DTI formally launches OTOP Store - Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu

 

Four months after it opened,  Cebu’s OTOP store - Tindahang Pinoy, along with OTOP Stores in Clark and Davao,  had its national launch on April 20, 2012 at the Bridges Town Square along Plaridel Street in Mandaue City, Cebu.

An e-marketing website for the store was also launched on the same day.

The OTOP Store - Tindahang Pinoy showcases and sells world-class Filipino made products catering to local and foreign tourists. Around 70% of products in the Tindahang Pinoy Cebu outlet are sourced from Central Visayas and 30% from other regions in the Philippines.

“Clark and Davao will also be displaying our products so it’s like an exchange. We’d like to make it  a one-stop-shop for all our products in the country, including those under our One Town, One Product (OTOP) program,” said DTI 7 regional director Asteria Caberte.

The formal opening of the OTOP Store - Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu was led by Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and his Undersecretary Merly Cruz, and witnessed by guests from the LGUs, industry partners, national government agencies and financing institutions.

The OTOP Store was originally conceptualized as a mechanism to help  exporters and traders tap the  influx of tourists who are looking for Philippine products in an accessible venue.

Caberte said DTI plans to set up more OTOP stores in other areas where there are large numbers of  domestic and foreign travelers.

“We may set-up one store in Bohol. Any place that is rich in tourism, we will try to have a shop there. It will also depend on the capability of our private sector partners like Cebu GTH here in Cebu,” said Caberte.

The Cebu OTOP Store - Tindahang Pinoy got a subsidy of P1 million last year that helped Cebu GTH in setting-up the store at the Bridges Town Square in Mandaue City.

“Now they’re on their own and I’m happy to say that they’re already earning so much,” said Caberte.

Caberte said the OTOP Store organizers are also strengthening ties with the Department of Tourism and Travel operators to promote the store and include them in their itineraries.

The DTI has tapped the GIZ, a technical agency of the German government, for the production of a video catalog to promote the shop’s products.

The OTOP Store product catalogs and brochures that were given out to store managers for distribution to major hotels, resorts and airports in the country were designed by the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines.

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DTI holds nationwide launching of “Ang Tindahang Pinoy” in Cebu on April 19

After its successful opening in December last year, the national launching of the Ang Tindahang Pinoy (ATP) will be held on April 19 this year at the Bridges Town Square in Mandaue City, Cebu. Philippines.

Located in a 500-square-meter space in Bridges Town Square along Plaridel Street in Mandaue City, Ang Tindahang Pinoy showcases and sells world-class products catering to local and foreign tourists.

Around 70% of products in the Ang Tindahang Pinoy Cebu outlet will be sourced from Central Visayas and 30% from other regions in the Philippines. Products under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also be displayed.

DTI Central Visayas regional director Asteria Caberte said the national launching of Ang Tindahang Pinoy on April 19 will be attended by Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo. 

Caberte also revealed that video presentations of ATPs in Cebu, Clark and Davao will be shown during the launching to give buyers, exporters, traders, retailers, travel associations, among others a glimpse of the product depots in these areas.

Ang Tindahang Pinoy in Cebu is a joint project of the DTI and the Cebu Gift, Toys and Houseware Foundation, Inc. (Cebu-GTH). The permanent product depot in Cebu is managed by the Cebu-GTH.

Since Ang Tindahang Pinoy opened in December last year, Cebu GTH Vice-President for External Affairs Pedro Sepulveda Jr. said that the sales of the showroom are continually increasing since they are being aggressive in their marketing strategies. For March alone this year, the Cebu product depot garnered around Php 300,000 in sales.

With the positive response on Tindahang Pinoy, Cebu GTH President Ramir Bonghanoy expressed his gratitude to DTI for helping them with the setting-up and promotion of the facility.

Currently, there are 42 companies displaying their products in Ang Tindahang Pinoy Cebu, including those from other provinces in Central Visayas.

The project aims to expand market access for micro, small and medium businesses.

DTI and Cebu-GTH forged a partnership with the Department of Tourism and the associations of tour guides and tour operators in Cebu for the promotion of Ang Tindahang Pinoy to tourists.

DTI also tapped the GIZ, a technical agency of the German government, for the production of a video catalogue to promote the products of Tindahang Pinoy. 

DTI also announced that the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines will also be working on product catalogues and brochures that will be distributed to major hotels, resorts and airports in the country.

