DTI Secretary Fred Pascual and DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma

Manila City, Philippines— During the Labor and Trade Partnership Session with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on April 26, Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual highlighted the crucial role of digital capabilities in elevating the Philippine workforce. The discussion revolved around putting into action the DOLE-DTI initiative on Enterprise Development and Livelihood Assistance, established through a memorandum of agreement signed on May 8, 2023.

"We are steering our workforce towards high-value tasks that enable them to climb the ladder of value creation," Secretary Pascual sated, outlining collaborative priorities with DOLE. "This is especially crucial in the field of digital technology, which does not require extensive machinery but focuses on intellectual and creative skills," he added.

The session explored strategic initiatives to embed digital training and development across the workforce, aiming to create green and high-quality jobs through the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Act.

Secretary Pascual also underscored the DTI’s initiative to transform Negosyo Centers into digital learning hubs, equipping Filipinos with the skills needed to thrive in the global market. "By advancing the digital skills of Filipino workers, we are not only enhancing their capabilities but also ensuring they contribute significantly to our nation's economic growth," said the DTI chief.

He further stressed the importance of adapting to technological advancements and leveraging digital platforms to create more innovative and sustainable employment opportunities for Filipinos. This partnership between the DTI and DOLE, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) aims to establish a robust employment framework focused on job creation, quality, and sustainability.

The session was attended by key officials including DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, ILO Country Director Khalid Hassan, and DTI Undersecretary for International Trade Policy Group Allan Gepty. 

DTI reaffirms commitment to excellence with renewed Great Place To Work® certification

Makati City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) celebrated its continued success in establishing a positive and thriving work environment for its employees, as Secretary Pascual announced on April 29 that the DTI has once again been certified as a Great Place To Work®, valid from April 2024 to April 2025.

This distinction makes DTI the Philippines' sole government agency to receive such recognition. Also, the Department’s focus on employee well-being directly translates into a more empowered and effective workforce, ultimately contributing to a stronger Philippine trade and industry sector.

“Today, with our collective dedication, we celebrate the recognition of the DTI as a Great Place to Work, from April 2024 to April 2025. I take pride in saying that we are the only government agency with this distinction,” said Secretary Pascual.

The announcement highlighted the overwhelming response to the 2023 Employee Experience Survey (EES), with a 99.8% participation rate.

This signifies the DTI workforce's commitment to open communication and continuous improvement, which reflects a culture that prioritizes transparency and accountability, essential values for effective trade regulation and business development.

“This prestigious certification not only aligns the DTI with thousands of other certified companies worldwide but also affirms the DTI’s purpose- driven and people-first organization. Unsurprisingly, a staggering 91% of the DTI employees take immense pride in their work and their contributions to their community,” said Great Place to Work Philippines Managing Partner Antoniette Talosig as she recognized the certification as a testament to the Department’s thriving and positive workplace culture.

The DTI employees take pride in delivering exceptional service with integrity, living by the Department's mantra: "Serbisyong Higit pa sa Inaasahan."

These values directly translate to a more efficient and trustworthy business environment, fostering a climate that attracts domestic and foreign investments and promotes fair trade practices.

In 2023, the DTI’s engagement score increased from 80% to 81%, higher than the previous year. Notably, 84% of respondents asserted that DTI is a Great Place To Work®.

“Once again, thank you for your commitment to our shared goals. With your participation, let us work together to maintain and further strengthen a positive and productive workplace environment at the DTI,” said the trade chief.

Great Place To Work® is a leading organization with a unique proprietary model and platform that leverages the industry's most respected workplace Certifications and listings. It provides unparalleled data, benchmarking tools, and cutting-edge research and insights.

Dedicated to workplace culture, this organization aims to empower businesses and create exceptional employee experiences by fostering trust, pride, and camaraderie.

