by admin | Mar 22, 2016 | Editorial
In this searing El Nino heat and the smoldering political stew that is obtaining in pre-poll Bohol, we see an oasis of good news.
For a remarkable drop in crime volume as against the skyrocketing crimes in other provinces in region 7, Bohol has been tagged by the regional police as the region’s safest.
We wish to tap the shoulders of our police officers for doing a splendid job.
Bringing Bohol’s crime volume by 8% in January and February is a testament of Col. Dennis Agustin’s leadership and motivational skills.
In times like this, we wish to recall the pre-Agustin time, when Bohol police stations reaped Region-wide accolades for lowered criminality. That was when every PPOC meeting had everyone grinning from ear to ear.
And while everyone was lazily lounging in easy swivels, oiling their guns and tending to their pot bellies, drugs silently crept to the threshold of Boholano homes.
Whether the reports coming out then were intended to deceive everyone or just plainly putting the police as intelligence as inept, we all know now the real score.
Of course, making a perfect impression of Bohol as a peaceful and safe place for business and leisure is a given, considering that the chief of police then was to bow out of service.
So while we heaped praises for the seemingly peaceful image that authorities painted over Bohol, and we handed all kinds of commendation to the officials, a different kind of rot was gnawing the very core of the society.
It was when Col Agustin took the helm when he, an anti-organized crime expert saw the tell-tale signs of a gangrene that was eating the flesh of the society, that he stirred a hornet’s nest.
Col Agustin exposed the well-entrenched network of drug industry in Bohol a few days after he came in.
The industry was so well hidden in plain sight that the police officer could not mention the root, certainly knowing he would be the first to be uprooted when he does.
Two years later and clearly after nearing his tour of duty deadline, we have this news.
All we pray is that this isn’t a repeat of the past.
For how indeed can we account for the crime decrease and the sudden formation of Capitol initiated Task Force Dagon when crime has indeed ebbed? Or when assassins bullets just weirdly find their way to drug personalities in dark streets or in their known dens?
Gov Edgar Chatto recently issued an executive order creating the Joint Task Force Dagon, to curb criminalities, drug abuse, and other threats and disturbances to peace and order, public safety and security. The news of Bohol being safest, is now rendered bland.
When we had this report of Bohol being safest, we were thinking otherwise.
When you have public officials going around the province in well-armed convoy of vehicles, when you have teeners caught making pension houses as base of shabu distribution and when you have mayors claiming their supporters are getting killed, is this that brand of peace that makes Bohol safest?
At this time when you have a police officer wielding his firearms and randomly chasing his fellow cops in a police station, the news came in at a moment so awkward.
by admin | Mar 22, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA)–Gipangunahan mismo ni Department of Health (DOH) Kalihim Janette Garin ang pagtunol karong adlawa sa Tamang Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya o TSeKap package alang sa 418 ka accredited barangay health stations sa lalawigan sa Bohol.
Ang maong TSeKap package nagsulod sa digital BP apparatus, non-contact thermometer, glucometer, nebulizer, stethoscope ug dressing set.
Si Garin ang pinasidunggang mamumulong sa gipahigayong Barangay Health Workers Congress karong adlawa sa Bohol Cultural Center.
Ang Kalihim nagkanayon nga sa mga lugar nga wala pay barangay health stations, ang DOH maghatag og school based stations.
Gipahinumdoman usab ni Garin ang mga barangay health workers sa pagka-anaa na sa mga maintenance medication alang sa hypertensive ug diabetic nga pasyente sa mga rural health centers.
Gitumbok sa Kalihim nga kining mga programa sa panglawas nagpakita lamang sa pagtubag sa nasudnong kagamhanan, ubos sa pagdumala ni Presidente Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III sa pagkab-ot ug pagahom sa mga lungsoranon nga mahimong aktibo sa pagsalmot sa maayong pagpamuno. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Mar 19, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
By: Zion Campo
Startup weekend is a 54-hour event that promotes the spirit of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation in its affected community; and a few passionate Boholano techies are back to give Bohol it’s second event after 2014!
The event is action-packed and full of pressure so the organizing team have taken it upon themselves to create sub-events preparing interested participants for the main event to come this April.
