Kalampusan 2nd Quarter 2013

KALAMPUSAN
DTI Central Visayas Performance Magazine 2nd Quarter 2013

Team Synergy
Enhanced collaboration among provincial and regional team members has led them to discover the tremendous power of authentic synergistic activities.
Worth noting is the joint intellectual effort among the staff to develop systems for client and document tracking and set-up a shared database. With the opening of classes, the DTI provincial offices also partnered with local commercial establishments to organize Diskwento Caravans across the region to supply students with cheaper school supplies, school bags, shoes and uniforms before classes start. Focus Group Discussions for the development of industries under the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP) and the National Cluster Priorities Program of the Philippine Government were conducted regionwide.

In this issue

Diskwento Caravans News Bites OTOP Store Cebu in IFEX Philippines 2013 Shared Service Facilities Challenges and Opportunities in SME Upgrading in the Philippines

http://youtu.be/ugxHkK6fjCg

Creating a system for client tracking to increase work efficiency

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Diskwento Caravan in Bayawan, Negros Oriental

Video Cliplets now in our e-mag!

Have you noticed that cellular phones today sport features that we used to find only in specialized gadgets ? Take for example the phones video application. This apps quality keeps improving with each new cellphone upgrade that it probably could replace traditional equipment for video recording in the future. Currently, our cellphone app is good enough to record cliplets of our regular activities. Pragmatism has made video cliplets using cellular phones popular with netizens along with lifelogging, the practice of recording images of a persons entire life. Raw video cliplets run between 10 to 20 seconds. The aim of having video cliplets is to capture the ambiance or atmosphere of an activity, something which cannot be achieved by photographs. Video cliplets are unedited based on the fact that not everyone has the time nor the skill to edit a professional looking video. Starting this quarter, our e-magazine will provide a seamless integration of text, audio, videos and photos thereby creating for users of mobile devices a more engaging reading experience. You can view cliplets by clicking on the video icon or by copying the URL address and pasting it in a new window.

Diskwento Caravan in Bayawan

Consumers enjoyed a bonanza of discounts on basic commodities and school supplies as Diskwento Caravans were deployed all over Central Visayas in the second quarter of the year. In Negros Oriental, DTI Provincial Director Javier Fortunato Jr. and Mayor Rene Gaudiel lead the 2-day roving Diskwento Caravan in Bayawan City Gymnasium on May 31 and June 1. The event became like a family affair as parents and children shopped for school supplies. Breakfast and baon products such as milk, coffee, breakfast meals, hotdogs, canned goods, toiletries, laundry soap, and NFA rice were on sale. Big discounts were given to consumers and retailers who purchased items in bulk. There were a total of nine producers, distributors and retailers who participated in the caravan Lee Super Plaza, Island Merchants Corporation (distributor of Nestle products), PD 888 Distributors (distributor of Colgate Palmolive products), Chiara and Hannah Marketing (distributor of Virginia Foods products), FA Nepan Sales Inc.(distributor of Unilever products), Macro Distributors Inc. (distributor of Procter and Gamble products), Emcor Inc.- Bayawan Branch, National Food Authority, and Joses Budbud Delights. Apart from the opportunity to avail of low-priced items, consumers also enjoyed the perks of being able to take part in the Raffle Every Hour, giving them a chance to bring home gift packs. Six gift packs were given every hour, for a total of 96 packs during the entire duration of the caravan. Its Gimmick Time! and Wais nga Konsyumer were side activities conducted for the purpose of boosting awareness on consumer rights and give participating distributors a chance to promote their respective products through fun and games. Not only did consumers enjoy a shopping spree, they were also treated to a free haircut and massage courtesy of the 302 Infantry Brigade Community Relations team. A total of 117 school children and 66 parents benefited from the aforementioned services. The 2-day Diskwento Caravan garnered sales of Php970,167.74 and enticed 3,285 satisfied consumers. Success of the Diskwento Caravan in Bayawan City was made possible with the joint efforts of the DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office, LGU Bayawan City, the 302 Infantry Brigade of Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City under the supervision of Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, and the officers from the Centers for Consumer Welfare of Canlaon City, Guihulngan City, Manjuyod, Bais City, Tanjay City, Sta. Catalina, and Basay. http://kalampusan.weebly.com/

Taking a video cliplet using a cellphone

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NATIONAL TOURISM COORDINATORS WORKSHOP IN BOHOL

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held its first DTI Tourism Coordinators Workshop on April 17-18 in Panglao Island, Bohol. The move is in line with the crafting of DTIs regional tourism roadmaps through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. Coordinators are expected to create a profile of the tourism sector and how DTI can support its growth by providing assistance to SMEs and in the management of destinations. Bohol Provincial Director Maria Elena Arbon, the National Tourism Coordinator for DTI, led 15 regions in developing their own roadmaps for integration into the DTI National Tourism Roadmap. Around 30 participants attended the two-day workshop which was held at the Alona Kew White Beach Resort in Panglao. GIZ ProGED Program Manager Dr. Volker Steigerwald, who supports greening the tourism value chains in the regions, joined the activity. GIZ technical experts Rita Pilarca, Miriam Bacalso and Nanda Ritsma moderated the workshop.

Over 100 delegates participated during the ICT/BPO Conference in Cebu held on June 04 and 05 at the Radisson Blu Hotel . Attended by international experts in the industry, this years event discussed issues, benchmarks and trends in the ICT and BPO industry. Moreover, the conference was a convergence of opportunities and information among established and emerging ICT &BPO hubs in the country. Adding to this exciting conference was an exposition showcasing the ICT &BPO industry and its support ecosystem.

