Buy ICC-marked Christmas Lights – DTI

With Christmas just around the corner, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminds consumers to only buy Christmas lights that bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark to ensure a hazard-free holiday festivity.

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo states, “DTI alerts the public to be vigilant and extra cautious in choosing the Christmas lights they buy and adorn in their homes so as not to put the lives of their loved ones in danger.”

”Only those sets of Christmas lights with the ICC mark sticker have passed DTI’s mandatory safety tests, thus these products are safe and reliable to use,” stresses Secretary Domingo.

DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damages and even loss of lives.

Under the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme that is based on the Department Administrative Order 05:2008, all importers of Christmas lights shall secure an ICC certificate prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market. Only those whose products have successfully complied with the requirements based on the Philippines National Standard on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) are appropriately issued with the ICC Certificate and are allowed to affix the ICC stickers on their products or product packages.

Secretary Domingo emphasizes, “The ICC mark is in sticker form and comes with a unique serial number. Those sets of Christmas lights with pre-printed ICC mark on its package are definitely uncertified and did not undergo proper tests and inspections of the Department.”

DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya explained, “Other import labels that consumers should check on the package of Christmas lights are the manufacturer’s / supplier’s / distributor’s name, address and trademark or brand, rated voltage and rated wattage of the set; rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp; the words,”For indoor use only”; the number of this standard (PNS 189:2000); and the batch/ lot number or bar code.

Undersecretary Maglaya added that to further guide consumers on the proper use of the product, each set of Christmas lights should have suitable warning such as, “do not cascade / attach more than three (3) sets of Christmas lights to avoid overloading”, “disconnect from supply before removing or inserting any lamp”, “avoid damage to wire”, “busted lamps must be replaced immediately by lamps of the same rated voltage and wattage to avoid risk of overheating”, and “never leave plugged-on lights overnight or unattended.”

Secretary Domingo underscores, “the proper use of the product is very important to ensure that it performs as expected. Thus, consumers are urged to carefully read the instructions before installing the product to prevent untoward incidents.”

The DTI reminds consumers to buy only the following brands of Christmas lights that have passed the required safety tests of DTI:

COMPANY	BRAND
Andalucia Trading Co., Inc.	Price Mart
Filjie Trading International	Lucky Star
Golden Hit Corporation	Golden Seasons / Twinkle Star
Golden Seasons Corporation	Golden Seasons / Twinkle Star
Great Home Makers Enterprises	Lights & Shine / Joy of Lights / Hawaii Lights / Christmas Star / Yuletide Fantasy
Ikhea Lighting, Inc.	ET / GHC
Landlite Philippines Corporation	Landlite
Main Stream General Merchandise	MLA / Luck Deer
Mighty Armour Enterprises	Star
New Davao Davchi Trading Center	North Star
P&J Multitrade Venture, Inc.	Andrews
Pacific Arrow Enterprises	Good / 7 Star
Pinecrest Enterprises	Goldcrest / Pinecrest
Sheratone Enterprises	Fuji Bright & Fuji-lite
Shining East Marketing Corp.	Yuletide Fantasy / The Magic of Lights / Seasons of Lights / Super Bright / The Joy of Lights / Lights & Shine / Hawaii Lights / Christmas Star / Millenium Lights
Wan Dan Xin Trading Int’l, Inc.	Mabuhay Star
Wexford International Sales, Inc.	Diamond Bright
Xing Long Import Enterprises	Rainbow

Consumers may report stores selling Christmas lights without ICC marks to DTI Direct 7510-3330 or to the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial Office.  For more information on Christmas lights www.bps.dti.gov.ph.

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DTI further strengthens SPIN

Two years after the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation Program (SPIN) was launched, close to seven thousand beneficiaries of SPIN programs in Central Visayas have produced products for exporters worth P97.030 million.

This year, the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas office (DTI-7) is further strengthening the SPIN program, despite the change of leadership in government.

According to DTI Central Visayas regional director Asteria Caberte,  the DTI 7 aims to provide further training for more weavers, and also extend the program to other areas.

In year 2010, 163 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have benefited from the program. Around 23 trainings have generated 4,048 jobs. 

Despite the drop of exports' orders since the global recession started, Caberte said orders are still increasing because participating export members of this program is largely coming from the gifts, toys, houseware products, and home furnishings.

Last September 9, DTI 7 conducted a Subcontracting Forum in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental with 12 exporters joining the activity including 33 Point 3 Exports, Jincastler, Prissan, AH Designs, Arden Classic, art n’ Nature, Heldred, Regalos Exim, Tambuli Fashion, Linda Colin, amer Trading and Bon Ace. 

The Negros Oriental producers are now working on the purchase orders worth Php 210,000 from 33 Point 3 Exports and Php 132,000 from AH Designs.

