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DTI LEADS PH ENERGY SECTOR DRIVE FOR INVESTMENTS IN GERMANY
The Department of Trade and Industry through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI‐CITEM) is keen on attracting more investments for the country’s booming energy sector through export promotion activities in the upcoming Hannover Messe to be held in Hannover, Germany, on April 23 to 27, 2018. “We are elevating trade and investment promotion to a whole new level as we tap our partners for inclusive growth from the energy sector in a collective participation in this world’s most important industrial tradeshow and the largest capital goods exhibition in Germany,” said DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Investments Promotion Group (TIPG) Nora K. Terrado. With the theme “Solutions for the New Era of Energy,” the energy sector of Hannover Messe 2018 will focus on innovative technologies for electric power systems to become more flexible, to intelligently connect sectors, and to engage new market participants amid an increasingly decentralized global energy chain. Hannover Messe covers the world’s five industrial value‐adding chain under one roof, namely (1) energy; (2) integrated automation, motion and drivers (IAMD); (3) industrial supply; (4) research and technology; and (5) digital factory. “As a global gathering of key industry players, Hannover Messe is the prime platform to drumbeat and build up investor confidence on the Philippines as a global powerhouse of renewable energy and other relevant technologies,” said Terrado. In 2017, the Germany‐based event gathered 6,500 companies from over 70 nations and was attended by 225,000 visitors and trade buyers across the world, generating around 5.6 million partnerships, business models and other contacts. Aside from renewable energy, the Philippines through DTI will also seek to secure investments... read moreAPBC welcomes PH delegation to Australia
THE Australia-Philippines Business Council (APBC) welcomed the Philippine delegation to Australia led by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano through a welcome reception participated in by Australian and Philippine business leaders on 16 March 2018 in Barangaroo, Sydney, Australia. Secretary Cayetano and Secretary Lopez witnessed the signing of Letters of Intent (LOIs) to invest in the Philippines from different private sector leaders/firms planning to maximize the Philippines’ growing economy. Investment includes setting up of an assembly plant for GPS tracking devices, development of a US$10 million biomass power plant, and construction of a US$30 million hotel and residential place in Cebu. Australia’s Macquarie Bank Chairman Peter Warne, Chairman of TMIP Holdings David King, ANZ Philippines CEO Anna Green, AUSTAL CEO David Singleton were among the Australian business executives present. Philippine business leaders like Mr. Jose Concepcion III and SM Investment’s Ms. Teresita Sy-Coson were among the Filipino executives in attendance. In his address to the business community, Secretary Lopez highlighted government’s support programs for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and its initiatives that ensure the growth, development, and competitiveness of these enterprises. He shared DTI’s Negosyo Centers, Pondo Para sa Pagbabago (P3), Shared Service Facility (SSF), market access initiatives that provide permanent space for MSME products, and online digital space programs, which are summed up in the DTI’s 7M strategy on MSMEs. Secretary Lopez shared that increasing the trade base between Australia and the Philippines should be based on complementarity of industries and sectors where growth will be highly recorded. Some examples he... read more
DTI emphasizes importance of MSMEs for PH growth, poverty alleviation
The Department of Trade and Industry emphasized the role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as providers of employment and drivers of the country’s economic growth that will alleviate poverty in the country. DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said so important the role of MSMEs that they ensure the promotion of equitable and inclusive growth, especially throughout the countryside. “MSMEs are substantial contributors to our country’s economic growth, trade, employment, innovation, and poverty alleviation,” Maglaya explained during the first MSME Conference organized by the University of the Philippines – Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI) at the UP – Bonifacio Global City (UP-BGC) Campus in Taguig. Philippine MSMEs account for 99.5% of the total number of established businesses and employ 62.8% of the country’s workforce, contributing substantially to the country’s manufacturing output and total employment, making it critical engines of economic growth and development. To ensure the growth and advancement of the MSME sector, the MSME Development Council approved the MSME Development Plan 2017-2022, which presents improved and innovative development strategies to achieve the target outcomes called Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan, in the next five years. The Plan envisions for “more globally competitive MSMEs that are regionally integrated, resilient, sustainable, and innovative thereby performing as key drivers of inclusive Philippine economic growth.” Maglaya said the MSMED Plan “envisions more globally competitive MSMEs that are regionally integrated, resilient, sustainable, and innovative—thereby performing as key drivers of inclusive Philippine economic growth.” The trade executive explained that there are five (5) strategic goals under the MSMED Plan 2017-2022, namely, improved business climate, improved access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities,...7 int’l startups make it to Geeks on a Beach pitching contest