ICT/BPO Conference

http://youtu.be/k7s9nxur8iQ

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NEWS BITES

DTI OFFICIALS PARTICIPATE IN APEC WORKSHOP

In line with its human security agenda, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) organized a workshop on Developing Governments Capacity to Promote and Facilitate the Effective Use of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for Disaster Resiliency on May 9 - 10, 2013 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Officials from six APEC economies, China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam gathered for this two-day workshop meant to improve their capacity to promote/facilitate BCP among local SMEs following disasters, During the workshop, barriers to the effective promotion of business continuity planning in economies were identified. Knowing these obstacles have led participants to develop effective action plans which they will implement upon their return home. A business continuity handbook, produced by Australian emergency management experts in collaboration with other experts from the region, was given during the workshop to assist officials in developing their own training schemes and programs for industry leaders. Among the active participants during the workshop were officials from the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines, namely: RD Marizon Loreto of Davao Oriental, DC Helen Manila of Bicol Regional Office, and DC Angeline Gonzales of Negros Oriental Provincial Office, The presentation of the Philippine Action Plan was lauded for its simple format, proposed strategies and doable achttp://kalampusan.weebly.com/ Enabling Business Empowering Consumers 4 tivities which served as good reference for other economies. To recall, APEC's Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) was first established as APEC's Task Force for Emergency Preparedness (TFEP) by APEC Senior Officials in 2005. In 2009, APEC Leaders reaffirmed the importance of enhancing human security and reducing the threat of disruptions to business and trade in the AsiaPacific region. Recognizing the importance of its work, the TFEP was upgraded in status to a working group. Now, the EPWG continues to play a constructive role in enabling the region to better prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters by helping to reduce the risk of disasters and building business and community resilience. By sharing expertise and collaborating on emergency preparedness issues, APEC members strengthen their capacity to mitigate emergencies and disasters.

FOR COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS

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DTI & GIZ HOLD GREEN FINANCING FORUM

The Department of Trade and Industry - Bohol Provincial Office, in coordination with the German International Cooperation (GIZ), mounted a Green Financing Forum at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City. Held on April 29, 2013, the forum is one of the key activities under the Promotion of Green Economic Development program or ProGED, a three-year DTI-GIZ partnership program which aims to green the tourism value chains of the pilot provinces of Cebu and Bohol. Dr. Wolfram Hiemann, head of the ProGED Green Mission in

the Philippines, shared valuable inputs on Green Finance as well as its positive future impacts once SMEs, businesses and offices implement green practices. Green financing windows were presented by BPI Globe BanKo, DBP and Land Bank Tagbilaran Business Center. Also of interest were the SME financing windows of the Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SBCorp) and PhilExim. Participants to the forum included representatives from Bohol tourism establishments, government agencies and private sector institutions.

FGD ON RUBBER INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

Stakeholders of the rubber industry sector in Negros Oriental actively participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Value Chain Analysis moderated by the DTI provincial office on May 28 and 29 in Bayawan City. The FGD focused on the development of the Rubber Industry in Negros Oriental. GIZ Local Consultant Ma. Theresa Quijano moderated the discussion. GIZ or the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit is a German Technical Agency. It is an experienced service provider and assists the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation. It offers demand-driven, tailor-made and effective services for sustainable development. The rubber industry in Negros Oriental currently has around 800 farmers cultivating a total of 600 hectares of land in the province and producing around 4.5MT of rubber lumps. Planned expansion for the industry covers the towns of Basay, Mabinay, Tanjay and Ayungon.

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Green Forum

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29.6 M SSF funds ready for release in Central Visayas

Small business enterprises and cooperatives in Central Visayas will soon be able to avail of the benefits of Shared Service Facilities (SSFs) as SSF funds have been readied for release. Out of the Php 29.6 Million given to region 7, Php 7.7 Million have been set aside for Bohol province. According to the Department of Trade and Industry 7 (DTI) regional director Asteria Caberte, there are several SSFs that have been approved for funding in Bohol such as food processing facilities in Carmen, Anda, Balilihan, Maribojoc and Sevilla; Calamay production facilities in Jagna and Alburquerque; fine jewelry facility in Dauis; meat processing facility in Catigbian; Raffia Competitiveness and Productivity Enhancement facilities in Tubigon, Danao, Inabanga and Catigbian; processing facilities for ginger based-products in Loboc. To be launched in July this year are Bohols shared facilities for ginger -based products and meat processing facilities. Also to be launched within the same month are Siquijors Food Processing and Labelling Center, Enhancement of the Community-based Larena Wood Craft Industry and facility for Bayong Production, Caberte added Caberte said that a total of Php 29.584 Million funds have been approved by the government for the establishment of Shared Service Facilities meant to benefit some 2,719 entrepreneurs and to generate 2,452 jobs in Central Visayas. A Shared Service Facility (SSF) is a project that aims to improve the quality and productivity of micronenterprises and SMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters through the provision of processing equipment for the common use of the Microenterprises and SMEs.

SANDUGO TRADE EXPO 2013 on July 24-28

DTI Central Visayas is currently in the thick of preparations for the Sandugo Trade Expo, an annual regional trade fair that showcases the best products of MSMEs in the region. Regional Director Asteria Caberte revealed that this years Sandugo Trade Expo on July 24 to 28 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City will have as theme Greening Products and Services, Winning Markets. This is in support of the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED), a joint project of the DTI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) , a German Technical Agency. DTI encourages more MSMEs to participate in the trade fair. Interested parties may call or visit the DTI regional and provincial offices : BOHOL PROVIN-

CIAL 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) 4121863 / 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; REGIONAL OFFICE, 3rd Flr, WDC Bldg.,Osmena Boulevard, cor. P. Burgos, Cebu City, Tel. # (63)(032) 255-0036 / 255-0037 ProGED is a project that addresses climate change and environmental threats from the perspective of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines. DTI recognizes the strong link between the green development path and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises

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BAHRR UNDERGOES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING WORKSHOP

