by admin | Feb 11, 2016 | National News
Highlighting the need for various agencies to support local MSMEs, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba said that “with the AEC and our strengthened positioning in Europe, both public and private sectors working together will enable our MSMEs to participate in the global value chain, generate quality jobs, and ensure growth particularly in the regions.”
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) aims to transform the ASEAN region into a single market and production base, with free flow of goods, services, investments, and capital. The ASEAN market is a combined market of 600 million.
To date, 98.6% of goods are traded among ASEAN member countries at zero tariff. The Philippines also currently benefits from the EU-GSP+ which grants duty-free access to more than 6,000 products exported to EU.
We are making good progress in collectively addressing the opportunities AEC presents as well as the challenges industry faces to fully comply with AEC targets. Initiatives are also in place to prepare our industries to take advantage of the EU GSP+,” Aldaba added.
To support local industries, DTI has facilitated collaborations between private and public sectors to craft and implement sectoral industry roadmaps.
To date, there are thirty five (35) industry roadmaps submitted to the BOI which include aerospace, automotive and automotive parts, manufacturing, metal casting, among other. An industry roadmap defines the vision, goals, and targets of the sector, identifies binding constraints to its growth, and recommends strategies for industry upgrading and development.
DTI has conducted industry roadmap localization conferences in key cities in the country including Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Tagaytay, and Palawan.
For information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 9, 2016 | Major Events, National News
MANILA, Feb. 09 (PIA)–Gidasig sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang netizens sa pagsumbong sa ilang buhatan sa mga kandidatong makitaan nila og pagpanglapas karong pormal nang nagsugod ang campaign period alang sa midagan sa nasudnong posisyon.
Sa iyang post sa twitter account, gidasig sa tigpamaba sa Comelec nga si Atty. James Jimenez ang publiko sa pagpadala og mga hulagway sa mga posters o campaign materials sa mga kandidato nga wala sa sakto o sa gitakdang lugar sa komisyon.
Gamit ang hashtag nga “SumbongKo” ang mga netizens gidasig sa pagkuha og hulagway sa mga posters sa mga kandidato nga wala sa common poster areas. Partikular na ang mga posters nga naa sa mga kakahoyan, poste sa suga, poste sa kuryente ug nagbitay sa mga kable sa kuryente.
Niadtong 2013 elections, nahimong epektibo ang “#SumbongKo” campaign sa Comelec tungod kay aktibo man ang mga netizens sa pag-tweet sa mga campaign posters nga nakabutang sa mga bawal nga lugar. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Feb 9, 2016 | Major Events, National News
MANILA, Feb. 09 (PIA)–Nipasidaan ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) sa mga kandidato karong 2016 elections nga hugot nilang bantayan ang paggasto sa mga kandidato sa pagsugod sa national campaign period karong adlawa.
Matud pa ni Comelec Chair Andres Bautista, mahimong hugot na karon ang ilang finance office sa pagpanguna ni Commissioner Christian Robert Lim sa pag-monitor sa mga gigasto sa mga kandidato sa mga ads ug uban pang paraphernalia aron masiguro nga dili sila molapas sa gitakda sa balaod.
Makig-alayon ang poll body sa Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Commission on Audit (COA) ug sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) sa pagmonitor sa mga kandidato.
Nakalatid sa Comelec Resolution No. 9981 nga dili angay molapas sa 120 minuto ang TV ads ug 180 minuto nga radio commercials per station basis ang mga kandidato ug registered political parties alang sa nasudnong posisyon, kini gipalit man o donasyon.
Gidili na usab karon ang pagbutang og mga banners sa mga lugar nga dili apil sa gitakdang common poster areas sa Comelec.
Ang bisan kinsang molapas sa patakaran sa Comelec mapahamtangan og unom ka tuig nga pagkabilanggo, pagkawala sa katungod nga makabotar ug disqualification sa public office. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
by admin | Feb 9, 2016 | National News
The year 2015 was remarkable for the Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) even as it vowed to step up its efforts in 2016 for the betterment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.