The SPIN program, a government-private sector undertaking conceptualized in Cebu, not only generates employment for weavers but likewise assists exports in increasing production volume of exported products.

Under the program, the weavers in the countryside are made to undergo skills training on weaving and craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products are brought by the exporters once these passed quality standards.

In this way, rebel returnees and indigents can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they make, Caberte said.

SPIN trainings are focused on a "market driven" scheme wherein the products to be made by the trained group are actual export orders. Most exporters who do not have enough workers to do the job orders of their clients subcontract some of these processes.

Initially implemented in Central Visayas, the program started in June 2008 with only P500 thousand budget. It now benefits thousands of people and families from nine regions in the country, including regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, CARAGA and CAR.

Cebuano exporters mostly from the GTH sector are currently sourcing their order requirements from marginal communities around these regions, Caberte said.

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DTI favors non-tax perks as replacement

Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said the income tax holiday incentive may be abolished but should be replaced with other investment perks to be able to compete with other countries for strategic industries.

Domingo said during a press conference the need to continue granting incentives to strategic industries that would not locate into the country without the incentives but not to businesses that are sure to come in even without incentives.

He said that government will have to abolish the income tax holiday, which the Department of Finance has been espousing, this could be replaced with another set of incentives to enable the country to remain competitive versus other countries.

“Our stand is not actually different from the DoF because we want to push for the country’s economic development, but we just have to be conscious because perhaps in the past there were instances that we’ve been too lax in giving away incentives,” he said.

Domingo, however, said the need to address the entire incentives structure of the government and not just the contentious ITH. He, however, did not identify these other incentives.
"There are sectors that we should push very hard on and these need incentives," he said.

The finance department already mulled the abolition of income tax incentives to investors except for export-oriented enterprises that would locate in the country’s 30 poorest provinces, a very drastic move that is already making the Board of Investments, the government’s premier investment promotion agency, fidgety.

The draft DoF proposal, which was submitted to the BoI two weeks ago, has called for the complete removal of the ITH six years after the implementation of the Fiscal Incentives Harmonization law.
For instance, if the Incentives Rationalization bill is approved in 2011, the government has 6 years only to give out incentives. By 2017, the ITH will be completely abolished.

The DoF also moves to cut the ITH coverage to a maximum of six years only from the current maximum of 8 years. Projects registered with the BoI under the pioneer status are granted 6-year ITH but with additional two-year bonus based on export performance for a maximum ITH period of 8 years. Non-pioneer projects enjoy four year in ITH.

But under the DoF proposal, which was relayed to the BoI two weeks ago, for those entitled of 6-year ITH, they would be required to pay 15 percent income tax on the 7th to 9th year and pay the regular tax rate from there on.

In coming up with this proposal, the DoF was of the belief that investments would come in even without incentives.

Already, the BoI finds the proposal as contained in a memo by Finance undersecretary Gil Beltran uncomfortable.

BoI managing head Cristino L. Panlilio said they need to sit down with the DoF.
“They are advocating stricter, less liberal incentives. We think otherwise. We are rationalizing an agreement in favor of attractive incentives. (MB)

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OTOP Visayas Island Fair 2010 on Nov. 17-21

It’s three times the charm as the Visayan leg of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines holds its last annual fair at SM City Cebu Atrium this November 17 to 21, 2010.

This five-day trade fair will display a wide array of exciting homegrown products from Central Philippines dubbed "Distinctly Visayas", according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the marketing arm of the OTOP.

From souvenir items, novelty items, gift items, home decors, natural fiber, processed food, footwear to wearables, the OTOP fair aims to promote native goods from the Visayan islands.

The Visayas Region composed of Regions 6, 7 and 8 have joined hands to come-up with this fair to provide opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and develop a new culture of local pride.

The three regions of the Visayas have again come together to form a united front, a Supra-region, complementing each other through the sheer diversity of each region's products and tourist destinations that have captured more than half of the country's foreign visitors in the country.

The OTOP Visayas Island Fair is an activity that aims to highlight the OTOP program with the Local Government Units (LGUs) as the implementing arm to strengthen countryside development by promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs.

This marketing event also aims to generate significant sales; train exhibitors in dealing and negotiating with local and foreign buyers and exporters and develop new exporters from among the participants.

Under the OTOP, LGUs take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, of which their areas have specific advantage.

OTOP-Philippines provides a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies and the private sector. This includes business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing.

The DTI said the OTOP-Philippines is designed to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME's) in the manufacturing and marketing of distinctive products and services to a much better level and achieve measurable results.

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Marketing Visayan Creativity

It is amazing how Filipino manufacturers make use of indigenous materials to come up with world class ingenious designs that delight our aesthetic sensibilities despite economic constraints!