The Bohol Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts (BAHRR) underwent a Workforce Development Planning Workshop last May 10, 2013 to prioritize training requirements of its member establishments in Bohol. The workshop was supported by the PADAYON Bohol Marine Triangle Management Council and LGSPLED in partnership with the Provincial Economic Transformation Team (PETT), where DTI sits as member. The objective of the workshop was to improve local human resource knowledge, skills and increase awareness on job placement and self employment. It also served to develop and implement pilot programs for matching the immediate skills requirements of tourism establishments in the PADAYON cluster (Panglao, Dauis, Baclayon) and in other neighboring tourism areas in Bohol. The partnership between LGSP and BAHRR was developed with the assistance of DTI-Bohol, as it is the goal of DTI to put together the various upgrading strategies in the different functions across the Tourism Value Chain. Under this Workforce Development Program, BAHRR will be LGSP-LEDs lead institution-

al partner who will implement the training component with support from DTI, DILG and other PETT member agencies. The output of the workshop was a prioritized list of training requirements of BAHRR Member companies. These are as follows: Food Safety, Waiter Services, Commercial Cooking and Culinary Arts, Management and Supervisory Skills, Housekeeping and Front Office Services, Massage Therapy, Customer Services, Environmental Management Services, Flower Arrangement, Bartending, Inventory Management and Marketing. In attendance during the workshop were BAHRR member establishments and representatives from the Bohol Employment Placement Office (BEPO), Bohol Investment Promotions Center (BIPC), Bohol Tourism Office (BTO), Baclayon Environmental Association (BEA), the Provincial Tourism Council, DOLE, DOT, DILG and DTI. Workshop facilitator was GIZ-ProGED Technical Consultant Nanda Ritsma. She was ably assisted by Maria Teresa Tay, GIZ EFK for DTI-Bohol.

BISU DESIGNERS WIN IN MANILA FAME

Bohol Island State Universitys first batch of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design students won the Best Furniture Design award for the Cebu Furniture Industry Foundations (CFIFs) products that were exhibited in the recently held international trade show Manila FAME (Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange). Floriano Barrete won the Best Student Design for Home Accessory for his Adianez floor lamp, while Niel Clark Golosino won the Best Student Design for Furniture for his Zagi console table. Both students are working as On-the-Job Trainees (OJTs) of the Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation (CFIF) member companies in Cebu.

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Zagi Console Table

In 2008, DTI signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Bohol Island State University (BISU) and GTZ (now GIZ) to develop the university as a provider of quality designers through the offering of a course on Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (BSID). This was in response to the regions need for qualified industrial designers after majority of Philippine designers opted to work in other countries.

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DTI warns public on the use of canister filled with LPG

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warns the public of the rampant unsafe practice of the use of butane canisters as containers for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The DTI cautions that these canisters are not intended and designed for LPG and therefore may pose danger to users and households. Based on the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 03 -01:2000, only welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of 1 liter to 150 liters are intended for storage and transport of LPG. Butane canisters are not compliant with quality and safety requirements for LPG refill. As such, it may leak and emit hazardous gas and cause explosion and fire, thus posing danger. The DTI urges the public to report any information on the said unsafe practice at DTI Direct 751.3330 or at the nearest DTI Regional/ Provincial Office.
http://youtu.be/8jGshnT3rPk

NEWS BITES

2013 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR PHILIPPINES

A press briefing on the 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year Award was conducted by SGV & Co. on April 26, 2013 at the SGV office, Insular Life Building, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City . This is part of SGV's annual roadshow to encourage nominations throughout the country. The following award categories were announced: Master Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Social Entrepreneur and Woman Entrepreneur. The Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines was launched in 2003 by the SGV Foundation, Inc. It has since become an anticipated business recognition program of its kind in the country. The program aims to identify, acknowledge and encourage entrepreneurial business people who, through their passion, hard work and dedication, help boost our economy, underpin our future and create wealth and employment for so many persons.

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DISKWENTO CARAVANS IN CEBU

Diskwento Caravans were deployed in Dalaguete on June 1-2 and in Badian, Cebu on June 11-12. this year

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FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION WITH BANANA GROWERS AND TRADERS IN PAMPLONA

With the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and LGU of Pamplona, DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office arranged a focus group discussion (FGD) for the Pamplona banana growers and traders on April 26. The FGD was meant to gather inputs from banana planters and traders with regards to the development of the banana industry in Pamplona. Discussions dealt, among others, on ways that small farmers can supply the daily requirements of Orient Foods Industry for 50 tons of Saba and Cavendish bananas, on how cooperatives can go into delivering semi-processed bananas and on availing of the firstfrying facility at La libertad. GIZ local consultant Maria Theresa Quijano facilitated the FGD which was attended by around 40 residents from the municipality of Pamplona.

BAMBOO PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT TRAINING

A Bamboo Propagation and Nursery Management training was conducted on March 21-22 for 35 entrepreneurs of Valencia, Negros Oriental. This activity was facilitated by Cesar Alberio of the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and organized by the Department of Agriculture and LGU Valencia, in cooperation with the DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office. . During the training / workshop, participants expressed their desire to increase the area for bamboo plantation to around 600 hectares to supply the need of a proposed factory or processing center. They also plan to propagate the use of bamboo for day care centers, training centers and barangay hall, among others. They hope that, in a future tie-up with the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, the industry will further develop and secure a larger contribution to the provincial economy. Considering that the Bamboo Development Council in Negros Oriental has been advocating on Greening business, they also plan to lure more SMEs to go into bamboo production and processing. At present, there are at least 250 farmers, traders and processors under the provincial bamboo industry spread across 6 towns of Negros Oriental including Siaton, Zamboanguita, Dauin, Valencia, Bacong and Sibulan. Around 600 hectares have already been planted with bamboo plants. Survey indicates that there are 47,124 clumps, 141,372 stands and 392 bamboo stems harvested in Negros Oriental annually.

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TALKS@BLOGS SEMINAR WORKSHOP IN TAGBILARAN

The Bohol ICT Council in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Bohol Provincial Government and the Municipality of Catigbian recently facilitated the Talks@Blogs Seminar Workshop at the Arabelle Suites, Tagbilaran City last May 24, 2013. The seminar was the first step towards getting together bloggers and IT enthusiasts from all over the province to collaborate and work together to promote Bohol as a tourism and investment destination in the country and the rest of the world. More than one hundred participants from the academe, private and government sectors as well as local IT companies were there to listen to the speakers led by Mr. Ruben Licera, president of the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc., who shared valuable inputs, learnings and experiences in their trade. Celebrity TV host, singer, composer and actor Abby Asistio was also present to share her learnings and experiences and how blogging and social media network has helped promote her advocacy on Alopecia Awareness. The blogging event is timely because, just recently, Tagbilaran City has been awarded by the Business Outsourcing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), the Call Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) and the DOST-ICT Office as a next wave city in the country. As such, Bohol is already recognized as the next investment destination for ICT in the Philippines, being closer to Cebu, said Lea Tirol-Magno, chair of the Bohol ICT Council. The event was sponsored by BlueWater Resort Panglao, Total Woodkraft, Arabelle Suites, Bohol Bee Farm, Dalareich Tableya and the Cebu Bloggers Society.

