The 33rd Philippine Travel Mart 2022!

MANILA – The Philippine Travel Mart (PTM), one of the country's longest-running travel exhibitions, will hold its 2022 edition starting Sept. 30.

The expo, which will run until Oct. 2 at SMX Convention Center, will feature more than 200 exhibitors and promises accommodation, flights, as well as, domestic and international travel packages at discounted prices.

"We've been waiting for a long time and now is the perfect time to travel again, support local businesses, and explore the Philippines and beyond," Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu said.

Abling-Yu said the expo this year is targeted to match the PTM held prior to the pandemic. The expo had been staged for the last two years but exhibitors only reached over 50 both in 2020 and 2021.

"Pre-pandemic we had over 200 exhibitors then so parang nandoon na kami sa level na 'yon ngayon exhibitors (So we are a bit close to the pre-pandemic level now)," Abling-Yu said.

The expo's layout features designated zones for various tourism products such as sun and beach, marine sports, cruise; health, wellness, culinary; cultural, farm tourism; entertainment and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

Also included in this year's PTM offers are tour packages in Bali, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh as well as Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, on the sidelines of the PTM launch, said the Philippines could compete with Southeast Asian neighbors and leading tourist destinations in the region.

"If you put our country side by side with our main competitors in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, our offerings are almost the same if not better. In that, we have beaches, natural resources, beautiful people, beautiful products, various destinations," she said.

To further position the country as a top tourist destination, she told stakeholders that the DOT would introduce programs to improve the overall tourist experience in the country.

Aligned with the PTM's 2022 theme "Safe Travels," Frasco also assured travelers that she personally instructed concerned offices to ensure that tourist sites in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are "safe and well-equipped to receive guests".

"We will also provide a convenient and better tourism experience for both foreign and domestic travelers through standardized travel protocols," she said.

"We have reached out to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), the Bureau of Immigration, and the Bureau of Quarantine to ensure that our entry protocols are reasonable, are consistent throughout the country, and will encourage, not dissuade, tourists from coming to the Philippines and going from place to place across our country," she added. (PNA)

African and Eurasian Nations Meet in Budapest to Take Steps to Improve the Conservation of Migratory Birds

