Business Visayas

DTI-BTRCP Holds Public Consultation for Revised BN Law on Aug. 20

2010-08-18T09:54:00.000+08:00

Do you have comments and questions on the revised Business Name (BN) Law that would further streamline and accelerate the processing of BN applications?

The Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (DTI-BTRCP) will hold a public consultation to further amend the revised implementing rules and regulations of the BN Law on August 20, 2010 at 1:30 in the afternoon, Sacred Heart Center, D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.

Salient features of the BN Law or DAO 10-01 Series of 2010 as amended will be intensively discussed. Topics include application form contents, registration fee, territorial applicability of BN registration, among others.

A copy of the draft Business Name Law may be accessed at www.dti.gov.ph.

Comments on the draft law may be emailed to btrcp@dti.gov.ph. However, attendance to the public consultation will provide participants with a more thorough understanding of the law.

For Cebu participants, they may confirm their participation to the public consultation with Gina or Melvin of DTI Central Visayas Regional Office at tel. nos. 255-0036 or 412-1989 loc. 305.

The public consultation in Cebu on the revised implementing rules and regulations of the BN Law is made possible with the assistance of the DTI Central Visayas Regional Office.

DTI focuses on innovation in Sandugo Trade Expo on July 21-25

2010-07-07T14:40:00.001+08:00

Innovation is the main focus for this year’s Sandugo Trade Expo 2010 which opens from July 21 to 25 at the Island City Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Working on the theme “Materials Fusion - Heritage for the Future,” this year’s trade event will not only feature world class product lines and prototypes for handicraft, processed food, fashion accessories and GTH.

This year’s trade exhibition will also highlight the first output of the materials research and development program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

Central Visayas is taking advantage of the popularity of indigenous materials among foreign buyers and the increasing preference of many consumers for environment-friendly products with the Materials R & D project.

ECCP is presently assisting raffia weavers in Bohol in developing new design patterns and mixed media applications based on the latest trends.

The output will be converted into actual products by select exporter companies who will have exclusivity on their chosen materials for at least a year. Other patterns developed will be displayed at the Materials Library at the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) building.

Bohol is one of the provinces in the region that supplies raffia of good quality and along with innovative and artistic designs by weavers, Cebu exporters expect more Filipino made products to hit it big in the international market.

”As demand for Filipino products increases, so does profit for exporters. This provides more work opportunities for weavers”, DTI explains.

“With mixed media applications, weavers use recycled materials such as newspapers and old plastic twine with raffia. They also use other indigenous materials like buri and abaca, among others, in incorporating the new designs.”

So far, the program has tapped the weavers in Inabanga and Tubigon towns. The program will also be offered to weaving centers in other Bohol municipalities if the volume of products increases, DTI said.

The innovation of Bohol’s weaving centers is a seven-month project of the ECCP and the DTI in Central Visayas.

Materials R & D began in January this year and is geared to assist raffia weavers, particularly in the enhancement of their skills and improvement of their product designs.

As in the past, there will be guest exhibitors from other regions during the Sandugo Trade Expo.

The trade expo is a culmination of a series of product development initiatives geared towards improving the quality and design of the export oriented crafts and ethnic food in Central Visayas.

Bohol’s annual Sandugo Trade Expo has been running every July for the last twenty one years. This fair is one of the longest running annual provincial trade fair in the country and it has already established name recall and recognition among local and international buyers,

Cebu named best honeymoon site

2010-06-22T09:53:00.001+08:00

Cebu was named “Best Honeymoon Destination” at the awards night of the World Trade Fair 2010 in Shanghai, China.

The competition was decided by a public vote and a strict evaluation process undertaken by professional jurors from the Shanghai Tourism Municipal Administration, VNU Exhibitions Asia and Shanghai International Conference Management Organization.

The World Trade Fair brought hundreds of participating countries and organizations all over the globe. In attendance in this year’s expo at the Shanghai Exhibition Center were about 500 tourism players.

At present, Cebu enjoys a steady influx of travelers, with top markets including Korea getting close to 30 percent of the market share, Japan with almost a quarter; and United States and China getting almost the same.

Last year’s World Trade Fair, held also in Shanghai, had also been highly memorable and optimistic as the Philippines clinched the “Most Popular Destination in Asia” award, the highest recognition given during the event.

While total China outbound travel grew only by 4 percent in 2009, outbound travel from Eastern China to the Philippines has been growing at an average rate of 40 percent in terms of visa issuances since the opening of the new Philippine Tourism Office in 2007.

In 2004 there were only some 32,000 Chinese tourists in the Philippines. By 2009 the number is set to surpass 200,000.

In Central Visayas Chinese arrivals more than doubled for the first 11 months in 2009 compared to same period in 2008. As of November last year, mainland China is the fourth-biggest market of the region, hitting more than 56,000 arrivals, while Hong Kong is near to breaking the 30,000 mark. (Business Mirror)

FREE SEMINAR FOR POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN CENTRAL VISAYAS ON APRIL 15

2010-03-30T11:50:00.010+08:00

Dubbed Negosem, the seminar for potential entrepreneurs will be held at the Cebu Grand Majestic Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on April 15, Thursday, this year.

The event is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Center for Enterprises (PCE) and is part of the 16 region road-show seminar series on entrepreneurship that aims to help fledgling micro and small businesses on the basics of establishing an enterprise.

According to DTI, Negosem will focus on practical how to's in starting a sustainable business, covering topics such as How to Start a Business, Finding Business Opportunities and Choosing the Market for Your Business, The Best Methods for Sustaining Growth, Developing and Innovating Actual Products and Services, Marketing Your Business, Funding Your Business and Managing Your Finance.

The seminar's framework will delve more on practical, informative, and useful strategies on marketing, product development and financial management.

Negosem taps on “Go Negosyo” Angelpreneurs to be seminar speakers. Go Negosyo is an advocacy program of the PCE, a non-stock, non-profit and non product endorsing organization that advocates for a change in mindset and attitude by instilling optimism and business spirit among Filipino business people and entrepreneurs. Go Negosyo also aims to popularize entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment, job-seeking or migration.

DTI and PCE believe that poverty in the country can be addressed by engaging in entrepreneurship and developing an optimistic, creative, innovative, resourceful, diligent and persevering character.

According to the DTI, Negosem is anchored under the spirit of private-public sector partnership and on a mandate to create more entrepreneurs thereby increasing livelihood and employment opportunities for the marginalized sector.

Participation to the seminar is on a first come, first serve basis. For reservation and more information, interested parties may call on the Provincial Offices: DTI-Cebu tel nos. (032) 412-1863 or 253-2631; DTI-Bohol tel nos. (038) 411-3302 or 501-8260; DTI-Negros Oriental at tel. nos. (035) 225-4781; 422-1764; DTI-Siquijor at tel nos. (035) 344-2238 or 480-9065.

DTI Secretary supports local manufacturers

2010-03-23T10:31:00.005+08:00

Local manufacturers, who have been crying foul over the flooding of cheap imports in the domestic market, have found an ally in the newly-appointed Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Secretary Jesli Lapus, in a speech before members of the newly-organized Filipino Cebuano Business Club Inc. at the Sacred Heart Center on Saturday, specifically cited the plight of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, whose survival is at risk with the tariff-free entry of imported products to the country.

Lapus said that there must be safeguard measures put in place against the dumping of cheap imported goods to the market to protect our local industries, especially the MSMEs, from dying as well as protect the consumers from an inevitable increase in consumer goods.

“These imported goods are cheap now. But once our local industries die and there are no local products to compete with them anymore, then (importers of these products) can now sell them at a higher price,” he said

Some of our local manufacturers in Cebu such as garments and shoes manufacturers have closed shop, as they are unable to compete price-wise, with imported products.

Garment manufacturer Victor Tan earlier said in a report that the lack of regulation of imported garments, aside from the proliferation of “ukay-ukay,” which are also imported, have affected the local garment manufacturers.

Filipino Galvanizers Institute president Salvio Perez also said in a national report that China’s exports of subsidized pre-painted and galvanized steel sheets to the Philippines are hurting the local industry.

Meanwhile, Lapus said the DTI is now working on the MSME Development Plan for 2010-2016, the successor plan of the MSME Development Plan for 2004-2010. Lapus said he will ensure that provisions for more business development services to strengthen the MSMEs in the country will be put in place.

Lapus, former secretary of the Department of Education, is a professional manager in the manufacturing and financial sectors. He has post-graduate studies in the fields of Investment Appraisals and Management and Management of Transfer Technology, among others.

He served as undersecretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino and as chief executive officer and vice chairman of the board of directors of the Land Bank of the Philippines under the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.

DTI & PCE CONDUCT NEGOSYO SEMINAR FOR MSMES, APRIL 15

2010-03-23T10:09:00.000+08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that there will be a free seminar for budding and potential micro, small and medium entrepreneurs which will be held at the Cebu Grand Majestic Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on April 15, Thursday, this year.

In coordination with the Philippine Center for Enterprises (PCE), the seminar will cover topics such as How to Start a Business, Finding Business Opportunities and Choosing the Market for Your Business, The Best Methods for Sustaining Growth, Developing and Innovating Actual Products and Services, Marketing Your Business, Funding Your Business and Managing Your Finance.

According to the DTI, the seminar is anchored under the spirit of private-public sector partnership and on a mandate to create more entrepreneurs thereby increasing livelihood and employment opportunities for the marginalized sector.

Seminar speakers and lecturers are chosen from the business sector by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship –Go Negosyo.

Participation to the seminar is on a first come, first serve basis. For reservation and more information, interested parties may call on the DTI Provincial Offices: DTI-Cebu tel nos. (032) 412-1863 or 253-2631; DTI-Bohol tel nos. (038) 411-3302 or 501-8260; DTI-Negros Oriental at tel. nos. (035) 225-4781; 422-1764; DTI-Siquijor at tel nos. (035) 344-2238 or 480-9065.

In today’s global economy, our entrepreneurs need the skills and capability to manage resources in a highly competitive and fast changing environment.

Sen.Pia cayetano urges LGUs to protect Cebu's watersheds

2010-01-12T16:51:00.001+08:00

Sen. Pia Cayetano has urged local government units (LGUs) in Cebu to protect the Cebu Central Protected Landscape (CCPL) amid growing concerns on the effects of climate change in the country.

Cayetano, who was in Cebu Saturday to speak at an event at Benedicto College, said the strict implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9486, or the Cebu Central Protected Landscape Act of 2007, is needed as watershed areas are under threat from the effects of global warming.

The National Government failed to allocate funds for the law’s implementation, Cayetano said.

RA 9486 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to create a management body that would protect the 29,000-hectare CCPL, which covers the watersheds of Buhisan, Mananga and Kotkot-Lusaran and the Central Cebu and Sudlon National Parks. The protected landscape covers the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Danao and Toledo, and the towns of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Balamban.

The woman senator, who is one of the primary authors of the law, said that in her recent talk with local environmentalists, she learned that the water sources in Cebu are at risk due to the effects of climate change and increasing development in upland areas.

Cayetano accused the national government of neglecting to heed climate change warnings. She claimed it had to wait for the devastating effects of typhoon Ondoy to be convinced about the urgency of the problem.

Cayetano urged LGUs in Cebu, specially those that depend on the CCPOL for water, to be vigilant and pro-active.

She also praised the Cebu Archdiocese, led by archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, for designating 2010 as the year for the environment.

She said any group or person who acts for the welfare of the environment is worthy of praise. (PNA)

4th OTOP Visayas Island Fair on November 18 - 22

2009-11-03T14:27:00.005+08:00

More than a hundred OTOP Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Region 6, Region 7, and Region 8 are expected to join the 4th Visayas One Town One Product (OTOP) Fair from November 18 to 22, 2009 at the SM City Cebu atrium.

Products for sale are souvenir items, novelty items, gift items, furniture and furnishings, natural fiber, and fashion accessories such as bags, shawls, headgears, processed food and footwear. Tourist destinations have also been included in the OTOP marketing program.

Cebu was chosen as the venue this year because it is the center of trade and commerce in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

Invited to attend the fair are buyers from Manila and from the regions, governors and mayors and other government officials from the National Government Agencies, among others.

The 4th Visayas OTOP fair will focus on selling the products produced by the MSMEs of the three regions under the OTOP Philippines program.

OTOP is one of the priority programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.

It encourages the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and local skills of every municipality or city.

While DTI is the project’s marketing arm, OTOP is a “collaborative” effort of all sectors in the society, with the local government units (LGUs) as the lead.

Executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

The DTI through its Provincial Offices assist the LGUs in identifying the specific product and coordinated other forms of assistance from other government agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others.

Package of assistance include business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, marketing, and introduction of appropriate technologies.

The 1stand 3rd OTOP fair was held in Cebu City, while the 2^nd fair was held in Boracay.

It is focused on the product development initiatives of the DTI highlighting the tourism and market potentials of the Supra Region, the Central Philippines , which attracts more than half of the foreign tourists in the country.

For businesses that lack high level of marketing, an intra-regional exhibit like the Visayas Otop (One Town, One Product) Fair is a good opportunity to showcase “the best of Philippine products. This is a venue for them to be recognized, especially that this fair covers the entire Central Philippines.

Cebu still top emerging outsourcing city of the world

2009-10-26T14:59:00.001+08:00

For the second consecutive year, Cebu has emerged as the number one “Emerging Outsourcing City” of the world.

Based on the latest report released by Tholons, a leading full-service strategic advisory firm for Global Outsourcing and Investments, Cebu bested other cities in the world like Shanghai and Beijing in China, Krakow in Poland, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

In its fourth year, Tholons not only lists/ranks the eight established and 50 emerging destinations, but also ranks the Next 10 aspiring cities ‘on the Tholons Radar.’

The report also provides relative scores of each of the cities for the six parameters of scale and quality of labor pool, cost, business catalyst, infrastructure, risk and quality of life, which are a part of the Tholons Location Assessment Framework.

The study views offshore destinations and location assessment from the perspective of the clients.