Tagbilaran City has been awarded by the BPAP, the CCAP and the DOST ICT Office as a next wave city in the country.

NEWS BITES

In celebration of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) last June 14, the DTI-Cebu Provincial Office organized the 2nd CEBU CREATIVE INDUSTRIES SUMMIT at SM Cinema 1 in SM City Cebu. This event was made possible through the DTIs close coordination with lead CBM organizer Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and institutional partner Creative Cebu Council.

Speakers during the activity included the following: Dr. Joe Adam Fox, planning lead for Google Global Creative Team at Google in London, UK; international designer Kenneth Cobonpue; architect Buck Richnold Sia, president of the Creative Cebu Council; Mr. Jason Buensalido, principal architect of Buensalida+Architects; graphic designer PJ Ong, art director of Inodoro Design Studio; musician Lorenzo Ninal, frontman of the band Missing Filemon; filmmaker Joel Ruiz, cofounder and resident producer/ director of Arkeofilms; Ms. Reese Fernandez, founding partner and president of Rags 2 Riches, Inc.; Mr. Lloyd Tronco, executive director of the Philippine Center for Outof-Home Media Research and Science; Mr. Butch Carungay, creative director of District32 at MactanCebu International Airport; Mr. Zen

Pastoriza, co-chairman of CBM 2013 Cebu Creative Industries Summit and Ms. April Dequito, president/ executive director of the Cebu International Documentary Film Festival (CIDFF) Initiative. The Cebu Creative Industries Summit is a gathering of industry players, stakeholders, partners and development agencies to recognize, promote and support the Creative Industries as a strategy for increasing economic growth and global competitiveness of enterprises. The creative industries cover a broad and diverse spectrum in industry clusters. Creativity and innovation provide the competitive edge to local products and services.

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Training on Webpage Content Management under the Regional Development Council Central Visayas (RDC 7) website was conducted on May 31 at the conference room of the National Economic Development Authority Region 7.

RDC WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING

NEWS BITES

PLDT BUSINESS FORUM IN TAGBILARAN

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Inc. recently held a Business Forum in Tagbilaran City to update Boholano stakeholders on new developments from the telecommunications company for the province of Bohol. Held last May 22, 2013 at the Bohol Tropics Resort, the forum was attended by representatives from the local hotel industry, chamber of commerce and industry, tourism council, ICT council, government offices, the academe and some other private sector institutions. Mr. Nilo Bantilan, business head of the PLDT Visayas and Mindanao Exchanges was there to present PLDTs plans for Bohol, in response to clamors from local stakeholders and the growing demand for improved telecommunications service for the province. Mr. Bantilan said that PLDT has already started putting up two fiber optic submarine cables to Bohol: one coming from Cebu to the Municipality of Clarin, while another coming from Cagayan de Oro to the Municipality of Garcia-Hernandez. He further said that based on PLDTs program of works, this fiber optic connection is expected to be finished by the first quarter of 2014. With Tagbilaran recently awarded as the next New Wave City in the country, PLDTs move to connect Bohol to the national fiber optic backbone is a welcome development as Bohol opens its doors to investments in the IT industry. Mr. Bantilan added that PLDT is capable to provide up to a maximum of 10 gigabytes of internet bandwidth, depending on the demand of IT locators. He then encouraged stakeholders and the provincial government to work hand in hand in making Bohol an excellent IT location in the country.

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TOURISM INDUSTRY FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

In accord with the objectives of the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP), the Department of Trade and Industry Negros Provincial Office (DTI-NOPO) organized a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) for the following local tourism industry players at the Sidlakang Negros Conference Hall: Enablers and Government Sector (April 16), Accommodations Sector (May 2), Restaurant/Food and Beverages Sector (May 3), Transport Sector (May 8), Travel and Tour Sector/ Media and Promotions (May 16), Activities, Sports, and Adventure Sector (May 17), Tourism Site Operator Sector (May 30), Pasalubong/ Souvenir/ Handicraft Sector (May 31).
Speakers during the FGDs were Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Rowena Montecillo, DOT staff assistant Judy Quiachon, Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) president Edward Du, Provincial tourism officer Mylae Abellana and Ms. Olivette Somido of DTI NOPO. GIZ consultants Nanda Ritsma and Maria Theresa Quijano acted as moderators for the FGDs. NICCEP is a development and promotion strategy under the Philippine Development Plan 20112016 in helping achieve its vision of a globally- competitive and innovative industry and services sector that contributes significantly to inclusive growth and employment generation. It supports the Presidents Social Contract particularly in the creation of conditions conducive to the growth and competitiveness of private businesses, big, medium and small. This is also corollary to the thrust to provide the "Big Push" for SMEs to enable them to meet those challenges by providing them access to market and finance. Using the industry cluster approach, DTI can build alliances with relevant agencies and institutions to develop competitive and innovative SMEs, implement a program for productivity and efficiency and create conducive business enabling environment.

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E-COMMERCE BOOT CAMP IN TAGBILARAN

The Bohol ICT Council, in partnership with DigitalFilipino.com, sponsored the first eCommerce Boot Camp at JJ's Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City. The seminar that was held last April 26, 2013 was attended by close to 20 private business and government sector representatives in the province. The boot camp was a perfect way to encourage online businesses and those hoping to start their own online business to become aware of the salient points of the eCommerce Law. It also encouraged the participants to be open to the many possibilities of online business especially with the growing trend on internet usage. As it is, the eCommerce Law (RA 8792), is enacted to protect the interest of businesses and individuals who engage in online businesses and transactions by providing them with safety nets especially in the exchange or carriage of goods and services. Ms. Janet Toral, owner of DigitalFilipino.com and an eCommerce advocate, was the resource person during the boot camp.

