by admin | Jun 26, 2014 | National News
DTI-CEBU CONDUCTS REGULAR FAIR TRADE LAWS BRIEFING FOR ENTREPRENEURS, BUSINESS NAME APPLICANTS AND CONSUMERS
The Department of Trade and Industry Cebu is conducting Fair Trade Laws Briefing for Business Name applicants and consumers starting July 2014 until the end of 2014.
The Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Division (CWBRD), aside from their regular business name registration task also educates consumers and implements programs and projects that will create a healthy business environment.
Businessmen and Consumers who want to know and understand their rights and responsibilities can register at the Public Assistance and Complaint Desk at least a week before to attend either the 9:30 am or the 1:30 session every Wednesday to be held at the DTI-NERBAC Office.
The 1-hour seminar is targeted towards increasing awareness among new entrepreneurs and the general consumers on their rights and their responsibilities as mandated by the Consumer Act of the Philippines and existing Fair Trade Laws.
Participants can expect discussions on subject matters such as the “No Return No Exchange Policy”, Deceptive and Unfair Sales Acts & Practices, Consumer Complaints Handling and insight on Good Customer Relations.
For interested groups of 10-20 participants, please contact 255-3926 or 255-6971 for more details or visit the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office located at the Ground Floor of LDM Building, Lapu-lapu Street Cebu City. (ends)
by admin | Jun 18, 2014 | National News
Training on Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) for the Export of Fishery and Aquatic Products to the European Union (EU)
With the support of the Trade Related Technical Assistance Project 3 (TRTA 3) and the Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) programme, over forty participating fish exporters together with officers of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are undergoing a two-day training on the “Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) for the Export of Fishery and Aquatic Products to the European Union (EU)”.
The training is set to be conducted in two batches on 17-18 June and 19-20 June 2014 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu City.
The EU-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance Project 3 (TRTA 3) is an ongoing partnership between the Philippine Government and the European Union (EU) that aims to contribute to the integration of the Philippines into regional and international trading and investment system.
While BFAR is recognized by EU as the Competent Authority for the inspection and certification of fishery and aquatic products and establishments exporting to EU, TRTA 3 backs the provision of capacity building for its officers as enablers of trade between the Philippines and the EU.
On the other hand, the Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) is an initiative of the European Commission (EC) that, among others, provides trainings on the EU import requirements for Competent Authorities of countries that EU imports food products from.
With the increasing numbers of exporters in the country that aspire to gain entry to the EU market for fishery and aquatic products, BFAR acknowledges the urgent need for its system to be capable of processing higher volumes of documents and application requirements.
For BFAR to be able to operate as an effective Competent Authority, its data management capabilities have to be significantly improved. This training on TRACES addresses these concerns and will be followed by similar capacity building for BFAR and other Philippine Government agencies that serve to be the direct beneficiaries of TRTA 3 as a project that aims to boost trade as a potent tool for achieving inclusive growth, poverty reduction and employment generation.
As the designated coordinating agency responsible for the administrative and financial management of TRTA 3 on behalf of the Philippine Government, the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) endorses the continuing drive for government agencies to access upgraded systems that will facilitate trade and investment in the Philippines.
“We have to keep up with the current demands so as not to lose our place in the global trade,” says DTI-Central Visayas Regional Director Asteria C. Caberte. “Loss of access to markets like the EU can mean loss of jobs and livelihood opportunities for affected Filipinos.” (ends)
by aimee | Apr 28, 2014 | Headlines, National News
The Philippines and the United States (US) has signed Monday, April 28, a military deal that will give American troops larger presence in the country.
Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg signed the 10-year defense deal at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Officer’s Club in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is designed to promote interoperability, capacity building towards modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), strengthening of the AFP external defense, maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
In his speech, Goldberg gave assurance the US does not intend to set-up military bases in the Philippines and stressed that it will serve to update the security alliance to meet the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st century.
Goldberg added the new defense deal marks a new stage in PH-US relations, and celebrates the American administration’s rebalance to Asia.
Gazmin for his part said the deal reflects a maturing relationship between the two allies.
