Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Update

Activities conducted by DTI Siquijor in 2012 under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program included Value Chain Seminar, Skills Training and Product Development Training.

DTI’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) assistance in Siquijor and the rest of Central Visayas is directed to Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs). The program provides support services to farmers and affected landowners and their families.  Particularly, it assists cooperatives/associations of farmers, landowners, women, and youths, who are capable of managing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The program provides comprehensive package of support services to stimulate agro-industrial activities in the ARCs. These services are in the form of:

• Trainings/Seminars. Productivity improvement, managerial, basic and upgrading skills trainings/seminars guiding the beneficiaries with right values/attitudes toward entrepreneurship;
• Studies. Preparation of pre-investment studies, feasibility studies, market studies and research, and other relevant studies generating investments in MSMEs in the ARCs;
• Market Development Assistance. Market development through trade fairs, market matching, selling missions, market information services/promotional collaterals and product development, which includes designing, prototyping, packaging, labeling, and product/quality improvement; and
• Consultancy Services. Providing expert advice on areas related to planning, development, management, and operation of MSMEs.

As of August 2012, CARP in Central Visayas generated employment of 1,616. There were 30 entrepreneurs developed in the same period. A total of 44 ARCs and 11 non-ARCs were assisted.

 


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DTI SETS ASIDE BUDGET FOR LRED UPSCALING IN LUZON AND MINDANAO

“The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has earmarked PhP 8 Million in 2012 and PhP 13 Million in 2013 to promote competitiveness of local government units (LGUs) in Luzon and Mindanao through the Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) approach.”

Acknowledging the success of the LRED approach that the DTI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) implemented jointly with 84 LGUs in the Visayas for the past eight years, DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz said that the department is intensifying the upscaling of LRED in Luzon and Mindanao to make the business environment more favourable for MSMEs nationwide.

In a DTI and GIZ survey conducted recently, it was established that LRED contributed to the rise in the competitiveness index of 71% of LGUs surveyed in the Visayas. “This development, when replicated more broadly across the country, can have greater positive impact in the now improving Philippine competitiveness ranking globally”, says Lorenzo Templonuevo, GIZ PSP SMEDSEP Senior Adviser. 

LRED is a participative process by which stakeholders from both public and private sectors are mobilized to become partners in a joint effort to improve the economy of a locality and increase its competitiveness. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The LRED process invites the private sector to voice their concerns and offer advice in the LGU’s legislative processes to make policy work for businesses, Templonuevo explains. “LRED is a major step towards generating jobs, business enterprises and revenues for the LGUs.”

In 2003, The Philippine government, in partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany, initiated a private sector promotion program to create a more favourable business environment for MSMEs in the Visayas. In time this program became popularly known as PSP SMEDSEP.

On its last phase in 2012, a closing event for the PSP SMEDSEP will be held on October 24 at the Radisson Blu Hotel to give recognition to the DTI and GIZ partnership in the implementation of the highly successful MSME development program.

The PSP SMEDSEP closing activity will also feature the soft launch of the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Philippines Project.

Usec Cruz says that many approaches and themes that GIZ shared with DTI have already been mainstreamed in the Visayas and are now being upscaled to the rest of the country through cooperation with other development partners.

Templonuevo reveals that the DTI and SMEDSEP have also worked together in other development initiatives such as the simplification of business registration process, cashflow based lending, private sector provision of business development services and promotion of value chains.

SMEDSEP contributes to the efforts of the Philippine government to improve the framework conditions for private sector development in the country. It is implemented in partnership with the DTI at the national, regional and provincial levels on behalf of the Philippine government and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

At the National level, PSP SMEDSEP’s advisory service helped shape the 2011 to 2016 National Strategy for MSME Development which has been adopted by the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino Administration.

GIZ is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations owned by the German Government. For 30 years, it has been providing forward looking contributions to political, economic, ecological and social development in partner countries.

GIZ supports reform and change processes in an increasingly globalized world, often working under difficult conditions. Its major approach to facilitate change is promoting capacity development of people and partner organizations as well as improving institutions and frame conditions in partner countries. The joint projects and programs are outcome and impact oriented and contributes towards socioeconomic progress.


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DTI accepts requests from companies to inspect motorcycle helmets of employees

Companies in Central Visayas can now submit to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial offices a request for inspection of their employees’ motorcycle helmets to be done at their establishment.

