DTI reaffirms commitment to business development at SSF Summit

Tacloban City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hosted a Shared Service Facility (SSF) Summit aimed at strengthening business enterprises through enhanced access to technology and resources last 12 December 2024. A flagship program of the DTI, the SSF program provides critical machinery, equipment, tools, skills, and knowledge to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through a shared system.

 

The DTI partners with “co-operators”—associations, cooperatives, universities and colleges, non-government organizations, and local government units—who house, maintain, and make the equipment accessible to enterprises.

 

Specifically, the summit provided an orientation on the updated implementation guidelines, led by the DTI Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Coordinator for Region 8 Ms. Numen Lansangan. She highlighted the requirement of a 10% increase in sales or beneficiaries for co-operators to transfer the equipment ownership before the expiration of the usufruct agreement within two years.

 

With 156 SSF Projects established across the region, the DTI emphasized its commitment to ensuring the operational efficiency of each project. The summit facilitated provincial reports, identifying common operational challenges and outlining steps and commitments to address them.

 

The DTI Provincial Offices will help SSF co-operators in maintaining complete and accurate documentation, submitting timely reports to monitor sales increase and beneficiaries assisted, regularly monitoring equipment functionality and identifying those needing repair or disposal, and scheduling capacity building interventions tailored to address the specific needs of the co-operators.   

 

Moreover, the summit addressed concerns regarding expired Usufruct Agreements of some SSF Co-operators. These expired agreements may require the transfer of  equipment to other capable and qualified co-operators, or the reapplication of the co-operators themselves.

 

The DTI Regional and Provincial Offices committed to conducting a comprehensive inventory of the Usufruct Agreements and facilitating the reapplication process for co-operators or the transfer of equipment to qualified entities by January 2025.   

 

Furthermore, the DTI will strengthen the services of the Shared Service Facilities by linking co-operator with market suppliers and buyers. This network will promote greater access to raw materials and semi-processed and final products, while also fostering connections with technology and technical experts and promoting sharing of good practices.

 

It was an opportune time during the event for SSF co-operators to gather and identify themselves under the coconut sector, other processed food sector, and other non-food sector to discuss these ways forward.

 

Inspiring success stories were shared by thriving co-operators, including Mr. Tito Cabintoy of the Brgy. Cabacungan multipurpose cooperative (MPC), Ms. Merlina Lumakin of the Sto. Niño de Plaridel MPC, and Mr. Rammel Sacobos of the Baybay Dairy Cooperative. They emphasized of strong organizational structure, member commitment, meticulous record-keeping, regular equipment maintenance, and investment in facilities.

 

The summit underscored the crucial role of co-operators in effectively managing and maximizing the benefits of SSFs. It drew 182 participants, including cooperative and association members, DTI officials and project focal persons, and other representatives from the local government units and national government agencies. 

Biliran under price freeze following bridge incident

Biliran, Philippines—In response to a recent incident affecting the Biliran Bridge, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Biliran Provincial Office has implemented a price freeze on basic necessities. This action follows the province’s declaration of a state of calamity last 27 December 2024, through a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution.

 

Based on the technical assessment conducted, the bridge has sustained damage in certain areas due to corrosion, exposure to saltwater, and the constant daily movement of heavy loads. To address this, a barge is recommended to be utilized to handle the increased flow of cargo trucks transporting goods, perishable products, and fuel to the province, while major repairs to the bridge are undertaken.

 

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended declaring a state of calamity to stabilize prices, ensure the continuous delivery of essential goods and services, and facilitate the mobilization of resources to mitigate the impact of the incident.

 

Section 6 of Republic Act 7581, also known as the Price Act, mandates that during a state of calamity or emergency, prices of basic necessitices within the affected area are automatically frozen at their prevailing levels. This automatic price control lasts for 60 days unless sooner lifted by the President of the Philippines.