African and Eurasian Nations Meet in Budapest to Take Steps to Improve the Conservation of Migratory Birds   Budapest, 27 September 2022 - The Eighth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP8) opened in Budapest, Hungary, today.  AEWA MOP8 will be an important policymaking forum ahead of a series of biodiversity-related meetings in the coming months, culminating with the UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15) co-hosted by China and Canada at the end of the year.   The AEWA Meeting was originally scheduled to take place in October 2021 alongside the One With Nature World of Hunting and Nature Exhibition in Budapest, but had to be postponed.  “Attracting 1.6 million attendees, the One With Nature World of Hunting and Nature Exhibition has been the largest and most successful event in 21st-century Hungary. The protection of our natural assets and environment is a key priority for Hungary, as demonstrated by the fact that we have always been early signatories to the relevant conservation conventions. The Hungarian government regards this as a vital issue, and it therefore welcomes the staging of the AEWA conference in Budapest. This is in itself a historic milestone, being the first time that Hungary has initiated a Meeting of the Parties to a nature conservation convention. We expect more than 200 experts from over 60 countries to attend the conference,” said Dr. Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations. The AEWA meeting is set to be the largest international conference focusing on the conservation of migratory waterbirds in Africa and Eurasia in recent years. Participants will include 52 national delegations from countries that are a Party to AEWA plus the European Union, as well as observer delegations of several non-Party Range States that are in the process of joining the Agreement and a range of non-governmental organizations and waterbird experts from across the African-Eurasian Flyway.  The four-day meeting will be an opportunity for governments to take stock of their collective efforts to implement the UN-backed treaty and to agree on future actions to improve the conservation status of the 255 species of waterbirds listed under AEWA. These include pelicans, cranes, storks, ducks, waders and other waterbirds that have tremendous economic, social, cultural, and recreational value to millions of people living along their flyways – providing meat and eggs for subsistence as well as supporting birdwatching and hunting activities, etc. Yet, migratory waterbirds face a wide range of threats, including habitat loss and degradation, illegal killing and poisoning, especially by lead gunshot, pollution, and climate change, and their conservation can only be achieved through international cooperation under the legal framework and practical guidelines developed under AEWA.  According to the latest Conservation Status Report being presented at this meeting, 43 per cent of AEWA's waterbird populations are in long-term decline and 33 AEWA species are globally threatened by extinction. “The world is facing a triple planetary crisis – the crisis of climate change, the crisis of nature and biodiversity loss; and the crisis of pollution and waste. Each of these crises presents a roadblock in flyway conservation and therefore, sustainable funding, compliance and strengthened implementation of AEWA are absolutely critical,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in her opening statement to AEWA MOP8. The meeting in the Hungarian capital will be held under the theme: Strengthening Flyway Conservation in a Changing World and will cover a plethora of topics related to the future conservation and sustainable use of migratory waterbirds covered by the treaty.   “The theme of AEWA MOP8 captures the need for countries in Africa and Eurasia to step up and come together to use this important meeting to make collective decisions that will ensure stronger implementation and delivery of the Agreement in the years to come,” said Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of AEWA.  AEWA lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures and their implementation is guided by means of a Strategic Plan and a targeted Plan of Action for Africa. Both plans are designed so that their implementation contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Global Biodiversity Targets. “AEWA is and will be an important instrument for countries to make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Member States will finalize at the end of this year,” said Inger Andersen. The meeting in Hungary will review three separate reports on AEWA’s contribution to the Aichi Targets 2011 – 2020, Opportunities for AEWA to Support the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework as well as a report outlining the relevance of AEWA to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. At MOP8 delegates will also be presented with new Complimentary guidelines on climate change adaptation measures for waterbirds, which builds on existing AEWA guidance on the topic and provides new, practical guidance on how countries can better plan climate change adaptation measures using state-of-the-art tools. A total of 16 resolutions will be considered for adoption by AEWA Parties at MOP8, including on: Single Species Action and Management Plans, Conservation Guidelines, the inventory and monitoring of the AEWA Flyway Site Network, Synergies in Addressing Causes of Waterbird Mortality,  Improving the Base Knowledge Waterbird Conservation, Ecotourism, AEWA’s Contribution to past and future Global Biodiversity Targets and Monitoring of Waterbirds. AEWA delegates will also consider a number of reports such as the 8th AEWA Conservation Status Report (CSR), an Analysis of AEWA National Reports and the implementation of the AEWA Plan of Action for Africa and a progress report on the implementation of the AEWA strategic plan. A special award ceremony will take place on the final day of the meeting (30 September at 9:00 – 10:00 AM CET) during which the AEWA Waterbird Conservation Awards will be presented to a selected individual as well as one institution that has made a significant contribution towards the long-term conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds in the African-Eurasian region. Another award will recognize an institution as a Migratory Species Champion Plus for its support for initiatives that benefit migratory waterbird conservation. A total of 15 side events on a wide range of topics will take place on the third day of the meeting (29 September). The side events as well as the opening of the conference and the award ceremony on the final day will be open to the media.

Ceremonial signing of technology licensing agreements between DOST and Bulacan's LGUs and MSMEs

Inaugural national survey to understand the role of Filipinas in engineering launched

The Women in Engineering baseline survey aims to gather data about gender disparity. 

The Philippine government has earmarked P1.29 trillion for infrastructure, the second largest outlay in its proposed P5.24 trillion 2023 national budget.  

This reflects the critical role that continued development, improvement, and expansion of infrastructure will have on our economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.  

It is well known the Philippines has a higher degree of parity between men and women in the economy, particularly in managerial roles. But how strong a role do Filipino women play in the key disciplines related to infrastructure, such as engineering and construction?  

First Nationwide Survey About Women in Engineering  

For the first time ever, several reputable national organizations will seek to answer that question.  

Recently, the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines Young Professionals Forum (CECOPHIL-YPF), partnered with the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Women in Infrastructure Foundation (WIFI) and Geoladies PH, launched the first-ever Philippines National Women in Engineering survey.  

