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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. 4| NO. 39 November 11-18, 2016
Solon bats for quick titling of public school sites to DepEd CONG. RAV ROCAMORA
Siquijor Representative Rav Rocamora today filed a bill for the expeditious titling of real properties used as public school sites to the Department of Education (DepEd). “Thousands of school sites are in danger of being displaced because the lots they are on are owned by private persons or by other government instrumentalities,” explained Rep. Rocamora.
“This leaves our public schools subject to the will of the landowner. What if they decide to sell the land or end the lease agreement? Does that mean that our schools will face the possibility of being evicted?”he added. According to the 2015 figures of the DepEd, there are 15,581 sites where public elementary and secondary schools are located
SIQUIJOR (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted a series of capacity development trainings for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Siquijor province. The event centered on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. M ar ites s B o ca, mu nicipal lo cal government operations officer of Larena, said the training aimed to provide the CSOs in the province with significant skills like proper techniques on how to respond in times of disasters/emergencies.
CSOs will be oriented on different hazards within their respective communities/ baragangays and provided with a deeper learning on what is climate change. They will also be capacitated on their responsibilities/roles in combating the effects of climate change and be equipped with the Basic Knowledge on First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) particularly on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Topics discussed were the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System; Philippine and Local Disaster Situation (Geological
where the land is not under the name of the DepEd. “Thankfully, the DENR has already issued special patents regarding those lands that are classified as alienable and disposable. However, that still leaves plenty of sites owned by someone else. Some lots have questionable ownership due to donations that lack formal documentation while others are owned by local government units and they are simply leasing the lots to the public schools on a long-term basis,” noted Rocamora. House Bill No. 3754 mandates that all public school sites that have been utilized as such for at least five years, which are of the public domain or owned by persons other than the DepEd, to be titled in favor of the education department. The bill provides various methods to achieve this, such as summary expropriation, negotiated sale, or the immediate transfer of the sites from national government agencies and instrumentalities. As for lots owned by the LGUs, if the same is under a contract of usufruct with the DepEd, the contract will be annotated in the Certificate of Title of the real property and all reasonable efforts will be exerted for the subsequent acquisition of the property. If the LGU wishes to reacquire the land, the bill mandates that a replacement site and buildings be provided first before the site is vacated. (https://ravrocamora.wordpress.com)
DILG capacitates CSOs on climate change
Hazards in the Barangay); Natural and Human Induced Hazard; Legal Basis on Climate Change; Management of Evacuation Center; Disaster Relief Operations and Warehousing; Geological Hazards (Earthquake and Volcanic Hazard); Emergency Rescue Transfer(ERT); First Aid and Basic Life Support; and Rope Rescue Techniques. Participants of the training were from the different sectors representing women, elderly, farmers, fisher folks, youth leaders, and the churches. The training was funded under the Bottoms-up Budgeting (BUB). (rmn/rac/PIA7Siquijor w/ reports from I.A.Abatayo)
ISLAND VIEWS
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The Magic of Siquijor
Repost: http://brunetteblogging.com/2016/05/the-magic-of-siquijor/
Siquijor is best known in the Philippines for being “the island of black magic”. A nickname that didn’t particularly scare me off to begin with, and after some more reading you’ll quickly learn that this is a thing that mostly lived in the past with the locals. After spending some time on this beautiful island, I can only say that it’s magical in the most positive sense of the word. Siquijor is where you (should) go to relax, to experience the paradise island life in a real way – which means: not a lot of people, an authentic feel, beautiful nature and white sandy beaches to yourself. Yep, it’s safe to say that I’d go back in a heartbeat. An island guide to Siquijor This island is quite small, but I only consider that an extra plus since
it means you’ll have the opportunity to see pretty much everything it has to offer without having to drive for hours (trust me, your butt will thank if you already spent hours on a motorbike). I didn’t need much convincing to add Siquijor to my itinerary (the location is perfect if you’re also going to Bohol – just take the ferry), but in case you’re not quite sure yet – these are some of my personal highlights and recommendations of things to do here. First things first: rent a motorcycle and let the surroundings and abundance of palm trees wow you. You’ll probably spend some time doing that anyway, but on this island it’s quite relaxing since the traffic is so chill here compared to other places.
More of Brunette Blogging in the next issue....
