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PH, EU affirm trade and development partnership Greater cooperation ahead as EU commits EUR 6.1 million
PASIG CITY—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen affirmed the long-term partnership of the Philippines and the EU on trade and development with the completion of the third phase of the EU-Philippine Trade Related Technical Assistance project 3 (TRTA 3) on 28 March. “By working on trade-related issues through the project, the EU and the Philippines collaborated on strengthening the framework for trade policy for inclusive growth, and enhancing our capacity to implement a competition policy and a national quality infrastructure that would protect consumers and improve compliance with international standards,” Sec. Lopez said during the closing ceremonies of the third phase of the EU-Philippine TRTA3. “This will also help increase our access to international markets, and facilitate cross-border movement of goods,” he added. “We are committed to support the strengthening of Philippines’ integration into the world economy, and to contribute to the country’s inclusive growth goals,” Ambassador Jessen said, with the EU already committing EUR 6.1 million for a fourth phase of the programme. The EU has been supporting the Philippines with trade-related technical assistance since 2005. TRTA 3, the third phase of the program (2014-2017), aimed to build capacity among stakeholders for the Philippines’ integration into the international and regional trading and investment system. The project components covered Trade Policy, Competition Policy, National Quality Infrastructure, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Conformity, and Trade Facilitation. The trade chief explained that the program worked with both public and private sectors to actively participate in global trade. “Trade is a lever for economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.... read moreCIAP DRIVES TOWARDS EFFICIENCY, LAUNCHES ONE STOP WINDOW IN TACLOBAN
Tacloban City – With the target to increase competency, the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) opened a one-stop window facility in Tacloban City last March 20, 2017 to cater to licensing, arbitration and training needs of aspiring local contractors in the regions. Undersecretary for CIAP Atty. Ruth B. Castelo, together with DTI Region VIII Director Cynthia Nierras fore fronted the opening of the event to enhance the access and delivery of CIAP services in the provinces. Services that can be availed at the newly opened facility include construction licensing and registration issued by Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB); handling of contract claims, arbitration and mediation for disputes arising from contract concerns administered by Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC); and signing up for various training programs under the Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF). PCA Leyte Chapter President Engr. Victorio Esperas, Jr. and PCA Ormoc Chapter President Jonathan Bautista graced the event by welcoming such initiative and declaring their support for the project. Also present in the event are TESDA Regional Director Cleta Omega, and representatives from Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Housing Authority (NHA), Department of the Interior and Local Government Region VIII, National Economic and Development Authority, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Department of Public Works and Highways and Home Development Mutual Fund -Tacloban. “By bringing our services to the regions, we’re enabling our contractors to save incidental expenses incurred in fare and accommodation. Filing will be easier and ultimately, we can reduce red tape and eradicate fixers.” said Undersecretary Castelo in her... read more
PH, ROK to bolster agriculture, manufacturing cooperation
More collaborative initiatives are expected from the Philippines (PH) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) as discussion on trade and investments progresses, with focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation on agriculture and manufacturing industries. In the recent bilateral meeting between Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez and Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jyun Chong on 8 September 2017 at the sidelines of the Philippine hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting and Related Meetings in Pasay City, both sides considered expanding cooperation on tropical fruits and meat products. With the current initiatives to improve commitments under the ASEAN-Korea Trade in Goods Agreement, ROK Trade Minister Kim indicated openness to look into PH request for improved access for Philippine bananas, mangoes, and pineapples to the Korean market. Both sides also agreed to tap respective agriculture officials to expedite the ongoing accreditation process for other Philippine agricultural products namely, durian, mangosteen, avocado, and okra. Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez favorably considered market access for Korean strawberries and heat-treated pork and chicken products. In promoting inclusive growth and strengthening the PH’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), PH and ROK initiated a feasibility study involving the Philippine Mold and Die Center. Such collaboration highlighted the potential of the mold and die industry, which is considered as the mother of manufacturing industry and a priority sector of PH development. PH expressed confidence that the implementation of said project would support the government in providing better access to expensive mold and die machineries for entrepreneurs. ROK also expressed its support for the PH’s electric vehicle industry and its benefits to industrial...How Technology United Boholanos After October 15, 2013 Earthquake
By: Jerome Auza A year after that fateful day on October 15, 2013, we commemorated our resilience, thanked again everyone who helped, and remembered those who perished. The solemn pealing of the bells and sounding of sirens on at 8:12AM on October 15, 2014, brought many people to tears. I missed it by a few minutes unfortunately, so I had to content myself with the videos posted on Facebook and Youtube. Nevertheless, goosebumps were felt and I reminded myself how lucky my family was because we were all safe and our 33 year old house stood up against its greatest challenge. I vividly remember the first day my wife and I joined some relatives to do our first relief mission to Maribojoc. Plaza Marcela had just opened so we bought some bread, canned goods, water and toiletries then headed out to Abatan bridge. I also brought along a few solar panel kits that I manged to purchase in Tagbilaran. We crossed the river on one of the Bohol Dragon Boat rafts since Abatan bridge was badly damaged. The dragon boat teams of Bohol volunteered to paddle back and forth the river for free. As we got up the makeshift wharf on the other side, we were met by our relatives who helped us get the goods to the pickup truck. Unfortunately, the roads were severely damaged also and there was only one route available towards our relative’s house and while passable, the driver had to navigate through the cracked areas. To make matters worse, a heavy downpour started. It dawned on me how bad the situation was. After dropping...Local News/ Bohol Balita
Evaluators now assess Bohol nutri programs
EVALUATORS from the National Nutrition Council and the Department of Health are currently in Bohol for the next three days to assess the province’s nutrition program, sources from the Provincial Health Office revealed. According to Provincial Nutrition Coordinator Juliet Manliguez, the team would be visiting at least two towns to pore into their Municipal Nutrition programs as part of Bohol’s over-all rating. Bohol has been awarded Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition since 2006 and winning another nutrition accolade this year would be the biggest legacy for outgoing Governor Erico Aumentado who goes to Congress to represent Bohol second District beginning July 1. Last year, it was almost a sweep for Bohol as Tagbilaran City only bowed out to Lapulapu who invested P28M for the program they implemented in their city. Bohol took the third CROWN while in the town category, Tubigon bagged its second in a row award for towns in the...Barangay tanod nga gipatay, kanhi masa sa NPA
Kanhi masa sa rebeldeng New People’s Army kun NPA ang usa ka sakop sa barangay tanod nga gipatay sa upat ka wala mailhing armadong lalaki didto sa Barangay Puting Bato, Buenavista, Bohol niadtong nakalabay nga adlaw. Kini maoy gitug-an ni PO3 Emiliano Luga, imbestigador sa Buenavista Police Station dihang gihinabi sa Bohol Balita kagahapon. Matud ni Luga nga dunay magsak-anan nga sakop sa NPA sa pinuy-anan sa biktima nga si Atenesio Manzo dihang aktibo pang naglihok and maong grupo. Apan niingon si Luga nga wala pa nila mahibaw-i kun unsa gayud ang nagpaluyo sa pagpatay sa maong biktima gumikan kay padayon pa ang ilang gihimo nga imbestigasyon. Sayo niini, si Manzo, 48-anyos,minyo, sakop sa barangay tanod sa maong dapit gipusil sa upat ka mga wala mailhing suspetsado samtang ang biktima padung na untang mopauli sa ilang balay mga alas 7 sa buntag niadtong Dominggo gikan naligo sa usa ka suba kuyog sa iyang pamilya. Naigo ang biktima sa luyong bahin sa iyang ulo diin ang bala nilapos sa iyang agtang, wala ug tuo sa iyang abaga ug sa likod sa iyang lawas nga maoy hinungdan sa iyang...Ferrer nihulga nga mokiha ni de Lima