The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector is now under pressure to improve its rank from number one emerging BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) destination in the world, to fully emerged BPO destination.

NERBAC – 7 receives public service award from CSC

2009-10-08T15:06:00.002+08:00

The National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center in Central Visayas (NERBAC – 7) was awarded a recognition by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on September 25, 2009 at the CSC Multi-Purpose Hall in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

This was the result of the CSC’s conduct of the Public Service Delivery Assessment (PASADA) covering the period August 26, 2008 and August 2009 with a rating of “VERY GOOD” in exhibiting the value of customer care and meeting the expectations of the transacting public for prompt, courteous, responsive, facilitative and pleasant service.

DTI – 7 Regional Director and NERBAC Chairman Asteria C. Caberte shares the award with the NERBAC’s members of the Governing Board, specially the heads of the participating mandatory agencies and the Cebu City Government, without whose cooperation and commitment, the Center would not be possible.

NERBAC is a project created by RA # 7470 that aims to reduce red tape, improve effectiveness and efficiency in government services. One of NERBAC’s functions is to create a friendly business registration, permitting and licensing environment.

The Center, located at the ground floor of the LDM building, Lapu-lapu and Legaspi Sts., Cebu City, houses representatives from the mandatory agencies like the (BIR, SSS, PhilHealth & Pag-IBIG) in registering business and the Cebu City Hall for the initial processing of new applications for Mayor’s Business Permit. It functions as a one-stop-shop for business registration.

Members of the NERBAC-7 Governing Board from the government are the Department of Agriculture, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, PhilHealth Insurance Corporation and the Pag-IBIG FUND. From the private sector, Cebu Investment Promotions Center, Bohol Investment Promotions Center, Negros Oriental Investment Promotions Center, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and the University of San Carlos.

FAME Foundation holds fashion accessories exhibition in Cebu, Sept 26-28

2009-09-01T16:34:00.001+08:00

On September 26-28, 2009, international buyers will converge on Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort And Spa in Cebu, Philippines for a unique Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair that merges business and pleasure.

Organized by the Fashion Accessories Manufacturers And Exporters Foundation Philippines, Inc. (FAME Foundation), Bijoux Cebu is a trade-only exhibition that showcases an extensive collection of fashion accessories - costume jewelry, bags, sandals, components - focusing on the highly popular trend of eco-fashion.

This year’s exhibition will present the Spring-Summer 2010 Collection - an extensive and all-original collection of Philippine green jewelry.

In addition, Bijoux Cebu 2009 will be an interactive and experiential trade show that builds on industry knowledge, business relationships, and social responsibility, and will share exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks at the industry.

Bijoux Cebu is scheduled right after the September 2009 edition of the Asia’s Fashion Jewellery And Accessories Fair (AFJAF) in Hongkong. A good number of AFJAF’s buyers already visit Cebu after the show, either for business or pleasure. Bijoux Cebu, offering both a commercial and social experience, will give them an even stronger reason for going to Cebu after AFJAF.

Bijoux Cebu provides buyers a never-before-revealed insight and deeper understanding of the Philippines’ craftsmanship & ingenuity, design capabilities, and wide variety of raw materials

The trade exhibition provides buyers with the opportunity for on-the-spot product design & development based on their requirements, since samples of all raw materials will be readily available during the show. It also supports the Go Green initiative of the Foundation and provides numerous livelihood opportunities to the rural communities

There is no admission fee to Bijoux Cebu for all buyers and special guests.
Special rates for accommodations at Shangri -la’s Mactan Resort And Spa have also been arranged and are exclusive for pre-registered buyers. (http://www.bijouxcebu.com/events.html)

Philippine exporters hold grand sale of quality products in Cebu

2009-08-07T10:33:00.002+08:00

On August 27-30, more than 70 exporters in the country will unload their inventories for the local market at the least possible price during the Exporters’ Expo in Cebu

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7), the event is slated at the SM City Cebu Atrium as part of the agency’s effort to help the ailing export sector amid the weak market interest due to the financial crisis.

Cebu, the furniture export capital of the Philippines accounting for about 60 percent of monthly exports, is feeling the brunt of the global financial crisis with foreign orders steadily declining.

According to DTI, the Exporters’ Expo is just one of the ways DTI assists exporters survive the crisis.

DTI added that the event is also an opportunity for the local market to avail of the world-class furniture products at very affordable prices.

Aside from furniture products, the Exporters’ Expo will feature world-class products such as fashion accessories, gifts-toys-and housewares, among others.

The furniture manufacturers in Cebu is tapping the domestic market in order to survive but focus is on selling to institutional customers.

The four-day exposition is expected to attract buyers from all over the Philippines, as well as foreign tourists.

This is the first time that the government has extended its hand to invite exporters to join the Exporters’ Expo and allow local retail market to avail of the export quality products.

For more information on the Exporters’ Expo, interested parties may call the Trade Development and Promotion Division at 412-1868, 255-0036-37, or 412-1989 local 601 or 602.

DTI 7 and Cebu GTH receive 2009 Presidential Citation for Best Practice in improving access to markets

2009-07-31T14:11:00.002+08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas (DTI7) and the Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH), represented by DTI regional director Asteria Caberte and exporter Jenifer Cruz, recently received a 2009 Presidential Citation for Best Practice in improving access to markets for implementing the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) program during the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Week at the Megatrade Hall 3 , SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The SPIN Program, a government-private undertaking, not only generates employment for weavers but likewise assists exporters in increasing production volume of exported products.

Under the program, weavers in the countryside are made to undergo skills training on weaving and craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products are bought by the exporters once these passed quality standards. In this way, rebel returnees and indigents can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they make.

SPIN trainings are focused on a “market driven” scheme wherein the products to be made by the trained group are actual export orders. Most exporters who do not have enough workers to do the job orders of their clients subcontract some of these processes.

SPIN training outputs pass the quality standards of the Cebu GTH member-exporters. The trainees will have immediate purchase orders (POs) which would mean immediate income for them.

The SPIN program is developed and spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 (DTI) upon the directive of President Gloria Arroyo. The program is in line with the thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on employment generation which is enshrined in her 10-point program of action for 2004-2010.

Months after the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation Network (SPIN) program was rolled out to cleared conflict areas and marginalized sectors in the country, residents who have been beneficiaries of skills trainings conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cebu Gifts, Toys, and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have already delivered the booked orders of exporters.

As of June 2009, the SPIN Program has been rolled out to 9 regions in the country including regions 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and CARAGA. Around 109 trainings already benefited 35 MSMEs and 2,622 people. It has received booked orders amounting to Php 67.17598 M.

In Central Visayas, 45 municipalities have benefited from the program. Around 77 trainings have generated 1,791 jobs. Booked orders for hapao baskets, placemats, tip towels and trays have reached Php 59.863 M.

SPIN weavers showcase products during the Sandugo Regional OTOP Trade Fair 2009

2009-07-09T11:23:00.003+08:00

Months after the Subcontracting Partners for Innovation Network (SPIN) program was rolled out to cleared conflict areas and marginalized sectors in Central Visayas, residents who have been beneficiaries of skills trainings conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cebu Gifts, Toys, and Housewares Foundation (Cebu-GTH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, have already delivered the booked orders of exporters.

As of June 2009, the SPIN Program has been rolled out to 9 regions in the country including regions 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and CARAGA. Around 109 trainings already benefited 35 MSMEs and 2,622 people. It has received booked orders amounting to Php 67.17598 M.

In Central Visayas, 45 municipalities have benefited from the program. Around 77 trainings have generated 1,791 jobs. Booked orders for hapao baskets, placemats, tip towels and trays have reached Php 59.863 M.

SPIN trainings are focused on a “market driven” scheme wherein the products to be made by the trained group are actual export orders. Most exporters who do not have enough workers to do the job orders of their clients subcontract some of these processes.

SPIN training outputs pass the quality standards of the Cebu GTH member-exporters. The trainees will have immediate purchase orders (POs) which would mean immediate income for them.

The SPIN Program, a government-private undertaking, not only generates employment for weavers but likewise assists exporters in increasing production volume of exported products.

Under the program, weavers are made to undergo skills training on craftsmanship after which, their hand-made products are bought by the exporters once these passed quality standards. In this way, weavers can immediately earn an income after a hard day's work with their earnings dependent on the number of products they make.

The SPIN program is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry Region 7 (DTI) upon the directive of President Gloria Arroyo. The program is in line with the thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on employment generation which is enshrined in her 10-point program of action for 2004-2010.

Products of trained SPIN weavers will be featured along with other top quality products of manufacturers in Central Visayas during the Sandugo Regional Trade Fair on July 22-26, 2009 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

With the theme “MSMEs Positioning For Global Rebound”, the trade fair will be a culmination of a series of skills trainings and product development initiatives geared towards improving the quality and design of the export-oriented crafts and ethnic food in the region.

DTI formally launched Project Bayong in Cebu

2009-06-16T09:20:00.002+08:00

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

2009-06-09T16:03:00.000+08:00

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).

DTI temporarily reduces Business Name Registration fees

2009-05-19T15:16:00.003+08:00

To encourage more business activities and generate employment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall charge a business name registration fee of One Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php150.00), an amount fifty percent (50%) lower than the original fee of Php 300.00.

This is in accordance to Department Administrative Order No. 09-01 and shall apply to single proprietorships only. Other charges under Section 5, Art III of DAO No.6, s.1999 shall remain.

According to DTI, such reduction of registration fee shall be implemented until June 2009. After which, the registration fees to be charged shall automatically go back to Php 300.00.

For more information, interested parties may call the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) at telephone numbers 255-6971, 412-1944 or 255-3926.

Entrepreneurs may also visit NERBAC at the ground floor of the LDM building, Lapu-lapu and Legaspi Sts., Cebu City.

DTI 7 POSTS VACANT TEMPORARY JOB POSITIONS

2009-04-29T14:20:00.001+08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas Regional Office (DTI 7) is announcing that the agency will be hiring around 36 workers for temporary job positions in the regional and provincial offices.

Interested applicants to the positions of Financial Analysts, Trade and Industry Development Specialists and Analysts must be at least college degree holders relevant to the position, DTI 7 Human Resource Management Officer Rebecca Basilla said.

Basilla added that for the hiring of Price Monitors, Clerks and Coordinators of the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) preference will be given to the unemployed, affected, displaced workers and out of school youths.

Basilla is advising interested job applicants to submit a letter of intent with bio-data to DTI 7 regional director Asteria C. Caberte, 3rd floor, WDC Building, corner Osmena Boulevard and P. Burgos Street, Cebu City.

For inquiries, please call DTI 7 HRMO Rebecca Basilla at telephone numbers 412-1989 or 412-1868 local 402

Free seminar on Business Permits and Licensing at NERBAC Cebu every Wednesday

2009-03-31T12:56:00.000+08:00

Entrepreneurs who have equipped themselves with sufficient knowledge on the intricacies of business will have a better chance at success, especially in difficult times, 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 their 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.

“NERBAC is a pioneering project that offers a myriad of government services for start-up and expanding businesses that include business licensing and registration, knowledge and information management, and proactive investment marketing, reducing red tape and improving effectiveness and efficiency in government services,” DTI stated.

New applicants can now even file for their business name registration with DTI simultaneously with their application for a business permit as apart from four National Government Agencies there is also a representative from the Cebu City government available at the NERBAC.

An additional task of the NERBAC is the promotion of investment in Central Visayas. For that purpose the NERBAC provides all necessary information to future investors.
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 contributes to the efforts of the Philippine Government to improve the framework conditions for private sector development in the country.

SMEDSEP is implemented in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry the pilot (DTI) at national, regional and provincial levels and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

DTI, DOST conduct enterprise seminar and training on fruit wine making on March 31

2009-03-25T09:43:00.006+08:00

This coming Tuesday, 9:00 a.m., the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will hold a seminar on enterprise development at the DTI-Cebu conference room, 3rd floor, LDM Building, corner Legaspi St. & M.J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will conduct a skills training on fruit wine making min the same venue.

"These business seminars and trainings are for free and open to all who are interested in learning a new skill that they can turn into a livelihood," DTI said.

In a press statement released by the DTI, the seminars and trainings on business are conducted in all DTI provincial offices every Tuesday, except 4^th week of the month from March to June this year.

Everyday, except Tuesdays from March to June this year, the DTI provincial and regional offices will conduct Business Counseling for walk-in clients.

Recently in Cebu, the enterprise development seminar was conducted by Lydia Canalagi, Manager of Lexmark Employees’ Cooperative and Elias Tecson of DTI-Cebu. The training-workshop on candle making was conducted by Moises Miranda of the Argao Business Club (see attached photos).

Displaced workers interested to avail of business consultation or related seminars and trainings may contact the following DTI representatives: Elias Tecson or Mila De Los Reyes for Cebu at tel no. 253-2631 or 412-1863; Marisol Balistoy for Bohol at tel no. 411-3302 or 501-8260; Bing Sumanoy or Araceli Maypa for Negros Oriental at tel. no. 225-7211 or 422-1764; Marlene Patria for Siquijor at tel. no. 344-2238 or 480-9065; Roselyn Suelto for Central Visayas at tel no. 412-1868 or 412-1989.

The seminars and skills trainings are in accordance with President Gloria Arroyo’s mandate under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

The DTI said the CLEEP program is a “necessary intervention” after several companies in the country streamlined their work force to cope with the global financial crisis.

DTI Conducts Free Business Seminars and Skills Trainings, March –June 2009

2009-03-10T11:17:00.002+08:00

Displaced workers and would be entrepreneurs can take advantage of free business seminars and skills trainings scheduled by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Every Tuesday, except 4^th week of the month from March to June this year, all DTI Provincial Offices in Central Visayas will conduct Business Options Seminars, How Tos, Skills Demonstrations or Trainings for displaced workers.

Everyday, except Tuesdays from March to June this year, the DTI provincial and regional offices will conduct Business Counseling / RISC for walk-in clients.