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CEBUANO NEWS
Pahinumdom sa DOLE sa pribadong sektor: ihatag ang 13th month pay sa dili pa mag Dis. 24
Angay bayaran sa mga pribadong employer ang 13th month pay sa ilang mga kawani nga dili molapas sa Disyembre 24, matud pa sa pahayag kagahapon ni Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) Kalihim Silvestre H. Bello III. “Kailangang bayaran ng lahat ng employer ang mga rank-and-file employee ng kanilang 13th month pay, anuman ang uri ng kanilang empleo at pamamaraan ng
Information drive on Special Protection of Filipno Children against Child Abuse, Anti-Child Trafficking & Drug Awareness Lecture to the Grade 7 students of Siquijor Provincial Science Highschool conducted by the Siquijor Police Station as part of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) (PSI Mark Edward Barrios).
pagbabayad ng kanilang sahod, basta sila ay nakapagtrabaho ng hindi bababa sa isang buwan ng kasalukuyang taon,” matud pa ni Bello. Matud pa sa Kalihim nga ang pagbayad sa 13th month pay agi og pagsunod sa Labor Code of the Philippines ug mga patakaran ug regulasyon sa pagpatuman niini. Ubos sa Labor Code, ang tanang nasakop nga employer angay mosumiter og taho sa pagpatuman sa balaod sa pinakaduol nga DOLE regional office nga dili molapas sa Enero 15 matag tuig. Ang 13th month pay kapareho sa 1/12 sa basic salary sa mga empleyado sa usa ka tuig. Kauban sa basic salary ang tanang bayad o kita nga gibayad sa employer sa empleyado alang sa serbisyong gihatag, apan mahimong dili apil ang cost-of-living allowances (COLA), profit-sharing payments, cash equivalents sa wala nagamit nga vacation ug sick leave credits, overtime pay, premium pay, night shift differential pay, holiday pay, ug tanang allowance ug monetary benefits nga gikonsiderar nga dili na parte o kauban sa regular o basic salary sa empleyado. Matud pa ni Bello nga mahimong mosumiter sa bisan asang DOLE regional office sa money claim case ang mga na-agrabyadong empleyado kun dili ihatag sa employer ang ilang 13th month pay. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
DepEd, nipasalig nga magpadayon ang SHS DILG nipasidaan voucher alang sa Grade 11 sa 2017 (PIA) -- Ang Department of Education (DepEd) nipasalig nga ang Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program magpabiling mohatag og tabang pinansiyal sa mga kwalipikadong nakatapos sa Grade 10 nga gustong mo-enroll sa non-DepEd SHS taliwala sa taho nga ang maong voucher program dili na modawat sa school year 2017-2018. Agi og pagsubay sa pasalig sa paghatag og dekalidad nga edukasyon alang sa tanan, ang DepEd nipagawas niadtong Oktubre 28, 2016 sa Department Order No. 66, series of 2016 (DO 66, s. 2016) nga nagtinguha sa paghatag og klaro ug detalyadong sumbanan sa implementing processes kalabot sa application for vouchers gikan sa prequalification ngadto na sa katubsanan. Ang DepEd nag-abli usab og SHS VP online application niadtong Nobyembre 2, 2016. “We will continue cooperation with the private sectors and private communities, as well as with bilateral and multi-lateral institutions. Hindi natin sila maiiwasan dahil malaking contribution ang magagawa nila. Pero tayo ang magsasabi kung anong gusto
natin. We will cooperate with them,” matud pa ni DepEd Kalihim Leonor Magtolis Briones. Ang SHS VP nagtinguha sa pagbulig sa katungod sa mga estudyante sa quality basic education, paghatag katakos sa pagpili sa mga estudyante, pagpausbaw sa kadaiyahan sa senior high schools, ug paghupay sa pinansiyal impak sa higher educational institutions nga makasinati og pagkunhod sa enrolment sa unang pipila ka tuig sa implementasyon sa SHS. Sa 2017 budget sa kapin P550 bilyon sa departamento, P23 bilyon niini ang gigahin sa SHS VP, samtang ang nahabilin alang sa public sector education. Mga estudyante sa Grade 10 lamang ning kasamtangang school year ang madawat sa SHS VP. Kining mga nakatapos sa Grade 10 bahin-bahinon ngadto sa awtomatikong kwalipikadong estudyante ug voucher applicants (VA). Walay bayad ang aplikasyon ug mahimo kining ipahigayon manually. Gitakda ang deadline niini sa Enero 13, 2017 samtang sa online application, sa Pebrero 10, 2017 ang deadline. (ecb/PIA7Bohol)
batok sa pekeng opisyal
MANILA, November 14 (PIA) -Gipa-amping ang publiko sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) kalabot sa nadawat nilang taho nga adunay mga tawong nagpa-ilang opisyal sa ilang buhatan ug mangilkil sa mga proyekto sa local government units (LGUs). Matud pa ni DILG Kalihim Ismael Sueno, ang pekeng opisyal sa DILG nagpaila sa alyas nga ‘Phia’ ug gigamit usab ang pangalang ‘Pia Alarcon’ ug giingong target niini ang mga local executives sa Luzon. Base sa nadawat nga taho sa DILG, ang modus sa giingong pekeng opisyal mao ang pag-kumbinsir sa mga LGUs nga magsumiter og letter of request sa DILG alang sa funding sa local development projects. Apil sa mga nabiktima na sa maong pekeng opisyal sa DILG ang mga local executives sa Pangasinan ug mga mayor sa Rehiyon 1, 2 ug 3 lakip na usab ang syudad sa Baguio. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
PCHRD-DOST empowers local researchers to do research on disaster risk reduction
