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CALABARZON Regional MSME Development Council focuses on MSME growth
read moreDTI gears up for PH participation at China Int’l Import Expo
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working closely with the private sector in preparation for the country’s participation at the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held in Shanghai, China on 5-10 November 2018. On 15 March 2018, DTI jointly organized with Embassy of People’s Republic of China in the Philippines an information session about the first China International Import Expo (CIIE). The event was fully supported by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Bank of China (BoC). The event served as an avenue to encourage more Philippine companies to join the said exposition in November. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez further emphasized the blooming relations between China and the Philippines reflected in China’s strong support by opening up its market to Philippine companies. “The expo is the only trade show in China to date that will feature foreign exhibitors. No Chinese companies on the exhibit floor. But there will be Chinese buyers present, as well as buyers from all over the world at the event,” explained Secretary Lopez. “I ask Filipino businesses to participate and take this opportunity to showcase the trade capabilities of the Philippines,” urged Secretary Lopez. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Emeritus Dr. Francis Chua, who served as the moderator for the first part of the information session urged Philippine companies to join PCCI and DTI in showcasing Philippine goods and services at the CIIE. “Sign up because fortune is awaiting for you in Shanghai,” urged Chua. Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua shared the growing economy... read more
Hailing MSMEs’ Achievements at Go Lokal!’s Buyers’ Day 2018
20 March 2018 – The Go Lokal!’s Buyers’ Day 2018 held on March 08, 2017 was a huge success. The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) East Wing Showroom in Makati City was overflowing with guests who came to witness the momentous event celebrating the accomplishments of Go Lokal!’s noble initiative that supports our country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). Indeed, 2017 was a great year for MSMEs, as seen from everyone’s warm reception in the well-attended event. From a few hundreds when it began, Go Lokal! now hosts more than 300 accredited suppliers of food and non-food merchandises. For this year’s Buyers’ Day, Go Lokal! introduced the season’s newest collection of 510 different products, which features 260 new products from new and existing suppliers. “The beauty of this project is that we’re making a change in the lives of these Micro SMEs. We are giving them hope, and to us, that’s the most important thing in this program,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. He invited the public to continue this advocacy with limitless possibilities that promote the welfare of MSMEs, and therefore, the entire economy. The event’s highlight was the awarding ceremony for Go Lokal!’s Top Brand Discoveries of 2017. Four MSMEs (two food product manufacturers and two non-food producers) were recognized for garnering the best sales performance. They are Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation, Inc., Green Life Coconut Products Philippines, Inc., Lipi Enterprises, and Vicky’s Pili and Food Products. With the success of Go Lokal!’s Buyers’ Day 2018, DTI closes the gap between MSMEs and the local and international market. With the help of eager retail partners, these underserved yet...It’s more fun for Geeks in Panglao Island, Bohol!
It will be easy for geeks, people who are understood to be connoisseurs of tech, design and startups, to find Panglao Island to be a fun-filled and exciting place to visit. Gone are the days when the term geek used to refer to a circus performer whose act includes the eating of live animals. But today’s tech-dependent geek are not only certified tech-savvy millennials but also fun-loving, playful, witty, encyclopedic, and inquisitive party-enthusiasts. Of course, not all geeks are created equal so some may prefer quiet and relaxed atmosphere with nature. All of which can be found in Bohol. Panglao Island has been the favored watering hole of tourists, diving enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike with its pristine waters, palm trees, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. A small town of over 68,000 people, Panglao is a mere half-hour away drive from the provincial capital Tagbilaran in the southwestern coast of Bohol in the Philippines. Its proximity to civilization while retaining its charms as an almost untouched tropical paradise should make it the perfect place for adventure-seeking yet tech-dependent geeks. This is the place to be for geeks looking for an all-in-one escapade with resorts, bars and souvenir shops in an 80.5 square kilometer island considered to be one of the leading marine biodiversity hotspots in the world. Geeks can go island-hopping, dolphin watching, or take a dip in an underground lake inside a coral cave. Panglao is also the site of Hinagdanan Cave that hides within its naturally lighted depths a lagoon. It is also very near Loboc River which is world-famous for its river-cruise and floating restaurants. Interestingly, Alona Beach is...Local News/ Bohol Balita
PPM brought services, carabaos to Cabayugan
CABAYUGAN, Calape – The seven puroks in this hinterland barangay of Calape were the recent beneficiaries of healthy female carabaos which the farmer-beneficiaries greatly welcomed to support their livelihood thru farming. The carabao dispersal was made possible thru the Countryside Development Program-Purok Power Movement (CDP-PPM) of the provincial government of Bohol. Gov. Edgar Chatto personally turned over the seven carabaos to the barangay officials then to the purok leaders-beneficiaries during the recent mini agri-HEAT caravan, medical and dental outreach at said barangay. Brgy Capt. Juanita Carajay was profuse in her thanks to the governor for the PPM’s presence in her barangay saying that a lot has improved in their area since the PPM came. And this caravan and outreach is just one tangible proof of the promise of the provincial government that services and development will be brought to the front yard of every barangay to help the constituents achieve the socio-economic development, which is also the main thrust of the CDP-PPM. But one long-term support the PPM brought to the barangay are the capacity development for its constituents down to the purok and sitios that empowers them to be better leaders through the purok sectoral working committees (SWCs). Gov. Chatto, in his message said that one clear proof that a purok or sitio is capacitated and empowered and is united is just by looking at its purok centers. The structure may be modest but if it is strong and not reclining or tilting, clean and not unkempt and with bulletin or information boards present, it means the people in the purok gets to meet often and discuss about...Walay bata nga atong tugotan nga mapasipad-an”