“We are proud to inform the public that the ROG in 2015 has worked with tireless enthusiasm with various partner agencies to support the growth of MSMEs in the country, with the establishment of the ever-increasing number of launched Negosyo Centers, established Shared Service Facilities and implemented Bottom-up Budgeting projects,” ROG supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said.
Maglaya stressed that these initiatives of focusing on MSMEs will eventually result to more entrepreneurs, employment and inclusive growth, adding that the Regional Operations Group would continue foster partnership between MSMEs, development partners, and the government.
Among the many milestones of the Regional Operations Group are the establishment of more than a hundred Negosyo Centers, Shared Service Facilities (SSF), Diskwento Caravans, SME Roving Academies (SMERA), Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs), the assistance to typhoon Yolanda victims through the Livelihood Seeding Program, National Industry Clustering, Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB), Coconut Industry Development Program, National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP), Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) in cooperation with the German government, among others.
One directive that ROG has focused on is the establishment of Negosyo Centers, of which has a total number of 144 as of December 2015. This total has exceeded the Department’s target of 100 Negosyo Centers for 2015.
“As of 31 December 2015, a total of 144 Negosyo Centers have been launched. The Centers are geared towards promoting the ease of doing business facilitating access to services for [MSMEs], including business registration assistance, business advisory services, business information and advocacy as well as access to market linkages,” Maglaya said.
Meanwhile, to reach the grassroots level, more SSFs have been established with a total of 1,434 SSFs, which already generated 46,573 of employment since its launch in 2013.
On the Industry clustering strategy, Maglaya said that as a result of various initiatives and interventions in promoting and fostering for industry development nationwide, the six (6) national priority industry clusters which are predominantly agri-based industries have contributed significant outcome in terms of bottomline indicators. The six priority industry clusters are rubber, coco coir, coffee, cacao, processed fruits & nuts, and tourism support industries.
She noted that as of third quarter 2015, a total of P1.717B in investments and P2.621B in domestic sales were generated from the six national priority industry clusters. These surpassed the annual targets by 135% and 144%, respectively.
“In 2016, the industry clustering strategy will be continued to be mainstreamed by DTI with new additional identified priority sectors to bring the development to the countryside,” she said.
Also in January 2015, ROG started Negosyo ATBP., a business education radio program aired every Wednesday, which aims to raise the public’s awareness on micro small and medium enterprises, business success stories and government programs and services to assist MSMEs and is currently on its fourth season.
Negosyo ATBP. featured guests from various sectors, government agencies, officers from the local and national government, including Senator Bam Aquino and former Secretary Gregory Domingo, and most especially MSMEs, who shared their stories of struggles on their path to success.
Maglaya vowed to surpass ROG’s 2015 accomplishments by continuing its initiatives of uplifting the MSMEs and by continuing to raise the bar of service to the Filipino public.
“The ROG will continue to support MSMEs in facing challenges concerning business environment, productivity and efficiency, and access to finance and market as we continually strive to improve our brand of service to the public,” she said.
For information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 9, 2016 | National News
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently launched the Philippine E-Commerce Roadmap (PECR) 2016-2020, as well as the e-commerce.gov.ph website.
The roadmap is the Philippines’ first on e-commerce and the DTI expects renewed and reinvigorated collaboration between the government and the private sector to fully accelerate the growth of Philippine e-commerce – one that is globally competitive and integrated.
The roadmap’s main objective is to contribute 25% to the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 (from 10% in 2015 based on estimates made by iMetrics Asia Pacific Corporation). The country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up 99.6% of Philippine enterprises, will largely benefit from this initiative. By participating and engaging in e-commerce programs and projects, Philippine MSMEs can become globally competitive.
The PECR 2016-2020 presents the Philippines’ strategic plans, policies, and other support measures to harness the benefits of e-commerce for the country. Its action plan is based on key areas highlighted in the APEC Digital Prosperity Checklist.
The roadmap is intended to be a living document that will be continuously updated through regular stakeholder consultations to draw up strategies befitting current and timely issues and concerns.
Ultimately through this roadmap, more home-grown Philippine enterprises can directly access the global market or be integrated in global value chain, enabling further access to larger foreign markets.
