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TRAIN will affect rice farmers, imperil domestic food security
The burdensome tax measure TRAIN imposed by the Duterte government will severely affect rice farmers and threaten the country’s rice production and food security. “TRAIN will definitely wreck our livelihood and drive us into a state of hunger.” “The overall rice production and consumption will be affected by TRAIN. TRAIN will cause worsening hunger among the poorest of the poor. Whatever minimal gain that low to middle employees will get from TRAIN will be easily offset and swept by rising prices of commodities, services and public utilities,” says Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. The new excise tax on oil products will result to a minimum 20 percent additional cost in the use of fuel-run farm equipment. Farmers will have to shell out more money out of their pockets for the added cost on production brought about by TRAIN. 2017 prices of diesel average at Php33 per liter. Now, diesel prices have gone up to at least Php40 per liter. Cost of fuel prices are higher in the provinces. In a sample case study by KMP, a rice farmer in Bulacan province tilling one hectare of rice land will have to shell out additional Php294 per hectare per cropping for the use of mechanized hand tractor to pull and harrow rice lands during land preparation. This does not include added cost for the use of water pump for irrigation, use of dryer, payment for rice milling, transportation of rice produce and other daily expenses. According to government data, the country has 4 million hectares of rice harvested lands. This minimum sample computation would translate to a Php1.176-billion... read moreActual singing, no AVP for national anthem-SP
TAGBILARAN CITY, January 12, (PIA)–Bohol legislature has decided they had enough of the haphazard honor and respect communities are giving to the national anthem in public gatherings. With the rising trend of using audio visual presentations of the National Anthem with cinematographic dramatizations and projected on wide screens, Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP-Bohol) saw this as more of dishonoring the flag and the country’s history than the assumed aesthetics of canned music. The SP has pushed for Ordinance No. 007-2017, which mandates event organizers, government offices, Local Government Units, schools, hospitals, institutions and organizations need to give full honor and respect to the national emblems and hymns here. The same proposed ordinance which is now on to the third and final reading now, prohibits the use of any audio visual presentation as background, except only when only depicting the Philippine Flag whether in stationary or waving presentation with or without projected lyrics when playing the Philippine National Anthem in public places. Introduced by Board Members Kristine Alexie B. Tutor and sponsored by BM Gloria B. Gementiza, co-sponsored by BM Ricky B. Masamayor and BM Jade A. Bautista, the ordinance intends to ban the showing of pictures and dramatizations or other audio visual presentations as background. BM Tutor said that prior to the drafting of the ordinance, it was referred to the Center for Culture and the Arts of the Office of the Governor, who in turn asked the SP to check with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for advice. The proponents also wanted to know if the power to prohibit the... read more
PTTC’s 1st Export Manager Advanced Training Program
26 February 2018 – The Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) of the Department of Trade and Industry and Hinrich Foundation, with other cooperating organizations like the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB)-DTI, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI/ AHK Philippines) and Leipzig University, held the 1st session of Export Manager Advanced Training Program on February 16-18, 2018 at the PTTC in Pasay City. It was attended by 35 participants from 29 exporting companies and five participants from DTI. “Going international is like putting up a new one. It has its own select challenges, has its own demands, has its own processes, and basically, a very much bigger set of paradigms to interact with. And this session is already set up in 28 countries, and you are the first in the Philippines. And we hope that with support from our European friends like the German Chamber, we’ll see more of our European partners with us.” shared PTTC Executive Director, Nestor P. Palabyab. GPCCI Executive Director Peter Kompalla, said in his welcome remarks that the program aims to build bridges between the two countries to foster international business relationship. Mr. Kompalla added that the German government is not a one-way road and is not only supporting German companies in the Philippines, but that it also provides equal support to Philippine companies that will lead to the European market. International SEPT Program of Leipzig University Director Prof. Dr. Utz Dornberger emphasized that this training on international entrepreneurship is a knowledge transfer program which aims to equip the participants with new management tools for an innovative and proactive approach to new markets. Prof. Dr....BICTC, BCCI Meets Mayor Yap on ICT Initiatives
