Malaybalay City, Bukidno -Aiming to resolve power shortage in Mindanao particularly in Bukidnon, Governor Alex Calingasan convened the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO), Bukidnon II Electric Cooperative (BUSECO), city and municipal mayors, Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation and other key players of the electric industry for a ‘Power Summit’ recently held at Loiza’s Pavillion in Malaybalay City.
In an interview, BUSECO Branch Manager Juancho Chiong said that the Department of Energy (DOE) Circular No. DC 2010-10-0011 pushed the provincial government and electric cooperatives in Bukidnon to have this top-level diplomatic conference.
The DOE-issued circular articulates: “Mandating the Rationalization of Available Generation Capacity in Mindanao and Directing DOE-attached Agencies, the National Grid Corporation (NGCP), and All Industry Stakeholders to Address the Power Supply Situation in Mindanao.”
Further, said order mandates pro-rata allocation of available capacity in Mindanao based on their existing monthly equivalent contract demand.
“This condition would end up to power curtailment despite Bukidnon’s increasing power demand. At present, we have 20.9 megawatts. BUSECO will however be forced to reduce power having only 15 megawatts left. This is not supposed to happen considering Bukidnon is the host province of Pulangui 4 Hydro Power Plant,” Chiong stressed.
“It follows that FIBECO would also be reduced from 27 megawatts to 18 megawatts,” he added.
Governor Alex Calingasan demonstrated his full support to the electric cooperatives in Bukidnon.
“Knowing BUSECO and FIBECO’s woes, this forum would help ease the burden because we will also be helping them with joint recommendations and opinions from different power industry officials and LGU executives,” the governor said.
Several concerns ranging from power shortage, increasing power demand requirement of the province, maximum utilization of Bukidnon’s three (3) hydroelectric plants appear to be the latest hurdle.
Vice Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr and 3rd district Congressman Joey Zubiri also shared plans and options on resolving the issue on power supply crisis.
Likewise, Raul Alkuino and Charlie Castillanes, FIBECO and BUSECO Board of Directors President respectively imparted their immediate and short-term plans as embodied in the Board Resolution No. 10-11-089. Said resolution opposes the present mandate of the DOE.
Issues like operation and management of Bukidnon hydroelectric power plants by Bukidnon stakeholders through FIBECO and BUSECO were all accounted by the secretariat to be tackled by the provincial government and key players of the power industry in their next respective forum/meetings. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy/PIA Bukidnon)
RP joins global network of competitiveness organizations
The Philippines has finally joined the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCCs).
This was announced the other day by National Competitiveness Council (NCC) private sector chairman Cesar Bautista who represented the country in a global conference of 25 different national competitiveness councils held in Washington DC last December 9-10.
"The GFCC is the first international organization to focus on economic growth through the lens of competitive policy," Bautista told PNF.
It operates on the fact that companies or enterprises are the ones that compete in the global marketplace, not governments. The accent then is for governments to create the environment to enable their domestic enterprises to compete and win.
Best practices in promoting competitiveness in different countries including the Philippines were presented during the two-day conference.
Bautista said he was impressed by the practices of the United Kingdom, Belgium and Turkey of searching and selecting the most competitive company in their respective territories every year.
"We are now considering adopting here in the Philippines the same search for the most competitive companies every year. We will first consult stakeholders on the matter," Bautista said.
In the conference, participants adopted a 10-point principle of competitiveness. These include: significant private sector involvement, greater investments in research and development, focus on training the 21st century worker, regional and metropolitan success in competitiveness translates to national success, strong intellectual property rights, modern support infrastructure, open, transparent and fair trade practices, sustained innovation, transparency and efficiency of government regulations and benchmarking strides in competitiveness upgrading. (Abe P. Belena, PHILEXPORT)
De Oro exporters support cargo weighing rate hike
Exporters in Cagayan de Oro City have thrown their support to the proposed increase in the rates charged in weighing outbound cargoes.
