The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2016
DTI directs investment to agri-based sector, marginalized areas
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry wants to direct investments to geographical priorities such as Mindanao, among agri-based sectors, where most of the people derived their income, and in areas where migration is highest and poverty has been persistent in support to the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Trade Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya, in her speech during the “Negosyo, Konsyumer at iba pa” (NKATBP), or the “One DTI Services” caravan in Cagayan de Oro cited the efforts of northern Mindanao in creating the logistical support and taking care of the economic environment in the region. We are especially encouraged by the formal establishment of the Asean Market or economic community—the combined market of all 10 Asean member countries comprised some 600M consumers. However, she said it is imperative that we ensure that Asean integration will be fair, workable, rational and inclusive. The challenge is bringing the benefits to those who needed it most but have been getting it the very least. For this to be fully realized, she said the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will have to play a key and essential role. MSMEs are the backbone of the many Asean countries accounting for more than 96 percent of all enterprises, in fact, in the Philippines, 99.6 percent, and contributing between 30-43 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For the entire country, MSMEs employ about 60 percent of the workforce. Thus, the largest source of domestic employment across all economic sectors both rural and urban areas.
Moreover, this sector provides more opportunities for men, women and the youth to participate in economic development in the country. Putting MSMEs at the forefront of development is addressing the matter of poverty squarely as this cascades these benefits to ordinary people and places the premium on the goals of generating jobs and placing food on the table that what we mean “Dapat randam, angat ang lahat, walang iwanan,” as Maglaya emphasized the inclusive economic development. Hence, Maglaya said, DTI conducted NKATBP road show in the city. “We want to share with you, as our partners in development, our vision to increase competitiveness of MSMEs so they can be part of the domestic, regional or global value chain. In her speech, the undersecretary also shared to the participants the 7Ms—Mindset, Mastery, Mentors, Market, Money, Machines and Models— which will help the agency and its clients in achieving this goal. The most important of the Ms is mindset changing. If we want to prosper, we must change our mindset towards excellence through continuous learning of better ways to improve our business, products and services. The competition sets higher standards even for the small entrepreneurs and those who do not innovate will be left behind, said Maglaya. She then mentioned about
the second and third Ms – mastery and mentoring, which she said are essential in any business because through continuous and appropriate capacity building, enterprises can further improve what they offer to the market. The fourth M which is money, may be a solution or a problem, depending on how the entrepreneur looks at it. That is why the government must work together with financial institutions to improve access to capital for MSMEs. In terms of market access, Maglaya said that the market for Philippine goods is expanding by virtue of our trade agreements across different countries and regions; while for the small entrepreneurs, they can expand their market access by mainstreaming their products in the local market. Meanwhile, he also commended DTI for implementing its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program, which enabled small cooperatives, associations and
even local government units to use modern equipment that meet market standards. The challenge however is how to properly maintain these machines to maximize their operational capacity, she said as Maglaya shared the sixth M. The last M, she said, is models, which budding entrepreneurs can adapt and innovate. Meanwhile, DTI recognized its partners in the promotion of trade and industries from the regional line agencies, local government units and the business sector during the opening day. The event aspires to heighten the awareness of the general public, especially the MSMEs and consumers about the services being offered by DTI, and feature various information sessions which covers business development, consumer awareness, among others. (EOR/PIA10)
ARMM commemorates 40th year of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake, tsunami
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – In commemoration of the 40th year of the 1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami, the Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) conducted a multi-hazard simulation drill on August 17, at the Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
The drill was done in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Cotabato City Regional Medical Center and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The drill is a venue to enhance the preparedness of the communities around the affected areas in case destructive events occur. We could also assess the response capability of various government agencies, even private and volunteer responders,” Myrna Angot, officer-in-charge director of OCD-ARMM said. She said the drill aims to test, assess, validate and evaluate the actual ground set-up of the local emergency
operation centers and communication system, and strengthen all existing concept of response cluster particularly with the first response. “During the disaster, lifeprotecting actions must be taken immediately, so this drill will also help the responders to act as quickly as possible,” she said. Other participating responders were the Philippine Coast Guard; Philippine National Police (PNP)-Scene of the Crime Operatives; PNP-Regional Health Service; Philippine Red Cross; Bangsamoro Response Team; Bureau of Fire Protection-Emergency Medical Services; Office of the Provincial Fire Marshall-Maguindanao; Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group XII; Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Office; and PNPRegional Public Safety Battalion. The activity also conforms with the national government’s fourpoint plan on disaster preparedness namely public information, education, communication, and disaster response. The earthquake on August 17, 1976, generated by movement along the Cotabato Trench hit the island of Mindanao. The off-shore earthquake produced a massive tsunami killing about 6,000 people making it the
most disastrous tsunami to hit the country. In a post-disaster Phivolcs report, waves as high as nine meters struck the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat. It inundated almost all coastal towns of provinces bordering Moro Gulf namely Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Cotabato and Zamboanga. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)
Intensified NGCP safety campaign lessens electrocution cases, engages civilians ILIGAN CITY – With an improved line safety campaign focusing on public engagement and a new media approach, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is registering a decrease in electrocution incidents involving power transmission facilities across the country. Information sessions focusing on transmission line safety and right-ofway were conducted in barangays and local government units identified as crucial to NGCP operations, particularly project completion. A steady decline of electrocution incidents was observed, from a peak of 29 in 2012 to a 5-year low of 17 in 2015. No employeerelated accidents were also recorded for 2015 and 2016, as of press time.
For the first semester of 2016 alone, the nationwide campaign has reached 120 barangays, 474 media outfits, and 320 local government units. In the weeks leading up to the national elections in May, NGCP also carried out 12 forums in COMELECidentified election hotspots to reiterate line safety reminders and to increase public vigilance against ROW violations.
The campaign is in the process of widening its audience reach with NGCP’s partnership with the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for the free airing of NGCP safety videos in cinemas nationwide. Civilians, particularly the mobile-savvy generation, are also continuously being encouraged to report transmission-related incidents with the launch of the 0917-TIPNGCP (0917-8476427) / 0918-TIPNGCP (0918-8476427) hotline and email (TIPNGCP@ngcp.ph). While the campaign resulted in a decrease of electrocution incidents, NGCP noted the increase of transmission line and tower parts pilferage since 2014. In 2015 alone, 13 incidents of stolen parts from transmission lines, substations, and other related facilities were reported to NGCP. Five cases have been reported from January to May 2016. NGCP is very pleased to report the positive development in line with our safety advocacy to lower electrocution incidents, we continue to warn the public to respect transmission line clearances. We are also concerned with the prevailing increase of pilferage of our tower parts and lines. This greatly reduces the safety and reliability of our operations, not just in the local area, but on a national scale. We are appealing to the public to support our cause and help prevent power interruptions by reporting theft and pilferage of NGCP facilities to
0917-TIPNGCP (8476427) or 0918TIPNGCP,” stated NGCP. Republic Act 7832 or the AntiElectricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994 prohibits the possession, control, or custody of electric power transmission line/material by any person not engaged in the transmission or distribution of electric power, or in the manufacture of such materials. Law offenders face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000. NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits highvoltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner. Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department. (NGCP/PIA-10 LDN)