DISKWENTO CARAVAN IN BATUAN

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bohol organized a one-day Diskwento Caravan in Batuan, Bohol on June 2 in partnership with the 802nd Special Forces Battalion and the Local Government Unit of Batuan, Bohol. The activity was DTI Bohols response to the departments target of 29 Diskwento Caravans Balik Eskwela Edition, and to provide cheaper school supplies, school bags, shoes and uniforms before classes start in June. Leonardo Distributors Inc., Marcela Foods and the Nestle Philippines, Inc. were among those that joined the caravan at the Batuan Gymnasium on the said date. Leonardo Distributors, Inc. sold low priced school supplies like notebooks, pad papers, ball pens, shoes, bags, school uniforms and other basic necessities and prime commodities. Marcela Foods offered fresh dressed chickens while Nestle Phils., Inc. sold basic commodities such as coffee, milk, cereals and other Nestle products at distributors prices. Several consumers won prizes on grocery items during the consumer time hourly raffle draw. School children also enjoyed a free haircut from members of the 802nd Special Forces Battalion.

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PHOTO ALBUM

DTI presented to the Pakistan delegation and the USAID staff the agencys services to local MSMEs on May 30 at the DTI 7 Conference Room during the delegations courtesy call to DTI7 RD Asteria Caberte.

http://youtu.be/3CBBqpDhQ4

A briefing on the use and features of the Document Tracking System was given to all DTI RO 7 personnel on May 30 at the DTI 7 conference room.

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PHOTO ALBUM
DTI FHRAPCON 2013
DTI held a national conference for all personnel under the Finance , Human Resources, Administrative and Planning Divisions of the department at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on May 20 -23.

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DTI-BISU COLLABORATION: Designing the Future

Little has been known about this Bohol university until recently when some of its first batch of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design graduates gained recognition in this years Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange.
In the middle of 2007,the Department of Trade and Industry Bohol Provincial Office initiated a dialogue with administrators of the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT) in Tagbilaran City to discuss solutions that will help address the shortage of qualified industrial designers in the region. Rapid migration of Philippine designers who are searching for better opportunities in countries such as China and Europe has created a problem for the region known internationally for imaginative designs. Thus, with the assistance of the GIZ, a German Technical agency, through Feature Story its Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP), an agreement was reached which spelled out a collaboration mechanism which includes developing service providers under its Business Development Services component.
VIERNA TERESA C. LIGAN

actual design operations. The internship program was also the commitment of CFIF after another MOA was inked with the university to help its students by providing them with the needed industry exposure, which is a requirement of the course prior to graduation. Now, five years later, BISU has produced its first batch of BSID graduates, some of them are currently employed in CFIF member companies in Cebu. Enrolment has increased over the years and BISU administrators are happy to note that the fruits of their labor have been felt even this early. BISU is now one of the few Philippine universities offering BS in Industrial Design course. Recently, DTI and JICA through its Overseas Cooperation Volunteers support BISU in its BSID Curriculum by enhancing the experience of its students in industrial design. Under this program, BISU students are given the leverage to create and develop their own designs- by doing scaledup drawings, mock-up prototypes and then finally executing the actual prototype for evaluation by DTI and JICA. Intensive training and industry exposure has brought early success to BISU student designers. In the recent Manila FAME, BISU students garnered the Best Student Design for Furniture and Home Accessory - both awards are given to aspiring student designers in the country. The products were designed for CFIF member companies who participated in an international fair last March. Cebu CFIF members are pleased with the fact that their assistance to BISUs students have been yielded positive results. Indeed, DTI and GIZs countless endeavors to assist BISU and its students has brought benefits to all stakeholders. And true to DTIs goal, the future of industrial design now appears bright with the new wave of BISU designers paving the way for Central Visayas to gain greater national and international recognition for creative designs.

Since then, a series of meetings and consultations were conducted with DTI and GIZ which ultimately led to the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with CVSCAFT (now Bohol Island State University or BISU) administrators. The MOA defined a stronger partnership among the three institutions and made formal their commitments to assist small and medium enterprises in product development, improving market access, productivity and efficiency. With the MOA in place, DTI and GIZ did their part in making BISU one of the favored institutions of learning in the province. Preparations were then made for BISU to offer a 5-year Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design (BSID) course. Learning and benchmarking visits were conducted at La Salle St. Benilde School in Manila for BISU faculty and administrators to appreciate the value of industrial design in todays society. At the same time, capacity building of BISU faculty was conducted to prepare and equip them with the necessary skill and knowledge on the course prior to its offering in the following year. BISU successfully opened up its doors to 29 freshmen students from Bohol in 2008. In the ensuing years, internships and On-the-Job-Training programs with SMEs in Bohol and in Cebu through the Cebu Furniture and Industry Foundation, were facilitated by DTI and BISU to expose the students to

BISU students present their prototypes to Yutaka Tokushima, JICA resident volunteer designer at DTIBohol, during the evaluation of student designs under the DTI-BISU Product Development Program. (photo by DTI-Bohol)

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PHOTO ALBUM

http://youtu.be/F6ftVFCoGrg

The Roundtable Workshop on Micro and Small Enterprise Upgrading: Insights from Egypt, India and the Philippines was conducted on May 7, 2013 at Harolds Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City

A briefing on the new indicators to measure work performance of DTI personnel was conducted on June 20 and 21 at the conference room of the DTI7 office.