At its 1st pre-event entitled Practice Your Pitch!, a few hopefuls attended to hone their idea presentation skills. It was a workshop event that encouraged interaction and confidence among ideators and business-minded folk that wanted to impact their communities through action and vision! Facilitated by Startup Weekend Bohol 2’s Lead Organizer and Co-Organizer, Ms. Ashley Uy, and Ms. Lai Biliran, participants of the Pre-Event learned the fastest way to make a lasting and memorable presentation at Startup Weekend’s first night: a critical skill for those who want to pitch!
At the 2nd pre-event entitled Step Up Stand Out!, a whooping 24 participants attended the informative session about how to stand out from the rest of the crowd when you’re looking for a job. The event was organized by Startup Weekend Bohol 2’s Co-Organizers, Jane Alcantara, Charles Barrete, Jay Paul Aying with guest speaker Thomas Ridenour of TarShare.
All this preparation would not have been possible without our sponsors: PLDT SME Nation, Auza.net, Gwion, Savenearn, Alturas Group of Companies, LiveLingua, PrintBit, Geeks On A Beach , BIPC and our co-presentors TechTalks.ph Bohol, and FabLab Bohol.
If you would still like to support Startup Weekend Bohol 2, contact us at bohol@startupweekend.org for further details. For those interested in participating at the event, you can avail of tickets at www.swb2.eventbrite.com!
by admin | Mar 16, 2016 | National News
Enacting an effective strategic trade law will provide greater opportunities for the Philippines to increase investments in the manufacture, assembly, and export of strategic goods,” said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary, and Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head, Ceferino S. Rodolfo.
The Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA), also known as Republic Act 10697, was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III in November last year. Among its key provisions is the creation of a Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO), an office under the administrative supervision of the DTI, which will be in charge of the registration of persons who intend to engage in trade of strategic goods as well as the issuance of licenses for the export, import, transit, transshipment re-export or reassignment of strategic goods.
Rodolfo said that the strategic trade legislation will provide manufacturers from electronics, chemical, and aerospace industries in the country vast opportunities to increase their production and exports of high-value strategic goods, either by expanding their operations or attracting new investors.
Strategic goods refer to products that, for security reasons or due to international agreements, require regulation and control. These include accelerometers that are components used in cell phones; carbon fiber used as a material in sporting goods; nitric acid, a chemical that is used in fertilizers; and triethanolamine, a chemical used in cosmetics.
The adoption and implementation of a STM Law complies with the Philippines’ foreign policy, national security interests, and commitment under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. The resolution obliges all members to develop and enforce appropriate legal and regulatory measures against the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and their means of delivery to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
“Facilitating secure and safe trade in strategic goods will alsocontributein domestic efforts to counter terrorism, control crime, safeguard public safety, and increase revenue collection as smuggling and trade diversion will be substantially minimized,” said Rodolfo.
The DTI, together with the Anti-Terrorism Council and other relevant agencies, are currently crafting the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) which will be released by 1st semester of this year.
“We are certain that there will also be an increase in demand for highly skilled workers such as engineers and scientists,” added Rodolfo. He said that the manufacture of strategic goods require people possessing technological knowhow and expertise
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Mar 16, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita
The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) and Board of Investments (BOI) presented to the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley (FACCSV) the opportunities for trade and investment in the Philippines during the Trade and Industry Briefing held recently at the DTI International Building in Makati City.
DTI Undersecretary for Industry Development Group (IDG) and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo welcomed the delegation led by FACCSV President Anne Orozco-Ramirez. FCCCSV sought to explore the trade and investment opportunities the country has to offer.
Rodolfo discussed about the recent developments that make the Philippines an attractive investment destination, such as increased infrastructure spending and human resource development. He also highlighted the country’s overall trade strategy.
This briefing is one way to know the perceptions of Filipinos outside the country and what more can be done to encourage more investments into the country,” he said.
EMB Director Senen M. Perlada talked about the Philippine-US trade opportunities, drawing the delegation’s attention to the benefits of tariff preferences given to the Philippines by the US under its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
“Take a look at Philippine produced Halal- and Kosher-certified products as well as organic products which are in-demand in the US,” Perlada urged the delegation.
On the other hand, Lanie O. Dormiendo, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) from the BOI International Investments Promotion Service discussed the investment climate opportunities in the Philippines.