 

The DTI continues to regularly monitor the prices and supplies of basic necessities and prime commodities under its jurisdiction. Reports show that prices are stable, although a few items were out of stock. To maintain the flow of essential goods, the provincial government prepares and monitors landing ramps for barge operations;.

 

The public is advised to stay calm as authorities are working diligently to ensure the continued supply of essential goods to the entire province. 

GETTING READY FOR GO NEGOSYO'S 20TH YEAR

 

2025 will be an exciting year. It is the year the non-profit I founded, Go Negosyo, turns 20 years old. How time flies, indeed. I can still remember when former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asked me to be her adviser on entrepreneurship and started me off on this journey. I have met many remarkable people who shared my advocacy to uplift Filipinos through entrepreneurship. We believed then, as we do now, that empowering Filipinos with access to the necessary tools for successful entrepreneurship – money, markets and mentorship – will help millions escape poverty and live comfortable, prosperous lives.

2024 itself was a year that will be hard to top. Most companies did well last year. Our family companies, Concepcion Industrial Corp. and RFM, did extremely well, experiencing good cash flow and ending the year with no debt. I would like to think our companies are the bellwether for consumer confidence, since we deal with products in and adjunct to the consumer goods segment.

 It turns out we’re not just indulging in wishful thinking or confirmation bias: the rise in consumer confidence is reflected in numbers from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Their fourth quarter surveys reflect an improvement in both consumer sentiment and business optimism, citing “higher and additional sources of income, more working family members and more available jobs and permanent employment” among consumers, and the “anticipation of an increase in demand for certain goods and services and the related seasonal uptick in business activities” on the business side.

So it is quite fortuitous that Go Negosyo will celebrate its landmark year in 2025, which I firmly believe will be a better year for the Philippine economy. 

𝐈𝐤𝐚-𝟐 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐛 𝐧𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐤𝐚, 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐲!

Matagumpay na isinagawa ang Ika-2 Pandaigdigang Kumperensiya sa Nanganganib na Wika na ginanap noong 9–11 Oktubre 2024 sa Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas, Maynila katuwang ang Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas-Sentro sa Pag-aaral ng Wika (PNU-LSC), Departamento ng Filipino ng Pamantasang De La Salle (DLSU-Filipino), at Departamento ng Linggwistiks ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP-Lingg).

Nilahukan ito ng 267 na kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang katutubong pamayanan, lider ng indigenous cultural communities (ICCs), Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR), ahensiya, institusyon, mag-aaral, at mga organisasyon.

Sa unang araw ay nagtanghal ng ritwal ang Bugkalot. Nagbigay ng mainit na bating pagtanggap si Denmark L. Yonson, PhD, Vice President for Student Success and Stakeholders Services ng Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas.Nagbahagi rin ng mensahe si Secretary-General Ivan Henares, PhD sa pamamagitan ni Gng. Kaye S. Nagpala ng Philippine National Commission for UNESCO. Nagtanghal naman ng katutubong sayaw ang PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe bilang pampasiglang bilang. Matapos nito ay nagbigay ng panayam ang Pamaksang Tagapanayam na si Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Direktor ng Tebtebba kaugnay ng karapatan na dapat tinatamasa ng mga katutubo. Sinimulan naman ni Tagapangulong Arthur P. Casanova, PhD, ang panayam sa plenaryong sesyon na tumatalakay sa “Estado ng mga Nanganganib na Wika sa Pilipinas at Programa sa Pagpapasigla ng Wika ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.” Sinundan ito ng paralel na sesyon tungkol sa dokumentasyon at mga pag-aaral sa wika mula sa iba’t ibang institusyon. Sa ikalawang plenaryong panayam naman ay tinalakay ni Anna Belew, PhD, Direktor ng Endangered Languages Project ang “Lumalaking Network ng Pagpapasiglang Pangwika sa Kabila ng mga Hanggahan.”