They further suggested that weighing of cargoes whether for inter-island transport or exports would be made standard practice even in ports not operated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The statement of support was contained in a resolution passed by the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORt) regional chapter in Northern Mindanao based in Cagayan de Oro City. It was in response to a public hearing on the issue called by the PPA in that city last December 10.
The statement of support was signed by chapter President Wilson Amad, board chairman Marlene Camat and secretary Michelle Durano.
The new rates will range from P50 to P150 per truck or containerized vans depending on length of container or weight of the cargo from a range of P20 to P50 per vehicle today. The chapter said it has no objection to the rate hike
.
The Cagayan de Oro group of exporters said that mandatory weighing of outgoing cargoes in all ports in the country must become a standard practice as this will improve safety shipping practice and encourage fair business practices.
The rate hike based on weight of cargo or size of containerized vans is reasonable as against another proposal which seeks to base the rate on the value of the weighed goods.
The exporters further said that many private ports, especially those with cargoes bound to Mindanao, have not been following PPA's weighing practices. (Abe P. Belena, PHILEXPORT)
ADB study supports a legislated competition policy to address narrow industrial base
A study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supports a legislated competition policy alongside a sustained asset reform to address the Philippines' narrow industrial base.
Titled An Agenda for High and Inclusive Growth in the Philippines, said study calls for economic and governance reforms to strengthen the competition policy in the country to facilitate a level playing field for all economic actors and ultimately expand the industrial the base.
Citing that market forces alone cannot be relied on to overcome fundamental inequities in the Philippine economy and society, the study underscored the need for a deliberate competition policy as well as an effective implementation of asset reform programs as embodied in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the Indigenous People's Rights Act, the Fisheries Code, and the Urban Development and Housing Act.
The study specifically proposed a legislated competition policy akin to an anti-trust legislation in Western countries that would consolidate laws governing competition in sectors and industries where a lack of competition resulted in higher costs.
This is evident in domestic shipping, port services, air services, utilities and media, the study noted.
Lowering the costs of these services are crucial for broadening the industrial base, as these are critical elements in the value chain.
The study argued that it is imperative for the country to address its narrow industrial base to achieve an inclusive and sustained growth.
Fishery and forestry, mining, food, furniture, design manufactures, electrical and non-electrical machineries, publishing and printing and mining were cited as good potential drivers of high and inclusive growth.
Many of these sectors have demonstrated a capacity to grow beyond eight percent based on recent historical experience.
In the services sector, the business process outsourcing was identified as having the capacity to contribute to a high and broad-based growth.
The study likewise noted that exports will have continued wide scope for further growth given the country's relatively low share of exports to the gross domestic product (GDP). (Ritchelle Alburo, PHILEXPORT)
IP Philippines to launch information campaign on IP protection to SMEs
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) will launch this year more information campaigns to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) designed to promote the importance of protecting intellectual assets in their businesses.
IP Philippines director general Ricardo Blancaflor in an interview said companies should bear in mind that if they would become successful but they did not protect their brands, they have everything to lose.
"We expect more (trademarks and patent) filings from them," he said. "We have to increase awareness among our SMEs. There are several treaties we have to accede to not only because we have actually signed them, but also to give us better footing with those we do business with," he said.
Blancaflor is optimistic his office will achieve this year an increase in IP filings across trademarks, inventions and patents.
"We have been increasing for the last 10 years," he said. "I would attribute that to our expansion in the provinces."
IP Philippines has satellite offices in Cebu City, Davao City, Angeles City in Pampanga, Legazpi City, Baguio City, Iloilo City and General Santos City.
The agency will establish another satellite offices in Cagayan de Oro and Tuguegarao in Cagayan this and next month to make its services accessible to more regions.
Blancaflor said they would automate many of their systems in order to provide the people faster and better services and also transparent system.