Still, in the vicious commercial arena, “world class” creativity accounts for nothing unless it earns money.

This is the reason why product development and marketing are crucial. And for micro, small and medium enterprises, participation in trade fairs is important for business survival and growth. At the One Town One Product Visayas Island Fair (OVIF) organized by the DTI every November, Visayan manufacturers show the world that they could compete with the best of the best products with unique propositions that please the eye or palate and win over the most discriminating buyers.

Shoes!

Shoemaking is part of the heritage of Carcar. The town’s artisans based mainly in Barangays Poblacion 3, Liburon and Villadolid have been churning out shoes and sandals for generations. However, it was only with the founding of the Carcar United Footwear Manufacturer’s Association, Inc. (CUFMAI) that shoemaking became a major industry in the town.

Today, CUFMAI footwear artisans have expanded their market to include exporters and large retailers.DTI-Cebu Division Chief Elias Tecson said that it is easier and faster for manufacturers who are organized to get assistance from government. Being members of an organization provides the manufacturers learning benefits and lends them a bigger voice in an advocacy to develop the industry and their business. Today, there are around 16 active members of CUFMAI, majority of whom are from Barangay Valladolid and are employing an average of 15 shoe workers per member.

“There are around 1,500 footwear manufacturers in Carcar, but only 16 are currently members of CUFMAI,” Tecson explained. “This is because the DTI wants to limit the members only to those legitimate manufacturers who have registered their business names with the DTI, pay taxes to the local government, and are able to follow the by-laws of the association.”

At the Carcar permanent exhibit area for footwear or OTOP Center, local shoemakers have already received several orders from institutional buyers and exporters. There is a long line of shoe stores like Footfit (Ruth del Rosario), Jefferson (Hene Fernandez), Ariel (Elsie Sandoy), Kring’s Footwear (Melencio Lausa), Lesvie (Leslie Empasis), Jan Rey (L. Liadas), Beht (E. Wamar), Mellenol (M. Aldaya), RJE (F.Inanuria), Lear McGlear (G. Apura), Mary Grace (Perlas awardee M. Tangkay), Ryan (H. Retillosa),among others. The monthly sales average of the center is around P1.5-M. Imelda Aldaya, manager of CUFMAI member Melenoll’s, said that through the efforts of DTI Cebu Provincial Office, the association was able to join prestigious trade fairs and has respectable turn out of sales generated and booked orders. “The DTI has also sponsored a pattern-making seminar for the shoemakers and provided assistance in credit management, delinquency control, and technical assistance.”

Tecson said that through President Arroyo’s “Isang Bayan, Isang Produkto, Isang Milyong Piso” program, CUFMAI got a P1-M loan, which the group used to buy raw materials and shoe components in bulk. In response to the perennial problem of lack of capital, the DTI has introduced the shoemakers to government financing institutions.

Tecson revealed that Carcar now supplies shoes to the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly big malls n Mindanao. He added that some colleges, like the Southwestern University and the University of Cebu, now buy nursing shoes from Carcar.

Food!

Bohol, a favourite tourist haven, with its ubiquitous peanut kisses, banana chips, and calamay, has also enjoyed DTI assistance.

The Boholano Processed Food Business Association, Inc., is the first organization of food processors in the province. It employs 1,200 direct workers and has benefited from the creation of the Integrated Technology, Systems and Support Amenities for Food Enterprises or the ITS SAFE Center. Members of this association further improved the quality of their food products with the establishment of the first Boholano Food Safety Team and Designers Pool for Product Packaging.

DTI Bohol Provincial Director Nannette Arbon said this introduction of food safety measures, food sanitation, good manufacturing practices, introduction and adoption of appropriate product packaging and labelling had contributed to the expansion of local food producers’ market. Bucarez Food Processing Corporation has seen the importance of high quality pasalubong products particularly with their peanut kisses.

“We used to have difficulty in increasing product shelf life until we decided to change part of the ingredients and switched to a more appropriate packaging with the help of the government,” Manager Francis Serenas of Bucarez said.

Director Arbon said, “aside from the usual pasalubong products, we are also trying to increase the shelf life of the traditional calamay and ube food products. Also, we have facilitated Bohol food producers’ participation in trade fairs so they can network with food processors, exporters and consolidators.”

Bags!

The pandan bags of La Libertad, Negros Oriental has only been in business for the past six years, but this all-women group of weavers - comprised of mothers, housewives, local dynamic and forward-looking women - has improved the living conditions of some 18 families or more. They are the La Libertad Weavers Association (LALIWA).