Sa ikalawang araw ay nagbigay ng mensahe si Deborrah S. Anastacio, PhD, Tagapangulo ng Departamento ng De La Salle. Ibinahagi din ni Marites T. Gonzalo, Direktor, IP Education Ministry ang “Pagtuturo ng mga Katutubong Kaalaman” at ginagawa ng kanilang organisasyon para sa kanilang komunidad na Tagakawlo. Sinundan ito ng pagbabahagi ni Frederick Barcelo, Bugkalot, sa “Pagsasalin ng Bibliya bílang Paraan ng Pangangalaga ng Wika” ng kanilang wika. Hinilawod Epic Chant Recording naman ang ibinahagi nina Felipe P. Jocano Jr., Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at Lord Jane Caballero-Dordas, PhD, Sugidanon. Nagkaroon din ng bahagian sa sesyong pararalel kaugnay ng mga papel-pananaliksik pangwika. Ibinahagi naman ni Siripen Ungsitipoonporn, PhD, Mahidol University ang pag-a-archive ng mga wika (Language Archiving) at nagawang website at mga materyal.

Sa ikatlong araw, nagbigay ng mensahe si Maria Kristina Gallego, PhD, Tagapangulo ng Departamento ng Linggwistiks. Nagbahagi naman ng mga papel sa plenaryong sesyon ang mga tagapanayam mula sa katuwang na institusyon. Sinimulan ni John Amtalao, PhD, Pamantasang De La Salle ang “Ang Sampung Libong Salita ng Tuwali-Ifugao sa Lente ni Padre Hubert Lambrecht: Repleksiyon sa Pagbubuo ng Identidad ng Aralíng Kordilyera.” Sinundan ito ni Voltaire M. Villanueva, PhD Pamantasang Normal ng Pilipinas na “Pagtatampok sa mga Kalinangang Bayan sa Aralín at Pagsasanay tungo sa Preserbasyon ng Wika at Kultura (Bongabong).” Nagkaroon din ng pagbahagi sa mga papel-pananaliksik sa paralel na sesyon. Huling nagbigay-panayam si Jesus Federico C. Hernandez, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa “Quo Vadis: Muling Pagsipat sa Diskurso ng Panganganib at Pagpapasigla ng mga Wika sa Pilipinas.”

Pinangasiwaan naman ni Komisyoner Melchor E. Orpilla, PhD, Komisyoner ng Wikang Pangasinan, ang Resolusyon sa mga kalahok hinggil sa pagkakaisa ng mga ahensiya at institusyon sa pangangalaga ng mga nanganganib na wika sa bansa na nilagdaan ng mga kalahok. Sa huli, ay nagbigay ng pampinid na pananalita si Komisyoner Jose Kervin Cesar B. Calabias, PhD, Komisyoner ng mga Wika ng Kahilagaang Pamayanang Kultural kaugnay ng naganap na tatlong araw na kumperensiya.

SM Mall of Asia Arena wins 2023 Sports Venue of the Year Award

SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena cemented its position as a leader in Philippine sports tourism after being awarded the prestigious Sports Venue of the Year at the 6th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards. This recognition highlights the arena's commitment to excellence and its role in attracting major sporting events to the Philippines.

In the photo: SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena's Senior Assistant Vice President and General Manager, Arnel Gonzales (center), proudly accepts the "Sports Venue of the Year" award at the 6th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards, reflecting SM MOA Arena’s role as the Philippines’ premier sports venue.

A legacy of hosting sporting excellence

Since its opening, SM MOA Arena has been a central stage for landmark sporting events. It gained international recognition in 2013 by hosting the National Basketball Association (NBA) Global Games between the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets, featuring basketball icons like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The arena has also been home to major events such as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asia Championships, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the International Premier Tennis League, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night in 2015.

Germany emerges as World Champions after the much-anticipated game against Serbia in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup 2023 Group Phase at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Locally, the arena hosts annual events like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL). SM MOA Arena also embraces the growing e-sports scene, hosting tournaments for popular games like Dota 2 and Mobile Legends.