Si Commission on Elections Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer nagkanayong nga siya nagplano sa pagpasaka og kaso nga may kalabot sa kalapasan sa Anti-Graft law batok ni Commission on Human Rights Chair Leila de Lima tungod sa pagamit sa iyang posisyon aron pagpanghadlok sa ubang tao. Kinit tungod sa imbestigasyon sa CHR tungod sa alegasyon sa dili ensaktong tratamentong batok sa duha ka whistleblowers sa niaging semana. Matod pa ni Commissioner Ferrer, “If you use your office, your official function, to harrass persons, that’s a violation of the anti-graft law.” Ang Comelec nidapit sa niaging semana ka Arwin Serrano usa ka miyembro sa Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting ug Melchor Magdamo, kanhi election lawyer kinsa nag expose sa alegasyon sa irregularidad sa planong pagpamalit ug P700 milyones nga kantidad ug ballot secrecy folders gikan sa QTC Paper Supply nga nag kantidad ug P380 ang matag buok. Panahon sa tigum, usa ka sininggitay tali ang nahitabo ni Serrano ug ni Ferrer. Matud pa, si Ferrer nitudlo ngadto kang Serrano ug nitawag niining bakakon. Si Ferrer usab nibawos pag alegar nga matod pa siya gipatiran sa lingkoranan nga iyang gipanghimaka. Siya ang nag ingon nga iyang plano nga mopasaka ug libel cases batok ni Serrano ug posibleng apil niini si de Lima. Iyang gihagit si de Lima nga mopasakag kaso batok...Inabanga sets up local Monitoring board on HR
PEACE advocates here found new recruits in the members of half of Inabanga’s 50 barangays as the government and civil society organized human rights (HR) violations watchgroup here. In its recent efforts to enlarge the peace ripples here, the municipal peace and order council (MPOC) along with barangay captains warmly welcomed the Bohol Local Monitoring Board in launching the local human rights complaint receiving body in the town and its neighboring areas. The LMB in Bohol was set up to help monitor compliance by the agents of the state and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front on the Comprehensive Agreements on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). CARHRIHL is one of the key agreements entered into by both conflicting parties in the 35 year old struggle to find peace in the country. In Inabanga, 25 of its 50 barangays with prevalent cases of human rights violations got into the LMB orientation given by Bohol LMB. Bohol LMB coordinator Romeo Teruel led the board composed of government and civil society agents in giving the proper orientation to the community. The orientation cascades the roles and responsibilities of the members of the local LMB, which has been institutionalized by an executive order issued by Governor Erico Aumentado. By the same executive order, Bohol can now set up around six local LMBs, two per district. Aside from Inabanga, District 2 also has an LMB set up in Talibon while District 1 has Catigbian and Loon and District 3 has Mabini and Carmen. Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy said he welcomed the development even as...Bohol weavers innovative On patterns, mixed media
WITH raw materials in its handicrafts easily obtainable by China where cheap labor can churn products flooding international niche markets, how would Bohol crafts fare? The Department of Trade and Industry says the keyword is innovation. And in its recently formalized their collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ (EECP) Materials Research and Development Program, a Business Accelerator and Materials Innovation (BAMI) program is now being studied with the raffia weavers of Bohol, particularly in Inabanga and Tubigon. The Program, which kicked off last January is conceptualized by Materials R&D Project Manager Ingrid Haufe and assisted by freelance designer Doro Barandino, has the key personalities immersed in weaving communities to try on new design patterns and media on locally made crafts, a DTI Bohol source revealed. “They are currently assisting the raffia weavers in coming up with new design patterns and mixed media applications based on the newest trends,” the source who wishes to remain unnamed said. By mixed media applications, the weavers are experimenting recycled materials such as newspapers and old plastic twine mixed together with raffia, she shared with the characteristic excitement of a scientist discovering a new product for the market Other indigenous materials like buri and abaca are also being experimented, she added. From these hand-wovens, select exporter companies convert them into actual products, and these companies who will have exclusivity on their chosen materials for at least a year. Other areas of experimentation include the pattern development, and the most recent patterns developed are set for display at the Materials Library at the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) building. The first...National News
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