This historic survey seeks to collect statistical and qualitative data from women engineers, affiliated professionals, and their employers, which could serve as a roadmap to produce programs and policies to promote gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity in the sector. It focuses on perspectives on how women are perceived in the workplace, key gender issues in engineering, and if there are adequate gender-related policies in the workplace. 

“There is a glass ceiling that might not currently be there on paper but is visible in the social and economic pressures it creates it for women. We want to do something about it. We want to understand where we are right now, and so we want to hear from women engineers,” said CECOPHIL-YPF Chairperson Atty. Jean Jacquelyn Nathania De Castro. 

More Women Needed in Key STEM Roles 

The Philippine Council of Women, in its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Plan 2019-2025, recognized the lack of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In a 2019 report, the National Economic and Development Authority said less than 7% of women are employed in the construction industry but did not provide data on whether those women are employed in managerial or entry positions. 

There is lack of current, focused statistical data on how large the gender gap in the infrastructure industry might be. What issues do women who are in, or have tried to get into, engineering and construction face? What are the challenges that they face in career progression and promotion?  Without knowing how high the glass ceiling is, how can policymakers decide where to start making cracks so that women can play an equal role in developing our built environment? 

“Every one of us, men and women, play a vital role in the construction industry. This survey will serve as a starting point in coming up with programs and policies that will further elevate the role of women,” said Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) Executive Director-In-Charge Doris Gacho. The CIAP and the Federation of ASEAN Consulting Engineers have both expressed their endorsement of the survey.  

The survey has been coursed through several key organizations to gather respondents from all fields of the construction sector. CECOPHIL-YPF, along with its partners from the CIAP, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, and Urban Land Institute Philippines have reached out to contractors, consultants, and developers to encourage their employees to answer the survey and share their experiences. 

“We may not be conscious about it but having women in STEM poses a huge advantage for businesses. Women’s involvement and leadership in STEM pushes economic growth and advances gender equality," said PHI Corporation President and CEO Mary Joy Maraat. PHI Corporation serves as the third-party consultant for the survey. 

Qualified individual engineers and allied professionals who were not able to participate through their affiliated organizations have also been invited to answer a public survey.  

More information about the methodology and scope of the survey can be found on PHI Corporation’s website (https://www.phicorpglobal.com/womeninengineering).

Philippine food exporters return onsite at IFEX Philippines 2022!

A multi-sensory experience awaits guests and participants as IFEX Philippines 2022, the country’s much-anticipated food trade show opens its doors at the World Trade Center Metro Manila from September 22 to 24.

Returning onsite since the pandemic, IFEX Philippines aims to showcase the best food products by local producers and manufacturers in a three-day event that includes thematic settings of distinct and innovative food and ingredients, networking and business-to-business (B2B) activities, talks and seminars, cooking demos and product presentations, special events, and 

more.

Expected to grace the opening of the event, either in person or via recording, are top foreign 

and national government officials including Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate 

Committee on Agriculture and Food; Sen. Imee Marcos, Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Undersecretary Ireneo V. Vizmonte, Officer-in-Charge 

(OIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and Assistant Secretary Glenn G. Peñaranda, 

OIC, Trade Promotions Group (TPG).

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), IFEX 

Philippines is expected to attract around 3000 visitors and buyers, and feature thousands of top quality Filipino food products and ingredients from almost 400 exhibitors.

Spotlight on the crème de la crème

On its first day, IFEX Philippines will give recognition to new and innovative Filipino food products at Katha Awards for Food for 2022. Katha Awards aims to strengthen the reputation of the Philippines as a go-to destination for globally competitive food products. Katha recognizes exporters that explore new galleries of flavors, original brand ideas, unique food fusions, and creative packaging methods.

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One winner from each product category will be selected for Best New Product: Beverage; Fine 

Food and Specialties; Marine Products; Meat and Poultry Products; Snack Foods and Crisp 

Savoury Products; Baked Goods; Processed Fruits and Vegetables; and Natural, Healthy, and 

Organic Products. IFEX Philippines will also select one winner for the Best Booth Display.