Seven promising global startups will be joining the international pitching competition at the Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) tech and startup conference at Bellevue Hotel in Panglao Island, Bohol on August 25-26, 2016. The seven finalists are: AnnualBooks(Philippines), a platform that allows schools to create Online Yearbooks, School Newspapers, Collaboration Tools for Teachers/Parents/Students, E-Learning system, Alumni Center, Grades Monitoring System, and much more; engageSpark(Philippines), a digital solution that lets non-techies at non-profits (and businesses) build interactive Automated Phone Calls and 2-Way SMS programs to engage the poor in developing countries. Grow360(Singapore), a platform that provides feedback, self-development tools and access to coaches for professionals; iUNGOCorp(Netherlands), a platform for managing energy demand, so that home owners, building administrators and utility service providers can manage energy consumption in a more intelligent way; Liser Robotics(Philippines), a robotic educational system for teaching computer coding to kids; LookingFour(Philippines), a platform where buyers post products they need and match suppliers notified; and TrustMyStaff(Cambodia), a digital service that is aimed at employers who wish to fill a job vacancy quickly, efficiently and with an honest candidate. It helps find a candidate who is a good psychological fit for the vacancy. These startups were chosen from a pool of 14 applicants hailing from 7 countries, including Cambodia, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Ukraine and USA. Each of the finalists will be given three minutes each to pitch and two minutes to answer question in front of the international pitching competition panel of judges and audience. The judges are Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director, IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc.; Monchito Ibrahim, Innovation Consultant, DICT; Arup Maity, President, Blast Asia and Xamun, Inc.; Khailee Ng,...Local News/ Bohol Balita
KALSADA Program to be launched in Bohol
TAGBILARAN CITY, Jan. 06 (PIA)–The P6.5-billion project dubbed as KALSADA, one of the biggest nationally-funded projects will be officially launched here on Friday, January 8. Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA), is an innovative devolution program that aims to institutionalize good governance by enabling and shepherding local government units on Local Road Management, according to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad. The program will rehabilitate and upgrade provincial roads and transfer these road assets permanently to the provincial government, which will maintain them. The program will also develop the Provincial Road Network Development Plan (PRNDP) for each province and promote the use of an online open data portal as a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the provincial roads. Provinces were selected based on their compliance with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping and submission to the DBM of their Local Public Financial Management Assessment Report. The P6.5 billion fund has a breakdown per province according to a formula that considers performance and need scores such as previous provincial utilization of SLRF and provincial road network length of the provinces that have complied with the requirements for consideration. Sec. Abad, Secretary Jose Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and DILG officials will lead the ceremony at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Dagohoy Room of Bohol Tropics Resort, this City. Gov. Edgar Chatto, who is the head of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the KALSADA Program will also lead provincial officials and other guests to the event. Together with...P6.5B National KALSADA Program Launching here
The P6.5-billion National KALSADA Program will be launched here on January 8, 2016. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Forencio Abad, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Jose Singson and DIGL officials will lead the ceremony at 4:00 in the afternoon at the Dagohoy Room, Bohol Tropics Resort, this city. Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, who is the head of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the KALSADA Program will also lead provincial officials and other guests to the event. Together with KALSADA Program, the New Bohol Tourism Video will also be launched together with the Updates on the Bohol Domestic Fiber Optic Network (Bohol DFON). The event’s theme focuses on enhancing connectivity towards greater heights for Bohol’s development as the provincial government recognizes strengthened local road management, tourism initiatives and ICT component integration as major factors in growth and development in the province. Exhibits on Innovations and Challenges of Bohol’s Road Programs will also be displayed at lobby of Dagohoy Hall. It will feature a chronology events from being IRA dependence, to the road nationalization program, Chatto’s two R.A.’s namely the Tourism Act of 2007 focusing on convergence of DOT and DPWH and the declaration of Bohol as Eco Cultural Tourism Zone, PGBH partnerships with PRDP-DA and PRMF until the KALSADA Program. The “Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran (KALSADA) “Good Roads for Inclusive Growth” is part of the 2016 National Expenditure Plan. It is intended for the rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial roads, the transfer of these road assets permanently to provincial government balance sheets as assets and for maintenance,...Bohol crimes increase in Nov, non-index, now up
