iSIQUIJOR Information is our business.
THE OFFICIAL E-NEWSLETTER OF THE PHILIPPINE INFORMATION AGENCY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.PIA.GOV.PH and the DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SIQUIJOR | WWW.DOST.GOV.PH VOL. 3 | NO. 30 August 25-31, 2015
DTI reg’l chief lauds MSMEs in Siquijor
SIQUIJOR (PIA)—Pleased with the outcome of the recent Sandugo Trade Expo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Aster Caberte lauded Siquijor Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) participants and the local DTI staff during the blessing and unveiling of the Negosyo Center here. “We are reaping what we have sown,” Caberte said, citing the 16.7 million sale for Central Visayas and the “big promise” the trade expo brought to Siqujor after having sold out all of their products and having finalized negotiations with the Island City Mall (ICM) and other establishments for Siquijor province. Caberte stressed that it is not about cash sales, but about negotiations that were finalized amidst all the efforts. S h e d i s c l o s e d t h a t B o h o l ’s ICM will carry Siquijor’s food products. “Siquijor will have a permanent outlet in Bohol province,” she said. DTI is serious in its endeavor to put a friendly and enabling environment for business, she added. In an earlier report, Caberte said the 10th Sandugo trade expo is one of the largest trade shows in the region where exporters from different parts of the country converge to display their world-class products, while the export market has yet to hit the recovery state. “We are zooming in now to attract the tourists. This is a different tweak from the traditional Sandugo Trade Show, because we are closely working with the tourism sector to attract tourists and institutional buyers to the fair,” said Caberte in the report. Meanwhile, Caberte in her Negosyo Center Launch message said she was inspired with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. “I can very well recall the president during his first SONA, he was talking about inclusive growth, ‘whatever growth we will get should be felt by everyone.’ It was a difficult marching order, but this year he gave an inspiring SONA to us who really worked to make that inclusive growth dream come true,” she recalled. All of these efforts towards MSME development is a big step to decrease the unemployment rate in the country while inspiring small businesses to have contributed much in the development, said Caberte. She also cited DTI’s Share Service Facilities (SSF) project for Siquijor that is hoped to address production gap of the MSMEs and encouraged beneficiaries to take their share of the challenge.
DTI 7 regional director Aster Caberte giving her Inspirational Message during the launching of Go Negosyo Center in Siquijor where she also lauded Siquijor entrepreneurs for making their way to the trade expo recently.(PIA-Siquijor)
Siquijodnons warned vs. smuggled, fake rice
SIQUIJOR (PIA)—The National Food Authority (NFA) is warning Siquijodnons to be more vigilant and cautious against smuggled and fake or synthetic rice. Provincial Manager Hilaria Ganzon said the public must actively participate in the rigorous efforts in safeguarding the entry of the smuggled and fake rice in the province that pose health hazards. NFA, she said, is intensifying protective measures and efforts to ensure Siquijodnons of safe and quality rice supply through intensive monitoring of rice supply from major wholesalers in the province. P o r t s a r e a l s o closely monitored, she added. The manager also said that their office is tapping and coordinating with all the local chief executives and their market inspectors in the continuous monitoring of the rice supply in the six municipalities. She said it is inspiring to note that the Philippines for a period of 15 years, among all countries, has maintained a 5% GDP growth rate. She added that in Region 7, despite the twin calamities to hit the area, tourism traffic has increased, a development strongly felt in Siquijor province with its visible increase in tourist influx. (rmn/rac/PIA7-Siquijor)
According to Ganzon, the synthetic rice is created out of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic which is mixed with industrial resin. They are rounder and glossier than the locally produced grains. When it is cooked, it can stand up to three to four days without being spoiled, she said. According to Ganzon, the alleged fake rice is said to be originated in Davao. She added that samples of the alleged fake rice have been brought to the NFA Food Development Center ( N FA - F D C ) i n Ta g u i g f o r t e s t i n g . However, in order for the results to be conclusive, at least one kilogram of uncooked rice must be subjected to scientific testing. The NFA head also encouraged the public to watch against China Rice because NFA has not issued any importation permits for the said country. It is presumed that China rice found in the market is smuggled, she said. Ganzon warns that any individual and store owners who are liable for the illegal distribution of rice will face criminal and administrative cases. She encouraged the public to immediately report suspicious rice to NFA hotlines at 035-377-2047, 09189427250, 09173185279 or visit their office at Nonoc, Larena, Siquijor (rmn/rac/PIA7Siuqijor w/ reports from I. Acabo-Abatayo)