On March 13, the DTI through the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and the Cottage Industry Technology Center (CITC) will be in Cebu for the entrepreneurship seminar and skills training at the Cebu Holiday Plaza Hotel.

Topics for the activity will include Franchising, Dealership, Distributorship, Competitive Costing and Pricing, Desserts Galore, Beadworks and Flower Arrangements.

On March 17, the DTI team will be in Negros Oriental to discuss on Franchising, Dealership, Distributorship, Competitive Costing and Pricing, Beadworks and Flower Arrangements.

On March 18, the DTI team will be in Siquijor for trainings on Financial Management and SPIN to be held at the Siquijor Social Center.

Those interested in the DTI trainings and seminars in Cebu may contact Mila De Los Reyes or Elias Tecson at telephone numbers 412-1863 / 4121856 / 253-2631. Those in Bohol may contact Marisol Balistoy at telephone numbers 411-3236 / 501-8260 / 501-8828.

For those in Negros Oriental, they may contact Bing Sumanoy at telephone numbers (035) 225-4781 / 422-1764 / 225-7211. In Siquijor, interested parties may contact Marlene Patria or Nympha Virtucio at telephone numbers (035) 480-9065 / 344-2238.

For inquiries regarding DTI regional activities, interested parties can contact Roselyn Suelto telephone number 412-1989 loc.102

Last March 11, the training team was at JJ’s Seafood Village in Bohol to discuss a range of topics that include Franchising, Dealership, Distributorship, Competitive Costing and Pricing, Beadworks, Flower Arrangement for Special Occasions.

DTI Conducts Entrepreneurships Seminars for Company Workers

2009-02-13T10:27:00.001+08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry will conduct entrepreneurship and business planning seminars for employees of Taiyo Yuden on February 13 and 25 and displaced workers of Janice Minor on February 27 in Cebu.

DTI’s entrepreneurship and business related seminars are in accord with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s mandate under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) to save or create millions of new jobs to weather the effects of the current global economic crisis.

With the rising number of workers affected by the present global situation, the DTI is taking the necessary interventions as fast as it can by offering entrepreneurship seminars to employees and displaced workers of companies.

For companies interested to avail of entrepreneurship and business related seminars for its workers, they may contact the following DTI representatives: Elias Tecson for Cebu at tel no. 253-2631 or 4121863; Marisol Balistoy for Bohol at tel no. 411-3302 or 501-8260; Araceli Maypa for Negros Oriental at tel. no. 225-7211 or 422-1764; Marlene Patria for Siquijor at tel. no. 344-2238 or 480-9065

Last month, the DTI worked in tandem with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to conduct an entrepreneurship seminar for displaced Overseas Filipino Workers.

Of the 173 OFWs who participated in the seminar, 7 are currently doing business, 33 will soon open business and 10 are presently planning their business venture.

During the recent “Tabo Sa Mamumuo”, the DTI fielded queries from prospective entrepreneurs.

DTI, IP Philippines open Intellectual Property Satellite Office in Cebu

2008-12-15T11:01:00.000+08:00

The Intellectual Property Satellite Office (IPSO) - Cebu recently opened at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Visayas Office to cater to entrepreneurs and IP generators in the Visayas who want to protect their intellectual creations for business benefits.

In cooperation with DTI, the IPSO Project is part of IP Philippines' strategic move to promote intellectual property such as patent or invention, utility model, industrial design, trademark and copyright as a strategic tool for business success.

At present, the IPSO in Cebu only accepts applications for trademarks and patents including utility models and industrial designs, IP Philippines' IPSO Area Manager for Visayas Cecilio M. Fernandez said.

Fernandez explained that his Office's initial assessment of the response of businessmen in the Visayas towards the Project indicates a positive feedback as reflected in the increasing trend of IP filings in the region, and that all IP documents will still be processed at the IP Philippines Head Office in Manila.

Processing time for trademarks is within 4 to 6 months if all requirements are met; while that of patents is within an average of about 4 ½ years which is good enough based on IPOs' international standards, and that of utility models and industrial designs is within an average of about 9 months, Fernandez added.

Fernandez underscored that the primary goals of the IPSO Project are to bring IP Philippines' services to the countryside and to build an IP inspired culture of innovation and creativity that will bring about countryside and national development.

With Cebu and Davao IP Satellite Offices launched, IP Philippines will likewise launch its satellite offices in Luzon where the bulk of applicants are also based.

To encourage entrepreneurs' adherence to IP creation, IP Philippines has provided seminar workshops, promotional information campaign, partnership and networking collaboration and commercialization assistance.

Recently, IP Philippines conducted a seminar on strategic management and use of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Cebu City.

Experts from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provided the necessary expertise and experience.

During a break in the seminar, the Cebu Gifts, Toys and Housewares; Cebu Fashion Accessories, Manufacturers and Exporters; Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation and Association of Negros Producers signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IP Philippines in support of intellectual property rights and the IPSO project.

NERBAC 7 staff adopts Knowledge Management

2008-12-15T11:00:00.000+08:00

In order to better serve its clients, the staff and governing board of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) Region 7 recently underwent a Knowledge Management Workshop in Cebu.

The workshop was made possible with the joint efforts of the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas Office and the German Technical Cooperation known as Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) under the Private Sector Promotion Program called the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (SMEDSEP).

According to NERBAC 7, Knowledge Management is a method of organizing the sharing of experience and knowledge efficiently.

For the client, adoption of knowledge management at NERBAC can improve efficiency of service and quality of information given, particularly in the area of business counseling.

The Knowledge Management Workshop was participated by representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Internal Revenue, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, Social Security System, Cebu City LGU, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bohol Investment Promotion Center, Negros Oriental Investment Promotion Center and the University of San Carlos.

NERBAC, located at the ground floor of the LDM building, Lapu-lapu and Legaspi Sts. in Cebu City, was created In line with Republic Act No. 7470 to facilitate business transactions in Cebu and fast track investment entry in Central Visayas.

It houses representatives from different government agencies that are tasked to process business permit and licenses.

The NERBAC provides prospective entrepreneurs/investors basic information on various business options that are open to them in accordance with the government's IPP (Investment Priorities Plan).

The SMEDSEP is a technical cooperation project between the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany conceived to help improve the Philippine business and investment climate for Small and Medium Enterprises.

OTOP Visayas trade fair rakes in Php 26.3 million

2008-12-15T10:59:00.001+08:00

The 3rd One-Town One-Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair has proven the Visayas entrepreneurs' flair for business by generating total sales of Php 26.3 million.

Held recently at the SM City Cebu Atrium, the OTOP Fair showcased products ranging from gift items, home decors, natural fiber, processed food to fashion accessories produced by 116 small and medium sized firms from regions 6, 7 and 8.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Visayas Office, the top seller for non-food category is Bohol Beads and Fibers; while top seller for food category is Maexel Chi Cha Bites.

Among the exporters and merchandisers that visited the trade fair include 33 Point 3, Angelique's Craft, Ran Bros Incorporated, Atin Ito Handicrafts, CTC Export Philippines and Manex Handicraft.

Special guests during the opening ceremony included Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz.

More than just a regular buy-and-sell event, the fair showed the originality and uniqueness of Central Philippines – the intricate designs of ethnic decorative ornaments, the distinctive native touch in classy fashion jewelry and the bursting flavors of local delicacies, DTI said.

The OTOP trade fair is an annual marketing event that aims to generate significant sales; train producers in dealing and negotiating with local and foreign buyers and exporters and develop new exporters from among the participants.

The OTOP Philippines project is a government program to strengthen countryside development by promoting entrepreneurship and creating jobs.

Under the OTOP, local chief executives take the lead by identifying a unique product or service offered by local folks, as well as developing and promoting these.

They have the task of consolidating services needed by industries to develop as a trademark for their respective localities, the DTI explained.

OTOP-Philippines provides a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from LGUs, national government agencies and the private sector. This includes business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing.

The DTI said the OTOP-Philippines is designed to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME's) in the manufacturing and marketing of distinctive products and services to a much better level and achieve measurable results.

Cebu will benefit from weak global economy

2008-12-15T10:54:00.004+08:00

Cebu is considered as one of the few "recession proof" economies in the world that will benefit from the global economic meltdown, according to the world's largest commercial and real estate services firm CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.

Based on its extensive survey, CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. projected that Cebu's economy will be saved by its booming Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and tourism sectors.

Officials of the CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc, headed by chairman Rick Santos, were in Cebu the other day to give a briefing on the economic outlook for 2009. The company's chairman presented a rosy picture of Cebu economic development starting next year, backed up by realistic figures and extensive market study.

According to CB Richard Ellis Philippines chairman Rick Santos Cebu is seeing "life" amid the gloomy global economic prospects, and Cebuanos will expect abounding opportunities for employment and other money-making activities next year.

Tourism and BPOs have increasingly made Cebu a hub of foreign direct investment, a trend the company has noticed.

“For the past couple of years, Cebu City has become an emerging hub for the outsourcing industry,” said Santos. He said the BPO industry was Cebu's “biggest opportunity.”

The terror attacks in Mumbai, India where terrorists occupied the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels and the political turmoil in Thailand where protestors took over Bangkok's two international airports present rare opportunities for more investments in the IT and tourism industries in the Philippines, particularly Cebu.

CB Richard Ellis officials also dismissed speculations that the United States (US), under the leadership of President-elect Barrack Obama, will impose restrictions on companies outsourcing or off-shoring certain services to keep jobs within the US.

Santos said the economic factors that make a company decide to outsource or off-shore certain functions or services are “very compelling.” He pointed out that the high salaries and health care costs, as well as labor union issues, are just some of the factors that make a company in the US

Victor Asuncion, director for research and consultancy of CBRE Philippines, said it is “politically correct” for Obama to declare that jobs in US-based companies should be for Americans, but the issue of whether to outsource or not is a matter of economic viability on the part of companies.

“Unless Obama provides margins (for these companies), which he cannot do (at this time), he cannot stop them from (establishing) global operations,” he said in the same press conference.

He pointed out that the US Government has to deal with multi-billion dollar bailouts of its financial sector.

CB Richard Ellis is a Fortune 500 company with headquarters in Los Angeles and is considered the world's largest commercial real estate services firm with more than 300 offices worldwide.
resort to off-shoring or outsourcing.

OTOP Visayas Island Fair boosts business of small entrepreneurs

2008-11-13T13:16:00.002+08:00

"Dako kaayo ug natabang ang kining OTOP trade fair sa akong negosyo," (The OTOP Trade Fair has been a big help to my business), thus enthused Christina Angana, a small-time exporter of fashion accessories in Cebu City.

Angana is one of the 160 entrepreneurs coming from Regions 6, 7 and 8 that is joining the five-day '3rd One Town, One Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair' in Cebu City.

During a PIA forum this morning that featured the marketing event, Angana bared that since the annual OTOP Trade Fair was launched three years ago, her establishment called Hanas has since then participated in the yearly activity.

Last year, Hanas was able to sell all its displayed products in Boracay Island in Aklan during the 2nd OTOP Trade Fair held in Region 6.

Angana said that last year, she paid P5,000 for the booth and displayed an array of products mostly fashion accessories and bags made of local raw materials from Cebu worth P120,000. After the fair, her capital grew by 60 percent more, Angana added.

Angana said her small company is still very new of about five years so she needs all the promotion and marketing she could get to attract new and potential buyers.

The annual OTOP Visayas Island Fair is initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) from Regions 6, 7 and 8 as an effective marketing strategy to provide an avenue for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their products using raw materials indigenous to their hometown or services that promote their area as a tourism destination.

As the trade fair kicked off today that will last until Sunday, Angana said she paid P4,000 for the booth displaying products worth P150,000 as she is optimistic that all her items will be sold and since the venue is Cebu City, she will have no problems getting stocks once all her items will be sold out.

Angana said her products are made of raw materials found in Cebu's various towns like the coco shells of Pardo, the wood from Asturias and other local materials from Bohol, Carmen and Badian.

Some of her bags are already exported to Japan and Dubai, according to Angana.
Through the annual OTOP Trade Fair, "my products will be able to get more attention and attract the local market," claimed Angana.

Elias Tecson, DTI-Cebu Project Management Division Chief said the OTOP Program said there are 33 MSMEs from Cebu that are participating in the trade fair while the total participants from Central Visayas number 57.

Tecson said the OTOP Program which basically supports MSMEs to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous materials and local skills and talents is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and local patronage of native products as well as generate employment in the countryside.

Business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing are the assistance provided to MSMEs under the OTOP Program, Tecson further said.

In case a small entrepreneur lacks capital to go into mass production, the DTI also helps in facilitating a financial loan to the government financial institutions, Tecson said.

The DTI is the OTOP project's marketing arm although it is a collaborative effort among national government agencies like the Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Tourism, government financial institutions and the private sector as most importantly, the local government units (LGUs), this is learned.

Tecson urged the public to patronize local products to help the MSMEs as this will also have an impact to the local economy and help provide jobs. (PIA)

160 exhibitors join OTOP Visayas Island Fair in Cebu City

2008-11-13T13:13:00.001+08:00

Around 160 exhibitors are showcasing their products and goods made of raw materials distinctively found in the Visayas in the five-day '3rd One Town, One Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair' that kicked off today until Sunday at SM City Cebu.

Several booths have been set up displaying an array of products such as souvenir and novelty items, gift items, home decors, natural fiber, processed food, footwear and wearables that include fashion accessories, bags, shawls and head gears among others.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Regions 6, 7 & 8, the annual trade fair is a marketing event that aims to assist the small and medium entrepreneurs to showcase and promote their products and boost sales revenues as well as find potential buyers for their items.

Elias Tecson, DTI-Cebu Project Management Division Chief during the Kapihan sa PIA this morning that featured the trade fair, bared there are 57 participants coming from Central Visayas and of this figure, 33 entrepreneurs from Cebu are joining the annual event.

