by admin | Dec 7, 2016 | DTI Updates, National News
Pasay City – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing Bureau, Export Development Council (EDC) and Philippine Export Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), celebrate 2016 National Exporters Congress with a theme dubbed as “Advancing SMEs through Inclusive Business: From Local to Global” at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City.
This year’s congress highlights the role of inclusive business model in providing access to domestic MSMEs to the global value chains (GVCs). DTI noted that with its thrust of providing more jobs and making entrepreneurship an effective tool in eradicating poverty across the country, inclusive business helps its agenda by allowing small businesses to be part of the GVCs.
“If more MSMEs are sustainably linked into the value chain of big businesses, we expect more jobs from the sector,” said DTI Industry Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.
DTI, through its key initiatives and services, implements targeted interventions and support services to the export sector through the strategies laid out in the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2015-2017. PEDP was developed through public-private initiative in 2014 and was signed in February 2016 through Memorandum Circular 91. The plan includes discussion of eight key strategies that address bottlenecks of the sector and provides comprehensive approaches in driving growth for Philippine exports.
“Through PEDP, our goal is not only to increase our total export revenues, and make Philippine products known in the global market but also to address constraints in export growth. As we do this, we expect to open more opportunities for employment and increase household income in the coming periods,” added Undersecretary Terrado.
Successful implementation of the strategies laid out in the PEDP 2015-2017 with a sustained target increase of 3% in 2016 and 5% in 2017, is expected to boost employment generation by 225,000 and 600,000 more jobs, respectively.
One of the key private partners of the government in catering to the needs of the export sector is the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT). PHILEXPORT has been pro-active in collaborating with government initiatives. It is present in 20 regions and provinces through its chapters. It assists its exporter members through various services such as policy advocacy, facilitation, information collection and dissemination and export-import documentation and capacity building. “By empowering manufacturers and their suppliers especially in the countryside, PHILEXPORT hopes to promote inclusive business and growth,” emphasized PHILEXPORT President and CEO Mr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
Meanwhile, DTI Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) leads DTI in developing, promoting and expanding exports trade. It takes various initiatives in making government support services accessible to all domestic producers. It offers free information sessions on Philippines’ Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) through its Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTAs) info sessions and leads the implementation of Philippine Export Competitiveness Program (PECP) that aims to increase productivity and competitiveness of exporters through seminars, outbound business missions, and business matching activities.
According to EMB, the growing number of SMEs operating in the country is seen by the government as a welcome development, a testament to the inclusive growth being experienced by various sectors. The government, the DTI in particular, has been at the forefront of efforts to harness the economic power of the country’s smaller, but numerous business entities.
For the past 17 months, Philippine exports experienced a decline due to the global economic slowdown. It was only in September 2016 when Philippine exports reflected an increase of 5.1% with total export sales from $4.9 billion in 2015 to $5.2 billion this year. Electronic products remained to be the top Philippine export while Japan maintained its spot as the top Philippine export destination.
“As we diversify our markets, and urge our exporters to innovate products and services, we are keen on having positive growth in the coming months,” said DTI EMB Director Senen M. Perlada.
by admin | Dec 2, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
envisions 7.5 million jobs by 2022
TAGUIG CITY — A new government blueprint for decent job creation through employment and entrepreneurship from 2017 to 2022 was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK)-Employment and Livelihood Summit on 2 December.
Signed by Secretaries Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Silvestre Bello III of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the “Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan: A Blueprint for Decent Employment and Entrepreneurship 2017-2022” prioritizes decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, formalization and growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), youth unemployment reduction, education and training.
“By 2022, we want to achieve full employment at 5% unemployment rate by creating 7.5 million jobs, mainly in key employment generating sectors (KEGS) such as manufacturing including food processing, construction, tourism, Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM), transportation and logistics, and retail trade,” Sec. Lopez said.
The commitment is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Goals 8 and 9, on the provision of decent work and economic growth, and on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation, respectively.
The 2017-2022 livelihood agenda envisions the transition of informal and economic units to the formal economy with full respect to fundamental rights and principles at work. It also reiterates the implementation of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy to upgrade selected industries that generate employment, integrate manufacturing, agriculture and services, address supply chain gaps, and deepen industry participation in global value chains.
The TNK Summit, participated in by the public and private sectors and some members of the academe wrapped up policy recommendations from previously held sectoral summits to chart a new employment agenda, in line with the administration’s development path.
Sec. Lopez strongly encouraged Summit participants to invest in the Industry and Services sector, as well as in the country’s human capital to help address the perennial problem of skills mismatch and to sustain the growth of Philippines industries.
Policy recommendations from sectoral summits on MSME, manufacturing, construction and IT-BPM fed into the TNK Summit, which carried the theme, “Malasakit at Pagbabago Tungo sa Kaunlaran at Katiwasayan,” preparing the workforce for the industry’s current and future needs.
by admin | Dec 1, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
TAGUIG CITY—Following the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Coca-Cola FEMSA Director General and CEO John A. Santa Maria at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Lima in November (left photo), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez met with CEO Santa Maria at the sidelines of the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan-Employment and Livelihood Summit (1 December) (right photo). The meetings resulted in a commitment from Coca-Cola FEMSA, a Mexico-based company, to invest USD 1 billion over the next five years in its Philippine operations. This is in addition to the approximately USD 1 billion, which has already been invested by Coca-Cola FEMSA in the country since 2013. Gearing towards long-term investment and placing strong investor confidence in the Duterte administration, Coca-Cola FEMSA’s capital infusion will go towards expanding and strengthening the company’s supply chain and commercial footprint throughout the country, therefore generating substantial employment and creating more micro-business opportunities. Objectives of this new commitment are in line with the government’s poverty alleviation and inclusive growth agenda.
by admin | Dec 1, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
TAGUIG CITY—The Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK)-Employment and Livelihood Summit piloted yesterday (1 December) aimed at wrapping up policy recommendations from previously held sectoral summits to chart a new employment agenda, in line with the administration’s development path.