APEC WORKSHOP
A workshop on Developing Governments Capacity to Promote and Facilitate the Effective Use of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for Disaster Resiliency was arranged by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on May 8 - 10, 2013 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

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Tindahang Pinoy Updates

http://youtu.be/k5a9q66xo7g

VISAYAN FOOD PRODUCTS IN IFEX PHILIPPINES 2013

OTOP Store sizzles with buyers! Highlighting flavors of the Visayas, OTOP Store Tindahang Pinoy Cebu had a successful run at the International Food Exhibition Philippines 2013 held at the SMX Convention Center, Metro Manila on May 16-19.
Hojaldres, otap, rosquillos, cassava cookies, galletas, dried mango chips, coco sugar, turmeric tea, moringa tea (among others) of the Cebu store were on sale together with products of over 700 exhibitors from the Philippines and other countries. A biennial event, IFEX Philippines is the countrys premier international sourcing hub for the finest Asian food and ingredients. IFEX is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture -Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA AMAS). OTOP Store (Tindahang Pinoy) is the countrys One Town One Product showcase. OTOP Store Cebu was established by the DTI and the Cebu Gifts, Toys & Houseware Foundation, Inc. (Cebu GTH). The OTOP store provides access to local, authentic, sustainable, world class products for both the domestic and international markets.

http://youtu.be/N5vj8Osfrqk

WELCOME TO OTOP STORE CEBU

OTOP Store Cebu is located at Bridges Town Square, Plaridel Street, Barangay Alang-alang, Mandaue City.

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Tindahang Pinoy Updates

http://youtu.be/k5a9q66xo7g

Buyers enjoyed big discounts on local quality products at the OTOP Store Tindahang Pinoy Cebu as the store joined the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industrys (CCCI) GREAT CEBU SALE from June 1 to 30. OTOP Store Cebu was established by the DTI and the Cebu Gifts, Toys & Houseware Foundation, Inc. (CebuGTH). It is currently managed by the Cebu-GTH.

NATIONAL GDH ROADMAP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

A Roadmap Development Workshop was conducted by the DTI for the National Gifts, Decors & Housewares (GDH) Industry on May 30-31 at the Harolds Hotel, Cebu City. The purpose of the workshop was to get inputs from the private sector i.e. Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and the public sector on the strategic focus areas that will support the Philippine GDH Industry. The endresult was a GDH Industry Profile that will be of use to the industry in its information upgrading. The national GDH cluster champion is DTI 7 Regional Director Asteria Caberte.

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PHOTO ALBUM

Seen in these photos are Nanda Ritsma, GIZ Technical Consultant on Tourism Value Chain, and representatives from BAHRR, DOT, DILG and other member of the Provincial Economic Transformation Team.

The BAHRR planning workshop was held on May 10 in Bohol.

Mr. Lloyd Tronco, executive director of the Philippine Center for Out-of-Home Media Research and Science, discussed on the new tri-media (mobile phone, digital billboard, internet) during the 2nd Cebu Creative Industries Summit held at the SM City Cebu Cinema 1 on June 14.

E-COMMERCE BOOT CAMP

The eCommerce Boot Camp was held on April 26 at JJ's Seafood Village in Tagbilaran City.

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FACT SHEET
Shared Service Facility (SSF)
A Shared Service Facility (SSF) is a strategic complementary project that intends to increase productivity and efficiency of local MSMEs. This project entails the setting up of common service facilities or production centers for certain processes to give MSMEs access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment to accelerate their bid for competitiveness and help them graduate to the next level of operation where they can tap a wider market and be integrated in the global supply chain. The SSF enables MSMEs to leapfrog several steps in the product development and production stages for certain processes requiring equipment or machinery. It aims to improve the productivity of MSMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain through the provision of processing and/or manufacturing tools, machinery and equipment for common use by beneficiaries in the priority industry clusters. Early this year, several SSF proposals were screened by the DTI before conducting a public bidding for the supply of these machineries and equipment. DTI Central Visayas prioritized SSFs for businesses engaged in bamboo, coco coir, gifts, decors, houseware, wearables, homestyle, metalworks and processed foods. SSFs that will be launched in July this year include Meat Processing facility in Catigbian and the Ginger-Based Products facility in Loboc, Bohol. Also to be launched in the same month are Siquijors SSFs which include a Food Processing and Labelling Center, Enhancement of the Community-based Larena Wood Craft Industry and facility for Bayong Production. All SSFs are hosted either by private groups, industry associations or cooperatives.

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PHOTO ALBUM

The Client Tracking System Workshop Phase 1 was conducted on April 24 at the DTI 7 Conference Room in Cebu City. This workshop was attended by MIS staff and planning officers from DTI Cebu, Bohol and regional office.
http://youtu.be/ugxHkK6fjCg

The 1st National Tourism Coordinators Workshop was held on April 17-18, 2013 at Panglao Island, Bohol

SSF MEETING
A Shared Service Facilities (SSF) meeting with DTI 7 associates, CITC Dir. Frank Bonoan and Dir. Boy Vizmonte at the DTI-RODG Conference Room .

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PHOTO ALBUM

If youre interested in reading all issues of the DTI 7 performance magazine, visit the following website:

COCO COIR INDUSTRY DEVT PROGRAM TWG MEETING

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ABOVE: DTI Negros Oriental Provincial Office hosted the Coco Coir Industry Development Program Technical Working Group Meeting on April 25 at the DTI NOPO Conference Room. BELOW: The Board of Trustees of the Visayas Executives Council of Leaders, Inc. (VECL, Inc.) and the Visayas Resident Ombudsman Council of Leaders, Inc. (VROCL, Inc.) held the 2nd Quarter Conference on Corruption Prevention and Good Governance on May 21 at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, M. Velez Street, Guadalupe, Cebu City.

http://youtu.be/7YgH9l0D-Q0

2ND QTR CONFERENCE ON CORRUPTION PREVENTION & GOOD GOVERNANCE

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Challenges and Opportunities in MSME Upgrading in the Philippines

Based on the DTI presentation shown during a workshop conducted in Cebu by the UP ISSI and the German Development Institute on May 7, 2013