Tecson said this is the second time Cebu has hosted the annual OTOP Fair, the first time was when the event was launched in 2006 while last year, the trade fair was held in Boracay Island, a popular tourist destination located in Region 6.
Lea Gonzales, DTI-6 Business Development Division Chief in the same forum disclosed there are 27 participating entrepreneurs from Western Visayas occupying 22 booths.

Well-known products and goods from Region 6 on display include delicacies such as biscocho, baked specialty products, casoy nuts from Guimaras, Barong Tagalog made of pina cloth from Kalibo in Aklan, cut foliage from Capiz and a mixture of gift and home items.

The annual trade fair is an identified marketing strategy under the OTOP Program of the DTI, which is a flagship program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs, according to Tecson.

Through the program, local chief executives tale the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service that has a competitive advantage, Tecson added.

The essence of the program is basically to help and support the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents, it is said.

Apart from encouraging entrepreneurship and local patronage of native products and generate jobs, the program also provides the means to experience their culture and heritage through the various towns and their specialties or delicacies, this is learned.

Tecson said the OTOP Program is a comprehensive assistance package through a convergence of services from national government agencies, local government units and the private sector. DTI is responsible for the advocacy of the program and marketing of the OTOP products while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) focuses on the technology development assistance while the Department of Tourism takes charge in the tourism promotion of the cities and municipalities that are selling their areas as tourist destinations like Moalboal in Cebu, a world-class diving spot while the government financial institutions provide the financial aid to entrepreneurs.

Specific assistance given to entrepreneurs is business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, product design and development, appropriate technologies and marketing, Tecson revealed.

The program however, targets MSMEs with an asset size of not more than P100M which accounts for about 99 percent of business establishments. (PIA)

Raw materials showcase highlighted in 3rd OTOP Visayas Fair

2008-11-04T10:59:00.003+08:00

The 3^rd One Town One Product (OTOP) Visayas Island Fair promises to be another best selling marketing event this year as it brings to the fore the bounty and distinctive beauty of Central Philippines on November 12-16 at the SM City Cebu Atrium.

To attract more exporters, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will set-up a special setting showcasing different raw materials and how it can be transformed into novelty artworks.

"We would like to show to the public, especially our institutional buyers, what other natural resources the Visayas has to offer thru the "Raw Materials Showcase", DTI Central Visayas regional director Asteria Caberte said.

Raw materials on display at the trade fair will include Kawayan Tinik, Gmelina or Melina, Ipil-ipil, Fibers of Banana plant, Fossilized Flowers, Corn, Recycled Materials, Woven Fibers, Coconut Husk, Bayog, Tinik, Tickling, Bolo, Lanao, Buho, Fossilized/ Skeletonized Leaves, among others.

Caberte added that for this year's trade activity, new products and new designs will be offered for sale and order-taking. "We hope to generate robust sales with the coming holiday season."

Several new products/designs coming from the different MSMEs were developed thru the product development efforts of the DTI. "Products under the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program will be the main feature in this fair," Caberte said.

More than a hundred entrepreneurs from Central, Eastern and Western Visayas regions will be selling their wares ranging from souvenir items, novelty items, gift items to home decors, natural fiber, processed food, footwear and wearables.

A side activity during the trade fair is a financing forum on November 14 at the SM City Cebu function room.

The financing forum will have representatives from DBP, LBP, Quedancor, SB Corp. and Planters Bank as speakers.

OTOP Visayas Holds 3rd Trade Fair in Cebu on Nov. 12-16

2008-10-28T10:28:00.004+08:00

Expect five days of pure local goodness as the Visayan leg of the ONE TOWN ONE PRODUCT (OTOP) holds its third annual fair at SM City Cebu Atrium this November 12 to 16, 2008.

Entrepreneurs hailing from different corners of Visayas will be putting their local goods up for sale.

Products for sale are souvenir items, novelty items, gift items, home decors, natural fiber, processed food, footwear, wearables to include fashion accessories, bags, shawls, headgears and many others.

The marketing event is focused on the OTOP products of various municipalities in the Visayas highlighting the tourism and market potentials of Central Philippines which attracts more than half of foreign tourists in the country.

An intra-regional exhibit like the OTOP Visayas Island Fair is a good opportunity to showcase the best of the Visayan Islands.

OTOP is one of the priority programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.

OTOP encourages the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and local skills of every municipality or city.

While DTI is the project’s marketing arm, OTOP is a “collaborative” effort of all sectors in the society, including local government units (LGUs).

Executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

The DTI through the Provincial Offices and the SME Development Group assist the LGUs in identifying the specific product and coordinated other forms of assistance from other government agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others.

Package of assistance include business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, marketing, and introduction of appropriate technologies.

Cebu now number 1 emerging BPO destination according to worldwide survey

2008-10-21T09:19:00.003+08:00

Southeast Asia’s Cebu City, Philippines, emerged No. 1 on the Top 50 Emerging Global Outsourcing Cities list, followed by the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Beijing respectively.

The choice of the city has become more important than the choice of the country to set up an outsourcing center, according to a study by CyberMedia’s Global Services and investment advisory firm Tholons.

Cebu City currently hosts at least 17 BPO companies (Accenture, Convergys, eTelecare, Sykes Asia, PeopleSupport) and its strengths lie in key processes such as customer service, finance and accounting and HR services. The Filipino city received top ranking for its high literacy rate (97%), strong infrastructure and excellent quality of living which means better workers and lower staff turnover.

Six Indian cities are recognized as among the well-established Top 8 global outsourcing centers, namely Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune. Ireland’s Dublin and Makati City from the Philippines are the other two destinations.

In addition, the study has identified the top 50 Emerging Cities for Western companies sourcing IT and BPO services, out of which 19 are from Asia (6 cities among the top 10) and 13 from Central and Eastern Europe.

China has emerged as a strong contender in offering product development, R&D and testing with Shenzhen ranked 10th, Dalian at 16th, Guangzhou at 23rd and Chengdu at 37th position.

Shanghai is already known as a mature destination for providing offerings such as F&A (finance and accounting), product development, R&D (research and development) and testing, and Guangzhou is known for engineering-services. Outsourcing services such as application development & maintenance and business analytics are now being offered from Shenzhen and Shanghai respectively.

Three of the above-mentioned six Chinese cities appear in the emerging top 10 while India is represented by Kolkata (6th), Chandigarh (12th), Coimbatore (17th) and Jaipur (31st). The other Asian city in the top 10 is Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

There are 5 newly-emerging outsourcing hotspots in Asia making their first appearance on the 2008 Top 50 list - Quezon City, Philippines (21st), India’s Jaipur (31st), Singapore (36th), China’s Chengdu (37th) and Mandaluyong in the Philippines (45th).(trendsniff)

Cebu lands on global tourism map as venue of World Tourism Forum

2008-10-16T11:07:00.001+08:00

The conduct of the five-day United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) International Tourism Forum in Cebu next week highlights the province as an ideal tourism destination in this part of the region.

Tourism Usec. Phineas Alburo recently bared the international forum on tourism development puts "Cebu on the global map on tourism as an ideal place for international gathering."

Almost 500 participants consisting of parliamentarians and local authorities from 135 UN-member nations are expected to attend the event which will be opened by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 22 at Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Lapulapu City.

Alburo said the UN-WTO global forum is similar to the 12th Asean Summit but on a smaller scale. The Asean Summit was also held in Cebu in January 2007.
The gathering to be held here as mandated by President Arroyo is mainly due to the success of the Asean Summit, according to Alburo.

The tourism undersecretary once again appealed to the Cebuanos to support the government and show the foreign visitors the popular Filipino hospitality and be courteous at all times.

Alburo said he has met with top officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-7) and the Cebu Taxi Association for the latter's cooperation and support as he asked taxi drivers not to overcharge the foreign visitors who might want to explore Cebu on their own.

The foreign delegates will be treated with two complementary tours namely the historical and cultural tour and the other will be an industrial tour. Cebu's old-age museums and other historical attractions will be showcased as well as an array of fashion accessories of export quality as they go on a site tour of export companies that cater on fashion jewelries, this is learned.

A book featuring Cebu, its history and tourist attractions as well as other significant information with brilliant photos of some of the tourist spots will be given to each delegate as a souvenir which is one means to promote the province and maintain its strength as the favored international tourism haven among foreign visitors, this is said. (PIA)

Second largest Duty Free Philippines opens in Cebu

2008-07-31T16:38:00.003+08:00

Duty Free Philippines (DFP) marks another milestone as it proudly launches its newest store and the 2nd largest outlet in the country right here in Cebu City at the ground floor of the north wing of SM City Cebu tomorrow.

DFP General Manager Michael Christian Kho leads the top officials during the inaugural rites as the new DFP occupies a space of more than 1,800 square meters.

The new DFP is fashioned on a more spacious and upscale setting that is more accessible to customers.

It also aims to maximize the opportunity of the mall's development towards becoming a premier tourist destination of Cebu.

With Cebu fast becoming a major tourist attraction and the opening of a Sofitel Hotel near SM City Cebu, DFP went into talks with the SM Group about a year ago on opening up the outlet in the mall.

Having another mall inside a mall is a unique and challenging idea for a retail business and provides shoppers with an exciting and wide array of products such as chocolates, confectionery, snacks, liquors, perfumes and fashion apparel and is believed not only to capture the tourists' attention but to increase DFP's revenues as well.

Through the years beyond development and challenges, DFP maintained its prevalent status as a performing business institution with improved service facilities, new brands and products as well as the implementation of aggressive merchandising and marketing campaigns.

With its mission to satisfy the international traveler's needs, DFP reassures the people that this pristine outlet will continue to provide world-class products and the same exceptional services showcasing Filipino warmth and hospitality.(PIA)

ALI turns golf course plan in Cebu City mountains into nature park

2008-06-25T09:11:00.001+08:00

Real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has dropped plans to develop its property in the hinterlands of Cebu City into a golf course and instead opted to establish a nature park in the area.

Ver de la Cerna, corporate communications head of ALI affiliate Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), said park opened its first phase Wednesday, covering 20 hectares.

”When the company realized the land is part of a protected landscape, it decided to reposition its original plans into what it should be, an educational facility,” said de la Cerna, whose office serves as the park’s secretariat.

The park is within the 29,000-hectare Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL), which covers what used to be known as the Mananga and Kotkot-Lusaran watersheds, and the Sudlon and Central Cebu National Parks.

ALI will open the park to nature lovers, researchers and anybody who wants to see a green zone in Cebu Island where the forest cover is reported to be less than one percent of the total land area

The park was inaugurated and turned over to the Ayala Heights Nature Park Foundation after the launching Wednesday.

Under the park project, ALI is reforesting about 72 hectares of company-owned property within the Kotkot-Lusaran watershed.

The project, which involves residents in surrounding barangays, is meant to be an ecological tourism destination, to serve as an educational facility, and become a habitat of Cebu’s endangered plants and animals.

The park is also developed to become a model for proper watershed management that will showcase biodiversity restoration and stakeholder partnership, involving the public and private sectors.

ALI senior vice-president Emilio Tumbocon said the park will also complement the adjacent Ayala Heights Cebu by “providing a healthy and desirable environment for village residents.”

Ayala Heights, a 20-minute drive from downtown Cebu City, is ALI’s upscale residential project.

ALI partnered with CHI, Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), Soil and Water Conservation Foundation and the University of San Carlos Water Resource Center to form the Ayala Heights Nature Park Foundation, which will serve as the “steward” in the enhancement of the park. The park will be managed according to the Protected Area Management Plan for the CCPL.

”We are confident that with the help of our partners and the community, we can create a world-class nature park,” said ALI vice president Francis Monera.

Planning for the rehabilitation started three years ago. Last November, ALI completed the building of facilities at the park, such as interpretive trail, administration office or park ranger outpost, reception office, staging area, tree nursery, restrooms, information stations and a small restaurant.

It also replaced exotic tree species that were grown there with native trees to attract endemic animals and restore the area’s biological diversity.

CHI reported that there are about 27 bird species found in the area, including the white-collared kingfisher, olive backed sunbird and the Asian glossy starling.

”The construction cost is less expensive because facilities are made out of light materials sourced from around this area. It is also built by workers from the community,” said de la Cerna.

He said maintaining the park would not entail a lot of cost as the park is “economically sustaining.”

There is no target date for the completion of he development, he said, because it will depend on how the public will accept it.

The park can hold a maximum of 60 people divided into 15-member groups. Trained local residents will serve as tour guides.

Entrance fees are as follows: P50 for adults, P25 for children. It will be managed by the Ayala Heights Nature Park Foundation to maintain the facility.

”We are maintaining this park to be low-impact, environmentally-sound, and community-participatory tourism activity,” said CUSW executive director Socorro Atega.

As phase two of the development will deal with swampy areas, the foundation is already thinking of having a nature center that will serve as a major educational facility where visitors and researchers can get information about the park’s history and the various plant and animal species inside the park.

It also plans to establish a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) zone and a bird watching area, put more food plants and build a historical perspective of the park with the help of senior citizens from the community. (PNA)

Cebu To Host 6th World Tourism Forum In October

2008-05-27T13:04:00.003+08:00

Cebu takes the global center stage as the chosen venue to host the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Forum in October 2008 focusing on climate change, poverty reduction and role of women in tourism.

Cebu in Philippines takes the global center stage as the chosen venue to host the 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Forum where at least 400 members of Congress from at least 100 countries worldwide are expected to attend.

China would have bided for the hosting of the 2008 UNWTO Forum but retracted its intent to give way to the Philippines and instead will host the same event in 2010.

The international tourism forum for parliamentarians held every two years is the first time that will be held outside the country's capital.

Dominique Bernadette, UN-WTO Conference Secretariat Chief said Cebu has been chosen as the venue of the international forum because it meets the UN Conference's criteria of certain standards in terms of facilities such as an international air service connectivity which is highly important.

Bernadette added that Cebu being the most favored international tourism destination is also a factor behind the decision as it serves as a role model in giving more awareness to local authorities on their significant role in the development of communities through tourism.

Shaping global tourism needs policy changes and adjustments to have a substantial impact which is basically the essence of the forum but local chief executives likewise have a critical role as they are the ones that implement these policies in the local level.