LALIWA regularly produces mats, bags, baskets and various accessories, with its members developing into entrepreneurs and businesswomen. “The association, which began producing handmade bags out of pandan as the raw material, has empowered at least 18 women of two barangays in La Libertad,” DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Director Javier Fortunato said. He added that close coordination with the DTINegros Oriental Office has greatly improved the group’s business through the agency’s product development initiatives and marketing assistance.

“Their bags have now crossed borders and continents with their improved designs and quality.” From the start of their operations in 2004, the group had been assisted and closely monitored by then mayor and now 1st District Congresswoman Josy S. Limkaichong. With an initial capital of only P13,000, the group now has some Php150,000. in assets, excluding the sales from past participations in trade fairs. Today, the good congresswoman still provides assistance to the group through her livelihood. projects, while DTI continues to expose them to business opportunities, such as the One Visayas Island Fair (OVIF) and other regional trade venues.

See them at the fair!

For these business organizations and many like them in Central Visayas undergoing product development and joining trade fairs were keys to their success. They all agreed that such activities opened doors for them and allowed them to break into their target markets.

Helping MSMEs expand their market reach and sustain business has always been a major concern of the DTI. Various DTI agencies have been tasked to design marketing programmes to increase the exposure of MSMEs in domestic and foreign markets, and to improve the distribution of MSME products between local manufacturing and trade sectors.

As part of the agency’s assistance to manufacturers and producers in the Visayas, the DTI annually sets up OVIF, a five-day order-taking and retail selling fair. It showcases the best producers from Central, Eastern and Western regions of the Visayas in one venue. The atrium of SM City Cebu is the area chosen mainly because of its high visitor traffic. Here, the finest products of the Visayas are exhibited for the convenience of institutional buyers,

exporters and export traders.

To enthusiastic buyers who visit the OVIF each year, exhibitors seem a bit practised or adept at what they do.

“Preparing manufacturers for a trade fair actually starts months ahead,” Arbon said. “Manufacturers and producers are provided with DTI assistance with regard to raw material identification to trainings in product design and market knowledge, among others.

Prospective trade fair participants also undergo a screening process to determine readiness. Most firsttimers start with trade fairs at the provincial level and later graduate to the regional stage, before moving on to the national and international arena.”

To gauge the impact of trade fairs on exhibitors, DTI designed a monitoring system to document sales generated during a fair. “DTI provincial offices also monitor movements of post-fair sales. Intensive monitoring and follow-up support is provided to ensure conversion into actual sales of booked orders and orders under negotiation during the fair,” Arbon explained.

OVIF will be celebrating its fifth anniversary on November 17-21, 2010 at the SM City Cebu. And because it is the last fair under the OTOP project’s five-year run, the showcase promises a more exciting array of items: souvenirs, gift and novelty items, furniture and furnishings, natural fibre, processed food, footwear and fashion accessories such as bags, shawls, headgears.

DTI-Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro said that trade shows has always been an opportunity for producers to enhance brand and product visibility, promote new and existing products, generate leads and drive incremental sales. “Also, trade show participation enables the entrepreneurs to stay on top of the latest industry trends, gain competitor insights, make key industry contacts and further solidify relations with current customers,” Navarro added.

DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte pointed out that attention to logistical details and coordination with the three participating Visayan regions had been vital to the success of OVIF.

 “For businesses that lack high level of marketing, an intra-regional exhibit like the OVIF is a good opportunity to showcase the best of Philippine made products,” Caberte said.

OVIF is an ideal marketing event for OTOP products of various municipalities in the Visayas, highlighting the tourism and market potentials of Central Philippines, which is the destination of more than half of foreign tourists in the country. This activity has generated significant sales, trained exhibitors in dealing and negotiating with local and foreign buyers and exporters, and developed new exporters from among the participants.

“Success of any trade fair is always determined by sales and tangible interest from buyers. And I am proud to say that in the last four years, OVIF has served its purpose. With each year’s holding of OVIF, our local manufacturers and producers have continued to increase their market reach,” Caberte concluded.  (Text by Jojisilia Villamor, Lucille Autentico, Merle Falcon, and May Liza Sevilla)

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5th Visayas Island Fair on November 17-21

The One Town One Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair will hold its 5^th Anniversary on November 17-21, 2010 at the SM City Cebu Atrium.

And because it is the last fair under the OTOP project’s five-year run, the showcase promises a more exciting array of items: souvenirs, gift and novelty items, furniture and furnishings, natural fibre, processed food, footwear and fashion accessories such as bags, shawls, headgears.

More than a hundred OTOP Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Region 6, Region 7, and Region 8 are expected to join the OVIF.

The 5th OTOP Visayas Island Fair will focus on selling the products produced by the MSMEs of the three regions under the OTOP Philippines program.