For information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Feb 3, 2016 | National News
Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, present in yogurt and other dairy products, are well-known medical foods used as probiotics, or “friendly bacteria”, to maintain a healthy digestive tract. Flow cytometry, a cell-counting method for assessing the quality of cultures by determining the proportion of active cells, has met with a degree of skepticism. Now, a new ISO standard rubber-stamps the validity of this method, speeding up quality control and facilitating trade.
A recently published International Standard, ISO 19344 (IDF 232), provides a method for the quantification of lactic acid bacteria by flow cytometry in fermented products, starter cultures and probiotics used in dairy products. This publication is the result of the joint work of ISO and the International Dairy Federation (IDF).
Quantification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is important in assessing the quality of starter cultures, probiotics and fermented milk products. Examination of LAB in these products can be carried out following different methods, with plate count techniques being the most traditional and widely used. Newer techniques include flow cytometry, which is able to determine the proportion of active cells and/or total units.
Dr. Sandra Casani, IDF/ISO Project Leader, says: “Advantages of the use of flow cytometry include low variation, reduction of testing time, differentiation between active and total cells and the possibility of high-throughput analysis. Furthermore, quantification of the fraction of active cells per total cells is a key feature of flow cytometry. This is of special relevance for certain applications, such as optimization of production processes and stability assessment during shelf life.”
This ISO/IDF project relied on the participation of producers and users of LAB as well as experts and users of flow cytometry from both industry and academia. This reflects the need and support for such a standard, which is crucial for obtaining general acceptance by the industry and for getting the recognition of this methodology by regulatory bodies.
Harrie van den Bijgaart, Chair of the ISO technical committee on milk and milk products (ISO/TC 34/SC 5) and Chair of the IDF Methods Standards Steering Group, explains: “Joint standards such as this one are important to avoid duplication of work and ensure optimal and harmonized procedures in analysis and sampling of milk and milk products around the globe. They also provide safeguards to the equivalence of testing results, whereas the availability of these well-respected joint standards also limits the required in-house validation efforts of the instrument users. The collaboration between IDF and ISO is key in achieving this.”
An international collaborative study of ISO 19344 (IDF 232) was conducted to determine precision figures, which validated that the method is fit for purpose.
The standard is available from any national ISO member or from the ISO Store.
The Philippines is a member to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards as the country’s National Standards Body.
For more information on the ISO/IEC 27000 series, visit http://www.iso.org/ For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Jan 30, 2016 | National News, Tech Talk
IdeaSpace Foundation (IdeaSpace), the leading early-stage technology incubator and accelerator in the Philippines, announced the opening of its annual startup competition for 2016, which will begin accepting early-stage startup ideas beginning January 21.
Now on its fourth year, the IdeaSpace startup competition will also have a new structure which will focus on providing equity-free funding and support to competition winners so founders can pursue their innovative ideas.
“Ever since IdeaSpace was founded, we have declared our belief that Filipino entrepreneurs can turn their innovative startup ideas into reality and make it big on the world stage as long as there is an ecosystem to support them,” said Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director at IdeaSpace.
“With this new equity-free funding structure, IdeaSpace strengthens its commitment to the local startup ecosystem to bring out the most socially relevant innovations that can help solve pressing problems of the world, particularly in emerging economies such as the Philippines,” she added.
Ideas from across the country, region
Interested groups and individuals can now log on to apply.ideaspacefoundation.org to fill up the form and submit their startup ideas for evaluation until March 18, 2016. Submissions from around the Philippines, as well as in the Southeast Asian region, are welcome.
The top twenty ideas from this pool will be screened by an esteemed panel of judges, and the top 20 early-stage startups that will enter incubation will be announced by July 5, 2016. At least ten of these startups, meanwhile, will enter the acceleration phase beginning August 1, 2016.
Those who enter the acceleration phase will have access to up to P1 million funding which will include up to P500,000 in cash, while non-cash benefits such as housing, transportation, incorporation, office space, communication, software support, trainings and classes, as well as mentoring from executives of companies under First Pacific.
New structure
Unlike previous years, IdeaSpace will no longer have an equity in each of the startups that will undergo its incubation and acceleration process.
Eustaquio said this will allow startup founders and IdeaSpace to collaborate and focus fully on bringing these early-stage ideas to reality, and to ensure that each idea has a clear and achievable runway toward commercial viability.