Moreover, he said they are asking Congress to pass the law on copyrights that would enable the country properly promote copyrights and eventually protect Philippine ingenuity including traditions, history and culture.
"Sometimes we forget that more than enforcement, there are other ways of protecting IP rights. We are also concentrating on amending our own internal rules on the judicial processes available to those who would like to seek remedy with us," he added.
Blancaflor said IP Philippines likewise continues to build on the framework of partnership with the government.
"But there are other activities which our people are doing other than just accepting filings. In Cebu, we are active in engaging the universities; we feel that R&D (research and development) are future based on universities," he said. (Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT)
Govt urged to initiate raw material development program
The government has been asked to spearhead a program focusing on the development of raw material used particularly in handicrafts, furniture and furnishings industries to ensure stable supply that could help bring down business costs.
Dennis Orlina, president of the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, Inc. (PCHI), said the Department of Agriculture, Trade, Agrarian Reform, and Environment and Natural Resources could collaborate with key industry players on the program under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
"From the agrarian reform side, we have been into this agrarian reform for the longest time. There were very few success stories to talk about. So maybe we can translate agrarian reform to plantations; let us really concentrate on raw materials which we can also export," he said in an interview.
Orlina said the DENR, for its part, should focus on plantation and reforestation to ensure continuous supply of wood and other forest products.
He noted that growing the raw materials for domestic consumption and at the same time exporting these commodities would be good for businesses and the country.
"Your driving forces are local groups are utilizing these and the export potential of the raw materials you plant. You have to balance: you export and at the same time these are utilized in the country," he added. "Because in this game of globalization, the raw material by itself in an exportable commodity."
Orlina cited abaca as an example of these exportable commodities which could be marketed particularly to Brazil.
"Few of us actually went there. I realized this is a good market of abaca. Brazil does a lot of mining; you need abaca rope in mining and shipping because there is no slippage. So if a bilateral trade would help, we could work out this thing with Brazil," he said.
Orlina said the availability of raw materials in manufacturing and the market remain the top concerns of businesses.
He said the local industries mainly depend on the market. If there are no buyers, they may postpone sourcing the raw materials.
"It is a chicken and egg situation. They said there is no market so the farmers don't really push their plantings. We need to plant a lot," he noted. (Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT)
Liberalization of various trade barriers in services export pushed
Filipino negotiators are advised to seek liberalization at the regional and bilateral levels of various trade barriers particularly on market access, national treatment and domestic regulation to exploit fully the competitiveness of Filipino accountants.
This was stressed by Tereso Tullao Jr. and Michael Angelo Cortez of De La Salle University-Manila in a paper titled "Accounting and outsourcing for Philippine export of services" written for the Trade-Related Technical Assistance Project 2. The paper was released during the recently held trade in services workshop.
Tullao and Cortez said the request for such liberalization should not be pursued at the multilateral negotiations given the pace of discussions is proceeding at the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
"Aside from not getting immediate results in these multilateral negotiations, the Philippine request may be matched by counter requests from other countries that may affect key and sensitive sectors of the country not necessarily in services," they noted.
The move, they said, would enable the country benefit from the growing market for accountancy services worldwide, particularly auditing.
"Filipino accountants are seen to be highly competitive under the supply mode of movement of natural persons whether they are engaged in developed countries or developed countries," Tullao and Cortez said.
They believed that Filipino accountants could be competitive in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) market.
With this, the country may push for the implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) particularly on the liberalization on the movement of professionals.
However, should the Philippines forges free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, the liberalization of movement of natural persons will serve the interest of Filipino accountants given their competitiveness in that country where the market for accounting and auditing services is quiet huge.
They likewise asked Filipino negotiators as well as leaders of the profession to determine whether the governments of countries of interest to local accountants are complying with the GATS Disciplines on Accountancy to ensure that their domestic regulations are not unnecessarily strict and become veiled trade barriers.