The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development - Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) conducts workshops in different regions of the country to encourage and capacitate young researchers on frameworks for conducting disaster health research developed by Dr. Marvin Birnbaum, President of The World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine. The workshop provides tools to enhance the understanding of health disasters for improvement of the costs of responses and for enhancement of preparedness through research. The series of workshops started during the Philippine National Health Research System Week on 8-9 August 2016 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It was followed by workshops in Manila on 19-21 September, CARAGA on 26-27 September and 24-26 October and Central Visayas on 20-21 October and 8-10 November 2016. After the completion of workshops where 77 young researchers from 31 institutions in MIMAROPA, CARAGA, and Central Visayas Regions were trained, the Council will be conducting the Presentation of Proposal for Review Forum at the Golden Prince Hotel, Cebu City on December 5-6, 2016. The Forum aims to bring together the participants who have ready proposals to present to the PCHRD DRR Team and other experts for technical review. Dr. Birnbaum first introduced the frameworks during the Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health in 2015 which inspired the Council to capacitate local researchers in the region in conducting disaster research. To date, there are only few empirical research conducted on disaster in the country. As a result there is lack of evidence-based guidance on mitigation, preparedness and response, and recovery. According to Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, these workshops was conceived as an initial step towards filling that knowledge and evidence gap and there are more efforts in the future to look forward to as the Council remains steadfast in their commitment to develop a national research program on disaster risk reduction. Source: http://www.pchrd.dost. gov.ph/index.php/news/5893-pchrd-dostempowers-local-researchers-to-do-researchon-disaster-risk-reduction
Gov’t services that can help in your food business
Do you know that there are a number of government programs and services which can help you either start your own food business or help your existing food business grow? If you’re still undecided as to what food business you’d like to get into, the food technologies of the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) can help you come up with healthy food products, such as vegetable noodles, crunchy healthy snacks, high fiber fruit juices, fortified food, healthy street food (squash fish balls and squash maja), ethnic food like instant pinakbet or laing, and many other possible food products. For a list of food technologies, you may visit their website and the list of food technologies: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/ images/sources/List_FT.pdf Now, if you already have a business, but want to improve yourfood packaging or the shelf life of your product, or you’d want
to have food analysis, you may go to DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) (URL: http://www.itdi.dost.gov.ph/) to help you with thermal processing studies, such as heat penetration test on canned and bottled products, heat distribution tests for retorts and corrective action and sterility tests. They also do physico-chemical and microbiological analysis, as well as pilot plant setup and shelf life testing. ITDI also has Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) that are available for shortterm lease for start-up entrepreneurs to help themget familiarized with the technologies involved, enable them to produce product samples for market testing, help them get more established before venturing on their own and set up their own production facility. The good news is that most of these services are available the provinces because DOST has regional offices that help in the technology needs of the entrepreneurs in the regions. Every regional office has Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory that provides
technical support to food manufacturing, trading and production sectors through the physico-chemical and microbiological tests it offers. The RSTL adopts and implements several quality assurance programs and quality control activities. Its equipment are calibrated and maintained; it also undergoes regular proficiency testing, continuous improvement of its facility, personnel training program, andother relevant standards. The regions also conduct seminar and training, some of which are technology seminars on the following: packaging and labelling training, Good Manufacturing Practices Awareness Seminar,Food Safety Orientation Seminar, andCharcoal Briquetting Technology, among others. For more information on technologies and services you may visit http://www.dost. gov.ph/ and find the agencies and regional offices that can possibly help you give your entrepreneurial ventures a push.(Geraldine B.Ducusin, S &T Media Service)
SPIRITUALITY
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from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
Image credit: Le Bateau-atelier (detail), 1874, by Claude Monet (1840-1926), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands
Created to Love
The soul of all things
