by admin | Apr 3, 2018 | Photo Story
Photo taken March 29, 2018 – At the sidelines of the PH’ TPR, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo (right) congratulates Philippines Head of Delegation, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, for the country’s strong economic performance, sustained policy reforms, and valuable contribution as an active member of the WTO.
Photo taken March 29, 2018 – At the sidelines of the PH’ TPR, WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo (right) congratulates Philippines Head of Delegation, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, for the country’s strong economic performance, sustained policy reforms, and valuable contribution as an active member of the WTO.
by admin | Mar 21, 2018 | National News
Sydney – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez shared how the Philippines (PH) is preparing for the “future of work” during the CEO Forum held at the sidelines of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit last 17 March.
The CEO Forum gathered ASEAN and Australian business leaders to discuss six main topics vital to deepening economic integration. The topics, discussed in separate CEO Forum Roundtables, were (1) tourism destination development and aviation; (2) digital transformation in services; (3) advanced manufacturing and industry 4.0; (4) agri-food supply chain logistics; (5) future energy supply chains; and (6) infrastructure.
“The Philippines is developing inclusive innovation hubs to prepare our workforce, and allow them to adapt to technological advancements,” said the Trade Secretary.
The Department’s Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S), that tightens the synergy between the industry and academe, would require a future-ready workforce. Government policies and projects on education, internship, training must be aligned and pushed. Industry links with the academe should accelerate their R and D innovation efforts while academe’s interaction with the industry will ensure that their research works will be relevant and market driven.
According to Lopez, PH education system now is encouraged to create a value system that promotes creativity and innovation. Likewise, students are now taught to understand the how-to’s and the why’s.
The goal of these initiatives is to prepare the Filipino workforce for future jobs that include artificial intelligence (AI). “We need to create an AI workforce that is more inclusive and will give a chance to much more Filipinos to be employed,” Lopez said. Advancing these skills will also provide job security for current roles that are endangered by technology.
Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez cited President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call for inclusive globalization, developing a symbiotic relation between big countries and small countries. This aims to encourage major economies to help developing countries, providing enabling programs that will build capacities in the developing nations and then ensuring as well that they open more market access for their products and services. This will certainly lead to a more shared prosperity in a globalizing world.
The event was opened by Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison MP who emphasized the importance of establishing greater linkages between both regions. Economic ministers were asked questions on trade, tourism, employment, and other cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and Australia.
by admin | Mar 20, 2018 | Local News / Bohol Balita, Major Events
DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu would want Panglao, Bohol to keep treasuring its beaches and not follow world-famous resort island Boracay’s ways to serious environmental indecency.
The secretary grieved over what he calls “overdevelopment” on Boracay island “without thinking of the (negative) consequences.”
Numerous resorts and other tourist establishments on Panglao island have also been issued notices of violations (NOVs) of environmental and sanitation laws, regulations and policies.
But Cimatu cited the serious effort of the Boholano stakeholders in coordination with the appropriate agencies like the DENR in correcting the mistakes.
The DENR secretary attended the Panglao-Dauis and Tagbilaran Executive Council (PADTEC) Board Meeting led by Gov. Edgar Chatto at the Bohol Tropics yesterday.
Panglao Mayor Pedro Fuertes, Dauis Mayor Miriam Sumaylo and Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap were also present.
SURGE City Coordinator Linda Paredes gave an overview of the PADTEC, originally known as PITEC for Panglao Island and Tagbilaran Executive Council.
Cimatu asked today’s leaders to quantify this early Panglao island’s carrying capacity and visualize what can obtain in the prime island tourist destination three decades or more from now.
The new Bohol Panglao Airport, which is set for commercial operation starting this year, is intended for international tourists, Cimatu said.
Taking into account the Boracay experience, Panglao has to have a sewage masterplan that considers the island’s condition 30 years from now and beyond.
In Boracay, Cimatu said, the decades-old small sewage pipes have blown out, so that the waste water spread to the drainage and all the way to the sea without reaching any treatment facilities.
“Nagkaloko-loko na dun,” the secretary said.
The plan for waste water treatment facilities in the Alona beach area in Panglao and in Bingag, Dauis was presented to Cimatu during the PADTEC meeting.
Panglao island consists of the towns of Panglao and Dauis.
The secretary was also apprised of the waste water treatment component of the airport project.
Further, timberlands, forests and wetlands have been invaded by concrete structures in another uncontrolled Boracay development, Cimatu said, aggravating the environmental rape.
Owners would even show real property tax declarations over the areas which are otherwise inalienable and non-disposable.