Invited to attend the fair are buyers from Manila and from the regions, governors and mayors and other government officials from the National Government Agencies, among others.

OTOP promotes entrepreneurship in the countryside. It encourages the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and local skills of every municipality or city.

While the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the project’s marketing arm, OTOP is a “collaborative” effort of all sectors in the society, with the local government units (LGUs) as the lead.

Executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

The DTI through its Provincial Offices assist the LGUs in identifying the specific product and coordinated other forms of assistance from other government agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others.

Package of assistance include business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, marketing, and introduction of appropriate technologies.

Cebu was chosen as the venue this year because it is the center of trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

In fact, the 1st ^, 3rd and 4th OTOP fairs were held in Cebu City, while the 2^nd fair was held in Boracay.

OTOP is focused on the product development initiatives of the DTI highlighting the tourism and market potentials of the Supra Region, the Central Philippines , which attracts more than half of the foreign tourists in the country.

For businesses that lack high level of marketing, an intra-regional exhibit like the Visayas Otop (One Town, One Product) Fair is a good opportunity to showcase “the best of Philippine products. This is a venue for them to be recognized, especially that this fair covers the entire Central Philippines. (ends)

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DTI, DOT to launch linkage program

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7), in coordination with the Department of Tourism Central Visayas will soon launch an extensive linkage program with the tourism players and the grassroots producers to push vibrant economic activities especially in the non-urban areas.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said that although the program is still on the planning stage, she said part of the plan is to provide an effective linkage between the hotels and the product producers, farmers, fishers-folk in different towns, to maximize the capacity of tourism in helping the poverty alleviation.

According to Caberte hotels, resorts, and restaurants will be encouraged to directly source their raw material requirements, not only for food and beverage raw materials but, also to strongly promote locally-produced products, like souvenirs.

This is part of the government thrust, to make tourism as the primary back-bone to boost economic activity especially in a rural community.

Instead of purchasing imported materials for any hotel operation requirement, Caberte said players will be encouraged to consider its resources produced by nearby communities.

Although, this set up is already existing, the entry of DTI and DOT in reinforcing the linkage between local producers and tourism institutions is seen to stimulate more income generating activities especially for small communities.

This is also to eradicate the existence of middle-men traders that will usually jack up the prices of commodities, products supplied to an institution.

Expanding the benefits of the OTOP (One-Town-One-Product) program, Caberte said, once the program will be finally implemented, it will stimulate entrepreneurship among town residents, and even farmers and fishermen.

Shortening the value-chain channel will be magnified, thus boosting the income generation of the producers.

Establishing a common souvenir shop or commercial center in one tourism hot-spot area will also be encouraged, so that end-producers will be able to set up their own retail stores, rather than selling their products to bulk-buyer retailers.

DTI secretary Gregory Domingo earlier said that his agency's number one priority is to push local industries to ride on to the dynamic tourism sector.

Domingo said DTI has lined up several programs that will link with the DOT in the next few months.

"Tourism is the only industry right now that can provide jobs [and livelihood opportunities] to all levels [in the society]," Domingo said adding that from un-skilled to executive level tourism sector can accommodate them all. (THE FREEMAN)




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DTI to improve local business registration to draw more entrepreneurs

In an effort to encourage more Filipinos to put up businesses, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be launching a localized business registration scheme that will allow entrepreneurs to register in their own localities.

According to Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, the new scheme, dubbed BN Made Easy, will be based on four geographic divisions: barangay (village), city or municipality, regional, and national.

This new scheme further amends the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act 3883, or The Business Name Law.

Under the localized scheme, a registrant could use the registered business name within the territory of choice, regardless of the number of branches or outlets to be put up within the given territory.

The DTI expects barangay-based businesses, which comprise 95 percent of all registered enterprises, to benefit from the new process, as it will significantly reduce the number of man-hours devoted to registration.

In an earlier interview, Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said the DTI has been rallying all its regional offices to make their areas as business-friendly as possible, to encourage people to put up businesses and invest in the country.

He said the DTI would be holding national conferences to ensure that all of its personnel had that ``business-friendly, investor-friendly’’ mindset.

In the Board of Investments, for example, he related that the application process for investments has been streamlined, cutting the previous 20 days required to process an application to just 10 days.


"The BOI is always open to entertain and immediately process applications for investments. We also have the Nerbac (National Economic Research and Business Action Center) to help investors start their businesses here,’’ he said.

Nerbac, the frontline service of the BOI and the successor of the One-Stop Action Center, generated P10 billion in potential investments from 19 firm leads in the first half.
During the period, the Nerbac provided assistance to 635 potential investors via face-to-face counseling, telephone conversations, and e-mail exchanges. (PDI)

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BOSS in Dumaguete launches friendly business processing

The Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) in Dumaguete City will be formally launched on October 7 at 10:30 a.m. at the City's Sanggunian Session Hall, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here announced.