A technical tour to Bohol is also part of the itinerary to showcase how the local government unit (LGU) of the province managed to balance development and sustained eco-tourism growth together.

Bohol is the fastest growing destination in the country because of the efforts of the LGU to strike a balance between development and the preservation of nature, the tourism secretary added.

The WTO Forum is an additional economic activity for Cebu and Bohol on top of what it is enjoying right now, DOT Secretary Ace Durano claimed. Cebu and Bohol are the top tourist destinations among foreign visitors.

A post conference tour will also be offered to the delegates if they want to travel anywhere in the country like in Boracay, Palawan, Cagayan, Davao and Manila among other tourist destinations, Durano said.

Negros Oriental Product Bags Top Award in International Fair

2008-05-26T17:11:00.006+08:00

A product from Central Visayas won the most trendy product award out of 378 food products from all over the Philippines at the recently concluded International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2008 held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

This award, usually won by more established large companies in the country, was the first in the five-year history of the IFEX to be given to a small enterprise --- Orient Foods Inc. of Negros Oriental.

What is even more remarkable was that the product, a fruity bar, was a direct result of the Partner Region Program (PRP) of the government which provides assistance in food packaging development to make products competitive in both domestic and international markets.

According to judges from the private sector, Orient Foods’ chewy fruity bar won based on packaging design, product innovation and adaptation to consumers’ lifestyle.

The fruity bar concept is similar to granola bars sold in high-end health food stores. However, it uses all natural local ingredients such as rice crispies and native dried fruits, making the product not only nutritious but also cheap and convenient since it is wrapped in foil. It also has an attractive packaging design that appeals to consumers of all ages.

Meanwhile, Chantilly’s budbod kabog, still from Negros Oriental, came in a close second.

The budbod kabog of Chantilly is unique because aside from its ingredients which are bird seeds or millet, the product also uses banana leaf to wrap the delicacy and is vacuum packed and retorted in foil to increase shelf life without using preservatives. Its packaging not only retains the fresh food flavor but also gives the product an ethnic look.

The other contestants representing Central Visayas were Eco Nuestra (bottled sardines, amahon), Andre Choco (chocolate products), Lola Pureza (broas), Bohol Bee Farm (honey spread, honey products), Jojies's Bakeshop (bakery products), Tienda Boholana (oatmeal cookies), BQ Bread Basket (kalamay, star peanuts, breads, cakes), Bohol Quality Pastries (tajada cookies, broas, kinatloan), Candabong Ric Multipurpose Cooperative (ginger tea, salabat candies), Jose’s Budbod Delights (budbod sa Tanjay), Ivon's baye-baye, Tessies's Sweets and Pastries (bakery products), Sans Rival (jam squares, sylvannas), Orient Food Industries (dried tropical fruits), Ever (peanut broas), Duran's (banana fries) and Jainin's Pastries (tortalita).

The Trendy Awards was first introduced during the Asian Ethnic Food Festival, the original name of what is now called the international Food Exhibition (IFEX)

IFEX 2008 board of judges are: Margarita Fores – chef and restaurateur, Linda Floro – food stylist and restaurant owner, Engr. Abner Villahermosa – technical consultant for food packaging and branding.

Because of its participation in the PRP, Central Visayas food producers were given priority in terms of promotion, and location of product display during the IFEX 2008 (at the forefront of the main exhibition hall).

IFEX 2008 gathered several industry authorities and key stakeholders from various food sectors to the show to meet and discuss the latest trends and opportunities in the global food market and how to approach local and export markets in today’s fast, highly competitive environment.

The show introduced new food trends that help boost the marketability of food products and related commodities through innovative trends and concepts -- sustainable packaging, healthful eating practices, green production and marketing techniques, and new technology and allied services for catering and retail industries.

The IFEX was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International exposition & Missions (CITEM) Partner Region Program (PRP).

The PRP is made possible with the cooperation of the Philippine Trade Training Center, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Science and Technology.

Under the program, food companies have been getting assistance in food packaging development/ enhancement to make their products competitive in both domestic and international markets.

The DTI has provided appropriate assistance to SMEs under the PRP in the form of trainings, seminars and updates on food quality and safety, food packaging, marketing and branding.

After application of the relevant technical and marketing related interventions, these products are showcased in a special setting at the IFEX Philippines for market testing.

The PRP gives focus on regional food products that have potentials in both domestic and international markets.

Bohol: Country's model for eco-tourism

2008-05-09T10:29:00.004+08:00

Eco-Cultural tourism was then an unthinkable word, until the Boholanos showed what it is.

Entirely packaging a tourism that is a spin-off from the traditional definitions, Bohol's eco-tourism has made it a model for the Philippines, admits Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, during awarding ceremonies of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Turismo Mismo grantees in Magtangtang Danao, Bohol, May 1.

"Even at a time when eco-tourism was not crafted yet, the Boholanos were able to define it," he said after going through the Eco, Educational, Extreme Adventure Tourism (EAT) in Danao.

The eco-tourism concept is one where there is responsible travel to nature areas, doing activities like birdwatching, caving, farm visits and rice field walks, kayaking or simply sightseeing.

In Danao, local officials led by Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga also put in a twist in their adventure tourism by introducing river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock and root climbing and even bungee jumping.

The concept is to integrate all these in a huge nature park which has been the base camp of a revered Boholano hero; Francisco Dagohoy, while instilling in the tourists' mind the idea of preserving nature, the natural landscape, the watershed, the forest ecosystem and the town's history and cultural heritage, said a billboard at the park's jump-off point.

In fact, even Bohol Representative Edgar Chatto also confessed that when the House of Representatives deliberated on the bid for Bohol to be declared an eco-cultural tourism destination in the country, legislators called it a misnomer.

Legislators said [being] cultural also encompasses the ecology and the environment.

Chatto said he argued that it took the Boholanos about seven months to craft the vision for Bohol, and eco-cultural tourism is what they meant.

He said the House legislators finally agreed to adopt the term, after the local representative detailed the meaning of the word according to the Boholanos.

Chatto, who was a vice governor then was a key instrument in the crafting of Bohol's tourism vision as a province.

On eco-tourism, Durano asserts that Danao Bohol's tourism direction is basically what the DOT's Turismo Mismo is all about.

The department spun a campaign of not just giving people jobs, which seems to be superficial, but on giving people livelihood, which would make the projects sustainable.

Turismo Mismo is one where it is the people of the place who benefit from the resources, one he calls as Pilipino Mismo.

In Danao, the DOT brought Grass Roots Entrepreneurship and Employment in Tourism (GREET).

Meanwhile, Danao Mayor Gonzaga agreed that tourism to be sustainable should not just be about jobs but about livelihood as well. (PIA)

BOHOLANO food products go international in IFEX 2008

2008-05-09T10:22:00.003+08:00

In no time at all, favorite peanut kisses, calamay, caycay, tajada, mango spread, salabat (ginger tea) and broa would be gracing international market shelves as they debut in the upcoming International Food Exhibition (IFEX) this month at the Mall of Asia in Pasay.

The event, an exhibit component of the Partner Region Program (PRP) by the Asian Ethnic Food Festival now commonly called IFEX 2008, would feature local food and processors, which benefited technical help from experts and resources of Conventions and International Trades Expositions and Missions (CITEM) a trade promotion organization.

In Bohol, up to take their respective spots in upcoming IFEX are BUCAREZ Food Processing’s Peanut Kisses, BQ Breadbasket’s Calamay, Jojie’s Bakeshop’s Caycay, Bohol Quality Pastries’ Tajada, Bohol Bee Farm’s Mango Spread, Candabong RIC Multipurpose Cooperative’s Salabat Ginger Tea, Tienda Boholana’s Mango cookie and Tessie’s Sweets and Pastries’ ladyfingers or Broas.

These Bohol food products benefited mainstreamed and developed food packaging systems from government and technical experts, bared local Department of Trade and Industry authorities.

The Citem, the country’s export management authorities said the named Bohol products were identified through their PRP, and were assessed as having the potential in both domestic and international markets.

Under the program, select food companies from the identified regions are given assistance in food packaging development and enhancement to make their products competitive in both domestic and international markets.

For nine months, trainings and seminars were given to company owners in production and marketing-related topics to help them improve their production towards safe and quality products and equip them with knowledge in negotiating better with both local and foreign buyers.

During these periods the selected food companies underwent trainings and seminars on food packaging and labeling, current good manufacturing practices, brand management, food process cost management, marketing management, visual merchandising and negotiation techniques.

One-on-One consultancy and In-plant assessments are likewise provided by the PRP experts to these firms.

The products, in their enhanced packaging and labels, are showcased in a special setting during the International Food Exhibition or IFEX.

For this year’s edition, the Central Visayas Region has been identified as the Partner Region for IFEX 2008, set for exhibition this coming May 16-18 at the SMEX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The Central Visayan food products identified went through rigorou screening by CITEM experts, the Department of Science and Technology-Packaging Research and Development Center (DOST-PRDC), Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and San Miguel Packaging Products.

Capitol plans to connect entire island of Cebu to the internet

2008-04-14T11:00:00.000+08:00

The Cebu Provincial Government wants the entire island of Cebu connected to the Internet through WiMax or Worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access Technology.

Malaysian company Prosat Technologies proposed a joint venture with the Cebu provincial government regarding this matter.

Prosat officials Andre Foresti, chief executive officer, and Stephen Chia, chief operating officer, recently visited the Office of the Governor to present their proposal before the economic enterprise council (EEC).

Sugbo, the Cebu Province’s official publication, reported that Prosat aims to establish high-speed broadband wireless network infrastructure for Cebu to support future information and communication technology (ICT) needs.

If this is realized, remote barangays will have access to the Internet.

Sugbo stated that one of the goals of the Provincial Government is to bring ICT to the towns.

The Capitol distributed at least 10 computers for each high school in the province.

However, Cesar Atienza, Capitol consultant on information technology, said only 42 percent of the high schools in the province have Internet connection.

”Existing internet service providers are still looking for commercial viability. They won’t go beyond the poblacion, because doing so has no attractive commercial returns and they could not survive,” Sugbo quoted Atienza.

Prosat first visited Cebu last year for the ICT summit. It is there that they were “encouraged” by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s ICT aspirations for Cebu.

“Our vision is to develop an effective broadband wireless telecommunications facility to support government and industries, based on open global standards,” said Chia of the proposed joint venture with Cebu Province.

The Provincial EEC is still scrutinizing the proposal.

WiMax is a wireless digital communications system intended for wireless metropolitan area networks. It can provide broadband wireless access of up to 30 miles for fixed stations and three to 10 miles for mobile stations.

WiMax is similar to the more popular wireless fidelity (WiFi), but the latter is limited to 100 to 300 feet. It is gaining popularity as an alternative to cable and DSL-enabled broadband access. (PNA)

Cebu Pacific opens direct flights from Cebu to Bangkok and Macau

2008-04-09T09:55:00.001+08:00

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has opened two direct flights from Cebu to Bangkok in Thailand and Mactan over the weekend, strengthening Cebu’s position as an international gateway.

Romulo Orense, CEB corporate communications manager, said the new routes will make it easier for tourists to reach the two destinations.

The Cebu-Macau flight will fly twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday, while Macau-Cebu flight is every Wednesday and Sunday.

The Cebu-Bangkok route and vice versa will fly thrice a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Orense said the new flights will also increase the number of tourists coming to Cebu especially Bangkok, which is a destination for European tourists.

The Macau route will also serve the overseas Filipino workers’ market, said Orense.

Orense said around 130 passengers flew to Bangkok last Saturday, while more than 100 passengers flew to Macau last Sunday during the inaugural flights.

Jenny Franco, president of National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, Cebu Chapter (Naitas-Cebu), considered the Bangkok and Macau routes as positive development in the travel industry.

”Travelers from Visayas and Mindanao have been clamoring for those direct flights. It is also an opportunity for us to promote Central Visayas in Thailand,” Franco said.

”But we are targeting not only Thai tourists but mainly the expatriates living in Thailand and tourists coming to Thailand. We want them to extend their holidays in Cebu,” she added.

The Department of Tourism welcomed the new routes as “good news that will benefit the tourism industry.”

”This is a very helpful intervention. The more direct flights, the better to increase accessibility and convenience of tourists,” said Phineas Alburo, DOT undersecretary for Visayas and Mindanao.

Alburo said airlines, such as Cebu Pacific, also serves as an effective promoter of tourist destination in the country.

”Because of this, we are more than confident that we will reach the three million tourist target this year,” Alburo said.

Orense said they will soon be launching direct flights from Davao to Hong Kong and Singapore and vice versa.

”The market in Davao is already developed. It is already very strong with a healthy pool of tourists and business travelers in Davao. We are the potential of these routes,” said.

Orense also said another local route --Davao to Iloilo will also be opened soon.

Last week, CEB also launched its new Avion Regional Transport (ATR), a 72-passenger aircraft from Toulouse, France, which will fly from Cebu to Caticlan in Aklan province daily.

The new flight will support the increasing number of tourists going to Boracay.(PNA)

Online recruitment firm opens Cebu branch

2008-04-09T09:54:00.002+08:00

A pioneering online recruitment firm recently launched its Cebu office in time for the company’s 10th anniversary, after two years of checking out the local corporate scene.

JobsDB.com, which started operations in Hong Kong in 1998, has established presence in more than 10 countries. It chose Cebu for its first regional branch in the Philippines.

Jayjay Viray, JobsDB general manager, said after holding two successful job fairs in the Cebu City, the firm decided to establish the regional branch at the 10th floor of Keppel Center, Cebu Business Park.

“There is an overwhelming and vibrant atmosphere in Cebu that pushed us to do it now,” Viray said, adding that JobsDB.com should have opened its Cebu site sometime ago.

The online recruitment company wants to give clients and jobseekers in Cebu the same access that its clients in Manila are enjoying.

Viray said although jobseekers can access the company’s services through the Internet, there are still those who want to drop by JobsDB.com’s office and ask for assistance on how to go about their job applications.