“We don’t like all these to happen in Panglao, in Siargao (Davao),” The DENR secretary said.
Cimatu said he is “positive of tourism in Bohol to prosper.”
“Governor, you’re in the right direction,” Cimatu told Chatto at the PADTEC meeting. (Ven rebo Arigo)
by admin | Mar 20, 2018 | Business, National News, Negosyo Center Updates
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 worthy talents got the chance to stand in the spotlight and be exposed to gainful trade platforms. Moreover, Go Lokal! provided these MSMEs the big break they truly deserve. Without a doubt, through genuine Public-Private Partnership (PPP), everlasting progress is within reach for Filipino MSMEs.
DTI invites us all to take part in the government’s initiative by patronizing the country’s locally made goods. It’s now up to us, the buyers, to give the MSMEs the chance by supporting Philippine products – and ultimately, the country’s economy.
(From L-R) OTOP consultant Leon Flores (accepting the award for Lipi Shoes’ Joseph Lucero), TIPG Asst. Sec. Rosvi Gaetos, Gifts and Graces’ Victoria Jalandoni, Vicky’s Pili and Food Products’ Myra Zandra Gestiada, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Greenlife Coconut Products’ Ma. Frances Rubio, and BDTP Director Rhodora Leaño (extreme right).
by admin | Mar 20, 2018 | National News
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 for local stakeholders in energy efficiency, conservation, and transmission in the Philippines.
In preparation for Hannover Messe, Undersecretary Terrado said they are gathering a pool of 15 Philippine companies that represent the nation’s best foot forward in terms of energy systems, technology, services and other industrial goods.
“Through this synergy among stakeholders, we will be able to seal partnerships with foreign investors and mobilize much‐needed funding and infrastructure to our energy players,” explained Terrado.
“It will also give motivation to our local energy stakeholders to fast‐track efforts towards the mainstream use of renewable energy sources in the Philippines as more and more countries have started their industrial shift towards more sustainable power sources,” she added.
Business‐matching meetings between Philippine renewable energy companies to potential investors, technology adapters, developers, suppliers and other local energy stakeholders are also expected to take place in the international tradeshow.
PH shifts to renewable energy
Renewable energy is defined as energy generated from natural processes that are continuously replenished which includes biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar and ocean energy under the PEP 2012‐2030.
In photo: Bagui Wind Farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.
It has been identified in the country’s Investment Priority Plan 2017‐2019 as an emerging sector that needs government intervention particularly in export promotion.
Based on a DOE’s Philippine Power Situation Report, the country’s total power capacity in 2016 is at 53.16 million tons of oil equivalent (MTOE) with renewable energy occupying the second largest share at 32.5%, only next to coal at 34.6%. The top renewable energy sources in the Philippines are hydropower (16.9%) and geothermal (8.9%), followed by biomass, wind, and solar (6.6%).
by admin | Mar 20, 2018 | DTI Updates, National News, Negosyo Center Updates
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Eliseo M. Rio Jr signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 15 March 2018 to provide free wi-fi and learning modules to DTI’s Negosyo Centers.
Through the agreement, DICT will provide selected DTI Negosyo Centers with free internet access, ICT equipment, and access to its Tech4ED Project.
DICT’s PipolKonek Project gives free internet access to public places such as public schools, libraries, and local government units. To date, PipolKonek has already provided internet access to 44 out of the current 805 Negosyo Centers.
Negosyo Centers will also carry DICT’s Tech4ED Project, a platform that offers digital literacy and other skills training; an eMarketplace; and a one-stop-shop for government applications, among others.
The two agencies see digital literacy as a potential catalyst for the growth of MSMEs. Tech4ED offers “ICT for Entrepreneurs”—where micro entrepreneurs are trained to create their own website and use the internet to increase their market reach.
“This convergence of the DICT and DTI will arm the entrepreneurs, especially in the regions, with the tools they need to develop and innovate on their products and conduct their business online. Connectivity and digital literacy are the future-proof ways to help those at the bottom of the pyramid,” said Secretary Lopez.
Further plans include merging existing Tech4ED Centers and Negosyo Centers since some of them are housed in the same local government units. The DICT is also open to host DTI’s educational materials in the Tech4ED platform.
“The DICT’s main objective is to facilitate connectivity. We are thus counting on our partner agencies like the DTI to provide tools and content that will benefit the public,” said Secretary Rio.
by admin | Mar 19, 2018 | National News
The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) adopts the International Standard on Consumer product recall – Guidelines for suppliers as Philippine National Standard – International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 10393:2017.
