by admin | Nov 15, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
PASIG CITY—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez challenged the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON) to police its ranks to ensure the effective implementation of the so-called “win-win structure” involving legitimate service providers (SPs), companies and workers.
Speaking at PALSCON’s 6th National Forum on 14 November, Sec. Lopez reiterated that the “win-win” structure that upholds workers’ security of tenure is not a departure from, but an improvement of what has already been provided by the law on legitimate contracting.
The Labor Code and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Orders 10 (Series of 1997), 18-02 (Series of 2002) and 18-A (Series of 2011) guarantee legitimate contracting or subcontracting arrangements.
Consistent with the unchanged position of President Rodrigo Duterte to put a stop on end-of-contract (endo) schemes, the trade chief maintained that as added value to the full and strict implementation of legitimate contracting, the win-win structure carries two specific provisions that safeguard workers’ tenure rights, specifically by making workers regular and permanent, as well as by affording them mandatory retirement benefits.
The DTI-proposed structure also allows companies to either directly employ workers or source workers from legitimate SPs.
Sec. Lopez said that the critical role of the association of legitimate SPs in effectively carrying out the win-win structure is to patrol its ranks to ensure that workers receive appropriate benefits.
“What is critical now is the compliance of legitimate SPs in giving full benefits to the workers,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that the proposal received positive response from President Duterte.
The PALSCON audience showed support to Sec. Lopez’s statement that legitimate contractors’ failure to comply will result in getting blacklisted by client-companies.
Removing contracting and subcontracting arrangements will lead to an immediate reduction of employment, with some foreign investments pulling out, according to him, pointing out the vital link between investment creation and job generation.
He also shared that at least three potential foreign investors in the Philippines began expressing this sentiment in his most recent meeting in Japan this month.
“Changing the ball game now, we will lose investments and miss out on opportunities instead of generating more jobs,” Sec. Lopez added.
According to DTI, it must be recognized that there are certain parts of operations in a company that are best carried out through a service provider mainly due to the seasonality of work or the function-specific nature of some projects, which are deemed to be better handled by a third party, allowing the principal company to focus on growing the business.
Scheduled to hold consultations with another set of labor groups soon, DOLE, with recommendation from DTI, is expected to reach an “effective, legal and mutually beneficial position” on the matter within the year.
“Our fear has always been about losing jobs. To start with, if there are no available jobs, there will be no forms of employment to be discussed today,” Sec. Lopez concluded.
The DTI introduced the win-win structure that is premised on the need to have a business policy environment that creates and encourages job and income generation.
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by admin | Nov 14, 2016 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) is expecting a further upsurge in investments registration in the coming months with the anticipated approval of about 44 more projects in the pipeline worth Php52.03 billion.
Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez said this positive development augurs well with the administration’s socio-economic agenda of uplifting the lives of the Filipino people. “More investments mean more jobs, ensuring economic development from the bottom of the pyramid,” he said.
“The continued growth of the investments is a testament of the country’s sound economic fundamentals and sustained investor confidence,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo adding that investments coming in are insectors that will elevate the country’s competitiveness, such as in various resource-based sectors.
“What we are seeing in the real sector that relies on fundamentals of the economy, the fundamental strengths of the economy, is that growth is being sustained or even accelerated,” said Undersecretary Rodolfo.
Already been evaluated and checklisted by the BOI’s Industry Development Services, these projects for registration will be coming from the energy sector (Php29.57 Billion or 57 percent of total investments); manufacturing sector (Php7.77 Billion or 15 percent share); agriculture sector (Php6.58 Billion or 12 percent share); real estate activities sector (Php6.37 Billion or 12 percent share); logistics or water transport (Php1.07 Billion or 2 percent share); and other varied sectors (Php665.30 million or 1 percent share).
Last month, the BOI reported that investments registered with the agency reached Php51.03 Billion in September 2016, up by 193 percent from only Php17.41 Billion generated in the same month in 2015.
The increase in investments for the month was due to the approval of two big ticket projects namely the Light Rail Manila Corporation’s Php30.37 Billion Public-Private Partnership project for the operations and maintenance of the Manila Light Rail Transit 1 Integrated Railway System-Cavite Extension and the Energy Development Corporation’s Php16.42 Billion wind energy resources project in Iloilo.
Undersecretary Rodolfo said this development will greatly uplift the lives of the Filipino people. ”The mass transport project for example, will be a big help for the commuting public while the renewable energy projects will improve and sustain the quality of life of the people,” he said.
On a year-on-year basis, BOI-approved investments grew 49 percent in the first nine months of the year to Php286.44 Billion compared with the Php192.39 posted the same period last year. The investment pledges were generated from 255 projects with total estimated job generation of 46,716 at full operations.