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DTI launches online business registry in Cebu

In an effort to provide faster and more efficient service to entrepreneurs, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to launch on March 20, 12:30 pm, the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) at the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Cebu.

In a statement, the DTI said the PBR is expected to streamline the business registration system, thus making it easier for Filipinos to set up shop.

“Through the PBR, the country will become more attractive to investors and it will improve The Philippines’ ranking in global competitiveness,” the DTI said in a statement.

The PBR launching in Cebu will be led by Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo and DTI Central Visayas regional director Asteria C. Caberte.

Caberte said that the web-based system will serve as a one-stop-shop for would be entrepreneurs who need to transact with several government agencies before operating a business.

Caberte also added that entrepreneurs no longer need to be physically present when registering a business. The process eliminates red tape, streamlines business registration, and makes the Philippines more attractive to investors.

Government agencies interlinked under the PBR include the DTI, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health and Insurance Corp., and Securities and Exchange Commission.

For those who are not computer savvy or have no Internet access, Caberte advised that they either use the PBR kiosk at the nearest DTI Provincial Office, or they ask the help of the DTI personnel at these offices to encode the information in their behalf.

Caberte pointed out that the business registration facility of the PBR has also a business registry search facility which the clients can use in checking whether the name of the business he will put up is already registered with DTI or SEC to avoid legal problems in the future.

For further inquiries about the PBR, clients may call up the NERBAC Cebu office at tel. nos. 255-3926 / 4121944 / 4121945.

The PBR is one of the reform measures being pursued by the Philippine government under the auspices of the DTI to promote transparency, streamline transaction processes, promote business growth, and improve the overall competitiveness of the country.



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DTI holds another Diskwento Caravan in calamity stricken areas in Negros Oriental

After Guihulngan, a few days following a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the province, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) again brought the Diskwento Caravan to Negros Oriental. 

This time the DTI organized a Diskwento Caravan for the towns of La Libertad and Jimalalud on Feb. 21 and 22.

According to Asteria Caberte, regional director of DTI Central Visayas, local distributors sold basic and prime commodities at reduced prices to earthquake victims, a move that boosted the supply situation in the calamity stricken province.

To recall, Guihulngan, La libertad and Jimalalud incurred the heaviest damage among areas in Negros Oriental with residential and business establishments, roads, bridges and ports partially or totally damaged.

The DTI invited selected distributors to sell directly to the consumers at distributor’s price.

Participating distributors in the caravan were Island Merchants Corp. selling Nestle products, Macro Distributors Inc., Unilever, Chiara & Hannah’s Marketing and Consuelo Supermart. The National Food Authority also retailed rice.

Items sold at distributor’s price included coffee, milk, beverages, breakfast meal, detergent bar and powder, bath soap, toiletries, canned meat and sardines, batteries with free flashlight, among others.

The recent Diskwento Caravans in Jimalalud and La Libertad attracted around 1,566 consumers and garnered total sales of Php 242,782.30.

Most saleable items were the laundry detergent bar and powder, bath soap and shampoo, milk, coffee, and batteries.

Meanwhile, distributors in Negros Oriental have started supplying their accounts up to Guihulngan since two weeks ago.

Some store owners in Guihulngan opened their store despite the severe damage caused by the earthquake and sold basic and prime commodities at no price increase.

Caberte, together with the DTI Negros Oriental team, recently conducted a random price monitoring of basic and prime commodities sold within the calamity stricken areas.

In Jimalalud, the DTI team found that some products were above the Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) but owners were instructed to change their prices immediately based on the DTI SRPs.

Caberte instructed DTI Negros Oriental provincial director Javier Fortunato Jr. to conduct weekly supply and price monitoring of basic commodities to assure maximum protection of local consumers.

Caberte underscored that violations on the Price Act will be dealt with according to Republic Act 7581, a law which provides protection to consumers by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and the like occasions.

The Diskwento Caravan is a priority project of President Benigno S. Aquino III to help ease the burden of Filipino consumers from the rising prices of basic and prime commodities.

With the success of the Diskwento Caravans in 2011, DTI will continue to hold the project in various towns in the country.


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DTI 7 conducts PBRS Workshop

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently spearheaded a seminar-workshop on the Philippine Business Registry System (PBRS) on February 17 at the DTI 7 Conference Room.

Most participants came from partner agencies of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) in Cebu.