Viray could not disclose how many clients the company has in Cebu, but she said that since JobsDB.com started campaigning for its Cebu opening, through a soft launch in 2006, the number of resumes deposited in their database has “picked up.”

The firm has also partnered with local schools and universities in Cebu to allow graduating students to fill out their online resumes, which are deposited in JobsDB’s database.

Expansion efforts in Cebu, Viray said, also included forging partnerships with 1,500 Internet cafes, which use the JobsDB.com website as their homepage.

Aside from being an online recruitment firm, Viray said, JobsDB also organizes seminars to assist and update jobseekers on the latest techniques in applying for jobs.

She said she has also made a commitment to government leaders in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City that the company will help hold job fairs in local government units.

“This is our goal, to be part of every Cebuano’s life,” Viray said.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Eric Ng Mendoza, who attended the opening of JobsDB.com Cebu office, said the online recruitment company has come at an “opportune time, when Cebu has dramatically grown in information and communication technology, as well as in the business process outsourcing industry.”

In his keynote speech, JobsDB chairman Samuel Sung said that the firm recognizes Cebu as having achieved “spectacular growth” and that he was amazed at the transformation of the city since his last visit 10 years ago.

Aside from JobsDB.com, Sung also promoted 88DB.com, which the company considers as a “racket central,” since budding entrepreneurs can post their products and services at the site for free.

Sung said he supports entrepreneurs since they are “they new drivers of the economy.”

In line with this effort, JobsDB and 88DB will hold the Career and Entrepreneurship Fair 2008 in July, in Cebu. The activity will include a paperless job fair through the use of the Career Card System, which Jobs DB initiated.

The system allows the applicant to give his career card during job fairs and his resume can then be downloaded online.

There will also be a multi-sectoral exhibit by multinational companies, private organizations, government agencies, universities and colleges and recruitment agencies.

JobsDB has 10 million jobseekers with free accounts in the firm’s website. These registered jobseekers have access to job postings from 200,000 companies. The company also said that its website gets 12 million visits monthly.

The JobsDB Cebu office opening was also attended by Cebu City Councilor Eduardo Rama, who came on behalf of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, and Bonifacio Belen, executive director for the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology.(PNA)

NERBAC-Cebu One-Stop Business Registering and Licensing

2008-03-14T09:53:00.003+08:00

Link

We're aggressively promoting the services of NERBAC-Cebu. Cebu NERBAC is being made as a pilot project by the Philippine government for fast business registering and licensing.

Created through the Republic Act 7470, NERBAC is an all-in-one center that houses all concerned agencies in the government. It processes all regulatory requirements in starting a business and provides investments information on Central Visayas.

I hope businessmen will support this government move and have their businesses registered at the NERBAC-Cebu to reduce graft and corruption.

Negros Oriental food products go international

2008-02-25T14:13:00.001+08:00

Five locally produced food delicacies from the province will be highlighted in the International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX Philippines 2008) together with other selected food products from the Central Visayas Region 7, on May 16-18, 2008 at the SMEX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Information Officer, Tammy Sevilla to be featured in this year's IFEX under the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions' Partner Region Program are: Orient Foods' "energy food", a combination of ampaw and dehydrated fruits; Sans Rival's jam squares; Ivon's baye-baye; Chantilly's bod-bod kabog; and the bod-bod of Tanjay.

Under the program, the above food companies have been getting assistance in food packaging development/enhancement to make their products competitive in both domestic and international markets.

The owners are given trainings/seminars in production and marketing-related topics to help improve their production towards safe and quality products as well as equip them with the knowledge to improve their negotiation skills in dealing with local and foreign buyers.

Sevilla said, during the IFEX all products from Region 7, in their enhanced packaging and labels will be showcased in a special setting at the main exhibition hall, where local and foreign buyers are expected to visit. (PIA)

More Revenues In Software Development For Cebu

2008-02-19T13:47:00.002+08:00

Cebu is expected to generate $255 million or 20 percent of the $1.275 billion revenue in software development by 2010 as it continues to be a premier outsourcing destination in the country.

Executive director of Cebu Educational Development Foundation Bonifacio said these figures are based on the studies conducted by the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT) and Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP).

Cebu earned $60 million and employed 3,500 software developers in 2006, Belen added.

In his presentation during the launching of Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2008, Belen said this target puts forward the “enormous growth opportunity” for Cebu. “The challenge for Cebu is to serve substantial share or 20 percent of the national target (of $1.2 billion in 2010),” he said.

Belen said CBM 2008 features the First Cebu Open Source Summit which is one way of addressing challenges faced by the ICT sector.

“For the very first time, the major stakeholders of Open Source Technology across the world will converge in Cebu to discuss how the Open Source movement is changing the rules of the game for ICT,” he said.

The summit will have speakers from Cebu and other countries, who will discuss issues such as open source applications, infrastructure and technical success factor, challenges and risks of open source, and best practices for open source governance.

Filipino entrepreneur Winston Damarillo, who is chairman and co-founder of BPO company, Exist Global and software company, Morph Labs will be one of the speakers.

Belen said the summit will help Cebu reach its revenue target in the BPO and ITES sectors in 2010.

International Tourism Forum Highlights Bohol And Cebu

2008-02-06T09:41:00.000+08:00

Tourism stakeholders are currently preparing for the United Nations-World Tourism Organization’s (UN-WTO) 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians to be held in Cebu on Oct. 22 to 25.

“Once again, Cebu will be the center of the world stage,” Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said. “It is an opportunity for Cebu to look forward to and grow, and an effective way for Cebuanos to look inward and present its competitiveness and strength as a people to the rest of the world.”

Cebu received international recognition for its hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in January 2007.

The international forum, which is held every two years, is expected to gather some 400 delegates from 156 countries.

Durano was in Cebu with other Department of Tourism (DOT) officials and representatives of the UNWTO for the 888 News Forum yesterday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Durano said the international tourism forum would have been held in China, but local stakeholders defended the country’s interest to host the event.

He said the Philippines’ bid drew support from other Asean member-nations and even earned the backing of China.

In an interview, Durano said tourism-related discussions to be tackled during the forum will deal on infrastructure projects, climate change, poverty reduction and the role of women in the industry.

He said infrastructure, especially airport development, will always be a vital component to increase tourism activities in a country.

A change in the climatic conditions will also be crucial in the traffic of foreign visitors, thus the tourism sector must be prepared for whatever changes in terms of trends and travel habits of tourists during wet and dry seasons, he added.

Durano also spoke of “immeasurable benefits and trickle-down effects” that the international tourism fair will bring to Cebu, as the main venue, as well as Bohol, which will be visited by delegates.

“The visit will show the sustainable eco-tourism of Bohol. It should be a role model for a balanced tourism development and nature preservation,” he said.

Durano lauded the efforts of tourism stakeholders and local government units in Bohol, “who have become the pillars in making the province one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the Philippines.”

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said with the international media mileage that Cebu and Bohol will be getting, both provinces — “with their renowned capacity to attract visitors” — is guaranteed to be in the world map as a destination for leisure, and international meetings, conventions, incentives, and exhibitions.

DTI, DOT ink pact for marketing of OTOP products in Central Visayas

2008-02-05T15:28:00.000+08:00

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7, will hold a familiarization tour of towns taking part in the One Town, One Product (Otop) project.

The tour will enable DTI 7 and DOT 7 to effectively market Otop products and services among foreign and domestic tourists.

DTI 7 presented some Otop products in Cebu and other parts of Central Visayas to a group of local tour guides and tour operators in a briefing last Monday.

The joint venture of DTI 7 and DOT 7 is the first in the region and the second nationwide, said DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte.

Caberte said the familiarization tour of successful Otop areas by tour guides and operators “will help provide a new dimension in the region’s tourism packages,” especially since Central Visayas is described as the tourism gateway of the Philippines.

“They can incorporate Otop stories into the town’s history and narrate it to tourists,” she said in an interview. She pointed out that since tour guides are likened to “walking billboards,” they would be the right people to tap in the promotion of Otop products. (wowphilippines)

New Schedule Of Business Permitting And Licensing At DTI NERBAC - 7

2008-01-10T14:07:00.000+08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry’s National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center in Region 7 (DTI NERBAC – 7) announces that, effective January 14 this year, the BIR, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG will be posting their representatives at the NERBAC only in the morning (8:00 am to 12:00), from Monday to Friday.

With the very limited staff of the four mandatory agencies, resulting from the implementation of the Rationalization Law, the BIR, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG are presently unable to detail their representatives on a whole day basis (8:00 am to 5:00pm), from Monday to Friday, at the NERBAC until the volume of transactions would justify the hiring of additional personnel.

It is to be recalled that DTI-NERBAC-7, as a one-stop-shop for business registration (for sole proprietorships), permitting and licensing has already been operating since October of last year, with the Cebu City Government and the four mandatory agencies, the BIR, SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, having their respective representatives posted at the NERBAC 7 office which is located at LDM Bldg., Lapu-lapu St. cor Legazpi Sts., Cebu City.

Processing and procurement of the Cebu City Mayor’s Permit by new partnerships, corporations and cooperatives, as well as new licenses involving the four mandatory agencies, as mentioned, can be done at the DTI NERBAC 7 office.

With NERBAC as a one-stop-shop, new applicants for business permits and licenses are spared from the tedious process which they had to go through without the NERBAC facility. This process involves registering their business names with DTI and securing a business or Mayor’s permit from the Cebu City Hall (for Cebu City based businesses) and registering with the four mandatory agencies in separate locations.

Housing these six (6) offices under one roof would really be a great relief for applicants who would register their new businesses, as they will be saving not only the cost of going from one office to another, but also valued time.

As improvements in the operations of NERBAC progress, rolling out the reforms in the BPLS out to other provinces, cities and municipalities of Region 7 are now contemplated, in the hope of creating a uniform process flow for business registration, permitting and licensing throughout Region 7, with the end goal of improving the overall investment climate. (ends)

Central Visayas lists one of lowest unemployment rates among regions

2008-01-03T13:09:00.000+08:00

Unemployment rate in Central Visayas dropped to about 5.9 percent as of October 2007, compared to the 7.5% in the same period in 2006, says the latest NSO labor force statistic report.

According the report, underemployment (those persons that desires additional hours of work) also dropped to 11.3 percent in 2007, the second lowest among the country's 17 regions. In 2006, region 7's underemployment rate hit 17.8 percent.

Nationwide unemployment also dropped to 6.3 from 7.3 percent. Among the regions, only the NCR recorded a double-digit unemployment rate of 10.6 percent, the highest among the regions, said the NSO report.

According to the report, more than half of those unemployed nationwide were men at 63.5% and 46.2% of all jobless persons had attended high school. Those that managed to reach college were not also better off, they accounted for 39.5% of the unemployed.

The Cagayan Valley region reported to have the highest employment rate at 97.7 percent. Central Visayas has 94.1 percent, lower than the employment rates reported in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Eastern Visayas and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, among others,

The report further said that of the estimated 35.9 million people in the country's labor force, 93.7 percent were employed or 9 out of 10 persons were employed.

Laborers, unskilled workers, farmers and fishers make up about half of all workers. Nearly 50% (48.8) were in the services sector; 36.1% were in the agriculture and the rest, 15.1% were in the industry sector, the NSO report went on.

Finally, about 6.1 million of all workers were underemployed, placing the national underemployment rate at 18.1% in 2007 or lower than the 2006 estimates of 20.4 percent. (PIA)

Cebu outsourcing facility opened by India’s Wipro

2008-01-03T11:09:00.000+08:00

GLOBAL IT SERVICE provider Wipro Technologies has set up shop in the Philippines, opening a business process outsourcing (BPO) center in Cebu.

The Bangalore-based company, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, plans to hire some 900 employees for the 45,000 square-foot facility. Officials said it was also looking at establishing additional centers in other fast-growing Philippine cities.

"The Philippines is one of the largest English-speaking nations and with a talent pool of 29 million. This is one location that we definitely want to expand our presence in," Wipro BPO President T.K. Kurien said in a statement.

The firm did not detail its Cebu investment, nor its Philippine plans. Company officials were not available for comment as of presstime.

Wipro BPO Vice-President Sanjeev Bhatia, in the statement, said the Cebu facility would address the requirements of a global market.

"Our business objective is to enable delivery of multilingual services to our global customer base. With a strong and robust game plan for the year, we are very clear in announcing Wipro’s arrival towards global serviceability, and Philippines is a major milestone in this journey" he added.

In a telephone interview, CB Richard Ellis Philippines director Ryan Isip said the property management firm had been tapped as lease manager.

"Wipro will locate at Cebu IT Plaza. The province was their preference. They are also interested in looking at other provincial sites," he told BusinessWorld.

Cebu, said Mr. Isip, has gone beyond being a premier tourist destination as it is now the second most popular Philippine destination for BPO companies next to Metro Manila.

Wipro’s move to locate in Cebu, said Business Processing Association Philippines executive director Mitchell Locsin, "It shows the Philippines continues to grow and attract global outsourcing companies.

"This is good for the country; they are employing thousands of people. We welcome them." — BW

Cebu, Manila eyed as major hubs for BPO in the future

2007-12-09T18:49:00.000+08:00

An official of the Cebu Investment Promotion Center (CIPC) suggested that the next major hubs for the business process outsourcing will only be Manila and Cebu.

Joel Mari Yu, managing director of CIPC said that Cebu produces an average of 23,000 graduates every year but it also banks of other college graduates from reputable schools in the Visayas and Mindanao areas which also make up another set of good talent pool, Yu added.

Cebu according to Yu is truly ready for the BPO. It has no problem with the infrastructure that BPO companies can lease. There are already a number of buildings that have been put up to address this need. The Asia-town IT park has been developed to cater to the BPO sector.

To date, Cebu has 25 call centers and more than 70 BPO companies that offer software and animation services; medical transcription and legal services among others. Yu said that the BPO industry here directly employs 40,000 to 50,000 workers.