The B.O.S.S. is an all-in-one venue that houses the mandatory government agencies in charge in the issuance of business permits, licenses and registration, among others.

DTI Information Officer May Liza Sevilla said this project aims to cut down the time, money and effort usually needed to secure or renew business permit and allows enterprises to complete all business requirements at one time.

The event is an offshoot of the partnership of the City of Dumaguete with Negros Oriental government, Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation (NOBDF), Negros Oriental Investment Promotion Center (NOIPC), Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), and Department of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, PAG-IBIG, PHILHEALTH and SSS.

The creation of the BOSS in Dumaguete is also seen as a relevant step towards sustaining employment, which is foremost in President Benigno Aquino's agenda to create a friendly investment environment in each province.

President Aquino earlier cited the lack of infrastructure, changing government investment policies and bureaucratic red tape as major economic concerns that he will address to attract investors.

In his first briefing with the Malacanang Press Corps, the President said corporations eyeing the Philippines as an investment location often complain about tedious processing of their applications and other documentary requirements caused by bureaucratic red tape which is a bane to investments promotion.

All business starters and expanders are now encouraged to avail the services of the Business One-Stop Shop. (PIA/JCT)

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DTI continues push for zero Tariff on milling wheat, cement

Despite opposition from the concerned industries, the Department of Trade and Industry continues to push for the extension of two executive orders that will keep tariffs on milling wheat and cement at zero.

Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the DTI still saw it necessary to maintain the current zero-tariff regime for another six months.

“That was our recommendation, although we know that the Department of Finance doesn’t want it. We feel that it is still needed,” she said in an interview Thursday.

Separate executive orders keeping tariffs on milling wheat and cement at zero expired late last month.
A month before the orders’ expiration, flour and cement stakeholders Philippine Association of Flour
Millers and the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines had filed separate petitions to bring wheat and cement tariff back to 3 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Pafmil said the government has not been able to achieve its main objective of lowering bread prices by imposing zero tariff on milling wheat. What the zero-tariff regime yielded instead were forgone revenues for the government of as much as P1 billion.

Cemap president Ernesto Ordoñez, on the other hand, said reverting to the 5-percent tariff regime on cement imports would protect the industry from dumping.

Taking the same position as the DTI were various bakers’ groups, including the Philippine Baking Industry Group, Filipino Chinese Bakery Association Inc. and the Philippine Federation of Bakers Association Inc., which sought zero tariff not only on milling wheat but also on flour.

“This petition to lift the tariff on flour imports will bring down the price of bread and other baked food products for the benefit of the consuming public. At present, the 5- to 7-percent tariff rate on flour adds a burden to bread and other flour-based prices and delays the implementation of the country’s international trade agreements. The lifting of the tariff on imported flour is necessary as it will directly benefit the consuming public and the baking industry,” a joint petition filed with the Tariff Commission stated.

The DTI’s recommendation for zero tariff, however, only covered milling wheat and cement—products that were currently under a zero-tariff regime.

Malacañang had yet to issue any new executive orders on the matter.(PDI)





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Trade department finds a way to cut red tape

Business name registration can be processed in 15 minutes, from the usual eight hours, provided the applicant’s papers are in order, according to the Trade and Industry department.

It can be done in 15 minutes, Secretary Gregory Domingo told a House committee hearing on Friday, pointing out that his department has overhauled a software to cut red tape and speed up the process.

Testifying before the House committee on appropriations, with Malabon-Navotas Rep. Jaye Noel presiding, Domingo said the “software” will be put to use before the administration completes its first 100 days in office.

“We have been reviewing it for the past two months. We implemented changes to reduce the business registration time to 15 minutes and this will be in place on or before the 100th day in office of President Aquino,” Domingo told the House panel.

Under the new system, Domingo said, those wishing to register businesses would only have to enter the requirements in a computer terminal and push the enter button to know their Tax Identification Number, Philhealth, Social Security System Number, and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

“Getting a business name registered takes four to eight hours. We will reduce it to 15 minutes,” Domingo said. He did not say exactly how the department would do it and what changes it would put in place.

But Noel said the DTI has to make good on its promise since reducing the “red-tape” was among those things the President promised to implement in his first state-of-the-nation address. Reduced red tape would make the Philippines “investment-friendly” to attract investors.

The Trade chief admitted that outside of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, it is much more difficult to secure business permits from the Local Government Units.

Domingo sought the approval of DTI’s P2.118 billion budget for 2011, which he said was much higher than this year’s but far from his desired level of P4.6 billion.