A landmark year for SM MOA Arena

In 2023, SM MOA Arena played a pivotal role in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, serving as a key venue for the group and final stages. Earlier that year, it also hosted the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), drawing in volleyball fans to watch top men’s teams compete. These high-profile events, combined with the arena’s consistent hosting of world-class tournaments, cemented its status as the premier venue in the country, earning the Sports Venue of the Year award.

The intense action unfolds at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena 2023, with teams battling for supremacy in front of an excited crowd.

Commitment to excellence

SM MOA Arena is committed to enhancing the fan experience. Over the past four years, the arena has invested $4.5 million in upgrades, including improvements to its giant LED Mesh, basketball lighting, player’s entrance, spectator seating, and sound acoustics. These upgrades ensure the venue remains on par with the highest global standards for major sporting events.

Future-forward

"Winning Sports Venue of the Year is an honor for our team," said Arnel Gonzales, Senior Assistant Vice President and General Manager of SM MOA Arena. "This award inspires us to continue innovating and providing an unforgettable experience for fans. We are dedicated to ensuring the arena remains at the forefront of sports tourism."

In 2025, SM MOA Arena will host the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and serve as a key venue for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Men's World Championship. Upcoming events, such as the Men’s VNL and other international tournaments, further solidify the arena’s reputation as the heart of sports in the Philippines.

The SM Mall of Asia Arena’s iconic eye-shaped structure symbolizes the vision of holding events that are a "feast for the eyes."

About SM Mall of Asia Arena

SM Mall of Asia Arena is a world-class venue for sports, entertainment, and cultural events. For more information, visit www.mallofasia-arena.com or follow @moaarena on social media. Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased online at www.smtickets.com or at any authorized SM Tickets outlet nationwide.

DOST moves for a culture of responsible time management through 'Oras Pinas'

As the New Year approaches, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) once again emphasizes the importance of responsible time management for personal and national growth through the Oras Pinas, the National Time Consciousness Week.

Focusing on this year's theme, Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na! This campaign calls on Filipinos to take decisive action towards personal and collective growth by reflecting and observing effective ways on time management, which could lead to empowered communities, enhanced productivity, and a secured future.

In an age filled with distractions, the importance of respecting and valuing one's time is often overlooked, which can lead to inconvenience and misunderstandings, affecting relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and communities in ways that are frequently underestimated. The demands of modern life and the constant influx of diversions contribute to the neglect of responsible time management.

As the New Year unfolds, DOST emphasizes that responsible time management is not just about the ticking of the clock, but about creating a ripple effect across society. The department envisions a broader societal impact, recognizing that valuing each other’s time is foundational to businesses, relationships, and community development.

The 2025 theme speaks directly to the core issue, urging Filipinos to cultivate a culture that treats time as a precious resource. "Oras Pinas: Tara Na! Kilos Na!" embodies enthusiasm, vibrancy, and a commitment to building a responsible and progressive society.

At the heart of this year’s campaign is the emphasis on managing commitments and responsibilities as essential components of personal and collective growth. The DOST aims to instill the value of time management, especially among young professionals, highlighting its significant impact on future success. By understanding the importance of time from an early age, the department believes that young Filipinos can better shape their personal and professional paths.

The Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013

This campaign is in alignment with the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013, which promotes the "Pilipino Time" initiative under Republic Act No. 10535. This law mandates national and local government agencies and broadcasting companies to follow and display the PhST in their offices, fostering unity and efficiency in public administration.

The DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) serves as the official timekeeper for the nation. While the PhST was officially established by law, the campaign initially launched in 2011 as “Juan Time” – a play on the terms "One Time" (indicating a unified time) and "Juan," a common name for Filipinos. Two years ago, the campaign was rebranded to "Oras Pinas," with the goal of promoting a culture of punctuality and unity around a standardized time.

