Philippine exporters hold grand sale of quality products in Cebu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DTI temporarily reduces Business Name Registration fees

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

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