TAGBILARAN CITY, December 15 (PIA)–Crime volume in Bohol escalates 8.77% in November compared to last month as police blotters recorded 638 as against 532 in October. The spike in total crime volume however feature a 15.25% decrease in index crimes, which amounted to 45 cases lesser than last month, according to Camp Dagohoy’s Police Superintendent Ricky Delelis. Reporting about Bohol’s peace and order at the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting at the Reynas Garden and Haven, December 14, Supt. Delelis, operations in-charge at Camp Dagohoy also pointed out to a 29.45% increase in non index crimes in November. Of Bohol’s total crime volume in November at 806, a good 167 cases, or 26% are traffic related incidents. Without traffic incidents, Bohol could only have 638 crime cases, according to Delelis. Of the 806 total crime volume, 510 are index crimes. And of the 510, 167 are also traffic related incidents. It may be recalled that Camp Dagohoy and the Bohol Provincial Police Office implemented Oplan Lambat Sibat, which had police officers swooping down on criminal elements especially into the drug trade. Non Index crimes, police crime statisticians explained, means those which are backed by special laws and not necessarily by the revised penal code. An increase in the Non Index Crimes tell a proactive police organization deciding to move out from their desk duties in order to curb criminals and their activities. Topping Bohol crime types in November is theft at 141 cases, followed by physical injuries at 58 and robbery at 57 cases. Police also recorded 11 Boholano deaths by shooting while one victim while one more...Chatto: Capitol didn’t get APC “fact finding reports”
TAGBILARAN CITY, December 15 (PIA)–Neither Governor Edgar Chatto nor the Bohol Peace and Order Council (PPOC) received any formal copies of the fact finding mission results which a peasant group sent to investigate alleged human rights violations in Trinidad. But, despite not being furnished any report on the International Fact Finding Mission (IFFM) which Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) organized to dig on alleged human rights violations committed by the military encamped in San Vicente, Trinidad, Gov. Chatto sent out at least two memoranda directing concerned government agencies to act on the matter in the complaint. The proactive Chatto said despite not getting the copy of the mission results, he asked concerned agencies to address the allegations and for LGUs to conduct assemblies to talk to the people about the allegations. In September, the IFFM talked to the governor at the Mansion, went to the Special Forces camp in Carmen before proceeding to San Vicente where they interviewed residents to establish the truth of the Hugpong sa mga Mag-uumang Bol-anon (HUMABOL) complaints of alleged of human rights violations. According to Rafael Mariano, APC Chairperson, national chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and IFFM member, “farmers in Sitio Panaghiusa [San Vicente] are being harassed.” He cited that 802nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, have been encamping within the vicinity of San Vicente, and together with Capitol’s Community Development Program-Purok Power Movement, have been threatening the operation of the Talibon-Trinidad Farmers Association (TTFA) rice mill which serves about 30 Bohol barangays. After the IFFM finished their mission however, not one of the members went back to furnish formal report, sources...Tagbilaran City ranks No. 1 for 2015 Tax Collection Efficiency in Reg. 7
TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec. 14 (PIA)–Tagbilaran City has once again surpassed its tax collection efficiency in the third quarter of this year ranking 1st place with 140.29% efficiency rating in the whole Region 7 in Real Property Tax Collection. Second place is Bayawan City in Negros Oriental with 126.81%, followed by Cebu City with 119.09%, Mandaue City, Cebu with 117.76 and 5th place is Dumaguete City, Nagros Oriental with 117.69%. Tagbilaran City has already collected real property taxes amounting to P66,173,986.98 just after nine months this year. It already surpassed its annual target of P58, 960,736.00 for 2015. Mayor John Geesnell Yap attributed the positive performance of the City Government to the collective efforts of the different departments and to the trust and support of the Tagbilaranons. For the past two years, Tagbilaran City has been cited by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) headed by its Regional Director Herminigilda Garsula for its outstanding Tax Collection...National News
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