DTI formally launched Project Bayong in Cebu

To provide a source of income for Filipinos affected by the global financial crisis, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) formally launched “Project Bayong” in Cebu on June 12 during the Kalayaan 2009, a Philippine Independence Day celebration.

During the trade and livelihood fair held at SM City Cebu on June 12 - 14, Bayong utility and fashion bags were on display and bayong weaving was demonstrated to the public.

Project Bayong highlights the hand-woven native bag made of pandan, rattan or buri.

There are several advantages to Project Bayong. It generates employment, maximizes use of indigenous raw materials and provides an alternative for the environmentally conscious.

Project Bayong also supports micro-entrepreneurship. The production of bayong entails low investment, it requires light technology, it preserves our cultural heritage and augments income of rural folks.

Project Bayong is also one way for the government to address environmental degradation in the country aggravated by a high annual population growth rate and improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, among others.

In the last four months (February-May) DTI initiated a series of product development trainings which include basic skills in bayong weaving, skills upgrading and dyeing techniques.

As of May 2009, Project Bayong has been rolled out to 11 municipalities in Central Visayas. Around 11 basic skills trainings, 5 trainings in dyeing techniques, 6 trainings in skills upgrading benefited 605 people. The municipalities where trainings were held include Barili, Bogo, San Remegio, Sta Fe, Bantayan Island in Cebu; Manjuyod and La Libertad in Negros Oriental; Talibon, Bien Unido, Ubay in Bohol; San Juan, Siquijor in Siquijor.

With more people seeking environment friendly products, there is now an increase in demand for bayong in the domestic and international markets, according to DTI.

The DTI is currently working in coordination with the local government, non-government organizations, retailers and exporters for the project. This is intended to provide sustainable livelihood for the people and create more entrepreneurs.

To implement the project, DTI has partnered with Gateway East, a Manila-based private company that advocates waste reduction and an end to the use of plastic bags.

Project Bayong is a component of the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of the national government and one of several poverty-alleviation programs.

The CLEEP is a nationwide effort by the government to protect the country’s most vulnerable sectors --- such as the poor, returning expatriates, workers in the export industry, and out of school youths, from threats and consequences of reduced and lost income as a consequence of the global economic crisis --- by providing emergency employment and supervising livelihood projects.

The program aims to build the capacities of Filipino workers and afford them the skills they need to compete in tougher job markets, and to create as many jobs in the least possible amount of time for the poor through investments in enterprise developmen t. (PR)

NERBAC and DTI conduct free seminars on Business Permits and Licensing and Enterprise Development

Entrepreneurs who have equipped themselves with sufficient knowledge on the intricacies of business will have a better chance at success, especially in difficult times, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) says.

Amid the growing number of overseas Filipino workers and domestic workers who lost jobs due to the global economic crisis, the government is urging businessmen and future entrepreneurs to take advantage of free business seminars and skills trainings.

Every Wednesday, 1:00 - 5:00 in the afternoon, interested individuals can avail of a free seminar for information on Business Permits and Licensing System at the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) located at the ground floor of the LDM building, Lapu-lapu and Legaspi Sts., Cebu City.

During the seminar, participants can interact with speakers from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth, Pag-ibig and the Cebu City Government.

Pre-registration is required for interested parties to attend the NERBAC seminar, an activity which has been ongoing since June 2007.
Another free seminar is on enterprise development which is conducted together with a skill training every Tuesday, except 4th week of the month from March to June this year, in all DTI provincial offices in Central Visayas.

The entrepreneurship and skills trainings are part of the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of the Philippine government.
“CLEEP is a poverty alleviation program of the government viewed as an immediate solution to the country's burgeoning unemployment problem and as an immediate response to the global financial crisis”, DTI says.
NERBAC is a pioneering project that offers a myriad of government services for start-up and expanding businesses that include business licensing and registration, and proactive investment marketing, reducing red tape and improving effectiveness and efficiency in government services.

New applicants can file their business name registration with DTI 7 simultaneously with their application for a Cebu City business permit as there is also a representative from the Cebu City government available at the NERBAC aside from four National Government Agencies.
The NERBAC was launched in Cebu in November 2006. It is supported by the Private Sector Promotion Program (SMEDSEP), a development cooperation project between the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The SMEDSEP program aims to improve the Business and Investment Climate for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines, especially in the Visayas.

SMEDSEP is implemented in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).