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Aris to visit Israel
By JUNE S. BLANCO BOHOL stands to get more of its arable land in the 2nd District irrigated. This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado is set to visit Israel that has succeeded in turning some of its desert lands into farms through unconventional irrigation methods. The Philippines may have river systems that can be harnessed to irrigate erstwhile rain-fed rice fields. But, Aumentado pointed out, there are still lands that have remained idle to date because these are far from the irrigation canals, or have higher elevation than the canals – or both. As such, the solon vowed to look into Israel’s agricultural technology in the hopes of expanding the irrigated lands in the province, initially in his district. He estimates the irrigation-hungry lands in Bohol at still 30 hectares. With this technology, Aumentado expressed confidence that the income of the farmers will definitely increase. The solon had grabbed the opportunity when the Israeli government invited him and other congressmen to attend the 2018 AgriTech exposition to be held in that country. Historically, the exposition attracts delegates from all over the world. To help arrange his itinerary to include site visits to demonstration farms, Aumentado is set to meet tomorrow with the Israeli ambassador in the latter’s Philippine residence. Because the coffee meeting will be at his residence, the solon said he expects the meet up to be less formal and therefore more productive, he... read moreDTI SAYS SURCHARGES ON CREDIT CARDS ARE ILLEGAL
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Asteria Caberte warns unscrupulous business establishments that are taking advantage of credit card holders by imposing surcharges. Caberte revealed the illicit tactics of some business establishments that are imposing additional charges on items purchased through credit cards of unsuspecting buyers who are not aware that these surcharges are illegal. “All retailers who accept credit cards for payment should not require the cardholders to pay additional charge over and above the price tag on the consumer goods and services,” Caberte said. Under Article 81, or the “Price Tag Requirement,” of Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” goods and services must have only an appropriate price tag or label. It must not be sold at a higher price that what is stated and without discrimination to all buyers. Caberte also advised consumers who were tricked into paying the surcharges to ask for a refund and report the incident to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). “Retailers should not pass surcharges to consumers for they are already paying annual membership fee for using credit cards,” Caberte added. “ In ensuring consumers’ rights, she revealed that the DTI is regularly monitoring business establishments.” Caberte warned violators that DTI is regularly monitoring business establishments to ensure that consumer rights are upheld. Caberte underscored that unscrupulous retailers will be fined depending on the gravity, and/or revocation of their business permit and license. For complaints and questions, one may call or visit the Consumer Protection Division at the following DTI’ provincial offices: BOHOL PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 2F FCB Bldg., CPG Ave., Tagbilaran City.... read more
Groundbreaking sa P90-M Bohol Youth Home, gipangunahan ni DOH Kalihim Duque
TAGBILARAN CITY, Abril 11 (PIA)–Gipangunahan ni Department of Health (DOH) Kalihim Francisco Duque III ang capsule laying ug groundbreaking sa Bohol Youth Home sa wellness and health complex sa lungsod sa Cortes. Ang P90-milyon nga Bohol Youth Home pagatukoron sa 1 ka ektaryang luna nga gipanag-iya sa kagamhanang probinsiyal sa Bohol nga nahimutang sa Barangay Malayo Norte, lungsod sa Cortes diin mao usab ang dapit nga pagatukoran sa uban pang healthcare infrastructures. “This worthy project of the provincial government of Bohol, really aligned the wellness and objective of the DOH (Kining mapuslanon nga proyekto sa kagamhanang probinsiyal sa Bohol nisubay gayud sa wellness ug objective sa DOH),” matud pa ni Duque. Sila Gob. Edgar Chatto, DSWD-7 Director Evelyn Macapobre, Cong. Rene Relampagos, Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim ug Cortes Vice Mayor Leo Pabotoy mi-alalay sa kalihim sa panglawas sa gipahigayong capsule laying ug groundbreaking rites. Ang proyektong Bohol Youth Home paga-pondohan sa Provincial Government of Bohol, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ug DOH. Ang Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) annex ug rehab center itukod usab sa maong complex nga gisusi usab ni Duque. Ang kalihim niabot sa lalawigan alas 10 sa buntag niadtong Martes diin siya maoy pinasidunggang dinapit sa ika-16 nga Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Summit nga gitambungan sa 1,500 ka BNS gikan sa 1,109 ka barangays sa lalawigan nga gipahigayon sa Bohol Cultural Center ning syudad. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol). Gipangunahan ni DOH Kalihim Francisco Duque, inubanan nilang Gob. Edgar Chatto, DSWD-7 Director Evelyn Macapobre, Cong. Rene Relampagos, Cortes Mayor Lynn Iven Lim ug Cortes Vice Mayor Leo Pabotoy ang capsule...PH scores high among Starters category of Global Connectivity Index