DOST-PCAARRD, PCA report initial yield performance of 4 new coconut hybrids

The genetic potential and yield performance of four newly developed single-cross coconut hybrids are being evaluated through a project funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), through the Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP).

Determining coconut hybrids' genetic potential and yield performance is crucial in understanding their ability to meet the market demands with the growing need for high-value coconut products.

Led by Mr. Gilbert M. Eslit of the Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC), the five-year project, “Performance Evaluation of the Newly Developed Single Cross Hybrids Using Selected Varieties with Special Traits,” targets to generate performance profiles of four single-cross hybrids.

PCA-ZRC developed the said hybrids with unique and special traits, which utilized Tutupaen Tall (TPNT) as source of pollen, and Sanchez-Mira Tall (SCHT), Markham Valley Tall (MVT), Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD), and Galas Green Dwarf (GALD) as mother palms. These hybrids are MRD x TPNT, GALD x TPNT, SCHT x TPNT, and MVT x TPNT.

According to Mr. Eslit, the project maintains 120 palms per hybrid at the field genebank of PCA-ZRC.

The hybrids will be further characterized and evaluated in terms of shell thickness, seed nut size, water, oil qualities, coco sap and sugar yield, prolificacy, and general combining ability.

In its first year of implementation, the project team conducted preliminary screening of the extracted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from 1,632 tissue samples collected from hybrids and parental palms using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to validate the legitimacy of the hybrids. Confirmation of unique alleles among these hybrids is underway.

Meanwhile, field assessment showed that hybrids have an average palm girth of 80–100 centimeters (cm) and can grow to an average height of 600–700 cm

Initial reproductive data also reveal that some hybrid palms, such as MRD x TPNT, started to bloom and produce fruits at 34 months from field planting, which is earlier than anticipated. MRD pairs well with local and foreign tall varieties, while TPNT has a thick shell. With this, the project team expects a high yield of copra and oil, good fatty acids, a thick shell, and an excellent toddy from the MRD x TPNT hybrid.

In the following years, the project will conduct ecological testing to assess the hybrids' adaptability in different locations.

Due to persistent encounters with coconut scale insect (CSI) infestations at the farm sites, Science and Technology (S&T) Consultant Violeta N. Villegas suggested incorporating the team's pest management strategies in their reports as hybrid palms were still able to demonstrate robust growth and development consistently.

CSIs are invasive pests that feed on the sap of coconut palms, resulting in slowed development, leaf yellowing, and in severe cases, the palms' death.

The project review was led by DOST-PCAARRD’s Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Juanito T. Batalon, along with Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Coconut Alissa Carol M. Ibarra, and other key personnel.

The DOST-PCAARRD team also conducted a field monitoring visit to validate the result of the project. (Rosemarie A. De Castro, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services)

DESCRIPTION:  

The initial performance evaluation of four newly developed single-cross coconut hybrids was reported by the Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC) in a project review organized by DOST-PCAARRD.

DTI, PCCI partner to boost local MSMEs in Batanes

Batanes, Philippines-- On 21 April, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region 2, along with its Provincial Office in Batanes, convened with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Region 2 and its Batanes chapter to discuss potential areas of collaborations as well as address significant issues faced by the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the area.

The discussion centered on strengthening public-private partnerships, advocating for business-friendly regulations, boosting MSME competitiveness, and stimulating the economy through improved logistics efficiency.

Further, the PCCI reiterated their commitment to supporting the local business community, and expressed willingness to collaborate with the DTI’s Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) Mentees to achieve this goal.

Launched in 2016, the KMME program is an annual activity of the Department in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, aiming to upscale MSMEs through providing them with invaluable guidance, financial resources, and market insights. 

The meeting between the DTI and PCCI concluded on a productive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to achieving shared business development goals

DTI-Kayapa LGU collaboration to strengthen Nueva Vizcaya’s organic agriculture and other key industries

Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines—On 25 April 2024, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region 2 Nueva Vizcaya, led by Provincial Director Atty. Michael B. Paggabao, met with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kayapa, headed by Mayor Elizabeth Balasya, to explore potential interventions for product development and marketing, promoting Kayapa’s organic agriculture sector and other top industries.