New Flavors, New Features

During the three-day event, IFEX Philippines will feature a special section called Flavor Finds, a 

collection of new food discoveries and innovations in the Philippine food scene. Flavor Finds will 

showcase products from NXTFOOD PH, CITEM’s comprehensive product development and marketing program that aims to bring innovative Philippine food products to the global market. It 

will also showcase new products from select exhibitors and emerging Philippine food product

and ingredients with tremendous export potential–ube, plant-based food, and Philippine craft 

beer.

Open House, another show feature, introduces the latest programs and activities within the food 

sector by showcasing products from IFEX Philippines partners. It will also highlight government 

efforts to champion Filipino food exporters, manufacturers, and MSMEs. Programs under Open 

House will include the following:

● COCONUTPHILIPPINES - A showcase of coconut products from food SME exporters 

under CoconutPhilippines, the country branding of the most versatile food produce of the 

Philippines. CoconutPhilippines is presented through the Coconut Farmers and Industry 

Development Plan (CFIDP) of the Philippine Coconut Authority under the Department of 

Agriculture.

● TASK Program ​(Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea) - A joint program by 

the Department of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute for Advancement of 

Technology that assists Philippine food companies in solving manufacturing issues such 

as product quality, production efficiency, and compliance with standards.​

● Philippine Craft Beer - Superior in quality and infused with distinct aromas and flavor 

profiles, the Philippine craft beer will be spotlighted in a unique booth setup with beer 

tasting activities. As one of the country's fast-rising industries, the craft beer industry 

aims to preserve the art of traditional brewery.

● RAPID Growth Program - The Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive 

Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) is a multibillion-peso value chain-based and 

market-driven business development initiative that aims to achieve inclusive and 

sustainable economic development for Philippine rural farming communities in the 

country.

● One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines - OTOP PHILIPPINES is a priority 

stimulus program for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. The program enables 

localities and communities to develop and promote products or services that are rooted 

in their local culture, community resources, and competitive advantage.

● Processed Fruit and Nuts Pavilion - The Processed Fruits and Nuts (PFN) Pavilion 

features products from local enterprises under the Industry Cluster Enhancement 

Program of DTI. The cluster envisions the Philippines as a globally competitive supplier 

of quality processed fruits and nuts.

IFEX Philippines also has a dedicated space called the IFEX Kitchen for food-tasting activities, 

cooking demonstrations, and product presentations. Talks and seminars will cover topics such 

as sustainability in the food sector, Kosher certification, intellectual property, FDA registration, 

and more.

IFEX Philippines 2022 will be held in partnership with DTI-Regional Operations Group and 

regional offices in Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western 

Visayas, CARAGA, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. Other 

government partners include DTI - Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), DTI - Foreign Trade

Service Corps (FTSC), DTI - Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Philippine Coconut 

Authority (PCA), Coconut Farmers & Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), RAPID Growth 

Project, One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines, Department of Tourism - Tourism 

Promotions Board (DOT-TPB), Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology 

Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Secret Kitchens 

of Samar. 

Industry partners include Philippine Exporters Foundation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Philippine Food 

Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), Integrated Food Manufacturers’ 

Assn. of the Phils. for Productivity (INFOMAPP), Philippine Confectionery, Biscuit and Snack 

Association (PCBSA), Brandexports, Northridge, and Craft Beer Association of the Philippines 

(CBAP). IFEX Philippines has also partnered with the Technology Advice and Solutions from 

Korea (TASK) Program, Chapter Coffee, Philippine Wine Merchants, and Bleeding Heart Rum, 

as well as media organizations COOK Magazine, Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, Pilipino 

Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Philippine Star.

To learn more about the event, visit IFEXConnect.com. About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions 

arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For nearly 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for 

quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, 

excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, 

creative, and sustainability sectors.

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium 

enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated 

approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.

About IFEX Philippines

IFEX Philippines (formerly International Food Exhibition) is CITEM's long-running trade event 

and sourcing program for Philippine and global food and ingredients.

Together with IFEXConnect.com, IFEX Philippines serves as a one-stop business-to-business 

(B2B) platform aiming to optimize their sourcing experience of buyers from anywhere in the world.