In line with the liberalization of movement of natural persons in the ASEAN, US, Canada and Australia, the country should push for the establishment of mutual recognition agreements (MRAs).
Such MRAs would govern rules on the equivalence of educational, licensing, experience and other requirements in the practice of accounting profession to facilitate entry in markets where the competitiveness of Filipino accounts is very high.
Moreover, Tullao and Cortez urged officials of the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Foreign Affairs and key leaders of the profession to launch promotional activities and market the competitiveness of Filipino accountants in countries where their competitiveness is deemed high.
"At the longer term, the country should further improve accounting education by training professors through continuing education programs specifically graduate programs in accountancy," they added. (Danielle Venz, PHILEXPORT)
1,000 students attend Lanao Norte provincial meet
Tubod, Lanao del Norte – High school and elementary students from the 22 municipalities of the province converged at the sprawling Mindanao Civic Center sports complex for the opening ceremony of the 2011 Provincial Meet.
More than 1,000 students representing the 22 Elementary Districts Schools and 29 Secondary Schools in Lanao del Norte arrived here on January 7 to compete in the various sporting events of the meet.
“This is will be more of a rehearsal for the upcoming NMRAA which will be held here on February 2 to 6,” DepED Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Luisa B. Mutia disclosed.
The participating schools are clusters into five units: Unit I (Pantao Ragat, Tagoloan, Pantar, Matungao, Balo-i East and Balo-I West); Unit II (Linamon, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, and Kolambugan); Unit III (Tubod East, Tubod West, Baroy, Lala South and Magsaysay); Unit IV (Kapatagan East, Kapatagan West, Lala North, Sapad-Nunungan, Salvador and Sultan Naga Dimaporo); Unit V (private schools).
“This is a very good training ground for our young athletes. We need to develop their skills very early if we hope to win medals in international competitions especially in the Olympics,” Gov. Khalid Dimaporo exhorted.
DepED is expecting that the competitive encounters between the participating schools will thresh out the best athletes in each of the sixteen sports discipline who will then represent Lanao del Norte in the upcoming NMRAA. (VNL/PIO-LDN)
Cebuano News: Plano sa ICTMO ning tuig 2011 gihan-ay na
Iligan City - Gisaysay ni Acting City Administrator Pacificador Lluch, Jr. atol sa press conference sa city hall kaniadtong Biyernes, Enero 7, nga mihan-ay karon og plano ang Iligan City Traffic Management Office (ICTMO) alang sa ilang mga paglihok ning tuig 2011.
Miasoy si Lluch nga nakatutok ang maong plano sa ICTMO sa upat ka mga aspeto. Kini mao ang pagpalig-on sa ICTMO isip usa ka organisasyon, pagpatuman sa tukmang imprastraktura sa trapiko, pagpa-usbaw sa iyang kapabilidad pagpatuman sa balaod-trapiko ug paghatag gahum sa kababayen-an nga mamahimong kaabag sa traffic management.
Kabahin sa nahisgutang mga aspeto ang paghimo sa ICTMO nga usa ka full-blown office, dugang training sa mga enforcers, pagpalig-on sa traffic engineering, pagbutang og dugang traffic lights, pagpahimutang ug tukmang mga parking area, pag-improve sa mga sidewalk, pagpakigtambayayong sa mga tunghaan ug civic clubs, pagbaton og mga lady traffic enforcers ug pagpalapad sa adbokasiya niini.
Aron pagsuta sa ka-epektibo sa maong mga plano, gipili sa ICTMO ang kanto sa mga dalang Roxas ug Quezon ngadto sa kanto sa mga dalang Bonifacio ug Mariano Badelles, Sr. nga unang dapit diin kini i-implementar.
Magsugod ang implementasyon karong sunod nga semana. (mta/CIO Iligan)
Cebuano News: Weekend Night Market sa Iligan magbukas na sa Pebrero 4
Iligan City - Magsugod na sa adlaw’ng Lunes, Enero 10, ang pagpangdawat sa aplikasyon niadtong interesadong makapaninda sa ipahigayong Weekend Night Market diha sa plaza publiko ning siyudad.