The largest share of approved investments from January to September 2016 is intended to finance projects in the power sector which accounted for 48 percent share to total approved investments during the period. The other sectors that topped the list of investment approvals include construction with Php62.27 Billion or 22 percent; real estate activities including the mass housing sub-sector with Php36.68 Billion or 13 percent share; the manufacturing sector with Php21.02 Billion or 7 percent share; and transportation and storage sector with Php14.31 Billion or 5 percent share.
Major manufacturing sub-sectors, based on their respective shares to total investment approvals from January to September 2016 include food products (Php8.99 Billion or 43 percent share); motor vehicles/ trailers (Php7.80 Billion or 37 percent share); fabricated metal products (Php1.98 Billion or 9 percent share); wood products (Php1.48 Billion or 7 percent share); and other manufacturing sub-sectors (Php763.18 Million or 4 percent share).
Topping the list of foreign country investors in the first nine months of 2016 is Singapore with investments worth Php12.90 Billion or 26 percent share to total approved foreign investments. Netherlands came in second with investments amounting to Php8.00 Billion (16 percent share), followed by Japan with Php6.83 Billion (14 percent share), South Korea with Php6.42 Billion (13 percent share), and United Kingdom with Php2.34 Billion (5 percent share) and the balance shared by various country investors such as British Virgin Islands, Germany, U.S.A., India, China, Canada, Taiwan, etc.
While the National Capital Region tops the list of regional investments worth Php74.13 Billion or 26 percent share to total approved investments, other regions are likewise gaining headway particularly Region 3 which came in second with committed investments worth Php45.16 Billion, accounting for 16 percent. Significant investments were also directed to Region IVA (Php32.95 Billion or 11 percent share); Region VII (Php20.78 Billion or 7 percent share); and Negros Island Region (Php19.26 Billion or 7 percent share).
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Nov 11, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, National News, Tech Talk, World
Companies join tech experts and changemakers in leading digital revolution
Breakthroughs in technology are fundamentally transforming whole systems of production, management, and governance to aid societies overcome challenges from business and energy, to transportation and climate change.
Called the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” or “Industry 4.0,” this trend presents an opportunity for the Philippines not only to keep up with more advanced nations, but also solve urgent problems plaguing the country.
“This year in Davos, we talked about the Fourth Industrial Revolution – how high technology will promote rapid industrialization and how digital can impact lives for the better,” said Winston Damarillo, a Filipino Young Global Leader recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) which held its 2016 meeting at Davos-Klosters, Switzerland in January.
Several organizations are already working towards supporting Industry 4.0 in the Philippines by helping companies and government adapt to Big Data, Cloud Computing, and other digital innovations.
Energy goes digital
With new demands and advancements disrupting power industry norms, energy giant Meralco is spearheading discussions on emerging solutions with its annual Technology and Innovation Summit (MTECH).
Already in its second year, MTECH brings in fresh insights and experiences from global technology companies to help inform the local energy industry and pave the way for smarter utilities. This year, the summit revolved around creating intelligent customer-centered solutions that enhance human lives.
Alongside the discussions, Meralco implemented its Automated Distribution Management System (ADMS) this year to digitize the electrical grid and automate power distribution in the event of an outage.
ADMS is part of the company’s efforts to transform the business, enabling it to support alternative forms of energy like wind and solar, as well as digital trends such as Big Data and Cloud.
Empowering MSMEs
Digital technology is no longer the privilege of large corporations. Through PLDT SME Nation, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) as well as startups can leverage business-enabling solutions through hardware, broadband connectivity, and mobile devices to gain competitive advantage.
One such solution is the Smart Tracker which enables business owners to monitor their vehicles or field force personnel in real time to ensure operational productivity and security. Smart Tracker is part of a suite of industry-specific enterprise tools called Smart Logistics Solutions that include fleet management, e-ticketing systems, and digital proof of delivery.
This year, PLDT SME led a series of road shows to promote disruptive technologies for business. These forums served as avenues where aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from businesses that found success in their respective industries through available digital solutions.
Next steps for PH
Disruptive and transformative technologies show promise in fostering productivity, cost-efficiency, and sustainability across many sectors, but adoption has been slow.
To promote Industry 4.0, top executives from Meralco, PLDT SME, Landbank, BDO, Hortonworks, and NEC Philippines will present along with other young Filipino luminaries and changemakers at theOpen Collaboration with East Asia New Champions Summit 2016 (OCEAN 16) in Bohol.