Of the P2.118 billion, some P973 million is allocated for personnel services, P1.376 billion for operations and only P371 million for capital outlay, he said.

The budget constraints, Domingo said, would disrupt such projects as “one town-one product” campaign. Also facing being sidelined are the department’s consumer education program, massive information on free trade, stricter implementation of product testing, and internal audit service. (Manila Standard)

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Exporters told to take advantage of trade pacts

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging local exporters to take advantage of the free trade regime in Asean to do more business with their neighbors.

This comes with an assurance by the DTI that it would look into the possibility of setting up a self-sustaining export support fund (ESF) for exporters to replace the P1-billion ESF that was not fully utilized.

According to DTI Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. the advent of free trade agreements such as the one the Philippines has with Asean, Japan and through Asean with China, Australia and New Zealand, signals more FTAs with other countries.

Cristobal said priority countries include Taiwan, the United States, Vietnam, Europe, India and China.
As it is, DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said local businesses have yet to fully tap the Asean FTAs to expand their markets.

Domingo said told exporters in a meeting yesterday that the Philippines has one of the lowest benefits and utilization of the Asean FTAs.

"Either businesses are too shy to try to think regionally or they are not aware of such. So we are coming up with an information campaign on the potential benefits of trading with Asean," he said.

Domingo said 98 percent of tariff lines in Asean have been reduced to zero beginning January this year, making trade for these products free.(Business Mirror)

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Meeting of the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee at NEDA 7

 



The Regional Statistical Coordination Committee 7 chair and NEDA 7 regional director Marlene Rodriguez recently called for a meeting on September 28. NEDA 7 ARD Efren  Carreon presided over the RSCC 7 meeting on behalf of the RSCC Chair.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various government agencies such as the DTI 7, NEDA 7, NSO 7, BAS 7, BSP 7, DOLE 7, DOT 7, DILG 7, DOST 7, USC-CHED ZRC, PPDO  Cebu, CPDC Cebu City, and PSR.

The agenda called for the presentation of a draft resolution creating the technical working group for the Regional Development Research Agenda (RDRA), discussion of the Regional Statistical Compendium and setting up of a common Database; proposed statistical literacy survey, training strategy for regional stakeholders and proposed activities during the National Statistics Month.

It was recommended that the RSCC endorse the draft CV-RDRA to the RDC Sectoral Committees and to form an RDRA TWG to plan out the details of implementing the arrangements for knowledge sharing and networking for the RDRA. The TWG would be composed of the RSCC PSRs, DOST, DOH, CV-CIRRD, USC-CHED, ZRC, DILG, LGU representatives.

ARD Carreon said that this is the first attempt to consolidate a research agenda on a regional basis, based on development and policy research gaps noted from the MTDP and the RDP. He said that the advantage of having an RDRA is that it facilitates certification that a research to be funded falls within the region’s priorities.  Normally, research funding agencies ask for this certification.

Vittoria de Veyra of NEDA 7 then presented the draft Central Visayas Statistical Compendium that would start off the work of the proposed TWG on the Statistical Compendium. The draft is basically contained regional data gathered from publication of the NSCB and NSO. The data has been categorized by sector.

Ammie Generale of DILG 7 presented the Community based Monitoring System (CBMS), giving some background information on how it came to be and why, as well as the methodology and instruments developed.

Ms. De Veyra also showed the body the NSCB prescribed form for filling up with each agency’s planned activities in celebration of the National Statistics Month in October.

The TWG-RDRA members were later asked to share their existing procedures for selection of quality research for dissemination/ advocacy for utilization.  The TWG-RDRA members were expected to report to the RSCC on possible new arrangements/ procedures that RDCC or the RDC could facilitate between research generators and potential research users to promote research dissemination and utilization.

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Bijoux 2010 in Cebu

On September 18-20, 2010, international buyers converged on Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort And Spa in Cebu, Philippines for a unique Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair organized by the Fashion Accessories Manufacturers And Exporters Foundation Philippines, Inc. (FAME Foundation).

Bijoux Cebu, Asia's destination for green jewelry had a myriad of new innovations this year.

Bijoux Cebu highlighted the Spring-Summer 2011 Collection.  In addition, it was an interactive and experiential trade show that built on industry knowledge, business relationships, and social responsibility.

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Regional and Provincial Directors, Cebu FAME Foundation Officers and other VIPs were there to welcome the visitors and buyers at the opening ceremony.

The fact that this is the only show in the world that is held in an internationally renowned 5-star resort where you can get out of bed, have a quick dip in the powder white sand beach then walk to the exhibits in 5 minutes was a big come-on for the foreign buyers.