Nag-awhag si City Councilor Frederick Siao sa mga interesadong mosalmot niini sa gilayong pagbisita sa Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (EEDMO) alang sa ilang reserbasyon tungod kay limitado lamang ang bakanteng stalls sa matag section.
Gibutyag sa Chairman sa Committee on Trade, Industry and Commerce sa konseho nga aduna na’y nakadesinyo nga pahimutangan sa ukay-ukay, footwear, kitchenwares, groceries, general merchandise, mga pagka-on ug ilimnon sama sa “turô-turô,” barbecue stands, softdrinks, ilimnong makahubog, pan, biscuits, balut, nagkalain-laing home-made foods ug uban pa.
Sumala pa usab ni Konsehal Siao, magbukas ang Weekend Night Market sa Iligan karong umaabot nga Pebrero 4 ug magpadayon na kini matag Biyernes ug Sabado sa gabii. (mta/CIO Iligan)
Cebuano News: ICTMO dili mohunong sa kampanya batok illegal trisikad operations sulod sa Poblacion area
Iligan City -Gibutyag ni Acting City Administrator Pacificador Lluch, Jr. nga mihimo karon og paningkamot ang Iligan City Traffic Management Office (ICTMO) sa paggukod ug pagpakgang sa mga trisikad nga makasulod sa Poblacion area.
Angay’ng masayran nga pinasubay sa usa ka executive order, gibutang ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz ang ICTMO ubos sa pagdumala sa City Administrator’s Office.
Gibutyag ni Lluch nga magpadayon ang maong kampanya hangtud nga ma-undang ang paglapas sa mga trisikad drivers ug operators sa gitugot lamang nga mga rota diha sa kabaranggayan pinasubay sa traffic code sa siyudad.
Partikular nga gitutokan karon sa ICTMO ang mga trisikad nga misulod na sa mga kadalanan sa sentrong bahin sama sa mga dalang Quezon, Aguinaldo ug Roxas ingon man mga highways.
Alayon niini, nanghinaut si Lluch nga wala’y mogulang mga personalidad nga mo-pressure sa mga traffic enforcers nga makapahimong kawang sa paningkamot sa ICTMO. Hinoon, wala direktang mitumbok si Lluch og pangalan sa tawo o grupo nga posibleng manghilabot sa gihimong kampanya sa ICTMO batok illegal trisikad operation. (mta/CIO Iligan)
Cebuano News: Paghatag pabor sa mga mabdos ug mga babayeng nagbitbit og batang-masuso diha sa mga pampasaherong sakyanan, himoong balaod sa siyudad
Iligan City -Gipaningkamutan ni City Councilor Marlene Young nga mamahimo gayu’ng balaod sa siyudad ang paghatag og pabor sa mga mabdos ug babayeng nagbitbit og batang-masuso nga makalingkod diha sa mga pampasaherong sakyanan.
Kamatuoran sa maong paningkamot, naduso na ni Konsehal Young sa unang pagbasa sa konseho ang balaodnon, niini lamang ulahi nga mga sesyon.
Sa nasayran gikan sa buhatan sa konsehala, gitakda sa Enero 11, adlaw’ng Martes, sa alas nueve sa buntag, didto sa SP Session Hall ang public hearing kalabot sa naasoy’ng lakang aron pagpaminaw sa mga sugyot, rekomendasyon, opinyon ug ubang mga ideya gikan sa publiko.
Gitinguha ni Konsehal Young nga maangkon ang suporta sa publiko alang sa kalampusan sa maong lakang ilabi na usab nga nagkinahanglan kini og pag-abag ug pagsabot sa mga isigka-pasahero, mga matungnan nga drivers ingon man mga jeepney ug bus operators. (mta/CIO Iligan)
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