During the visit, Mayor Balasya highlighted that the Kayapa Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group is the first group of certified organic farmers in the entire Cagayan Valley region authorized by the Department of Agriculture to train and certify other organic farmers. She also mentioned the marketing challenges faced by the group, specifically in marketing their produce.

Recognizing the growing demand for organic produce, PD Paggabao pledged the DTI’s support in assisting the farmers. This includes improving packaging and labeling, connecting them with institutional buyers, and providing access to larger marketing platforms.

Among the subject matters discussed in the meeting include the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program, the reorientation of the Local Price Coordinating Council, and the interventions for the coffee, food processing, and loom

weaving industries.

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The two parties also talked about the Nueva Vizcaya goes to Alabang Provincial Trade Fair as well as the conduct of possible skills training that cover the development and crafting of Kayapa’s brand for local products.

Following the meeting, the DTI regional office also visited some of the MSMEs in the town, specifically the cut-flower and statice farms, Kayapa Weavers and Sewers Association, and Melbz Handicraft.

They also conducted a short counseling session with some of the entrepreneurs when the team visited the Negosyo Center Office. These visits allowed the DTI team to assess the current needs and challenges faced by local MSMEs, and brainstorm strategies for further growth within their respective industries

Italian Embassy Strengthens PH-Italy Relations through Sports Fest in Tondo

The Embassy of Italy in the Philippines, under the supervision of His Excellency Ambassador Marco Clemente, has successfully spearheaded the Sports Festival in Tondo as part of its initiatives to strengthen the cultural relationship between the Philippines and Italy.

According to Amb. Clemente, this is a huge opportunity for the Filipino youths to not only strengthen theirsportsmanship and camaraderie but to also fortify the long-standing bilateral relations of the Philippines and Italy.

“This event was not only a test of sportsmanship among the youths of Tondo but also to strengthen the relationship between Italy and the Philippines,” Amb. Clemente said.

The youths have participated in different sports activities, including basketball, volleyball, badminton, chess, and soccer tryouts. Each team will represent a region of Italy, including Tondo, the ambassador said.

“The Tondo youths have shown the Filipino way of camaraderie and sportsmanship amid the trials posed by their respected sports activities, which heightened the reason why the Philippines and Italy have time-honored mutual cooperation,” he added.

The event was conducted on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 3:30 in the afternoon, where over 239 beneficiaries aged 9 to 23 years old played along with various team sports at San Pablo Apostol New Land Parish Covered Court in Tondo, Manila.

The event was part of the six-month-long preparation of the embassy leading up to the much-awaited Italy Day on June 2, 2024.

Additionally, the diplomat likewise announced that the embassy will be having a performance and interactive workshop on Italian drama theater on May 23, 2024, where Filipinos will be given an opportunity to learn the principles of Italian drama.

“This is a great opportunity for Filipinos to hone their skills in theater, particularly in Italian drama, as it could be a great avenue for Filipinos who are exceptional performers to advance their expertise in the field of performance and acting,” he noted.

The 1st Philippine Media Safety Summit

The summit will examine the rapidly changing and challenging media landscape and the implications for the safety and security of journalists, and the sustainability of media organizations.

About 200 representatives from print and broadcast news organizations, community newspapers, press clubs and citizen-press councils, the academe, and student publications from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are expected to participate in the summit.

Organized by Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD), University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication, Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Freedom for Media Freedom for All (FMFA) coalition, MindaNews, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Peace and Conflict Journalism Network (PECOJON), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), and the Philippine Press Institute

In partnership with The Norwegian Embassy, UNESCO, IMS, Internews, and the Commission on Human Rights.

With additional sponsorship by Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, and San Miguel Corporation.