In the development of the standard, the draft version was circulated for two (2) months to concerned stakeholders to solicit comments from all interested parties as required under existing standards development procedures. Comments were received until 07 January 2018 and were consolidated, processed and taken into consideration by the DTI-BPS Technical Committee 81 – Consumer Policy. Then the BPS TC 81 recommended it to the DTI-BPS for approval as a PNS. It has been approved as PNS by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) on 06 March 2018.
The ISO 10393:2017 provides practical guidance to suppliers on consumer product recalls and other corrective actions after the product has left the manufacturing facility. Other corrections include, but are not limited to, refunds, retrofit, repair, replacement, disposal, and, public notification. It provides information and other tools that suppliers can use in developing a documented and validated product recall program to help them implement timely and cost-effective recalls, minimize legal and reputation risks, and, reduce health and safety risks to consumers.
The purpose of this International Standard is to help suppliers develop, implement, and, improve a product recall programme in order to reduce risk caused by unsafe products in the marketplace. ISO 10393 will help organizations plan and execute timely and cost-effective recall programmes, minimize legal risks, protect consumers from unsafe or dangerous products, and build customer satisfaction and loyalty.
DTI-BPS Director-in-Charge, Engr. James E. Empeño emphasizes, “The PNS ISO 10393 will help to protect consumers and users from fatalities, injuries, and financial loss caused by defective products. It will also help businesses to save time, money, and, reduce related legal risks.”
Through the PNS ISO 10393, the DTI-BPS expects organizations to plan and execute timely and cost-effective product recalls following design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warning labels or instructions – whether the products are still in the manufacturer’s or distributor’s inventory or retail shelves or in the hands of consumers.
The DTI-BPS is the National Standards Body of the Philippines. It is the Philippines’ member to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
For more information on ISO 10393:2017, send an email to bps@dti.gov.ph
by admin | Mar 15, 2018 | Business, National News
Investment projects approved by the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) in January to February 2018 continue to surge as the premier investment promotion agency recorded Php131.6 billion worth of projects, up by 402.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
“The sound policies of the government and the strong investor sentiment continues to fuel the growth momentum of the economy as we continue to generate projects and create more jobs for our countrymen,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez said.
He added that these projects are riding on the growth momentum to continue this year after the agency posted an all-time high of Php617 billion in committed investments last year.
“Barely two months in the new year, we’re off to a blazing start and given the momentum, we will continue to roll for the rest of the year and hit our target of Php680 billion, which is up 10 percent from the record-breaking figure from 2017. There were so many prospects late last year that after seeing the unprecedented growth, they finally decided to roll out new investments and other firms remain bullish with their expansion to take advantage of the expansive economy,” he said.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo meanwhile pointed out that most of the approvals centered on the need to address the growing demand of infrastructure in light of the administration’s “Build, build, build” program. “The power requirements are enormous and so are the construction part which leads to more cement production and the expansion of transport facilities,” he explained as the biggest project approvals in February came from power, cement and air transportation.
Five solar-power projects of Solar Philippine Commercial Rooftop Projects worth over PHp60 billion were give the nod in a bid to dramatically reduce the cost of power and reduce our dependence to fossil fuels in the long-term. Ionic Cementworks Industries, Inc. is putting up a Php 12 billion cement plant in Pagbilao, Quezon.
Meanwhile, the Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center, Inc. is building a PhP620 million hospital in Jaro, Iloilo while Mabuhay Maritime Express Transport Inc. has been given the green light to as a domestic shipping operator of high speed passenger ship with a project cost of PHp602 million to service the Kailbo-Boracay, Aklan route.
“Our policy has always been to ensure the migration of investments from the National Capital Region (NCR) to the other regions. This is a deliberate policy to ensure that growth is inclusive,” Secretary Lopez said.
The BOI’s 2017-2019 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) encourages investors to locate in the countryside as part of its general policies under geographical consideration. For example, projects located in any of the identified less developed areas (LDAs) are entitled to pioneer incentives and additional deduction from taxable income equivalent to 100 percent of expenses incurred in the development of necessary and major infrastructure facilities. .
“The IPP was intentionally designed to reduce investments in NCR and disperse activities to the countryside,” Rodolfo noted as NCR investments for January and February are down 36 percent to Php2.47 billion, from Php3.87 billion in the same period last year.
Other regions have set a torrid pace in offsetting the slack of investments in the Metro. Central Luzon topped all regions with Php61 billion in investment approvals, a meteoric 4,778 percent rise from only Php1.2 billion in the same period last year. CALABARZON placed second with Php45.8 billion, up 134 percent from Php19.6 billion in 2017. Coming in third was the Davao region (Region XI) with Php13.8 billion, up nearly 18,000 percent from only Php77 million a year ago in the same frame.