As I imagine is the case for many of you, the U. S. election is heavy on my mind and heart. I would like to reflect on this more, but I first need to take some time to sit with the flood of thoughts and emotions, holding them in Love’s presence. In the meantime, we will continue today exploring our current theme, and I offer a prayer (click here) for all who are deeply concerned by the events of this week. In the fourth century, St. Augustine (354-430), an official Doctor of the Church (meaning his teaching is considered reliable), said, “the church consists in the state of communion of the whole world.” [1] Wherever we are connected, in right relationship—you might say “in love”—there is the Christ, there is the authentic “body of God” revealed. This body is more a living organism than any formal organization. Non-human creation is invariably obedient to its destiny. Animals and plants seem to excitedly take their small place in the “circle of life,” in the balance of nature, in the dance of complete interdependence. It is only we humans who have resisted our place in “the one great act of giving birth” (see Romans 8:22), even though we had the most powerful role! Humans, in fact, have frequently chosen death for themselves and for so many other creatures besides. We are, by far, the most destructive of all species. As St. Hildegard of Bingen (also a Doctor of the Church) writes: Human beings alone are capable of disobeying God’s laws, because they try to be wiser than God. . . . Other creatures fulfill the commandments of God; they honor [God’s] laws. . . . But human beings rebel against those laws, defying them in word and action. And in doing so they inflict terrible cruelty on the rest of God’s creation. [2] Jesus clearly taught that if we seek first God’s kingdom and the universal law of love (“love God and love one another,” Matthew 22:3740), all the rest would take care of itself (see Matthew 6:33). We would no longer blatantly defy the laws of nature but seek to live in harmony and sustainability with Earth and all her creatures. This radical lifestyle demands a sense of inherent dignity that is granted by God and not an off-and-on dignity determined by egocentric humans. As Homo sapiens (“Wise Humans”), we should have taken our place as what Teilhard de Chardin called “the pinnacle of evolution” or “the rocks come to consciousness.” Then we could join with the rest of creation in obedience to our unique and full destiny. In poet Gerard Manley Hopkins’ words: Each mortal thing does one thing and the same: . . . myself it speaks and spells, Crying What I do is me: for that I came. [3] When we get the “who” right and realize that who I am is love, then we will do what we came to do: Love God and love all that this God has created. I firmly believe that grace is inherent to creation and not an occasional additive, and that God and goodness—not Armageddon—have both the first and final word, which we call divine creation and final resurrection.
Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is full of God and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God. If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature—even a caterpillar— I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature. —Meister Eckhart [1] Creation itself is the first and primary face of God. The world itself is the universal religion that precedes all organized religions. Do you really think that God would not have made God’s Self available to the Stone Age people and all historical peoples who were created in “the image and likeness of God,” just like all of us? We monotheists should have been the first to recognize this because we believe in “one God who created all things!” Or was God just waiting for the Catholics and Evangelicals to come along? Unfortunately, when we Catholics came, we loved to build fancy churches, without any encouragement from Jesus, I might add; and we went quickly inside them, disconnecting our minds and hearts from the natural world, probably because the natural world seemed wild and dangerous to us. Our very word profane comes from pro, meaning “in front of,” and fanum, meaning “temple.” We thought we lived “outside the temple.” Without a naturebased spirituality, it was a profane universe, bereft of Spirit, so we had to keep building shrines and churches to capture and hold our now domesticated and tamed God. Soon we did not know where to look for the divine. We became like fish in a huge ocean looking for water, and often arguing about who owned the water! Again, note that I’m not saying God is all things (pantheism), but that each living thing reveals some aspect of God’s presence; God is both greater than the whole of our universe, and as Creator interpenetrates all created things (panentheism). No exceptions. The Judeo-Christian conviction about this was so total, that the ancient myths even had Lucifer created by God (Isaiah 14:12-15) and Satan in the divine council (Job 1:6-12). St. Francis is the earliest recorded Christian to grant animals and objects subjectivity, mutuality, even naming them as sister and brother. He could talk and listen to them. Few Christians are trained to see all created things in this way, subject to subject. Yet it is the heart of all contemplative seeing. We were told animals didn’t have souls. I fully disagree. Love is at the core of all beings. When you know this, as Thomas Berry says, the world becomes “a communion of subjects more than a collection of objects,” [2] to state it quite perfectly and profoundly. When you love something, you grant it soul, you see its soul, and you let its soul touch yours. You have to love something deeply to know its soul. Before the resonance of love, you are largely blind to a thing’s meaning, value, and its power to literally save you. In fact, until you can appreciate and even delight in the ecstatic wag of a dog’s tail and other such ubiquitous signals, I doubt if you have discovered your own soul.