For more news on DTI please visit http://tradeneconomydti.blogspot.com/ http://tradeneconomydtiact.blogspot.com/

DTI-BOI Conducts IPP Orientation Workshop in Cebu

The Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade and Industry in coordination with the DTI-Central Visayas, NERBAC-Region VII and Cebu Provincial Office held an Orientation Seminar on the 2010 Philippine Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) last September 20 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Cebu City.

The 2010 Investment Priorities Plan provides a platform to maximize opportunities as well as benefits from the implementation of free trade agreements.

Recognizing that the effects of the global economic crisis still linger, the government has retained the contingency list, which is a temporary inclusion in the 2010 IPP to assist existing enterprises recover from the global crisis aftermath and also to cover new projects of micro and small enterprises.

Further, the 2010 IPP promotes a sustainable economic model that allows for growth, job creation and environmental protection.

Embracing an approach that is both green and economically successful, the government provides support to the private sector initiatives on green gas emissions reduction and disaster risk management.

The 2010 IPP identified priority areas that can provide the greatest push for the country to attract more investments and generate jobs. 
These priority investment areas include the regular list containing nine priority investment areas that were identified to support the current priority programs of government; the export activities which includes manufacture of export products, export services and activities in support of exporters; the mandatory list which now includes the recently passed R.A. no 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 that covers all areas/ activities where the inclusion in the IPP and/or the grant of incentives under EO226 is mandated by law; the ARMM list which covers priority investment areas that have been determined by the Regional Board of Investments of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in accordance with EO 458.  The economic activities listed in the ARMM shall be entitled to incentives provided that the said activities are undertaken under the ARMM region.

The Cebu orientation workshop gave participants valuable and detailed information on preferred investments by the Philippine government, as well as provided them an opportunity to engage personally and consult directly with BOI officers during the one-on-one investment counseling in the afternoon.

The Cebu seminar was part of the BOI's roadshow for the IPP around the country.

The IPP is an annual list of priority projects / activities that can qualify for government incentives under the Omnibus Investments Code (EO 226). Incentives include income tax holidays and tax exemptions, duty-free importation of capital equipment, additional tax deduction on labor and training expenses, employment of foreign nationals, zero-rated VAT, among others.

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Regional Economic Managers' Dialogue with Pres. Benigno Aquino III

President Benigno S. Aquino III made his first presidential visit to the province of Cebu together with his cabinet secretaries on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.

The President decided to visit the province to get a feel of the local economic situation and discuss with businessmen issues of local concern.

Industry leaders were informed on the economic plans of the new administration and at the same time were provided an opportunity to have a meaningful dialogue with the President.

The five cabinet secretaries who did the economic briefing were Cesar Purisima of the Department of Finance, Gregory Domingo of the Department of Trade and Industry, Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. of the National Economic Development Authority, Gov. Amando Tetangco, Jr. of the Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas and Jose Rene Almendras of the Department of Energy.

The briefing in Central Visayas focused on the developments in the priority sectors such as tourism, food supply chain and BPO, among others.

Issues and concerns raised during the dialogue included the P4.404 Billion for infrastructure, enhancement of tourism in Cebu and the region, reduction of fuel and power costs, modernization of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, establishment of mass transit system, realization of the Panglao International Airport and building of the Cebu-Bohol bridge.

There were more than100 business leaders from Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental who attended the dialogue at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

He then proceeded to an event organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and meet with the beneficiaries of the “Pangtawid Pamilyang Pilipino” Program (4Ps), an ongoing project that assists the poorest of the poor.   During the event, there will be testimonials from beneficiaries in Cebu on how the program has changed their lives for the better. 

President Aquino is also set to go to Davao immediately after his Cebu visit.  The Davao briefing which will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel will focus on agri-business and energy sectors.

Cebu, heart of the islands group known as Central Visayas, is the fastest growing economy in the region. It is powered by manufactured exports, shipping, tourism, and, currently, growth in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

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DTI 7 joins in the celebration of the 110 Anniversary of Philippine Civil Service

The Philippine Civil Service currently marks its 110^th anniversary in September this year. 

The DTI 7 joins all civil servants in the celebration.

The theme for this year’s celebration is anchored on President Benigno Aquino’s call for reform, on his pledge to implement change in government and on the clamor for increased transparency and accountability.

The month long celebration shall provide government agencies the opportunity to celebrate reforms and milestones as they fulfill their respective mandates. The event would also highlight the race to excellence of civil servants and government agencies and show public service at its best.

The Civil Service Commission enjoins state workers nationwide to be part of the race to responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service. There is much expected of civil servants but by joining the race, they can make the most of the opportunity afforded them in serving their fellowmen. It is time to shift gears, to leave unnecessary baggages, to give one's best shot and to win the race in a public service.

Today, September 6, 2010, the DTI 7 staff held a simple flag ceremony and listened to PNoy’s speech.

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