These do not include the employment from coffee shops, restaurants, bakeshops, novelty and convenience stores that are earning because of the BPO industry, Yu said.

"The BPO in Cebu is definitely not a fad. It will continue to grow and flourish because it has already the infrastructure, talented manpower and an effective public-private partnership that creates conducive business environment," Yu said.

According to Yu, the CIPC receives inquiries from international companies as to where they can put up their centers in Cebu. "Just lately, an Indian company asked us to help them coordinate their plans of putting up a BPO center in Cebu with 1,000 to 1,500 seat capacity," Yu concluded. (PIA-Cebu)

Tourists increase; airport terminals need expansion

2007-11-08T15:38:00.000+08:00

MACTAN-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) will expand its passenger terminal because of the rapidly increasing number of foreign and domestic tourists.

MCIAA General Manager Danilo Augusto Francia said domestic and foreign tourists of different nationalities arriving and departing Mactan airport are increasing every year.

Records showed that international passenger arrivals went up from 279,624 from January to September 2006 to 356,762 in the same period this year, or 29 percent above the 266,401 target.

MCIAA recorded total departures of 369,856 from January to September this year, which is higher than the 289,965 in the same period last year.

Domestic

Arrivals of domestic passengers increased from 812,762 in January to September 2006 to 1,009,195 in the same period this year. The departures of local passengers also increased from 864,144 to 1,032,823.

The international arrival flights were recorded at 2,009 from January to September 2006 and went up to 2,733 in the same period this year. There were 2,723 international departure flights this year, from 2,018 in the same period last year.

A total of 778,210 international passenger arrivals were recorded for 2006 from the 57,998 when Mactan was opened to international flights in 1991. Within this period, the domestic passengers also increased from 1.4 million in 1991 to 3.3 million last year.

Approval

Aside from aircraft plying in regular routes and chartered flights, general aviation companies made an average of 8,000 flights annually, while the military has an average 6,000 flights.

There are foreign airline companies operating on regular chartered flights from Mactan to different countries while waiting for the approval of their regular routes.

International and domestic cargo arrivals (imports) and departures (exports) also increased every year, said Francia. (SS)

Negros Oriental Is Among World's Best Islands To Live On In 2007

2007-10-26T16:57:00.000+08:00

Negros Oriental, and its capital Dumaguete, lives up to its moniker "the city of gentle people" as US-based Islands magazine listed it as one of the 20 best islands to live on. The province joins the list of other exotic addresses such as the Grand Cayman, Gozo in Malta, Carriacou in Grenada and Vieques in Puerto Rico, which all offer a mix of indigenous culture, friendly neighbors, uncomplicated living and adventure attractions.

Islands magazine is one of the widest circulated and most trusted travel publications in the United States. Its readership of 500,000 comprises mostly of frequent tourists who take more than one annual holiday and stay for an average of seven days at any given vacation.

Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said this recognition for Negros Oriental speaks of an exceptionally hospitable experience that makes people want to stay for the long haul.

"More than the attractions in a particular province or city, it is the people who play a big role in creating a welcoming and positive impression to travelers," he said.

Durano called on local government units to continue their efforts in building up the tourism potentials of their jurisdictions. While infrastructure is essential, programs should also include creating a community mindset that is tourist-friendly and puts forth the world-famous Filipino brand of hospitality.

IDEAL COUNTRY LIVING

Published in the August 2007 issue, editors of Islands magazine chose 20 islands around the globe that have the best living conditions for foreigners who would like to relocate. Deciding factors included weather, languages spoken, ease of immigration and accessibility to hospitals. Expats were also interviewed for an insider’s opinion.

Negros Oriental earned three out of five flip-flops, or rating, from the magazine. Of note was Dumaguete City’s youthful vibe courtesy of the prominence of academic centers. Also mentioned was the city’s picturesque Rizal Boulevard, the seaside promenade lined with cafes and art galleries. German expat Georg Bender, who moved to the island in 2001, spoke of the great diving experiences awaiting scuba and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Located in Central Visayas, Negros Oriental offers divers colorful and teeming marine life around Apo Island, located in the Negros Oriental Marine Conservation Park. Tourists can also chance upon playful dolphins and pygmy sperm whales in Tañon Strait at Bais Bay. Meanwhile, the 400hectare Bird Sanctuary and Mangrove Park provides sightings of rare birds and wildlife. The province also boasts of spelunking, trekking and beach attractions.

Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, prides itself as the City of Gentle People after the winsome and hospitable residents who help create a tranquil and genteel way of life. Dumaguete is also known as a university town, with several institutions of higher learning located in close proximity to each other and students comprising a fourth of the population. Most notable is Silliman University, the first Protestant college in the Philippines and the oldest American-established tertiary education center in Asia. (MB)

Cebu Ranks Highly In Travel Magazine 2007 Survey

2007-10-26T16:55:00.000+08:00

Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

Asia / Indian Ocean Islands Category

1.Maldives 84.3 and Bali 84.3

3. Phuket 80.6

4. Seychelles 77.7

5. Mauritius 75.0

6. Koh Samui 73.7

7. Cebu 72.3

8. Langkawi 69.5

9. Lombok 63.8
10. Zanzibar 62.8

For the fourth straight year, Cebu has been ranked among the top 10 island destinations in Asia / Indian Ocean in the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards for 2007.

Cebu reached a seventh place finish and scored higher this year with 72.3 points compared to last year's 71 points.

Cebu ranked seventh when it first emerged in the top 10 list of the best island destinations in the region in 2004.

Maldives and Bali tied for first place in this year's number one island-destination. These two islands received received 84. 3 points, knocking off Phuket in Thailand, which slid to number three spot at 80.6 points.

Seychelles, Mauritius and Koh Samui were fourth, fifth and sixth placers with scores of 77.7, 75 and 73.7, respectively.

The rest of the top 10 were Cebu (seventh, 72.3), Langkawi (eight, 69.5), Lombok (ninth, 63.8), Zanzibar (tenth, 62.8)

The Readers Choice Awards have been conducted by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine since 1998.

Some 350,000 questionnaires were sent out to Conde Nast Traveler Magazine subscribers where they were asked to rate their choices for the different categories. The final tabulation was conducted by Media-mark Research, Inc., of New York City.

Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, a leading travel magazine, has a worldwide circulation of around 750,000 a month and 1.8 million hits on its website monthly. Its readers have been described as some of the most affluent, stylish and experienced travelers in the world.

Traveler Magazine is published by Conde Nast along with Allure, Brides, GQ, Vogue, Vanity fair, Tattler and Wired.

METHODOLOGY
Every year since 1988, a select sample of Condé Nast Traveler readers have taken the Readers' Choice Survey. In 2007, the questionnaires were made available to all readers, either as a 16-page partial edition of the survey (enclosed with their April or May issue) or through a secure Web site that contained the complete questionnaire. The final tabulations of 28,104 responses were done by Mediamark Research, Inc., of New York City. Organization Poll categories (Cities, Hotels, etc.) appear below, followed by the criteria by which each was evaluated. Questionnaires contained lists of candidates (individual cities, hotels, etc.), and space was allowed for write-ins. Only candidates that received a required minimum number of responses were deemed eligible for an award.

Evaluation: Each candidate was rated, criterion by criterion, as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. Criterion scores, which represent the percentage of respondents rating a candidate excellent or very good, were averaged to determine the final score; e.g., in the Islands category, Bali's 84.3 is the average of its scores for Activities, Atmosphere/Ambience, Beaches, Friendliness, Lodging, Restaurants, and Scenery.

Cebu joins list of top 10 emerging outsourcing centers in the world

2007-10-02T09:17:00.000+08:00

First take a look at the list. Don't expect Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida in the list because they are already established centers and the list is all about top and best 10 emerging outsourcing centers in the world. The study is done by services globalisation & investment advisory firm Tholons and media group Global Services.

Rank

1. Chennai (India)

2. Hyderabad (India)

3. Pune (India)

4. Cebu City (Philippines)

5. Kolkata (India)

6. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

7. Colombo (Sri Lanka)

8. Shanghai (China)

9. Chandigarh (India)

10. Beijing (China)

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) executive director Joel Mari Yu said he expects Cebu to reach number one, as the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry here is rising compared to that in India.

Costs are surging in the prime cities in India, which has earned a reputation as the world’s back office, as property values and rentals rise and wages increase at an annual pace of more than 15 percent amid a shortage of skilled employees.

Indian outsourcing firms are also feeling the pinch from an appreciating rupee, which dents dollar-billed earnings, forcing them to cut costs by expanding to less expensive locations.

“With the demand-supply gap widening, newer tier II cities will play a critical role in reengineered globalization models,” said Tholons chairman Avinash Vashistha.

“Destinations will need to provide a greater level of cost effectiveness and operational efficiency.”

Kolkata at number five and Chandigarh at number nine were the other two Indian locations on the list, which contained three Chinese and two Vietnamese cities as well.

The three hot cities for outsourcing from China were Shanghai at number eight, Beijing at 10 and Shenzhen at 13. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi were put at number six and number 12.

The Sri Lankan capital of Colombo placed seventh, Cairo at 11, Buenos Aires at 14 and Sao Paulo at 15, the study’s sponsors said in a statement released in Bangalore yesterday.

The list is based on criteria such as scale and quality of workforce, financial infrastructure, risk environment and quality of life.

India’s outsourcing companies have thrived by winning work from companies in the United States and Europe that sought to tap the country’s low costs and large employee pool by handing over jobs ranging from answering customers’ calls to risk management and financial analysis.

Pure-play outsourcing firms account for about 10 percent of the $50 billion in revenue logged in the year ended March by the entire information technology industry, which also includes software giants such as Tata Consultancy and Infosys.

Yu said that among Third World countries, the Philippines has an edge in that Filipinos speak better English, or that which is closest to the American twang, compared to Indians, who have an accent.

But, he said, the government should start giving the industry more attention in policy direction to keep that advantage.

“It would be better that the industry would not be concentrated in Cebu alone but in other provinces as well so that qualified workers do not congregate in Cebu. And this entails better government planning involving other local government units,” Yu said.

In particular, he said, other places should offer English, computer technology and other information technology-related courses for a better-qualified pool of workers.

RP's First SME Industrial Park Opens in Cebu

2007-07-12T14:50:00.000+08:00

Plantersbank sets the pace once more in SME promotion with the establishment of the first SME Industrial Park in the

Philippines

Situated in Cebu, the country's fastest growing and most economically active province, the Plantersbank SME Industrial Park brings forth opportunities for SMEs to utilize property investment to further boost productivity, ensure efficient transactions and meet the growing demands of both local and foreign markets while enjoying special economic zone incentives like tax and duty-free privileges.

"The SME Industrial Park in Naga, Cebu is another pioneering initiative by Plantersbank to provide Filipino SMEs with a platform to consolidate operations, widen exporting potentials, and most importantly, benefit from the fiscal benefits extended to locators in an export processing zone area," states Plantersbank chairman Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting.

Unlike other industrial parks that only lease the land to locators, the Plantersbank SME Industrial Park offers ownership of industrial lots ranging from 1,000 square meters to 2 hectares, making it easier for SMEs to better plan construction and expansion of their manufacturing plant.

As a Special Economic Zone, this project offers incentives to SMEs including exemption on taxes and duties on importation of capital equipment, tax credits for locally sourced capital equipment, exemption on export tax and import fees, a four to eight year holiday on income taxes, and 5% income tax on gross income following the tax holiday.

Beyond SME banking, it is part of the Plantersbank mission to provide Filipino SMEs with novel ways and means to grow and expand their businesses and enable them to profit from unfolding opportunities in the global economy. Prior to this, Plantersbank made internet-based business solutions available to Filipino SMEs, helping them enter new markets through SME.com.ph, a joint venture with the World Bank's International Finance Corporation.

"With the rise of the first ever SME Industrial Park in Cebu, we hope to spur economic, industrial and social development in the area," adds Ambassador Tambunting. "In helping SMEs succeed, we are able to spark economic activities leading to more jobs, higher incomes and a better quality of life, especially in the countryside."

The Plantersbank SME Industrial Park aims to become Cebu's melting pot of the finest and innovative ideas for businesses that will propel the country's overall SME excellence for global recognition. (sme.com.ph)

Bohol Launches 1st Boholano Creative Industry Festival

2007-06-29T16:09:00.000+08:00

In the spirit of collaboration among national and provincial government agencies, non-government agencies and local government units, the trade fair, agricultural fair, cultural and heritage showcase and LGU tourism showcase will be integrated in one activity --- the Sandugo 2007 which will be held on July 18 to 22.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Bohol, Sandugo 2007 will feature the Boholano Culture and Lifestyle and will highlight how the creative sector contributes to economic growth.

DTI Bohol rationalizes that the integration of two major local fairs and component special activities will result in the upscaling of its overall attractiveness not only to locals but also for institutional buyers.

Sandugo events include the Sandugo Product and Lifestyle Fair, Creativity Agora, Creative Industry Forum, Bohol MagNegosyo Talk Show, Boholano Cookfests, Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fora, Social Development Forum and Cultural Peformances.

“The added attraction of the cultural presentations will ensure that this year’s Sandugo will be a kaleidoscope of culture, crafts, food, agriculture, lifestyle, ideas, creativity and ingenuity.”

The Sandugo Product and Lifestyle Fair showcases the best of Boholano craftsmanship and ingenuity with indigenous materials such as raffia and bamboo.

Aside from Bohol producers, DTI Bohol says that producers of fashion accessories, processed food and home furnishings from other provinces within Central Visayas will participate in the trade fair this year

The Creative Industry Agora will be a multi-media showcase featuring the crafts, agri-products, tourism destinations and programs of Bohol’s special six emerging productivity circuits: Northwestern Bohol, Anda Peninsula and Eastern Bohol, Interior Bohol, Panglao Island, Abatan River Towns and Tagbilaran City.

In the First Bohol Creative Economy Forum, speakers from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Center for International Exhibitions and Missions (CITEM), National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), DTI, Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the British Council will shed light on the nature, scope, implications of the creative industries on the local economy.