As one of the formidable technology incubators and accelerators in the country, IdeaSpace has helped give birth to about 38 startups over the last four years as part of its half a billion-peso funding that was instituted in 2012.
Some of the program’s most notable alumni include: SALt, a startup that has developed an innovative saltwater lamp and was featured during the recent APEC Summit 2015 in Manila; PinoyTravel, a startup which helps solve provincial bus reservation woes of commuters; Mobkard, which helps consumers save on purchases through discounts and promos; and Tactiles, which developed an educational toy that helps children learn electronics while playing, among many others.
IdeaSpace is supported by the following companies: First Pacific, First Pacific Leadership Academy, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, MPIC hospital group, PLDT, Meralco, Smart Communications, Inc., Digitel Mobile Philippines and its mobile brand Sun Cellular, SPI Global, ePLDT, Indofood, Philex Mining, Maynilad, MediaQuest, and TV5. To know more about IdeaSpace, visit www.ideaspacefoundation.org.
by admin | Jan 30, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events
TAGBILARAN CITY, January 30, (PIA)—Total crime volume in 2005 increased by 17% or 1314 cases over 2013 which only had 7904 over this years 9218, crime data from Camp Dagohoy showed.
Of the increase however, traffic related incidents swallowed a huge pie, accounting for 30% of the increase.
Interestingly, index crimes like theft and robbery, which get occasionally reported in radio reports, earned lower cases in 2015, with 26 theft cases lass in 2015 and 127 robbery cases less than in 2015.
Murder also is 2 cases less in 2015 than the previous year while homicide in 2015 is 9 cases less than last years 2014, the same data reported at the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting last January 28 bared.
The increase in index crimes however were noted in physical injuries which had 136 cases more last year, car-napping with 22 cases more, rape had 13 cases over 2014 and cattle rustling showed 11 cases past last 2014.
In the non-index crime tally, Camp Dagohoy crime statisticians noted 1296 cases more in 2015 over the previous year; this amounts to 30% increase in total non index crime volume.
Special laws violations in 2015 reached 94 cases more or 1724 cases in 2015 as against 1630 in 2014, and other non-index crimes surpassed 2014’s tally with 1615, or 504 case over the 1111 cases logged in 2014.
Almost half of the non-index crime volume however were incidents that involve traffic in its forms: driving under the influence of liquor, reckless driving, over-speeding and similar violations.
Traffic related incidents reached 2212 in 2015, or 618 cases over 2014 which only had 1514, the same report showed.
Data from police headquarters’ Provincial Intelligence and Detection Management Bureau bared that traffic related incidents alone in 2015 reached 698 cases more.
Physical injury which are caused by traffic surged 407 cases more at 1502 over 1095 in 2015, damage to property due to traffic incidents also revved to 256 more in 2015 at 614 over 358 in the previous year while traffic related incidents resulting to homicide claimed 35 lives more, with 96 reported cases over 61 in 2014.
To show dramatic emphasis, Camp Dagohoy said of the total crime volume in 2015 which reached 9218, 2212 or a good 24% of the crime cases were involving traffic.
Homicide for example, of the 131 total cases, a good 96 or 73% of the cases involved traffic while 35 deaths did not.
Of the physical injuries tallied, 64% of the cases or 1502 of the 2327 cases logged involved traffic, according to Camp Dagohoy. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Jan 30, 2016 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events
TAGBILARAN CITY, January 30, 2016 (PIA)—Running out of cash in tropical beach paradise of Anda? Worry no more, an automated cash dispenser has just opened there.
In the latest development in the town which is fast becoming Bohol’s summer beaching capital, a new automated teller machine (ATM) opens at the town hall, a quick step away from the famed Quinale Beach Bar.
The new ATM, of the commercial bank Metrobank was installed a few days ago, according to town tourism officer Jovie Macato.
Metrobank boasts itself as the first Philippine bank that is among the first 10 strongest bank in the Asia Pacific.
Metrobank ATM is the second ATM in Anda and the first machine with international links.