The synchronization of time is achieved through advanced technology. Since 2003, DOST-PAGASA has utilized a rubidium atomic clock, one of the two most widely used atomic clocks in the world, alongside the more accurate cesium clock. This atomic clock is equipped with a GPS receiver that captures time signals from at least four orbiting satellites. These satellites, each with atomic clocks, are periodically synchronized with a cesium clock based in Boulder, Colorado, ensuring that the DOST-PAGASA clock remains in sync with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

For those who wish to synchronize their timepieces, the official Oras Pinas time can be accessed through the DOST-PAGASA website at http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/.

For more updates on the Oras Pinas campaign, please visit the official DOST Philippines Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DOSTph. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)

ARTA celebrates 343 new RIA Champions during its 3rd Annual ENRICH

Manila - The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) capped off its 2024 Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) training activities by recognizing participating government employees on its 3rd Annual ENRICH: Empowering Next-Generation RIA Champions at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City today, 03 December 2024. RIA Training equips government employees with the knowledge and skills to evaluate regulations and enhance their respective regulatory environments to ensure that regulations do not cause undue regulatory burdens to the transacting public:,

Led by ARTA Better Regulations Office – Regulatory Management and Training Division (BRO-RMTD), this event is the third annual recognition ceremony for the RIA trainees, which gathered a total of 343 government employees from 63 government offices and local government units, including trainees from ARTA's e-learning system, Policy Reform, Innovation, and Streamlining Management (PRISM). 

Called RIA Champions, the recognized employees completed Phase VI Capability Development Assistance on RIA conducted in partnership with Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), Phase IV RIA Manual Training conducted in partnership with Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation, Incorporated - Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (UPPAF-RESPOND), RIA Training for Local Government Units (LGUs) in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Urban Connect, and an Introductory Course on RIA conducted by the RMTD.

In his opening remarks, ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez reminded the urgency to streamline government processes and enhance ease of doing business in our country. 

"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has made it a priority to improve bureaucratic efficiency and promote economic growth. By investing in capacity-building initiatives such as these RIA trainings, we are taking significant steps towards realizing the President's vision for a more prosperous and competitive Philippines," ARTA Secretary Perez said. 

Messages of support from ARTA partners including USAID Urban Connect Chief of Party Dr. Allex B. Brillantes, UPPAF-RESPOND Chief of Party Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, DAP President and CEO Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, Australia Embassy to the Philippines Economic Section Counsellor Luke Villiers, and British Embassy Economic and Climate Change Counsellor Lloyd Cameron were delivered during the event.

Australia Embassy to the Philippines Economic Section Counsellor Luke Villiers underscored the vital role of regulatory reform in fostering economic prosperity of the  Philippines. In addition, British Embassy to the Philippines Economic and Climate Change Counsellor Lloyd Cameron expressed gratitude to ARTA for their dedication to economic reform by conducting RIA Trainings. Meanwhile, UPPAF-RESPOND Chief of Party Dr. Enrico L. Basilio conveyed sustained support for ARTA's RIA Training initiative.

This event also unveiled a new RIA training workbook, the Standard Cost Model Training Workbook, and expanded PRISM's course offerings with the addition of an Annual Regulatory Plan course.

Joining the recognition ceremony were ARTA executives, including Deputy Director General for Operations Undersecretary Gerald Divinagracia, Deputy Director General for Legal Undersecretary Geneses R. Abot, BRO Director Marbida L. Marbida, Legal and Public Assistance Office (LPAO) Director Leonardo O. Tapia, Investigation, Enforcement and Litigation Office (IELO) Director Concepcion Zeny Ferrolino-Enad, Compliance, Monitoring, and Evaluation Office (CMEO) Director Grace L. Fernandez, and Finance and Administrative Office (FAO) Director Lea-Grace B. Salcedo.

In the Bagong Pilipinas, where efficiency is the top priority, ARTA, together with its partners, will continue its initiative to help government offices improve their regulatory processes as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.