Sectoral summits, whose recommendations feed into the TNK-Employment and Livelihood Summit include the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit, the Manufacturing Summit, Construction Congress and Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM).
“We want to identify the strategies to increase employment levels, improve access to employment opportunities, and address our skills requirement,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez.
The government, through DTI and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), gathered the public and private sectors and members of the academe to develop a national employment program, a strategic plan that supports the National Development and Security Strategy geared towards the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
The trade chief strongly encouraged the meeting to invest in job generating industries such as those in Industry and Services sector, specifically manufacturing, construction, IT BPM, retail trade, and tourism.
“Government is cognizant that we should make these industries attractive to investors hence, the action plan will allow us to prioritize,” he said.
He also called on participants to invest in the country’s human capital to help address the perennial problem of skills mismatch and to sustain the growth of Philippines industries
The two-day TNK Summit with the theme “Malasakit at Pagbabago Tungo sa Kaunlaran at Katiwasayan,” also aimed at preparing the workforce for the industry’s current and future needs.
The government aspires to draw a “shared agenda on employment creation and livelihood development that will contribute to the development of the President’s socio-economic agenda,” said DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello III, adding that DOLE will continue implementing a “responsive, enabling and equitable labor policies, law and regulations.”
On the first day, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) discussed the country’s employment situation.
DTI reported specific recommendations from the Manufacturing Summit held on 28-29 November, and shed light on the Manufacturing Resurgence Program, inclined to generate decent jobs and promote inclusive growth. It also reported on the results of the Philippine Construction Congress for Employment Generation held on 23 November.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), meanwhile, discussed public investments in infrastructure sector and its impact on employment. The National Housing Authority (NHA) tackled strategies on creating jobs through mass housing, while the Department of Tourism presented the Tourism Roadmap 2022.
The Philippine Retailers Association stressed the potential of retail trade as major source of employment, while the IT-Business Process Association of the Philippines on IT-BPM’s future direction.
On the second day, the meeting is expected to focus on the development of global MSME, industries, labor, export and entrepreneurship.
“We hope that together, government, business and the academe, can craft an action agenda that we can all pursue at the start of next year,” Sec. Lopez said.
Outcomes of the TNK-Employment and Livelihood Summit will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, for his consideration. The Cabinet Secretary, through Undersecretary Gloria Mercado, showed support for the Summit, adding that similar initiatives are aligned with the government’s “collaborative, participative poverty reduction strategy.”
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by admin | Nov 28, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, November 28 (PIA)–Subling gipahinumdoman sa Malakanyang ang Office of the Ombudsman nga dili mahimong kasohan si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte.
Pahayag kini ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Kalihim Martin Andanar human miingon si Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales nga ilang ipadayon ang pagpahigayon og imbestigasyon batok ni Presidente Duterte taliwala sa pagbaton niini og ‘immunity from suit’.
Gitumbok ni Andanar nga gi-ila sa Palasyo ang mandato sa Ombudsman nga aksyunan ang mga reklamo batok sa kawani ug opisyal sa gobyerno.
Apan matud pa, giingong “entirely different matter” ang kaso batok sa Presidente.
Niadtong Biyernes sa niaging semana, gikompirmar sa Office of the Ombudsman nga may lakang na silang gihimo kalabot sa plunder complaint nga giduso ni Senador Antonio Trillanes IV batok kang Presidente Duterte tungod sa giingong pag-hire og ghost employees sa dihang mayor pa kini sa lungsod sa Davao.
Gawas sa maong reklamo, gihisgotan usab ni Morales nga wala usab nila gipadaplin ang posibilidad nga ma-imbestigahan usab ang Presidente kalabot sa mga kaso sa extrajudicial killings sa nasod.
Giingong mahimong imbestigahan sa Ombudsman kun adunay ‘misconduct’ sa parte sa usa ka opisyal sa gobyerno. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Nov 28, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, November 28 (PIA)–Gimando na sa Malakanyang sa Philippine National Police (PNP) ang paghugot sa seguridad sa mga pampublikong lugar human sa nakit-ang improvised explosive device (IED) duol sa US Embassy ka kaulohan ganinang buntag.
Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Kalihim Martin Andanar, gimanduan na usab ang mga hingtungdang transport agencies nga dugangan ang deployment sa mga uniformed personnel sa mga tugpahanan, pantalan ug terminal sa mga bus ug hugtan ang screening sa mga mosulod nga pasahero ug bagahe isip parte sa security vigilance.
Dugang pa ni Andanar, ilang gipaniguro sa publiko nga dili angay hinungdan sa pagka-alarma ang insidente ug ipadayon lamang ang mga aktibidad sa normal nga paagi.
Una niini, gi-angkon ni PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa nga ang bombang nadiskobrehan sa Roxas Boulevard duol sa US Embassy sa kaulohan susama ra usab sa eksplosibo nga gigamit sa Davao City bombing.
“The PNP is on top of the situation and shall beef up security measures in public places especially where there are big crowds. To ensure public safety in airports, seaports, bus and mass transport terminals, concerned transport agencies are instructed to increase the visibility and presence of uniformed personnel and heighten the screening of persons and luggage as part of our security vigilance. We assure the public that this incident should not be a cause for alarm. Business and work continue as normal,” matud pa ni Andanar. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