Anda’s new Metrobank ATM serves six automated transactions: cash withdrawals, fund transfer, cash advance, bills payments, prepaid load and check re-order, Macato added.
Years back, First Consolidated Bank of Bohol opened its first pitakard ATM also at the Municipal Hal Complex. This, however is exclusive for FCB depositors as well as the government’s conditional cash transfer card.
A few months ago, Anda Mayor Metodio Amper told local media in an interview during the launching of Anda’s Tilapia Chips, that his administration is negotiating banks with international links to put up ATM machines in town.
“We desperately need an international ATM machine, we just can’t afford to listen to foreigners and local tourists eager to spend some more in Anda but are running out of cash,” Amper said.
A common inconvenience of Anda tourists running low on cash is going out to nearby towns of Candijay and Jagna, where ATMS can serve international bank links.
In fact, some would take the 100 kilometer trip back to Tagbilaran to replenish their wallets for cash, tour guides added.
On the opening of the ATM, netster Pinky McMichael said, “It will be so convenient for me now……no need to go to Jagna anymore. Tourists will be able to spend more pesos which is very good for Anda business owners, etc.”
We are so overjoyed, Thank you Mayor Dodong!!!, she added.
Mayor Amper goes by his local name Dodong. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Jan 29, 2016 | National News
A new handbook has just been published to help SMEs proactively prepare for risk and protect their business.
ISO 31000 – Risk management – A practical guide for SMEs gives hands-on guidance on how to make the most of ISO 31000:2009, the International Standard on risk management processes, and integrate good practices in both their strategic decisions and their day-to-day operations.
Whilst most SMEs manage risk to a large extent, a number of SME leaders don’t consider implementing formal risk management processes, believing they aren’t big enough to warrant a proper risk management system or because they feel they are too busy running the company,” says John Lark, the author of the handbook.
“However,” he comments, “there is significant opportunity for SMEs that do engage in a more structured risk management practice. SMEs that do implement risk management in a way that is aligned with the principles and processes found in ISO 31000 can become more successful and be in a position to evolve into big companies.”
“Effective risk management is no longer something that only big business can have. This guide has been written for the leaders in small organizations, people whose commitment and energy have created the enterprise and who, by implementing risk management effectively, can help their business to survive and grow.”
ISO 31000:2009, by providing comprehensive principles and guidelines, can help all organizations put in place strong processes to identify opportunities and threats and effectively manage, leverage and adapt to risk.
ISO 31000 – Risk management – A practical guide for SMEs has been designed to complement this standard. It is structured as a checklist with a series of questions and related actions that guide users through the creation of a successful risk management system.
“The guide is a clear, simply worded explanation of how to implement risk management effectively,” explains Lark. “The question-and-answer format, as well as a comprehensive table of contents, allows readers to jump immediately to a subject or aspect of risk management that is of interest to them, or which is proving to be difficult.”
Published jointly by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the ITC (International Trade Centre) and UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), this handbook has been designed to help SMEs better understand and manage risk and ultimately strengthen their small businesses, which represent the vast majority of enterprises around the world.
Arancha González, Executive Director of ITC, Li Yong, Director General of UNIDO, and Acting ISO Secretary-General Kevin McKinley have indicated that they hope this guide will serve as a practical and beneficial resource for SMEs in their efforts to improve their competitiveness and increase their participation in international trade through better recognizing and managing risk.
The handbook can be purchased from any national ISO member and through the ISO Store.
The Philippines is a member to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards as the country’s National Standards Body.
For more information on the ISO, visit http://www.iso.org/ For more information on the services of the DTI, log-on to http://www.dti.gov.ph
by admin | Jan 19, 2016 | Photo Story
Gov. Edgar Chatto and Anda First Lady Nanette Amper crowns Ms. Anda Tourism 2016 Daisy Pando from Brgy Linawan. The Pageant is one of the highlights of the town fiesta.. Chatto is his message stressed Anda as Bohol’s tourism jewel and summer capital. He also cites Anda’s development programs under the leadership of Mayor Metodio Amper. Also crowned were 1st Runner Up Patrice Marie Visaya of Brgy. Poblacion and 2nd runner up Maria Jomyca Castro from Holy Infant Academy,