Gateway to Silence: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, help me see God in all things.
Gateway to Silence: Brother Sun, Sister Moon, help me see God in all things.
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DOT vows improved branding campaign
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo reiterated that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is implementing the final stages of the country’s tourism campaign “It’s More Fun In the Philippines,” even as the agency is aggressively taking steps to upscale it. “The slogan itself is catchy as it is but there is a big room for improvement. The country and the people has so much more to offer than sheer fun,” Teo told reporters recently, at the Tourism Summit in Diamond Hotel, Manila. During the conference attended by some 500 tourism industry stakeholders, Teo led the unveiling of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2017-2022 that shall cater to a lot more diverse visitor markets. Teo clarified the DOT is not junking the tourism campaign launched in January 2012 by the previous administration. Instead, the agency has commissioned an advertising firm to make it more meaningful, showcasing the “total tourism experience” the Philippines offers. “We are exploring the country’s full potentials as a world-class choice destination that it is,” the DOT head stressed. Over the weekend, Teo disclosed that McCann Worldgroup Philippines bagged the P650-million project the DOT put up for bidding recently. This undertaking includes media placements for P580 million, and production fees of P70 million, inclusive of all applicable taxes, commissions and production of creative materials for a yearlong campaign. The media placements, which will be placed in countries classified as
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the Island of Siquijor’s first electronic newsletter produced by the Philippine Information Agency-Siquijor Information Center and the DOST - Provincial Science and Technology Center. It contains snippets of information about Siquijor, Central Visayas and the Philippine Government.
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emerging markets, shall include at least eight audio-visual presentations, eight television commercials, eight radio commercials, 16 print advertisements, and the DOT’s website upgrade. Costs of production of advertising and creative materials for the campaign will include the necessary translations to other languages of the creative materials. Payments will be made only upon approval of the campaign concept and timelines and approval of the media plan. Teo further pointed out that the P650 funding will be sourced from the P1 billion earmarked by the previous administration for the “It’s More Fun” campaign. She assured the public, particularly the tourism stakeholders, that an improved
country branding shall result in “optimal media exposure” and shall establish a stronger brandconsumer relationship across geographical markets worldwide in the digital age. Meanwhile, Nina Terol, Corporate Affairs Director of McCann stressed that they are working hand in hand with the DOT to finalize the list of timetables and deliverables. “We know they have been studying the matter and are considering various data points in order to make the best decision moving forward.” The upscaled and much improved campaign, which will showcase the total Philippine tourism experience, will be launched in January 2017 in time for the Philippine-hosting of the Miss Universe Pageant in Manila, Teo said. (DOT)
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NATIONAL NEWS
U.S. Embassy continues partnership with Go Negosyo into 2017, empowering young entrepreneurs
Manila, November 17, 2016 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo) just announced a new round of Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshops (YEDW) for 2017, as part of ongoing efforts to empower young, aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs by providing tools to
develop and build innovative business ideas. These three-day workshops will take place in Luzon and Mindanao, and will include training, networking, and mentorship opportunities with U.S. exchange program alumni and Go Negosyo “angelpreneurs,” who are established entrepreneurs and business professors.