The PBRS, an online system aimed at streamlining business registrations, was launched early this year in a formal ceremony led by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The PBRS includes business permits and business licenses that will be facilitated by a centralized data entry program that will automatically connect to various national units and government agencies.

The Philippine Business Registry is a Government-initiated project that facilitates business registration-related transactions by integrating all agencies involved in business registration, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Local Government Units (LGUs) and other permit/license-issuing agencies. It provides a faster process for business registration, thus strengthening the government’s effort of providing quality service to the people and realizing its commitment to curb corruption and reduce red tape in the bureaucracy.

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DTI 7 POSTS VACANT JOB POSITION

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas Regional Office (DTI 7) announces that the Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), an agency mandated to oversee the development of the construction industry, has a job vacancy.

Any interested applicant to the position must be an engineering graduate, preferably a Civil Engineer good in written and oral communication and willing to learn about construction related trainings, DTI 7 Human Resource Management Officer Rebecca Basilla said.

Basilla advises interested job applicants to submit a letter of intent with bio-data to DTI 7 regional director Asteria C. Caberte, 3^rd floor, WDC Building, corner Osmena Boulevard and P. Burgos Street, Cebu City.

For inquiries, please call DTI 7 Rebecca Basilla at telephone numbers 2550036 / 37 local 402


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DTI alerts retailers on price freeze

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) mobilizes its workforce to closely monitor the prices of basic necessities in areas affected by typhoon Sendong to keep a tight watch over traders and retailers for undue price increases.

Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo states, “Aside from the regular DTI price monitoring activities that are being conducted in Metro Manila and other regions and provinces, the Department strengthens its watch on the prices and supplies of basic goods in places devastated by the onslaught of typhoon Sendong”.

In Malacanang’s Proclamation Number 303 that President Aquino signed on 20 December 2011, Regions VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Southern Mindanao) and CARAGA were declared under state of national calamity to hasten the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and effectively control the prices of basic necessities for the affected areas.

DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya explains, “Based on the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, the declaration automatically freezes the prices of basic necessities in these affected areas at their prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control”.

The Price Act lists the basic necessities assigned to DTI – canned fish and other marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and, salt; assigned to the Department of Agriculture (DA) – rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh eggs, fresh pork/ beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, fresh/ dried and other marine products; assigned to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – firewood and charcoal; and, Department of Health (DOH) – drugs classified as essential by DOH.

The DTI is doubling its efforts in making certain that retailers in these areas are aware of the prevailing prices that they should follow. We have increased visibility of the monitoring team in partnership with LGU in the market right after the onslaught.

He points out that the DTI’s regional and provincial offices are closely working hand in hand with the local government units and other offices through the Local Price Coordinating Councils or LPCCs.

DTI has requested the LGUs to update the price billboards in their public wet markets to guide consumers on the prevailing prices of basic necessities and to prevent retailers from increasing their prices.

Undersecretary Maglaya stresses, “At this time, we are undertaking all measures to ensure adequate supply of basic necessities and protect consumers from unreasonable price increases and other illegal acts of price manipulation”.

“LGUs are also enjoined to inspect the Timbangan ng Bayan if these are properly calibrated or set-up one to ensure consumers that they get their money’s worth. Moreover, DTI asks LGUs to check if retail stores and wet markets adhere to the price tag requirements in order to easily monitor any price irregularities”, Undersecretary Maglaya says.

Undersecretary Maglaya asserts, “The Department is closely watching the movements of the supply and demand of the commodities to facilitate smooth flow of goods in the markets of these affected areas. Based on reports from the industry sector, there is enough supply of basic goods so there is no need for consumers to stockpile products.”

An administrative fine of up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) and/or a maximum of 10-year imprisonment shall be imposed for violation of Price Control or the price freeze as per Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.

Secretary Domingo implores, “We are calling on manufacturers and retailers to assist the consumers in these hard times and not take advantage of the situation.  We need to work together instead to rescue the communities from such disaster”.

On the other hand, the DTI, together with DA, assures the consumers in Metro Manila that prices and supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities and that of the Noche Buena products are within the suggested retail prices and are sufficient until the end of the year.

“We are encouraging the consumers to actively participate in the DTI’s Bantay Presyo Programs for further protection of their interest,” Undersecretary Maglaya quips.

Consumers can get more information or they can report any complaint on prices and supplies to the nearest DTI office in their area or to DTI Direct 751.3330. (www.dti.gov.ph)

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