In our country, MSMEs dominate the business sector in terms of number of establishments. MSMEs comprise around 99.6% of total firms in the Philippines; 62% of employment and 35.7% of value added. Micro enterprises occupy the bulk of these businesses. Often dubbed as the backbone of the economy or the linchpin of economic development, the MSME sector is critical for investment and economic growth, job creation, local taxation, productivity enhancement, and technological innovation. The MSME sector serves as supplier and subcontractor to large enterprises and forms a strategic component of the export value chain. MSMEs also play a vital role in the economy being the entry point for entrepreneurs to build new businesses that will create wealth and employment. Despite its importance to the economy, the performance of MSMEs has remained constrained by various factors that prevent them from realizing their potentials and surviving in a highly competitive environment. These factors include high cost of doing business, uncoordinated efforts to develop a business environment, laws and policies supporting MSME development that are not fully enforced. While the poor business conditions have affected the performance and competitiveness of all enterprises, the impact is more difficult for MSMEs given their relatively small size and limited resources. Also, there is lack of infrastructure and utilities in several regions in the Philippines which are needed to promote business and investments. There are even regions that are prone to natural and man -made risks. MSMEs find difficulty in accessing available funds from financial institutions because of stringent and voluminous requirements and long processing time of loan applications. The interest rate charged is very high. SMEs find the minimum loan requirement and the short repayment period restrictive. The financial packages for MSMEs in several regions are only available in urban areas. Moreover, bank packages do not match with the needs of SMEs. Also, SMEs have limited access to information regarding the sources of funds and on how to access these. Under Access to Markets, MSMEs are not proactive in seeking new markets and responding to market needs. This is compounded by the fact that stiff competition from unregistered enterprises and cheap imports erode the SMEs market share. Limited production capacity of SMEs do not match market needs. Our SMEs have poorly packaged and labeled products.

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ni & Opportu Challenges n...2 continuatio

ties

Then there is the reality that local SMEs have limited capacity for product development and design. SMEs lack the capacity to use modern technology for marketing purposes. SMEs also lack the certification and accreditation needed to penetrate new markets. On top of that, SMEs are not pro-active in obtaining market information. To aggravate the situation, the unsteady supply and high cost of utilities reduce the productivity of SMEs. There are SMEs that lack education on productivity. They are not investing in productivity -enhancing technologies. The level of productivity of SMEs is reduced by their poor working conditions arising from non -compliance with labor laws. The production systems of our SMEs are not environment-friendly. SMEs lack the knowledge and capacity to comply with international quality standards. Vocational and technical schools do not offer learning programs that are responsive to MSME needs. What exacerbates things is the fact that our MSMEs also suffer from piracy of highly skilled workers. To address the key challenges and constraints that continue to prevent the MSME sector from realizing its full potential and boosting the countrys industrial growth, the government endeavored to come -up with the MSME Development Plan 2011-2016. The current MSME Development Plan envisions implementing measures to create an enabling business environment and provide government support not only to improve MSME access to finance and expand market access but also to strengthen MSME productivity and competitiveness. The plan is for MSMEs to grow and expand. To achieve this, four outcome portfolios are considered and worked on : access to market including market information, access to finance, productivity, efficiency and a favourable business environment conducive for these MSMEs to improve their competitiveness. Other opportunities to help the MSMEs grow are: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or having large companies integrate the micro enterprises in their CSR programs, take advantage of the gains of migration (skills, market, investments), look at the strengths of men and women and determine strategies to let MSMEs adapt to climate change or identify opportunities that MSMEs can take advantage from Climate Change. MSMEs need to know the market and where they are and what their roles are in the Value Chain of their sector. Understanding a well-defined market of products so that MSMEs will be able to define the constraints which they have to address and the opportunities of which they can take advantage ( what to and where to invest to improve their business). The MSMED Plan for 2010 to 2016 was prepared following a multi-step process of stakeholder consultations around the country. Regional consultation workshops were first conducted in 11 regions that collectively host 54% of total Philippine MSMEs. These workshops were attended by representatives from the MSME sector, business support organizations, national government agencies, LGUs, the academe, civil society and international development institutions that could provide regional and provincial level perspectives. The MSME Development Plan aims to create 2 million new and sustainable jobs by 2016 and raise the economic contribution of MSMEs to 40% of gross value added to be at par with the share of the MSME sector to GDP of other countries in the region. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) along with MSMED councils continue to work unceasingly for the improvement of the business environment in line with President Aquinos Pursuit of Inclusive Growth as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). The PDP aims to free the Philippines from its perennial condition of poverty, inequity and lagging human development considering the countrys improving conditions.

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nities & Opportu Challenges ..3 n. continuatio

Opportunities for MSME upgrading under Business Environment include streamlining of business regulatory requirements under such programs and projects as the following: Philippine Business Registry, DTI -Business Name Registration, National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), LGUs initiatives on streamlining of business registration. DTI seeks to reduce the cost of doing business by streamlining bureaucratic procedures and fostering transparency in all transactions, including the procurement of goods and services by government agencies. The agency has implemented several initiatives to simplify and drastically reduce business name registration in the country within 15 minutes. Under Access to Finance, MSMEs have three (3) major sources of financing, namely equity (own money), formal lending mechanisms (bank lending including government-initiated funding support) and informal lending mechanisms (loans from relatives, friends and loan sharks). Government programs, activities and projects under the Access to Finance include: The Microfinance Program which caters to the financing needs of entrepreneurs who fall within the poverty threshold. ASENSO Program is anchored on the belief that supporting SMEs in many aspects will translate into a healthier economy. ASENSO aims to lower the effective cost of borrowing by SMEs and liberalize requirements, create a wider financing system that will give SMEs better access to short and long-term funds and standardize lending procedures. Under the program, SMEs get the necessary assistance not only in terms of financing but likewise through market exposure, human resource training and product development. RA 6977 as amended by RA 8289 and further amended by RA 9501 otherwise known as the amended Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises paves the way for increased lending of the banking sector to MSMEs. The law provides that all public and lending institutions are mandated to set aside at least 8% of their total loan portfolio for micro and small enterprises and at least 2% of their total loan portfolio for medium enterprises. RA 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act support the establishment of micro enterprises by providing incentives and benefits. This law facilitates the registration of micro enterprises and exempts them from paying tax for income arising from the operations of the enterprise and from the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law. Under the law, GFIs are mandated to set up a special credit window that will service the financing needs of BMBEs. The Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2010 amended Presidential Decree 717 or the Agri-Agra Law facilitates increased credit to farmers and spur productivity. The new law mandates banks to lend 25% of their loanable funds to the agriculture sector 15% for agriculture stakeholders and 10% for agrarian reform beneficiaries. The law revised the alternative modes of compliance to investments that directly benefit small farmers, fishermen and their cooperatives. The DTI implements national, regional, sectoral as well as international trade fairs to increase the exposure of SME