DOLE warns OFWs vs online scam
Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III warned the public against unscrupulous individuals who are using the social media to solicit money from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “I am advising the public, especially our OFWs, to be vigilant so as not to be victimized
by these individuals,” Bello said. He disclosed that some people are using his name on a fake Facebook account to convince their potential victims, primarily targeting OFWs to invest their hard-earned money in bogus businesses. “I urge you not to give any information, especially financial in nature, to unidentified persons,” Bello said after he was alerted of the
scheme. He advised the public to transact with legitimate business entities so that they will not be victimized by scammers. He added that they have also reported the scam to Facebook management for added protection to Filipino workers. Bello also urged the public to report to the Department’s Hotline 1349 any information similar to the said scheme. (DOLE)
DTI remains committed in pushing for MSME growth
Recognizing the critical role of the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in achieving inclusive growth, the government said it remains committed in pushing further the growth and development of MSMEs. “MSMEs play a vital role in the realization of a prosperous Philippine economy as the sector comprises the great majority of businesses. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will continue to create a culture and mindset of innovation, and secure an environment enabling all the MSMEs to help them face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we enter an increasingly global and competitive market,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez during his speech at the National MSME Summit 2016 on 11 November at the SMX Davao Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City. The National MSME Summit is a concrete expression of DTI together with various partners and stakeholders in an effort to promote inclusive growth by empowering small business entrepreneurs to become more competitive and innovative fostering opportunities in participating in the global market. The DTI chief cited some of the Department’s initiatives such as Shared Service Facility (SSF), Negosyo Centers, Kapatid Mentor
Me, and SME Roving Academy that push further growth of MSMEs in the country. Through the SSF program, the DTI, thru its SSF program, has already provided PHP1.082 billion worth of machinery and equipment and assisted 91,116 MSME beneficiaries nationwide. The SSF project provides tools and equipment for the common use of MSMEs belonging to business organizations and cooperatives, already providing 52,820 jobs to poor Filipinos. As of October 2016, DTI, together with certain Local Government Units, have established 355 Negosyo Centers nationwide to provide registration facilitation, greater access to finance and business information, as well as access to market linkages. In collaboration with the Philippine Center for entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo, DTI has also rolled out 11 Kapatid Mentor Me program nationwide to help MSMEs scale up their businesses thru the weekly coaching and mentoring by business owners and practitioners on different functional areas of entrepreneurship. In carrying out its SME Roving Academy program, DTI conducted 7,293 sessions, benefitting 301,737 beneficiaries nationwide. Through the academy, the entrepreneurs are equipped with the right entrepreneurial attitude and mind-set,
Launched in 2015, the initial Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshops took place in Manila, Batangas, Iloilo, and Zamboanga. In 2016, nearly 2,000 YEDW alumni, youth, entrepreneurs, and academics joined two YEDW Mentor Me Innovation Forums, held in Manila and Cebu. The Manila forum featured the “American Innovation Roadshow,” a group of U.S. government economic experts and Silicon Valley business leaders who traveled to Southeast Asia to highlight American approaches to entrepreneurship, engage with Asian entrepreneurs, and encourage local and national governments in Asia to develop regulatory environments that foster innovation, attract investors, and create jobs. Many YEDW participants have used what they learned in the workshops to transform their businesses and to participate in other U.S.-funded programs. “The Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshops were able to connect me with mentors and experts who until now are still helping me,” said grand prize winner Rachel de Villa, co-founder and chief of technology of Cropital, a crowdfunding service for Filipino farmers. Following YEDW, de Villa was recognized on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” list of top promising young entrepreneurs, and she was selected to participate in President Obama’s 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Silicon Valley. For more information about U.S. government programs in the Philippines and how to participate, please visit http://www. facebook.com/manila.usembassy. For more information about Go Negosyo, please visit http://www.gonegosyo.net/. enhanced managerial capabilities, appropriate knowledge on marketing preference, technology and lifestyles to help them establish and grow their businesses. “Currently, the DTI is crafting a financing program for MSMEs known as Pondo Para sa Pag-asenso (PPP) to help MSME owners optimize their potential and achieve major growth through alternative sources of funding. By helping the Filipino entrepreneurs grow their businesses, the program aims to provide accessible, fast, and hassle-free business loans tailor fit to each entrepreneur’s needs, goals, and cash flows,” DTI Secretary Lopez added. These DTI programs will continuously develop MSMEs to help them become more competitive in the domestic and international markets thereby increasing their contribution to the country’s GDP and total employment. With the theme “Growing Global MSMEs,” the National MSME Summit is organized by DTI, through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (MSMEDC) and in cooperation with the PCE – Go Negosyo. (DTI)
iSIQUIJORGOVERNMENTNEWS Know your rights! The Magna Carta for Women is a milestone in the advancement of women's rights in our country.