The Bohol ICT Council led by Chairperson Ms. Lai Biliran and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented by Vice President Ms. Marietta Gasatan met with reelected City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap on May 19, 2016 at the city hall. During the meeting, Ms. Biliran highlighted to Mayor Yap that there are at least four brokers of business process outsourcing companies who are interested in locating in Tagbilaran City. She also spoke about several activities happening in Bohol in the ICT industry and emphasized the opportunity for the city to be known in the international technology scene because an international conference called Geeks on a Beach (www.geeksonabeach.com) will be held in Panglao, Bohol at the Bellevue Hotel on August 25-26, 2016. On May 24, 2016, one of the biggest brokers for BPOs will visit the city. BICTC and BCCI, together with city and provincial government representatives will meet them and discuss requirements and expectations. Also present during the meeting with the mayor were Ms. Inday Dominise, from the Bohol Investment Promotions Center, Jerome Auza, the Vice Chairperson of the BICTC and Ben Skelton, a member of the board of trustees of the ICT...Local News/ Bohol Balita
INVESTORS HOVER, READY TO SWARM BOHOL
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS (Unit) PROVINCE OF BOHOL INVESTORS HOVER, READY TO SWARM BOHOL THE CHATTO-LIM ADMINISTRATION’S indomitable reputation in making good things happen in Bohol not only has carved a name for itself. It has also attracted the attention of world-class investors who are always on the lookout, not only for profitable ventures, but also, for sound investments. The past week alone witnessed the influx of very interested proponents for the Bohol Island Power Development Plan (BIPDP) where at the very least, twelve power companies each presented their proposals and talked big on how they could solve Bohol’s power problem. However, providing “adequate” power supply for the province only spurred more questions in the minds of the Boholanos for indeed, how adequate is “adequate?” With the people’s first-hand and not-so-pleasant experience in 2013 where the whole island was put under total darkness for two-and-a-half days after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged Leyte, Boholanos have learned their lesson the hard way. Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Vice-Gov. Concepcion Lim vowed to never again let the people go through a similar experience and henceforth did everything they could to hasten the province’s independent power source. “If we want to be able to succeed and go forward, then, we should strive hard to possess that which we do not have,” the governor was quoted as saying. Last Tuesday, the Provincial Government hosted a Power Investment Forum spearheaded by the governor as the Chairman of the Bohol Energy Development Advisory Group or BEDAG. The BEDAG is a multi-sectoral group composed of various representatives from the local government unit (LGU), private sector,...BOHOL HOLDS DAY OF PEACE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Effective Development Communications Unit BOHOL HOLDS DAY OF PEACE “The dream of peace is a continuing dream; it is something that we are all working on”. –Gov. Chatto “With disturbances to our peace existing, there is all the more reason to continue to advocate and work harder to achieve genuine and lasting peace,” Gov. Edgar Chatto made this message clear during the activities held in observance of the Bohol Provincial Day of Peace on February 11. Chatto also urged government and private sector to strengthen ties and continue to work together to face the challenges of keeping the peace. Approved through Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2014-55, the Provincial Day of Peace marks the end of insurgency, as Bohol was declared by the AFP an “insurgency-free” province on February 11, 2010. To commemorate the gains of peace, this year, peace advocates attended a Holy Mass at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral in honor of the Fallen 44, the 44 Special Action Force men slain during the Mamasapano encounter, including Boholano PO1 Romeo Cempron, whose family attended the Holy Mass. Chatto and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, Tagbilaran City officials, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), the private sector, civil society organizations, and peace advocates renewed commitments to sustain the gains of peace in the province in a symbolic flying of balloons and doves after the Eucharistic Celebration. A workshop followed at the Bohol Cultural Center, where representatives of the agriculture, youth, the military and the police, health, media, tourism, IT and business, education, local government, and women...INVESTORS EYE SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR BOHOL