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM) 

DOST Forest Products Research & Development Institute 65th Founding Anniversary Celebration STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE

Theme: Investing on the Science, Economics and Sustainability for the Inclusive Growth of the Philippine Essential Oils Industry

September 21, 2022 (Online via Zoom & Facebook)

Rationale:

Essential oil, also called as essence, volatile oil or etheric oil, is a complex mixture of volatile constituents, obtained mainly from a botanically defined plant raw material through steam distillation, hydro-distillation, dry distillation or mechanical process. They may comprise volatile compounds of terpenoid or non-terpenoid origin. Some may also contain alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, esters, ethers, epoxides, amines, sulfides and terpenes in varying proportions.

Though essential oils’ functions in a plant is not well understood, it has a wide range ofapplications in various industries such as in food and beverage; fragrances, cosmetics and aromatherapy; household and pharmaceutical.

A number of essential oils are produced on small farms or collected from forests. Essential oil production is an important contribution to the local incomes of relatively poor rural populations in developing countries. Aside from the socio-economic importance to the producing communities, these crops play important environmental roles.

In 1995, during the Third UNIDO workshop on essential oil and aroma chemical industries held at the Anadolu University Medicinal and Aromatic Plant and Drug Research Center in Eskisehir, Turkey, the importance of the essential oils production in the developing countries has been pointed out.

There are an estimated 3,000 essential oils known globally, approximately 150 are of commercial importance and traded on the market (Barbieri &Borsotto, 2018). The major producers of essential oils across the world are China and India, followed by Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam in Asia. In Africa the major essential oil producing countries include Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria; while the Ivory Coast, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia play minor roles.

In the Philippines, essential oils are very much in demand and a number of companies, local and international have started investing on this industry.

Based on the trade data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), the Philippines exported essential oils in 2020 amounting to US$ 819,000 making it the 94th (out of 181 countries) largest exporter of essential oils in the world. On the same year, essential oils were the 597th (out of the 1100 products) most exported products in the Philippines, shipped to the countries: United States, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, India and Qatar.

While the country’s import values on essential oils in 2020 totals to US$ 22,600,000 becoming the 34th (out of 212 countries) largest importer of essential oils in the world. Essential oils were the 457th (out of the 1200 products) most imported products in the Philippines, primarily from United States, India, China, United Kingdom and Singapore.

Lagging behind from the progression of the essential oil industries of its neighboring Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India, the Philippines, which is similarly endowed with vast resources of aromatic plants must realize the significance of this industry andinvest on this. A good start is to convene the different key players of the industry and strategize on the advancement of the Filipino Essential Oils products; thus, the conduct of this consultative dialogue.

Objectives:

This consultative dialogue aims to convene the different key players of the essential oils industry in the Philippines in order to achieve the following:

To assess the current status of the essential oil industry at a global and local perspectives;

To identify the industry needs, gaps and opportunities;

To facilitate the creation of learning and sharing mechanisms among different stakeholders; and

To forge collaboration activities that will advance the competitiveness of the Filipino essential oils industry.

Methodology:

An online platform will be used to facilitate the exchange of ideas among the different essential oils stakeholders.

Pre-selected resource speakers recognized and referred for their significant works and experience related to essential oils will be invited to share their specific topic. The topics to be presented will provide different lenses and perspectives of the essential oils industry, i.e. international to local, production, processing & manufacturing, research and technology innovations, enterprising & marketing, policies & institutional support mechanisms, which are important in advancing the local essential oil industry. Below is the list of possible speakers to be invited to the event (Table 1).

Each resource speaker will be given 10 minutes to present. After each session’s presentations, 15 minutes will be allotted for questions and answers/open forum.

The call for invitation to the event will be posted to different social media platforms.

A reliable internet connection and interface streaming at Facebook is important and a must.