Overall, renewable energy/power projects hit Php87.7 billion, up an exponential 4,178 percent from the same frame last year and accounting for 67 percent of the aggregate investment figure for the first two months. Coming in second was the water supply, sewerage and waste management industry with PHp13.8 billion in project approvals, from none during the same period in 2017. Manufacturing placed third with Php12.7 billion in committed investments.
by admin | Mar 14, 2018 | National News
MAKATI – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez announced on 13 March 2018 that investments in manufacturing surged by 244%, posting a record of US$ 1.15 billion inflows.
“The figures account for 35% of the US$ 3.3 billion equity capital placements in 2017,” said Sec. Lopez.
The statement was released following the report on the 2017 net foreign direct investments (FDI), which hit an all-time high US$10.1 billion.
Based on the data by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the country’s investment inflows surpassed the expectations to expand by 21%, over the US$8.3 billion recorded in 2016.
Over 21 industries received FDI inflows. One-third of the total equity placements were attracted to manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, other industries which received bulk of total inflows include gas, steam and air conditioning supply; real estate; construction; and, wholesale and retail trade activities.
According to the Trade Secretary, the manufacturing industry has been delivering on its promise to be a pillar of economic growth in the country.
Since 2012, DTI has intensified its campaign and link in efforts of both government and private sectors to revitalize the manufacturing industry.
“It is a highly viable investment area and a source of meaningful and well-paying jobs for the people,” he added.
Food manufacturing, as well as production of radio, television, and communication equipment and apparatus; chemical and non-chemical products; fabricated metal products; basic metal and non-metallic mineral products, have been identified as vibrant manufacturing sectors.
Top sources of foreign equity investments are Singapore, Japan, The Netherlands, United States, and Luxembourg.
“Investor confidence is real. The Philippines continues to be a magnet for investments, and this is due to the country’s improving business environment, sound macroeconomic policy, political stability, favorable demographics, and of course, our people, who have always been the country’s prime asset in attracting foreign investments,” Sec. Lopez concluded.
by admin | Mar 8, 2018 | DTI Updates, Photo Story
Stronger PH-Russia relations. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials recently met with delegates from Russia to discuss trade and investment cooperation as the Philippines looks to strengthen economic relations, and increasing bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The meeting also discussed Russia’s pitch for hosting the 2025 World Expo, a global event which aims to educate the public, sharing innovation, promoting progress and fostering cooperation. The 2025 World Expo is organized by a host country that invites other countries, companies, international organizations, private sector, civil society, and public to participate. Three countries are candidates to host World Expo 2025: Japan (in Osaka), the Russian Federation (in Ekaterinburg), and Azerbaijan (in Baku). At the PH-Russia meeting were (from L-R) DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) Director Senen Perlada, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, Russia World Expo 2025 Bid Committee Director General Svetlana Sagaydak, DTI-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, Philippine Embassy – Moscow Commercial Counsellor Kristine Umali, DTI-EMB Asst. Director Agnes Legaspi, and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Officer-in-Charge for Special Project Division Eva Mariquina.
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by admin | Mar 8, 2018 | National News
New York, USA – The Department of Trade and Industry with its Trade and Investments Promotion Group led a business forum in New York focusing on topnotch healthcare information management services being offered by world-class Philippine companies.
The 2018 Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) Business Forum was held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York on 26 February 2018. DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado led the Philippine delegation composed of seven (7) officials from business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and two industry associations.
The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York (PTIC New York) organized the said forum in cooperation with Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP). New York was the first destination of the roadshow, which ended in Las Vegas where the Philippine business delegation participated in the annual exhibition organized by American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Undersecretary Terrado delivered a keynote speech highlighting the country’s 10-point socio-economic agenda underpinning DTI’s support for the development and promotion of IT-BPO clusters in selected new wave cities.
Terrado also emphasized the inclusion of capacity-building infrastructure in the countryside, and the re-calibration of the DTI’s support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and technology-driven start-ups.
The forum served as a platform for DTI to highlight the Philippines’ strong GDP growth, the expanding middle class and the record levels of private and government consumption as barometers of a stable and sustainable investment landscape for partners and investors from the United States.
Meanwhile, representatives from HIMAP presented the developments in the industry, highlighting the Philippine’s value proposition as among the top destination for healthcare and information management services. DTI’s Special Trade Representative, Mr. Nicanor Bautista of the PTIC New York moderated the forum’s open discussion.