The business mission aimed to find business opportunities and partners in the Philippines particularly in the sectors of real estate, retirement facilities, coconut products, healthcare, and indigenous products.
Other sectors the delegation was exploring include wireless home security devices, cosmetics and skin care products, business process management, renewable energy, and new farming technology.
For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Mar 12, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
By: Zion Campo
Last Saturday, March 12, BICTC held another tech initiative to help the Boholano community grow into a vibrant ecosystem.
Writeshop, a writing workshop where Boholanos can get advice on how to create a basic business/startup proposal by community members that have done it before was spearheaded by local volunteers.
The attendees were taught how to be concise and memorable in their proposal. The participants were also encouraged to join the 4th Ideaspace Competition.
Speakers around Bohol were invited to mentor the participants. Mark Phillips, cofounder of Gwion (a local tech startup) along with her wife, Jo Phillips talked about business proposals. Mark, who has 19 years of Technology and Finance industry experience has designed and developed architectures for leading investment and Retail Banks across the world. He is also developing a new concept for the Financial Services industry using leading products and innovative technologies.
While Vierna Ligan, DTI’s Planning Officer of the Department of Trade and Industry – Bohol walked the contestants through Ideaspace’s Application Form.
DTI-Bohol has supported efforts in the province on uplifting innovation and startup mentality through DTI’s implemented projects such as Makerfest, BHLi2i and the Fablab Bohol.
BICTC Chairman Ms. Lai Biliran also presented a little bit of what Bohol ICT Council has been working on and the local tech community in Bohol.
Resource person Mark Phillips, cofounder of Gwion, a local startup, pose with the participants to the Writeshop event.
by admin | Mar 12, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
By:Zion Campo
This coming April, Bohol will have its second Startup Weekend and another big step into promoting Bohol as a prime competitive innovation hub.
The tech community is slowly and surely starting to grow into its own and with the influx of attendees, sponsors and mentors for this coming Startup Weekend Bohol 2, it just proves that us Boholanos are committed to change.
But what exactly is Startup Weekend Bohol all about?
In a gist, Startup Weekend Bohol is a 54-hour event that promotes the spirit of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and innovation in its affected community. But behind the fancy schmancy words, there’s a whole lot of hustle that needs to be done. After all, you’re starting a business in just 3 days!
We’ll outline a little bit about what happens during the event in this article, so here goes:
The Fire Pitch
After the registration, the Startup Weekend attendees are all given the chance to take center stage! The fire pitch round begins. Everyone in the area will be asked to pitch their idea. If you don’t want to pitch, then that’s totally fine but for those who do, they only have a minute to describe what their startup idea is all about.
It’s quick, it’s somewhat nerve wracking but it’s totally worth it.
Once the last of the fire pitches are done, the elimination round begins.
You’re Idea Isn’t Worthless, People Just Don’t Understand It
The elimination round is probably the most brutal phase in Startup Weekend Bohol. You come to Startup Weekend Bohol thinking that your idea is different, world changing, something people will all love but when the votes prove otherwise, that utter depressing feeling sinks in seeing that there isn’t one vote, one single vote on your startup idea.
It’s around this round where the best ideas get chosen and the ones that people can’t connect to get lost in the sea of just ideas. But even though if your idea isn’t picked, there’s still a chance that it gets to the next around if you have enough people rallying to support your idea despite the number of votes it gets.
And for those ideas that didn’t get a chance to go into the next round, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world for you. Your idea might not have been just understood by people or maybe, just maybe, it really isn’t a great idea as much as you think it is.
After the elimination round, it’s time to find your team.
People Pitching
After you’ve pitched your idea, now it’s time to pitch people to help you with your idea.
Thinking about an idea is easy, finding people to help you execute your idea is hard, very hard.
This is where most people fail, a good idea can only come a long way without a good team. You need to find a well rounded team, a designer, a hustler, and a developer. That’s probably the three core people your team needs to have if you want to win Startup Weekend Bohol or to start any business at all. We encourage you to work with other people, not with your friends. It will be a good learning experience when it comes to hiring people for your startup.
The Weekend
Now this is where all the hustling and thinking happens.