He added that EDCA is anchored on the principles encapsulated in the MDT and guided by the Visiting Forces Agreement. (DND)
by aimee | Apr 28, 2014 | National News
MANILA, April 28, 2014 (PIA)–Subling giseguro karon sa Malakanyang nga protektado ang interes sa Pilipinas sa gilagdaang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) kauban ang Estados Unidos.
Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma, makuting gipabantayan ni Presidente Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sa Philippine panel ang matag probisyong gi-mugna sa EDCA.
Dugang pa sa kalihim, dakung butang kini sa pagpalig-on sa relasyon sa Pilipinas ug Estados Unidos, partikular sa gipaabot nga suporta sa giatubang nga tensyon sa China kalabot sa territorial dispute sa West Philippine Sea.
Nahisulod niining kasabotan ang mas luag nga pagsulod sa US Forces o increased rotational presence sa Pilipinas apan gitataw ni US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg nga dili buksan pagbalik ang mga US military bases sa nasud tungod sa EDCA. (PIA7-Bohol/ECB)
by aimee | Apr 28, 2014 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, April 28, 2014 (PIA)–Gilagdaan na sa Pilipinas ug Estados Unidos ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Gilagdaan ang maong kasabotan Lunes sa buntag sa Camp Aguinaldo nilang Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ug US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg.
Nahisulod sa EDCA nga sulod sa 10 ka tuig, dugangan ang military presence sa Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas.
Ubos niini, mahatagan og access ang mga tropang Amerikano sa mga military camps sa nasud diin mahimong magbutang ang US og mga fighter jets ug barkong pang-gubat.
Gitataw ni Goldberg nga dili buksan pagbalik ang mga US military bases sa nasud tungod sa EDCA.
Matud pa sa US envoy, tuyo lamang sa EDCA nga hingosgan pa ang defense relation sa duha ka nasud.
Giingong pag-ila kini sa duha ka nasud nga daghan pa ang angay himuon aron hingosgan ang alliance sa Pilipinas ug Estados Unidos.
Matud pa usab ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma, ang maong kasabotan mas magpalapad pa sa kahigayonan nga mapalambo ang katakos sa larangan sa self-defense ug hugot nga maritime security sa nasud dungan sa giingong maritime domain awareness.
Taliwala kini sa nagpadayong global ug rehiyonal nga kamatuoran dungan na usab sa pagpatuman pa og mas epektibong disaster relief ug rehabilitation response.
Giingong ang mahinungdanong elemento sa kasabotan agig pagsunod na usab sa pakighiusa sa international community sa pagpatunhay sa regional peace ug stability.
“The signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States affirms the robust and enduring strategic partnership between the two countries”, matud pa ni Coloma. (PIA7-Bohol/ECB)
by aimee | Apr 24, 2014 | National News
President Benigno S. Aquino III is pleased with the lifting of sanctions imposed by Hong Kong in connection with the 2010 hostage incident in Rizal Park, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement Wednesday.
Coloma told Palace reporters that he has just talked with Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras who made a confirmation about the lifting of sanctions and normalizing relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Almendras is the national government’s representative to Hong Kong to resolve the issue.
“We join the Department of Foreign Affairs in acknowledging the statement of Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung on the complete and final resolution of the Quirino Grandstand incident of 23 August 2010 and the lifting of the sanctions,” Coloma said.
Quoting Almendras, Coloma said Leung has issued a separate statement in which he thanked President Aquino and the Philippine government on the development.
“I have conveyed to the President the report of Secretary Almendras and he expressed satisfaction that final closure and a mutually satisfactory conclusion has been reached,” he added.
The Palace official also thanked former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada for his initiative and contribution to the national government’s efforts to mend relations with Hong Kong.
Almendras will make a comprehensive briefing on the recent development on Thursday, Coloma said.
It was reported earlier that the two governments agreed that Hong Kong’s four demands have been resolved.
Among the demands include apology to the victims’ families, compensation, sanctions against responsible officials and individuals, and improved tourist safety.
Almendras, Mayor Estrada, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima were reported to have left for Hong Kong to tackle the issue. (PCOO)