Walay bata nga atong tugotan nga mapasipad-an” – Gov. Edgar Chatto stated at the Provincial Children’s Congress today, advocating upholding laws that protect children and children’s rights. The governor also highlighted the importance of child rearing as foundation for shaping their future character as adults. Bohol joins national and international celebration of children’s month this November which underscores the protection of children and their rights. Children’s month is themed “Komunidad at Pamahalaan Magkaisa, Pang-aabuso sa Bata Wakasan Na”. The children’s congress features contests such as Draw and Tell, Singing, and Folk Dancing...P1 billion capitol fund mess, a lie
Lawyer Victor de la Serna continues to sow lies after lies, and the latest of which is the alleged P1 billion which he said, was illegally stashed by the Chatto administration from the coffer of the Provincial Government of Bohol. De la Serna’s orgy of spreading spurious facts and figures has turned into a circus because of its repetitivenes and transformed into a blatant public nuisance over the airlanes which he used as medium. According to the records from the Provincial finance department , the province has appropriated P1.6 billion budget for this year and if the allegation of de la Serna is true, that is taking P1 billion from the P1.6 billion budget, the province has to stop operating . The P1.6 billion annual appropriation will go to, Operating Expenses, capital outlays of the different departments, attached offices and devolved hospitals and the salaries and wages of 1,400 regular, contractual and casual employees under the Personnel Services. Another direct recipient of the annual budget are the different programs of the Province under the HEAT IT BOHOL HELPS LIFE development framework. The source said, the Province is still in the process of implementing the different Programs, Projects and Activities (PAP) for calendar year 2015. It said that every transaction of the Province has to pass through several and different layers of internal control measures, which make sure that all collections are recorded and deposited in the bank with expenditures examined as to accuracy, completeness of supporting documents, its propriety and legality. Reliable sources also pointed out, that if the allegation is true, the province could not have been awarded...Better water and light enhance economic growth
The influx of business establishments, and the continuing progressive developments introduced by owners of existing business entities in Tagbilaran City and nearby municipalities, are viewed as products of good business climate brought about by better infrastructures such as water and power services. This was the categorical statement issued by Atty. Jose Samonte who led the legal preparations for the consummation of the Joint Venture Agreement between the Province of Bohol and Salcon Industries in operating the former’s water and light utilities. Samonte, who worked with the Gold Project of the USAID in 2000 revealed that the USAID took pride of the Provincial Government of Bohol’s Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with Salcon Industries because it became a model in the country. Samonte said because of the JVA, many local government units have sought their help for the same purpose in their respective localities. The agreement was very advantageous to the Provincial government of Bohol because, aside from receiving a windful amount of more than P150 million, the payment of the PPUD outstanding debt of P21 million by Salcon to Land bank, the province remains a part owner with 30 per cent interest of the two utilities. The agreement liberated the province from the annual subsidy of around P20 million for the operation of the two public utilities Samonte stressed. Also, the Province has received dividends of more than P50 million and it keeps coming considering that the JVA is now a progressive going concern. The dividends and the amount supposedly allotted to subsidize the two utilities are now being used for other basic services, such as the construction and repairs...BUB can be an enabling strategy to reduce poverty — DTI
With poverty reduction in the Philippines a prime focus of government’s activities, the identification of the felt needs of the targeted communities and sectors at the local level is crucial. Since its implementation in 2012, the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB), also called participatory budgeting, has been a buzzword among civil society organizations (CSOs) all over the Philippines because of the fact that it is different from the usual top-to-bottom planning and budgeting where the high level executives make all the decisions in fund dispensations. According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the BUB scheme provides the opportunity for prospective beneficiaries to be involved in setting their own goals and expectations for a given period. The department adds that this ownership of decisions, motivating them to meet budgetary constraints that otherwise might seem unattainable or unrealistic if they were delivered by someone without understanding of their day-to-day operations. Using the bottom-up budgeting scheme, the DTI provides funds that municipal governments can use in priming up local industries and help small entrepreneurs become competitive. The trade department is joined by the Department of Interior and Local Government in implementing the projects by way of providing beneficiary local governments the necessary guidance. DTI underscored that Local Government Units (LGUs) are the ones that identify their programs or projects into the budgeting approach, program the allocations, recommend the needed interventions and decide on the manner of implementation. Along with increased participation, DTI points out that the BUB also helps to create a more accurate picture of how much each fund beneficiary needs in order to function effectively, adding that this scheme also...National News
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