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Effective Development Communications Unit INVESTORS EYE SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY FOR BOHOL Chatto during Forum stressed on providing access to quality and adequate water as an essential component of the social aspect of development. Stakeholders and investors affirmed viability of the Bohol Bulk Water and Sanitation Project. This was revealed in an interim report to Gov. Edgar Chatto on the feasibility study being conducted by project consultant Engineering and Development Corporation of the Philippines (EDCOP). A two-day market sounding activity was held here in the province, EDCOP and the Provincial Planning Office sat with local chief executives, municipal planning officers and engineers of a total of 18 municipalities, as well as major water system developers in a stakeholders forum and an investors forum, respectively, as a component of the feasibility study. Presented during both market sounding activities were demand and market scenarios, development schemes, and possible modalities for the long-term supply project for bulk water, in which EDCOP said stakeholders and investors expressed positive interest for the realization of the project, where EDCOP said discussions and interactions focusing more on actual scenarios for implementation and operation. A total of 18 local government units, including the initial 15 towns of Albur, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, Dauis, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, San Isidro, Sevilla, and 3 additional LGUs of Corella, Sikatuna, and Tagbilaran will be serviced in the development schemes presented. Balibago Waterworks System, Filinvest Countrywide Services Inc, Manila Water Company Inc, Maynilad Water Services Inc, Pilipinas Water, Prime Water Infrastructure, Salcon Construction, and JV Angeles Construction Corporation were among major players in bulk water...Different flowers for families of two Bohol media men
PRESS RELEASE Philippine Information Agency-Bohol Information Center LMP Bldg, K of C Drive, Tagbilaran City (038) 501-8554 / 412-2292 * email: piabohol171@yahoo.com blog: piabohol.blogspot.com Different flowers for families of two Bohol media men TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, February 14, (PIA) – On love day, when the beloved get cards, chocolates and flowers, it’s a different set of flower families of two media practitioners get. This as Bohol lost two media personalities in a day, today. One succumbed to death after doctors tried to recuperate him from a fatal gunshot wound, and the other, after battling from a debilitating disease. Engr. Maurito Lim, who goes by the radio air name “Chairman Mao” was on his way to board his radio program, February 14, personally driving his maroon Isuzu Crosswind, like he would every Saturday. But, this day, before he could get off the car, at about 10:45 this morning, in front of DyRD, a gunman, who accordingly parked his motorcycle behind Lim’s car, casually walked to the driver’s side and pumped a bullet through the window and into the broadcaster’s head. Lim was immediately rushed to the nearby Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him. The victim sustained a through-and-through gunshot wound from his cheek and through his right ear. Lim expired at around 1:15 PM, doctors at Gallares Hospital declared. Lim anchors “Chairman Mao on board” over radio station DYRD, and newspaper reports said Lim has been known to criticizing local officials allegedly involved in the drug trade. According to the Inquirer, “Lim was the 34th journalist killed under President Benigno Aquino III,” citing Dabet Panelo,...BCCI Holds Gen. Assembly, Elects New Set of Board of Trustees
The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its annual general assembly on February 6, 2015 at 5PM at the Metro Centre Hotel. The general assembly was attended by at least 46 members. Honoured guests City Mayor John Geesnell Yap, represented by City Administrator Edi Borja, Representative Rene Lopez Relampagos of the First District and Bohol Governor Atty. Edgar M. Chatto spoke to the members and the significance of the organization in the development of the province. The BCCI is the long time private sector representative and partner of the many government agencies in implementing various development programs in the province. BCCI also held the election of the new set of Board of Trustees for the year 2015 where the members selected through secret ballot 17 of the 21 nominees. The new BOT would then hold a meeting at a later time to vote for the new set of officers. The chamber also introduced new members to the...National News
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