City, which was occupying the 12th spot in 2016 jumped up to 11th and beat next contender Siquijor Province by one gold medal more.
Toledo City capped the days with 3 top finishes, 5 silver finishes and 4 bronze finishes.
On the other hand, Siquijor, which used to claim the 10th space in 2016 also slid off to 12th with only 2 golds, 4 silvers and a single bronze.
Carcar City, which used to have the 11th place in 2016 could only muster a silver and 4 bronze medals to settle at the tail end of the CVRAA 2017 roster.
The results are based on the final official medal tally on regular sports certified by Records and Results Chief Alberto L. Mangaron, Co-chief Mario Garcia and recorder Jonas Ledesma. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Bohol secondary basketball team proved it can be a group to contend with after emerging with the silver finish in the recently completed CVRAA 2017. (photo grabbed from DepED Lope Hubac’s facebook)
by admin | Feb 17, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The DTI recently held a dialogue with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address their concerns regarding the deepening integration process of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). These include environment and climate change, protection of workers, women, indigenous peoples, and social inequality, among others. The ASEAN CSOs hoped that these will be discussed during the 31st Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) scheduled on 15-16 February in Metro Manila.
During the dialogue, Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Industry Development Dr. Ceferino S. Rodolfo explained the role of HLTF-EI in providing overall guidance to the AEC process and assured the group that “the concerns expressed here today will be proposed by the Philippines for discussion with the trade vice ministers of ASEAN during the HLTF-EI Meeting.” Undersecretary Rodolfo is the Philippine HLTF-EI Lead.
“The Philippines’ agenda priorities focus on inclusiveness and innovation. Consultations with our stakeholders ensure that these priorities are aligned with the domestic agenda. Hosting ASEAN this year gives us the opportunity to advance our country’s interests and provide the way forward in ensuring that regional economic integration guarantees inclusive and sustainable growth of the region’s citizens.” He emphasized that as Chair of ASEAN 2017, the country is advancing matters on social disparities which include issues ranging from energy, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, women empowerment, education, decent employment and labor standards, and safeguards against race-to-the-bottom policies.
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) President Dr. Eduardo Tadem noted that the Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2017 provides an avenue to articulate observations, views and insights on the country’s participation in ASEAN and in FTAs but reminded government to safeguard the rights of those affected in the ongoing integration process. “Kaya po kami nandito upang ipahayag na hindi kami tutol sa integrasyon, ngunit ang integrasyon na aming hangad ay ang tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan, kumakalinga sa kalikasan, at pumuprotekta sa karapatang pantao, said Mr. Joseph Purugganan, coordinator of the Focus on the Global South – Philippines. (We are here to state that we are not opposed to integration, but the integration we desire should address the needs of the people, nurtures the environment, and protects human rights).
Chang Jordan from the Women’s Legal Bureau, highlighting the weakness of market conditions to provide equal opportunities to women, particularly in poorer countries, cautioned that ASEAN integration may not succeed if it fails to take into consideration the systemic and intersectional dimension of discrimination, oppression, and exclusion.
The dialogue ended on a high note with a strong commitment for continued and sustained consultations between the government and civil society to strengthen collaboration among the CSOs, the government, and working groups under the Philippine ASEAN 2017 Chairmanship.
The CSOs in attendance were Aksyon para sa Kahandaan sa Kalamidad at Klima, Buhay na may Dignidad para sa Lahat, Focus on the Global South – Philippines, Foundation for Media Alternatives, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Piglas Kababaihan, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, PhilWomen on ASEAN Network, Sustainability and Participation through Education and Lifelong Learning, and Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 17, 2017 | Headlines
Bohol police operatives identified the alleged mastermind of the brutal killing of lady lawyer Atty Mia Manuelita Mascarinas-Green as Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga, owner of the Alona Embrace Hotel in Barangay Tawala, Panglao Bohol.
Policemen of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) monitored the hotel before the search warrant was implemented. However, the suspects and Gonzaga were able to evade the lawmen.
The team composed of the PIB, Tagbilaran police, Provincial Public Safety Battalion (PPSB) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recovered two grenades, a .45 pistol, a .38 revolver and a two packs of shabu.
Gonzaga was previously arrested on October 13, 2016 for possession of illegal firearms and drugs. Also arrested with him was Romarico Benegian who was from Davao Del Norte but is residing in Panglao.
The city government of Tagbilaran is offering a reward of Php100,000 for the information that will help resolve the case. This was revealed by City Administrator Edi Borja who also said that Mayor Baba Yap will order the release of the funds to help solve the case quickly. There are also reports that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bohol Chapter will offer a Php500,000 reward money.
There are no official reports yet of the motive but various posts on social media are pointing to a heated argument in a recent court session between the victim Mascarinas-Green and Gonzaga. Mascarinas-Green is representing a client against Gonzaga in a property dispute.
File photo of Lloyd Lancer Gonzaga.