After you’ve formed a team, it is now time to sit, deliberate and execute. There is a whole lot of things that happen during a Startup Weekend (the first night is already crazy).
You think about the market, the possible prototype, the business model, the design, how would you sell it, if your idea truly is needed by people. All these things you need to work on in a short span of time.
Validating your idea is probably the number one thing you should do. Go out and talk to customers. Come back and and work on the feedback you’ve gathered. The ones that typically win Startup Weekend are the ones that have gone out, received feedback and improved their idea.
So, don’t hesitate to get down and dirty with your customers. Ask questions. Dig deeper. Because at the end of the day, your product is useless if people won’t actually buy it.
Prototypes and Practice Pitches
Do I need a prototype?
Well, a good working prototype does add something, it shows that this team can execute! But a good pitch without a prototype can still stand on its own.
Working prototypes prove that your team knows how to get things done, how to turn ideas into real things people can actually use. So you might want to consider that too!
Don’t forget to practice your pitch though! Pitching is the art of selling your idea and if you aren’t able to properly sell your idea to your judges, how will you be able to sell your idea to your customers. So, practice practice practice.
No need to memorize every single detail. Just make sure you have a good flow of things. Make your pitch clear!
The Final Showdown
It’s finally here!
The 54 hour weekend is final over!
The Final Pitching Showdown is where all your hard work will be showcased. The sweat and stress of working on a startup is finally over.
Remember, nobody goes home a loser.
Joining Startup Weekend Bohol is already a big win for you. Not everybody takes the risk of going out there and getting stuff done. According to Henry David Thoreau, most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.
What Thoreau said is true. We all want to change the world, but only few actually do something to change it.
Let Startup Weekend Bohol be one of your stepping stones to changing the world, or maybe, just something for you to enjoy. There’s a lot of good people to make friends with, and it is truly an experience.
So, what to expect during Startup Weekend Bohol?
Talented people and inspiring world changers, a fun exciting environment, and a great dose of infectious entrepreneurial spirit.
Startup Weekend Bohol is on April 15-17.
If you would still like to support Startup Weekend Bohol 2, contact us at bohol@startupweekend.org for further details. For those interested in participating at the event, buy your tickets at www.swb2.eventbrite.com!
See you there!
by admin | Mar 7, 2016 | National News
MANILA, Mar. 07 (PIA)–Ang nasodnong kagamhanan mi-ila sa papel sa kababayen-an ug sa ilang kontribusyon ngadto sa katilingban duyog sa pag-apil sa nasod sa tibuok kalibotan sa kasaulogan sa International Women’s Month ug International Women’s Day.
Ang United Nations misugod sa pagsaulog sa International Women’s Day niadtong Marso 8, 1975.
Sa Pilipinas, gideklarar ang buwan sa Marso isip Women’s Month ubos sa Akta Republika 6949.
Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Kalihim Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., nakighiusa ang gobyerno sa tibuok kalibotan sa mahinungdanong papel ug kontribusyon sa kababayen-an sa atong katilingban, dili lamang isip kahayag sa atong panimalay, apan isip usa ka lig-ong haligi sa padayon nga paglambo sa atong ekonomiya sa atong pagsaulog sa kalibotanong Adlaw sa Kababayen-an ugma, Martes, Marso 8.
Si Coloma nagkanayon nga ang Philippine Commission on Women ang manguna sa kasaulogan nga nagdala sa tema nga “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda”.
“Sa nakalipas na limang taon, isa sa mga mahalagang haligi ng programa sa kagalingang panlipunan ng pamahalaan ang pagtataguyod ng pagkakapantay ng kasarian o gender equality batay sa prinsipyong nakapaloob sa Republic Act 9710, enacted in 2008, o ang Magna Carta of Women,” matud pa ni Coloma.
Gitataw usab sa Kalihim ang ranking sa nasod sa 2015 Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum niadtong Nobyembre.
Sa gipagawas nga 2015 Global Gender Gap Report sa World Economic Forum niadtong Nobyembre, naa sa ika-7 nga pwesto ang Pilipinas ug nag-inusayang nasod gikan sa Asya, gikan sa kinatibuk-ang 145 ka nasod sa tibuok kalibotan, pag-abot sa gender equality ug paghatag og oportunidad sa mga kababayen-an sa upat ka aspeto: economic participation, educational attainment, health and survival ug political empowerment. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Mar 7, 2016 | National News
MANILA, Mar. 07 (PIA)–I-apil na sa Department of Education sa K to 12 program ang mas detalyadong kasaysayan sa Martial Law.