The Bohol MagNegosyo Talk Show will focus on the importance of entrepreneurship towards achieving economic growth and poverty alleviation and highlight success stories to serve as inspiration for the Boholanos.

The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fair is a major marketing and promotional activity that highlights the display of fresh, organic, agricultural and processed products and tests the marketability of products and farm produce.

For more information, interested parties may call DTI-Bohol at telephone numbers (038) 5018260, 5018828, 4113302 or Email: dtibohol@yahoo.com (DTI 7)

Gov't Officials, Top Traders Join Go Negosyo Cebu!

2007-06-25T15:00:00.000+08:00

Top government officials and entrepreneurs are expected to speak before the Cebu Business Month (CBM) Entrepreneurship Conference: Go Negrosyo sa Cebu! at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City on June 26, Tuesday.

Among them are Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Secretary General Cerge Remonde and businessmen Joey Concepcion and Jay Aldeguer.

Karen Davila and Anthony Pangilinan will be the moderators for the keynote forum where Senator Pangilinan, Remonde, Concepcion and Aldeguer will join other speakers.

Organizers said the CBM Entrepreneurship Conference is open to the public and is expected to draw a thousand delegates from across all sectors, including the academe, industry associations, businessmen, government, housewives, aspiring entrepreneurs.

Admission to the conference is free.

The conference is designed to encourage Cebuanos to put up their own business. It also aims to educate our fellow small and medium enterprises especially those who run sari-sari stores and carenderia on how to grow their small businesses.

Free transportation will be provided to the delegates and students who will attend the conference and expo. Pick up points are at SM City Cebu Terminal and Ayala Center Cebu terminal from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A highlight of the conference is the awarding of Cebu’s 12 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs identified by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).

They include Norberto Quisumbing Jr. of Norkis Trading Co. Inc., Robert Aboitiz of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Augusto Go of the University of Cebu, Jack Gaisano of Metro Group of Companies, Justin Uy of Profood Int’l. Corp., Bernie Liu of Penshoppe, Kenneth Cobonpue of Interior Crafts of the Island Inc., Julie Gandionco of Julie’s Franchise Corp. and Wilson Ng of Ng Khai Dev’t. Corp.(PNA)

Cebu ICT International Conference & Exhibition 2007

2007-06-06T10:36:00.000+08:00

Propelled by the demands of a globalized knowledge-based economy, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will host the Cebu ICT international conference and exhibition 2007 on June 26-28 at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort & Spa and the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

The objective is to provide a venue that will bring together significant stakeholders from the ICT capitals of Asia - Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, and India - to discuss their vision for sustaining and accelerating the transformation of Asia into the world's premiere IT investment destination and global outsourcing center.

The conference will feature top executives from the world's leading ICT and BPO firms, suppliers, and associations as speakers and panelists in plenary sessions at Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort & Spa. A three-day exhibition will run concurrent to a series of related meetings and activities, including a Summit of Asian ICT Leaders, Regional Meetings of Implementing Partners, an Asian ICT Quiz Show & Web Design Competition, a Business Plan Competition for ICT Entrepreneurs, and a Job Fair for the ICT and IT-Enabled Services Industry. Twelve breakout tracks on technology and business will also be offered.

Cebu ICT 2007 is being organized with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Bureau of Investments (BOI), and in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

The initiative aspires to help harness the Asian potential in the vital frontier of innovation ecosystem advancement, investment promotion, and human capital development through ground-breaking, regional collaboration. (CCCI)

2nd Visayas OTOP Fair Goes to Boracay

2007-05-22T09:33:00.000+08:00

Expected to join the 2^nd Visayas One Town One Product (OTOP) Fair goes to Boracay are 99 OTOP Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Region 6 (39 SMEs), Region 7 (35 SMEs), and Region 8 (25 SMEs).

Department of Trade and Industry Western Visayas Regional Director Dominic P. Abad said that the fair will run for five days from 23 - 27 May 2007 at the La Carmela de Boracay Resort.

Two selling areas will be provided for the buyers. One is at the second floor of the resort for the regular selling from 2:00PM-11:00PM daily and the other is at the beach front of the resort for the night market from 7:00PM-11:00PM daily.

Products for sale are souvenir items, beachwear, novelty items, furnishings, natural fiber, and fashion accessories such as bags, shawls, headgears and footwear, including food items and horticulture inputs.

To add color to the fair, two live mannequins will carry and present Visayas OTOP products under the direction and choreography of International Lifestyle Designer PJ Aranador.

To make the fair more alive, a rolling band will be commissioned to roam from station 1, 2 and 3 in addition to a sailboat bearing the OTOP logo that will sail around the Island.

To enliven the night market, a sand art castle with all the candle lights featuring OTOP will be mounted plus a band to play reggae music on May 25.

Abad said that the Island of Boracay was chosen as the venue because most of the souvenir shops are here, domestic and foreign tourists abound in the area, and it has great market and tourism potentials.

Invited to come are buyers from Manila and from the three regions, governors and mayors and other government officials from the National Government Agencies, among others.

The 2^nd OTOP fair will focus on selling the products produced by the SMEs of the three regions under the DTI OTOP Philippines program.

OTOP is one of the priority programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.

It encourages the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and manpower of every municipality or city.

Executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service which has a competitive advantage.

The DTI through the Provincial Offices and the SME Development Group assist the LGUs in identifying the specific product and coordinated other forms of assistance from other government agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Science and Technology (DOST), Tourism (DOT) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among others.

Package of assistance include business counseling, skills and entrepreneurial training, marketing, and introduction of appropriate technologies.

The 1^st OTOP fair, which was held in Cebu City last year, focused on the product development initiatives of the DTI highlighting the tourism and market potentials of the Supra Region, the Central Philippines , which attracts more than half of the foreign tourists in the country.

The fair became a vehicle to showcase the OTOPs of Region 6, 7 and 8 and generated sales amounting to P 3.77M for the 4-day fair.

Bent on promoting the products of small entrepreneurs in LGUs, DTI -Regional Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Carissa Cruz-Evangelista signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines for a special window on financing for the OTOP SMEs on April 16 this year. (DTI)

Asian telcos meet in Cebu

2007-05-16T16:03:00.000+08:00

More than 300 delegates from over 110 telecommunications carriers and entities from Asia, Europe and the Pacific Rim converged in Cebu Tuesday for the four-day 3rd Asian Carriers Conference (ACC).

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co. and its subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. are organizing the conference which is being held at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City until Friday.

PLDT group head for International and Carrier Business Victorico P. Vargas said the event was conceived by the PLDT Group to create a venue for discussion of trends, such as the Next Generation Network and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and the challenges and opportunities in the fast-paced telecommunications industry.

These are in addition to basic bilateral commercial and technical discussions between the various telecom entities.

”This year, we have expanded our guest list to include not only fixed and mobile carriers, but also roaming partners, VoIP and value-added service providers, submarine cable operators, vendors and supplies,” Vargas said in a press release.

”We’re proud to say that it is growing to become the largest telecommunications conference in the region,” he added.

When ACC started in 2005, it was able to attract 150 delegates. Last year, the attendance grew to over 180 delegates.

This year, registered delegates have reached over 300, and the number is expected to approach 350 when the conference commences.

”Asian carriers as well as those from other continents and regions now have an alternative venue in Asia to discuss business and industry concerns," said Vargas.

"We made sure the topics for discussion and opportunities for dialogue would be very comprehensive. Support from the carrier and other Telco players like suppliers and cable operators has been strong and well above expectations,” he added.

Vargas said PLDT and Smart hope to achieve in this conference is to create a venue and environment for carries and telecom players to strengthen existing relations, improve business, help resolve issues, as well as find new opportunities in a relaxed and hassle-free atmosphere.

In addition, PLDT and Smart aim to contribute to the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination by allowing foreign counterparts to immerse themselves in Philippine culture and enjoy Cebu and its surroundings.

In the works is a proposal to set up an organization for the conference to make it more potent, more cohesive and able to facilitate sharing and cooperation to help the Asian telecom industry advance much faster.

Aside from PLDT and Smart, major sponsors, speakers and exhibitors of the ACC include major telecom players such as France Telecom, Belgacom of Belgium, VSNL/Teleglobe of India and Canada, IDT of the UK, US Sprint, Verizon Business, Hong Kong Colo, NEC of Japan, Comptertel of Mexico, Mabuhay Satellite and Telarix.

Other countries to be represented at the conference include Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh India, Egypt, Oman, the Untied Arab Emirates, South Africa, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Russia, the United States, and Canada, among others.(PNA)

Central Visayas investments jump to P12B in first quarter

2007-05-09T11:26:00.001+08:00

Investments in Central Visayas registered with the Board of Investment (BOI) Cebu extension office jumped a hundredfold to P12.23 billion in the first quarter this year compared to the P120 million registered in the same period last year.

South Western Cement Corp. contributed the bulk of the total investment at P12.14 billion, according to BOI records.

The proposed cement plant, which will be located in the southwestern Cebu town of Malabuyoc, is a fully integrated cement project that will have its own quarry.

Its commercial operation is expected to begin in 2011, with a production capacity of 1.6 million metric tons of cement per year or 39.16 million bags per year.

The other new projects that registered with the BOI-Cebu are Firm Builders Realty Development Corp. (FBRDC), with an investment of P41.5 million, Platinum Premium Seafood Products Inc. with P38.6 million and Fashion Accessories 4 U Corp. with P10.42 million.

The new businesses that came from fashion jewelry, processed fish products and cement are located in Cebu.

FBRDC, which is into mass housing projects, is in Oriental Negros.

The firms, which secured the BOI’s approval, will enjoy incentives, such as income tax holidays, tax and customs duty exemptions on capital equipment and spare parts and net operating loss carryover.

Meanwhile, the data also showed that the employment to be generated by the companies total 670.

The figure represents a 200 percent jump from the 219 jobs created in the first quarter of last year. (PNA)

Cebu sets 3-day grand sales blitz, June 15-17

2007-05-08T10:25:00.000+08:00

Taking advantage of its image as the country's premiere tourist destination Cebu's business sector is coming up with a three-day sales blitz next month dubbed "Shop Cebu" that will be participated by key tourism players and sprucing up local businesses.

"Shop Cebu," an undertaking of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) aims to establish Cebu as the region's shopping and dining destination. The event is one of the highlights of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) celebrated every June and spearheaded by the CCCI.

The three-day event will be a grand sales blitz among Cebu retailers as the malls in Cebu City will hold a three-day grand sale from June 15 to 17 with a midnight sale on the 16th. Hotels, restaurants, resto-bars, spas and other establishments will also offer discounts during the period.

The CCCI's tourism committee in-charge of the "Shop Cebu" event urges people to 'shop till you drop' from simple wristbands to T-shirts to musical instruments. It will also be a shopping adventure for shopping enthusiasts as one chooses from among handicraft centers, world-class malls and department stores that sell quality souvenir items like fashion accessories and furniture, handicrafted guitars and shellcraft goods.

Working together with the CCCI for the "Shop Cebu" event are the Cebu City Government, Cebu Provincial Government, ABS-CBN, Cebu Pacific and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines.

The CBM's twin focus for this years's celebration is on information and communication technology and tourism development under the theme "Let's Go Cebu!." (PIA)

SMPHI waits for control over SRP

2007-05-03T08:36:00.000+08:00

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) president Hans Sy has said the company is “willing to wait” on its plan to take full control over the 295-hectare (ha) South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.

Sy said SMPHI, the company behind SM super malls, will not abort plans of long-term development strategies for SRP to signify its confidence over Cebu’s bullish economy.

”We can’t make any move yet because we are still awaiting a formal position. There’s no firm offer. It has not reached to the level if we are developers or what. There are many things to settle like the master plan, price, technical details, etcetera, but we are willing to wait,” Sy told reporters.

Sy was in Cebu Friday for the soft opening of the SM City Cebu Northwing, which is a five-level annex to its existing 13.8-ha property at the Cebu North Reclamation Area.

He said the company’s multi-billion-peso offer, which includes “taking over the full obligation of paying” for the balance of Cebu City Hall’s P6.3-billion loan with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, involves a mixed-use facility and an information technology (IT) park at the SRP.

”It will be another Mall of Asia type of development,” he said.

Capitalizing on the burgeoning growth of the IT sector, SMPHI initially offered a joint venture with the City Government to develop an IT Park within a government-owned lot, similar to that of the Cebu Provincial Government and the Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC).

CPVDC, a subsidiary of Ayala Land Holdings Inc., developed the Asiatown IT Park in Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

SMPHI earlier mulled plans to invest P2 billion for the construction of two more malls in the province. The company was eyeing the SRP as a feasible site for one of its malls.

He said the construction of the two malls, which are expected to cost P1 billion each including the land value, will begin once SMPHI finds the lot for the projects. The plan is included in the project to put up four more additional malls in the Visayas.

Other prospective sites are Mactan island and “a little bit farther than Banilad,” Sy said.

”We’re really serious and bullish about Cebu. In fact, it’s our priority area for Visayas and Mindanao projects,” he said.

According to Sy, the company is in the look out for mall expansions, as it foresees growth in the country’s retail sector.

More malls, he said, helps decongest mall traffic.

SMPHI inaugurated last time its MS Bacolod branch in Negros Occidental, bringing to four the total number of malls in the Visayas.

In addition, SMPHI and the Iloilo government are now finalizing the bidding to develop a 54-ha lot of the Iloilo airport for another mixed-use facility, which includes residential and IT park developments.

Meanwhile, the 10.9-ha annex in SM City Cebu, dubbed the Northwing, is estimated to cost between P200 million and P300 million and is expected to open next month.

It has 171 leasable spaces and has 148 tenants. It has parking spaces on three floors and the roof deck can accommodate about 1,946 vehicles.

The Northwing, which is designed for the upper class market, will house upscale shops, specialty shops, a comfort lounge, concierge, entertainment area and restaurants. (PNA)