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nities & Opportu Challenges ge of pa st n...4 (la continuatio n) presentatio

products in domestic and foreign markets, and to improve the distribution of SME products among and between the local manufacturing and trade sectors. Product Development and Design Services are conducted which include Technology Upgrading Workshops, Design and Technical Information, Design Library and conduct of design competition. Export Pathways Program RIPPLES, which focuses on export assistance by providing interventions at every stage of an exporters growth, utilizes the Value Chain Approach, Industry Clustering, and Sub-contracting to arrive at a holistic export development program, and reinforces the capacity enhancement component called Regional Interactive Platform for Philippine Exports (RIPPLES). DTI also creates business partnerships and market access for SMEs through the following activities, projects and programs: the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP), BuyerSeller Matching, Domestic/Foreign Trade Facilitation and the OTOP Store. There is the P-TRACE which aims to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine agricultural and fishery products, namely banana, pineapple, coconut, tuna, and mango. The project aims to strengthen the revenue generation of these products through traceability regimes that seals for compliance with international standards and regulations for product quality and consumers health protection. Information Sessions on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) increases FTA utilization rate. The Philippines is participating in these FTAs to maintain competitiveness, promote crossborder complementation, and sustain inflow of investments. To increase productivity and efficiency, there are Shared Service Facilities (SSFs) which are strategic complements to balance off existing efforts/programs such as the NICCEP to achieve inclusive growth as envisioned by the current administration. It entails the setting up of common service facilities or production centers for certain processes to give MSMEs access to better technology and more sophisticated equipment to accelerate their bid for competitiveness and help them graduate to a next level of operation where they can tap a wider market and be integrated in the global supply chain. The SSF enable the MSMEs to leapfrog several steps in the product development and production stages for certain processes requiring equipment or machinery. It aims to improve the quality and productivity of MSMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain through the provi-

sion of processing and/or manufacturing tools, machinery and equipment for common use by beneficiaries in the priority industry clusters nationwide. DTI has recently entered into a partnership with the German technical agency GIZ to implement the Promotion of Green Economic Development program or ProGED. DTI recognizes the strong link between the green development path and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises. DTI also conducts an annual SME Roving Academy nationwide to bring together SME programs and services of national government agencies and private institutions to assist SMEs in the provinces in terms of product design, costing/pricing, packaging, labeling and food safety. MSMEs, particularly micro enterprises, have unique requirements which affect their willingness to engage in innovative activities, and to avail of incentives meant to assist them in upgrading not only their technological, but also their overall operational, capabilities. These unique requirements are gradually recognized by our policymakers, as well as national government agencies. Based on observation, setting-up the appropriate legal framework, providing the physical infrastructure and social infrastructure are important in upgrading our MSMEs. All these, however, require a sustained effort in nurturing trust and in fostering the spirit of collaboration among government, educational and training institutions, financial institutions, and the MSMEs themselves.

GREEN DEVELOPMENT
DTI recognizes the strong link between the green development path and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Philippines
REGIONAL OFFICE Regional Director ASTERIA C. CABERTE 3rd Flr, WDC Bldg.,Osmena Boulevard, cor. P.Burgos, Cebu City Tel. # (63)(032) 255-0036 / 255-0037 Fax # (63)(032) 253-7465 email: dti_7@yahoo.com / dticentralvisayas@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/dtiregion7 http://dti7updates.tumblr.com/ REGIONAL OFFICE DIVISIONS Business Development Division Victoria Diaz, Chief Tel. Nos. 2550036 / 412-1989 / 412-1868 loc. 601 e-mail: bdd.dtiro7@gmail.com Consumer Welfare and Business Regulatory Division Rose Mae Quinanola, OIC Tel. Nos. 2550036 / 412-1989 / 412-1868 loc 301 Industry Development and Investment Promotion Division Minerva Yap, Chief Tel. nos. 412-1944 / 4121945 / 255-6971 / 255-3926 e-mail: dtiro7.idipd@gmail.com BOHOL PROVINCIAL OFFICE Provincial Director MA. ELENA C. ARBON 2F FCB Bldg., CPG Ave., Tagbilaran City Tel. # (63) 038-501-8260 Fax # (63) 038-411-3533 email: dtibohol@yahoo.com CEBU PROVINCIAL OFFICE Provincial Director: NELIA V.F. NAVARRO 3F LDM Bldg., M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cor.Legaspi Street, Cebu City Tel. # (63)(032) 412-1863 / 253-2631 Fax # (63)(032) 412-1856 / 254-0840 email: dticebuphil@yahoo.com / dticebuphil@gmail.com NEGROS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL OFFICE Provincial Director JAVIER FORTUNATO, JR 2F Uymatiao Bldg., San Jose Street. Dumaguete City Tel. # (63)(035) 422-2764 Fax # (63)(035) 225-7211 email: dtinegor@gmail.com SIQUIJOR PROVINCIAL OFFICE Provincial Director NIMFA M. VIRTUCIO Chan She Bldg., Legaspi Street, Poblacion, Siquijor, Siquijor Tel. # (63)035-480-9065 Fax # (63) 035-344-2238 email: dtisiquijor@yahoo.com NATIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER (NERBAC) Center Manager NELIA V.F. NAVARRO Lapu-lapu St., cor. Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City Tel # (032) 255-6971 / 255-3926 (032) 412-1944 / 412-1945 Email: dticebuphil@yahoo.com / dticebuphil@gmail.com

Executive Editor Asteria C. Caberte DTI 7 Regional Director

Managing Editor Rose Mae M. Quinanola

Writer / Editor Jojisilia Villamor

Lay-out Artists Jerome Elarcosa & Bernard Cabasisi

Contributors Jacqueline Calumpang Vierna Teresa Ligan Angeline Gonzales Olivet Nina Somido Shiela Marie Lagarde

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