Table 1. List of possible speakers

Name/Organization

Specific Topic / Short Profile

1. Stephanie Paquin-Jaloux (Firmenich)

To provide international perspectives about the essential oils industry

Firmenichas one of the top flavors and fragrances companies globally

2. Ben Mead (Iba Botanicals, Inc)

To provide international and local perspectives about the industry

Iba botanicals experience and programs on

essential oils production, processing and manufacturing

3. Philip Cruz (ARIL / Herbanext Lab)

To share R&D, technology innovations experiences of ARIL/Herbanext Lab facility on essential oils production, processing, chemical & clinical testing, etc.

As DOST BIST first grantee and awardee

4. Russel Lorenzo (Casa de Lorenzo Organic Products)

To share essential oils extraction and processing

experience, product development, marketing and other aspects/learnings of the industry

5. Rosalina Tan (Philippine Pili Industry League, Inc.)

To share the PiliAni/ elemi oil experience from pili growers/farmers production, harvesting, processing,

products development/manufacturing, marketing, and international engagement

6. Oscar Mejia III (Scentsories)

To share his experience as a Filipino Artisan Perfumer, Scentsories experience on producing

local lines of perfumes, local and international engagements, etc.

7. Sherill Quinatana (Oryspa / Ivory Space)

To share her experience as CEO of the Oryspa and as former President of the Philippine Franchise

Association in light of the essential oil industry potentials in the country

8. Jerbie Go (Alliance of the Philippine Aromatherapists)

To share the APA as a network of different players/interest groups and individuals on essential oils and aromatherapy

To highlight the APA’s capacity building and

networking mechanism to improve the needs of the essential oils industry

9. Richard Villaspin (Kooperatiba ng MaliliitnaMagniniyog ng Barangay Kanapawan - KMMBK) – Camarines Norte

To provide a local community /cooperative of farmers’ perspectives on their citronella oil production experience As CBFM PO that supplies citronella oils to different market

10. Ben Maputi (Mt. Kitanglad Agri- Ecological Techno Demo Center) – Malaybalay, Bukidnon

To provide a local community /cooperative of farmers’ perspectives on their eucalyptus & citronella oil production experience

To highlight the experience on how government agencies (DA, DENR, DOST, DTI, DOT) help their group to become a recognized techno demo center for agroforestry crops and eco-tourism

11. Manuelito Putong (Agarwood Growers Association of the

Philippines, Inc.)

To share AGAPs initiatives and prospects on Agarwood essential oils in the Philippines 

12. Jaja Naval (al Da’wah Farm – Lopez, Quezon)

To share their cooperative’s experience and prospects on essential oils production

13. Government Agencies

DOST-FPRDI to share the F3TP and its R&D outputs in light of the essential oils industry development

DENR FMB to provide policy guidelines (and areas of opportunities) on the propagation, production of aromatic trees/plants, in light with the existing tenurial modes implemented in forestlands like CBFMA, PACBRMA, IFMA/SIFMA, etc.

DOST-ITDI to share technologies/facilities on essential oils extraction, processing and testing

DTI to share programs and opportunities for

essential oils product development, packaging, marketing and standards development

14. Funding Agencies

DOST PCAARRD

DOST PCIEERD

DENR-FASPS

other  Draft Provisional Program

Morning:    Opening Ceremony

8:30 – 8:45    Prayer & National Anthem – FPRDI Chorale & Himig Agham Kawayan 8:46 – 9:00    Opening Message: FPRDI Dir. Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan

9:01 – 10:30    Keynote Messages:

Former DOST Sec. Fortunato de la T. Peña New DOST Sec. Renato U. Solidum Jr.

New DENR Sec. Maria Antonia Yulo - Loyzaga New DTI Sec. Alfredo E. Pascual

10:31 – 10:40    Overview of the Consultative Dialogue

10:41 – 11:15    Session 1 (Essential Oils Industry: International Perspectives) Firmenich, Iba Botanicals

Q&A

11:16 – 12:00 Session 2 (Essential Oils: R&D Processing Facilities & Technologies) Herbanext Lab, Casa de Lorenzo Organic Products, DOST-ITDI Q&A

Lunch Break

Afternoon:

1:16 – 2:00    Session 3 (Essential Oils: Products & Enterprise Development) Scentsories-Oscar Mejia III, Oryspa-Sherill Quintana, Pili Ani-Rosalina Tan, APA-Jirbie Go