Matud pa ni DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonasito Umali, itudlo sa mga tinun-an sa Grade 5 ug 6 ang kasaysayan sa Martial Law sugod tuig 1946 hangtud 1972.
Giingong nahisulod kini sa asignaturang Araling Panlipunan apil na ang pagkabutang sa pwesto ni kanhi Presidente Corazon Aquino.
Dungan niini, gitino na ni Umali kun sa DepEd ba o sa mga pribadong eskwelahan ang pipila ka libro nga nagpatik sa giingong sayop nga impormasyon kalabot sa Martial Law.
Kahinumdoman nga mikatap sa facebook ug uban pang social media accounts ang giingong sayop nga nakasuwat sa kasasaysayan sa pipila ka libro sa mga batang estudyante.
Matud pa sa DepEd, ang curriculum guide sa Grades 5 ug 6 sa Araling Panlipunan gi- disenyo aron mahatagan ug mas lawom nga pagtuki sa Martial Law period ug Philippine History ang mga estudyante. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Mar 5, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Tech Talk
By Zion Campo
I remember somebody once said that Boholanos are average people but with above average talents.
And I’m pretty sure it’s true and the students from Holy Name University are just few of those people who exhibit these above average talents.
Last March 3, students from Holy Name University engineering department held an event in BQ Mall where they showcased their projects.
These innovations range from a mobile application that searches for the shortest path from a user’s location to a hotel or gasoline station within Tagbilaran City to a computer vision technology that is capable of collecting vehicle count, density and processing results of traffic congestion.
There’s also a Dora the Explorer-inspired hackpack prototype that alarms whenever someone attempts to steal something from your bag.
These are just few of the awesome things Boholanos are able to create. And this coming Startup Weekend we’re looking for these kind of people to develop their simple ideas to world changing world class startups!
You don’t have to be techie, all you need is the guts to go out there and do something.
If you want to join Startup Weekend Bohol 2, you can purchase a ticket at www.swb2.eventbrite.com. Early bird rate ends this March 7!!!
by admin | Mar 5, 2016 | Opinion, Tech Talk
By Zion Campo
So, curious about what Startup Weekend is? Want to know what happens during the three days of grueling days and nights. Here’s a little glimpse of what goes down during these three days from a participant himself:
In school, we typically run into situations where we are forced to finish a school project in a short span of time. To beat the deadline, you are thrown into a weekend overnight gathering with your projectmates trying desperately to finish your project before Monday.
There is coffee, there are midnight shenanigans, good memories with friends and a whole lot of stuff that goes down over the weekend.
But Startup Weekend is a lot more than that.
You’re given 54 hours over the weekend to create something. From ideation to creation, Startup Weekend will up the stakes of your typical school weekend project overnight with a taste of startup drama!
You will get to feel how your idea gets turned down because you’re awesome world changing idea wasn’t given any stars at all. You will get to experience being high in Cloud 9 because a lot of people love your idea and has been chosen as one of the ideas that get to pitch at the final pitching showdown!
Then magically, over the weekend, you meet your team, yes, your A TEAM! Finally! You start working on the startup and then you get into problems. Your idea may not be viable after you try to validate the idea.
You have a couple of choices, pivot your idea, overhaul your whole idea, or push it.
After thinking over what is your team’s next move, you and your team reach a consensus. We’ll make a couple of changes to the idea!
Then pitch day comes and you are ball full of nerves, you stand up on stage and you either fail at pitching what your idea is to the judges and audience or you will flawlessly and eloquently present your idea and well, might get a shot at winning the Startup Weekend Bohol 2nd Edition winner!
And after accepting the reality that entrepreneurship is no mean feat – that there is a whole lot to starting a startup than just an idea and technical skills, you understand why a lot of people say that starting a business is risky but a risk worth taking
After all the drama you go through Startup Weekend, you look back and realize how much you have grown over a short span of time and how much you enjoyed getting out there and doing stuff and not just talking over and over and over your idea like a broken record.