All requests for inspection of motorcycle helmets may be submitted to the following provincial offices: BOHOL PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 2F FCB Bldg., CPG Ave., Tagbilaran City, Tel. # (63) 038-501-8828; CEBU PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 3F LDM Bldg., M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cor.Legaspi Street, Cebu City, Tel. # (63)(032) 412-1863 / 253-2631; NEGROS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL OFFICE, 2F Uymatiao Bldg., San Jose Street. Dumaguete City, Tel. # (63)(035) 422-5509; SIQUIJOR PROVINCIAL OFFICE, Chan She Bldg., Legaspi Street, Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor, Tel. # (63)035-480-8241.

Deadline for submission of requests for inspection of motorcycle helmets for private companies in Central Visayas is on September 30, 2012.

DTI decided to accommodate requests of private companies in order to facilitate inspection of helmets and issuance of ICC stickers to end-users.

 
To recall, Congress promulgated Republic Act 10054 otherwise known as Motorcycle Helmet Act in 2009 requiring all motorcycle riders, including drivers and back riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets or those that have a PS license or ICC mark at all times while driving, whether long or short drives, in any type of road and highway.  


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DTI 7 Performance Magazine Kalampusan 1st Semester 2012

Kalampusan (Cebuano for success) is a semi-annual performance magazine of DTI Central Visayas. The electronic mag may be accessed at the following address:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5JTgH6qJiL_ZkVITGZjZmFIRlU

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CENTRAL VISAYAS SHOWCASES GREEN PRODUCTS DURING TRADE EXPO ON JULY 25-29

More than 80 Filipino exhibitors will participate in the 2012 Sandugo Regional Trade Expo at the Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol on July 25-29.

The trade fair banners the theme “Greening Products, Winning Markets” and will feature innovative creations from MSMEs in Central Visayas as well as other neighboring provinces of the region.

A major highlight of the trade expo will be the special settings which will feature three different perspectives – Green Technologies for Tourism, the Raffia Country Branding Program of DOST and a Showcase of Crafts and Processed Food in the region. Visayas.

Unique products in Central Visayas, including those under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines that make use of indigenous raw materials and local ingenuity, will  also be highlighted.  Local organic produce will be displayed as well.

Region 7 producers will be presenting world-class quality prototypes of their work after a series of trainings and one-on–one consultations with expert designers.

Side activities of the trade fair will include a Green Forum on July 26 and an MSME Caravan on July 27, both of which will be held at Metro Centre in Tagbilaran City. 

National and international buyers are also expected to be present during the fair, including exporters, buying agents, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers and subcontractors.

Booths will also be set up at the Island City Mall to display the wealth of natural wonders and the related adventure and fun activities that are available for tourists and visitors who wish to explore the destinations on the rise.

The Philippine government is currently encouraging economic growth with an emphasis on environmental and social concerns. Green growth in the Philippines is important because risks to development are rising as growth continues to erode natural capital. Adopting green growth is a worthwhile venture for the Philippines because this enhances opportunities for everyone most especially the poor to participate more fully in society and thus improving their quality of life.

The OTOP, another program of the  Philippine government, is all about developing local skills, using indigenous materials and promoting entrepreneurship and partnership.




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DTI RELEASES A LIST OF BRANDS OF HELMET ISSUED THE ICC MARK

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas Office (DTI-7) recently

 released to the media a list of helmet brands issued the ICC Mark by the 

agency.

To recall, Congress promulgated Republic Act 10054 otherwise known as 

Motorcycle Helmet Act in 2009 requiring all motorcycle riders, including drivers 

and back riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets or those that 

have a PS license or ICC mark at all times while driving, whether long or 

short drives, in any type of road and highway. 

The DTI, through the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), is tasked to conduct 

a mandatory testing of all manufactured and imported motorcycle helmets in the 

Philippines and shall issue periodically a list of motorcycle helmet manufacturers 

and importers and the brands which pass the standards of the BPS to be 

published in a newspaper of general circulation or in its website.

The BPS has issued an ICC Mark to the following brands of helmet as of 

2009-2012: 2, AGV, AINON, AM, AXA, BEN-2, BIO / H, CABERG, CARTING, 

GDR, GPX, HF, HJC, HNJ, HONGYING BIO, HPH, INDEX, KBC, KOR, LEV3, 

MRC, NEXX, NOLAN, POSH, POWERCYCLE, SHOEI, SNELL, SOL, 

SPACE CROWN, SPYDER, TANKED, TRANSCYCLE, VCAN, VOLTZ, XPOT, 

EXSOL, YAMAHA, YEMA, ZEBRA, ZEUS. 

This list can be found at the BPS Portal 

- http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph/local-databases/cat_view/46-local-database/77-product-certification.html 

Any person caught not wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet 
and those who use, sell and distribute substandard motorcycle helmets shall be penalized according to law.





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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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