OCEAN is a biennial gathering where global leaders discuss how to better shape the future. Organized by the New Champions of the World Economic Forum, the upcoming event will impart insights from Davos 2016 as well as introduce a roadmap for “Digital Bohol” that will serve as a guide for local government units in harnessing smart technology.
Senator Bam Aquino, a co-chair of OCEAN 16, believes that “government support is important to unlocking the potential for technological innovation. That is why we are pushing for the Innovative Startup Act, so that we can boost our digital startup community.”
“Bohol will be a whole new experience. It’s a microcosm of what we want to achieve for the theme of this year’s OCEAN,” said Damarillo, who is also a co-chair of OCEAN 16. “Technology will help Filipinos everywhere tap into their creativity, come together to share resources, and include more and more people into the economy and the conversation that is now taking place online. Technology can help us be who we are, but better.”
To learn more about OCEAN 16, please visit http://ocean16.asia/.
by admin | Nov 9, 2016 | Headlines, Major Events, National News
MANILA, November 9 (PIA)–Gitakdang moadto karong adlawa si Presidente Rodrigo Duterte sa iyang ika-walo nga Asian trip sa Malaysia alang sa iyang 2-day state visit didto.
Gipaabot nga makigpulong si Duterte kang Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ug moatubang usab siya sa Filipino community didto karong gabii.
Kapin sa 150,000 ka mga Pilipino ang nanimuyo karon sa Malaysia.
Mag stopover usab si Duterte sa Thailand aron mudoyog sa kasub-anan sa Thai royal family sa pagtaliwan ning bag-o lang ni Kung Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Matud pa ni Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, apil sa mga hisgotan nila Najib ug Duterte ang balaodnong pag-apil sa Malaysia sa peace talks sa gobyerno sa Pilipinas ug sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Gawas niini, hisgotan usab ang mga isyu sa seguridad sa Sulu-Sulawesi Sea, counterterrorism ug ang pagkahimong chairman sa Pilipinas sa ASEAN sa sunod tuig.
Una nang gi-aghat ni Duterte ang Malaysia ug Indonesia nga mag-uban og pwersa sa pagbatok sa piracy, kidnapping ug uban pang krimen nga nahitabo sa mga kadagatang nagpalibot sa tulo ka nasod. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Nov 8, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, November 8 (PIA)–Gitugotan sa Supreme Court (SC) ang paglubong kang kanhi Presidente Ferdinand Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Sa desisyong gipagawas sa Korte Suprema, 9 ka mga mahistrado ang mibotar pabor niini, 5 ang ni-kontra samtang 1 ang nag-inhibit.
Apil sa mga mibotar pabor sila: Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Justice Arturo Brion, Justice Diosdado Peralta, Justice Lucas Bersamin, Justice Mariano Del Castillo, Justice Jose Perez, Justice Jose Mendoza ug Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe.
Samtang ang mga mibotar kontra sa pagpalubong ni Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani mao sila: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Justice Antonio Carpio,
Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen, Justice Francis Jardeleza ug Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.
Si Justice Bienvenido Reyes usab ang nag-inusarang nag-abstain.
Mismong si Presidete Rodrigo Duterte ang nagmando nga ilubong si Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Taliwala kini sa pagbatok sa mga biktima sa pag-abusar sa tawhanong katungod niadtong Martial Law. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Nov 8, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, November 8 (PIA)–Gihimakak sa Australian Embassy sa Manila ang mga nigawas nga taho kalabot sa giingong free visa sa mga Pilipinong moadto sa ilang nasod.
Matud pa sa Embahada, dili tinuod nga sugod sa Enero 2017, dili na pangayuan og visa sa Australia ang mga Pinoy nga mobisita sa ilang nasod sulod sa 90 ka adlaw.
Kalabot niini, nipasidaan ang Australian Embassy sa mga Pinoy nga dili mutuo sa maong mga taho ug gi-klaro nila nga kinahanglan pa gihapon og visa ang mga Pinoy.
Gihimakak usab sa Australian authority ang usa pa ka article diin nagpatik nga ang mga Pinoy nga mobisita sa Australia kinahanglan lamang magpakita og return ticket ug proof of funds nga nagkantidad og $1,500 sa dili pa sila tugotang makasulod sa maong nasod.
Matud pa nga dili usab tinuod ang migawas nga impormasyon sa social media nga misulod ang nasod sa Australia ug ang Pilipinas sa bilateral visa agreement nga magpadali sa travel barriers sa duha ka nasod.
Tambag pa sa Australian embassy sa mga Pinoy nga gustong moadto sa maong nasod nga bisitahon una ang ilang travel website alang sa ilang pahinumdom ug kun unsaon ang pag-apply og visa ug ang mga kinahanglanong dokumento. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