Q&A

2:01 – 2:45    Session 4 (Sustainable & Responsible Sourcing of Raw Materials) CBFM PO – KMMBK Citronella Oil Production Bicol;

CBFM PO – Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ecological Techno Demo Farm Center Eucalyptus Oil Production Malaybalay Bukidnon

Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines, Inc.; Al Da’wah Farm cooperative in Lopez Quezon

Q&A

2:46 – 3:45    Session 5 (Essential Oils: Institutional Issues & Concerns) DENR FMB, DTI, DOST-FPRDI

Q&A

3: 46 – 4:45    Session 6 (Essential Oils: Funding Opportunities)

DOST PCAARRD, DOST-PCIEERD, DENR FASPS

Q&A

4:46 – 5:00    Wrap up / Synthesis

5:01 – 5:15    Closing Message (DOST-FPRDI Deputy Director, Dr. Rico J. Cabangon)

Inaugural National Survey to Understand the Role of Filipinas in Engineering Launched

The Women in Engineering baseline survey aims to gather data about gender disparity. 

The Philippine government has earmarked P1.29 trillion for infrastructure, the second largest outlay in its proposed P5.24 trillion 2023 national budget.  

This reflects the critical role that continued development, improvement, and expansion of infrastructure will have on our economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.  

It is well known the Philippines has a higher degree of parity between men and women in the economy, particularly in managerial roles. But how strong a role do Filipino women play in the key disciplines related to infrastructure, such as engineering and construction?  

First Nationwide Survey About Women in Engineering  

For the first time ever, several reputable national organizations will seek to answer that question.  

Recently, the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines Young Professionals Forum (CECOPHIL-YPF), partnered with the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Women in Infrastructure Foundation (WIFI) and Geoladies PH, launched the first-ever Philippines National Women in Engineering survey.  

This historic survey seeks to collect statistical and qualitative data from women engineers, affiliated professionals, and their employers, which could serve as a roadmap to produce programs and policies to promote gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity in the sector. It focuses on perspectives on how women are perceived in the workplace, key gender issues in engineering, and if there are adequate gender-related policies in the workplace. 

“There is a glass ceiling that might not currently be there on paper but is visible in the social and economic pressures it creates it for women. We want to do something about it. We want to understand where we are right now, and so we want to hear from women engineers,” said CECOPHIL-YPF Chairperson Atty. Jean Jacquelyn Nathania De Castro. 

More Women Needed in Key STEM Roles 

The Philippine Council of Women, in its Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Plan 2019-2025, recognized the lack of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In a 2019 report, the National Economic and Development Authority said less than 7% of women are employed in the construction industry but did not provide data on whether those women are employed in managerial or entry positions. 

There is lack of current, focused statistical data on how large the gender gap in the infrastructure industry might be. What issues do women who are in, or have tried to get into, engineering and construction face? What are the challenges that they face in career progression and promotion?  Without knowing how high the glass ceiling is, how can policymakers decide where to start making cracks so that women can play an equal role in developing our built environment? 

“Every one of us, men and women, play a vital role in the construction industry. This survey will serve as a starting point in coming up with programs and policies that will further elevate the role of women,” said Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) Executive Director-In-Charge Doris Gacho. The CIAP and the Federation of ASEAN Consulting Engineers have both expressed their endorsement of the survey.  

The survey has been coursed through several key organizations to gather respondents from all fields of the construction sector. CECOPHIL-YPF, along with its partners from the CIAP, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, and Urban Land Institute Philippines have reached out to contractors, consultants, and developers to encourage their employees to answer the survey and share their experiences. 

“We may not be conscious about it but having women in STEM poses a huge advantage for businesses. Women’s involvement and leadership in STEM pushes economic growth and advances gender equality," said PHI Corporation President and CEO Mary Joy Maraat. PHI Corporation serves as the third-party consultant for the survey. 

Qualified individual engineers and allied professionals who were not able to participate through their affiliated organizations have also been invited to answer a public survey.  

More information about the methodology and scope of the survey can be found on PHI Corporation’s website (https://www.phicorpglobal.com/womeninengineering).