Aspires to be in Adopters, Frontrunners Despite the absence of public investments in enhancing broadband access and speed, the Philippines scored high among Starters category of the Global Connectivity Index (GCI), published by Huawei Technologies, which measures how 50 nations are progressing with digital transformation using information and communications technology. Starters are countries in the early stage of ICT infrastructure build-out. The Philippines garnered a score of 33, the highest score given among countries classified as Starters, which are economies with an average GDP of US$3,000 and have GCI range of 20-34. The country advanced two notches from its previous score in 2015 at 31. According to GCI, countries classified as Starters focus on increasing ICT supply to give more people access to the digital world. According to the GCI report, economies classified as Starters show the following characteristics: ICT investment is less than 2 percent of GDP; E-commerce is low at US$5,000 per capita per year; and about 40% of the population uses the Internet. “Starters are not fully benefiting from the digital economy and its potential to raise incomes and overall quality of life. Policy makers need to ensure ICT maturity enters the second stage, Internet Innovation, so e-commerce can create economic growth. Faster broadband expansion is necessary to increase supply scores so that most businesses and citizens have affordable broadband access,” the report said. To enter the next category called Adopters, Starters should adopt several strategies that include increase in ICT investment as a percentage of GDP to accelerate nationwide broadband coverage; reduce tariffs and provide subsidies for smartphones to get more smart devices into homes;...Local News/ Bohol Balita
Lacson Inducts new BCCI Board of Trustees
Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson inducted the newly elected Board of Trustees of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry during their regular monthly meeting held at the Be Grand Resort in Panglao, Bohol on March 18, 2016. Lacson presented to the board his advocacy called “BRAVE” which is essentially a proposal on how to make the national budget legislation become more inclusive to far flung municipalities. The former police chief presented a trend in the national budget situation where a significant portion of the budget ends up unspent at the end of the year. Lacson proposes that this perennially unspent budget would be better allocated as additional development funds for the local government units throughout the country. After his presentation, the chamber trustees engage Lacson in an open forum where he emphasized his position against corruption. Lacson is known for not using his pork barrel allocation or the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) at the same time he is calling for its abolition. The PDAF controversy in 2013 exposed the systematic corruption done using the PDAF as a means to extract money out of the national treasury. Lacson also clarified that the Yolanda relief donations from other countries did not go into the national treasury but were spend directly by the donor countries through NGOs and volunteers. However, he said that the country was not able to utilize most of the funds because of delayed implementation of rehabilitation efforts part of which would have been funded by the foreign donations. Engr. Al Uy, President of the BCCI, presided over the meeting. Two new members from tricycle operator and driver’s...DTI presents PHL trade, investment opportunities to Fil-AM inbound business delegation
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...BCCI Holds General Assembly And Election of Trustees
The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its annual general assembly on March 11, 2016 at the Metrocentre Hotel in Tagbilaran City. The chamber elected its board of trustees for the year 2016 during the assembly. The trustees for the year 2016 will call a special board meeting to elect the officers. This year’s theme is “Empowering the Boholano Entrepreneur: From Bohol to the World” in line with the ASEAN integration that will impact the business environment not only the Bohol but throughout the ASEAN member countries. Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto, addressed the chamber and lauded it for its active participation in the various programs of the provincial government. Chatto highlighted the Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investments for Development (CR+ID) projects which is spearheaded by the BCCI and has become a model for planning of roads development in the country. Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 Director Asteria Caberte delivered the good news to the chamber that the country has made a lot of economic gains in the past years. The Philippines has been consistently growing at a rate of about 6% per year even with the uncertainty affecting the region. The country also has gained several upgrades in investment ratings by various rating agencies. At present, DTI is at the forefront of developing Negosyo Centers throughout the country. At present, there are 2 Negosyo Centers in Bohol, one at DTI provincial office and the other at the Capitol building at the Bohol Investment Promotions Center. In the open forum, Director Caberte was asked about the impact of the ASEAN integration in terms of our agriculture...Bohol ICT Council holds WriteShop for local tech enthusiasts
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...What To Expect During Startup Weekend Bohol
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...National News
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