By Mildred E. Dablio
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao handed-out the salaries of some 1,000 beneficiaries of its Cash-For-Work Program.
Distributed last February 23-24, 2012 in its Cagayan de Oro and Iligan offices, beneficiaries of the Cash-For-Work program are all victims of the flash flood caused by Typhoon Sendong that devastatingly hit both cities in the region.
For the duration of 15 days, the beneficiaries cleaned up drainage canals and other public areas in their own barangays.
Director Johnson G. Cañete said the department paid the salaries and likewise, provided the cleaning paraphernalia like rubber boots, “buli” hat, stick brooms, dust pans and dust masks.
Of the total beneficiaries, 400 are from Iligan, while 600 from Cagayan de Oro. They received P215.00 daily wage, which is 75% of the minimum wage rate, with total earnings of P3,225.00 each for the completed duration of work.
With most houses completely washed-out, the program primarily aims to augment the immediate financial needs of the affected families. (DOLE-10)
On-line registration of business names to kick off in March
By Elaine O. Ratunil
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Registering a new business can be done by any Filipino in the comfort of their homes or offices in any province in the country by March 1 this year.
Hence, on-line registration of business names with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), tax identification number with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Pag-ibig and Philhealth can be done in one sitting by anybody who has access to computers.
This was announced by Director Linda O. Boniao of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of Northern Mindanao during an episode of “Ang Rehiyon Karon (ARK)” radio program, yesterday, over DXIM Radyo Ng Bayan.
She said that this is now possible under the automated Philippine Business Registry System (PRBS). Launching was done last January 27, but initial coverage was limited to Metro Manila.
In Northern Mindanao, test run was done this week, Director Boniao shared.
Meanwhile, ARK is a program of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Region 10’s Communication Advocacy Program task Force (CAP TF) that talks about Northern Mindanao’s development and takes a regular one-hour airing from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. every last Friday of the month, with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as regular host.
Following will be a five-step guide on how owners of new businesses can use the system.
An applicant must create a Philippine Business Registry (PBR) user's account at www.business.gov.ph and log-in and fill out the PBR online application form.
Applicant's (Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is required to proceed with the PBR number (PBN) which is based on the TIN. If there is an existing TIN, PBR will validate against records. If there's no TIN yet, PBR will generate one for the client.
The applicant needs to pay for Business Name (BN) application fee through GCash. Submit application for employer's registration number (ERN) to SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig. ERN from SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth are then generated and reflected on the owners PBR account dashboard.
Applicant may now proceed to the said agencies to get certificate of employer's ID. Just present the PBR account dashboard. (PIA-10)
New firm provides access to capital for SMEs
By Gelo Udaundo
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Start-up firms now have a new source of capital.
Ceferino L. Follosco Group Capital Corporation (CLFG CAP), the newest member of the Follosco Group chaired by former Science and Technology Secretary Ceferino Follosco, seeks to partner with small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) with sound business models and strong potential for revenue growth.
CLFG Cap provides access to capital specifically for start-up firms and growth companies seeking venture capital. It gives greater attention on companies involved in growth industries such as Biotechnology, Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing, Real estate, Health and Wellness, Information Technology, Water and Renewable Energy, Travel and Tourism, Food and Agriculture.
Aside from capital, CLFG Cap offers added value to their prospective investee companies by leveraging on CLFG Caps' extensive experience in various business through providing strategic advice in the areas of marketing, logistics, production and financing engineering.
Meanwhile, since the US and EU economic slowdown, the negative domino effect has been evident in global trade including the Philippines which resulted to the lowering of the country's financial markets, remittances and exports.
Part of CLFG's mission is to help propel the country to its next stage of economic development by supporting and developing SMEs engaged in emerging, sustainable and high growth industries.
It is crucial for SMEs to have access to capital as it would determine their stability and sustainability and thus be competitive in the domestic and global market, said the company in a statement. Research shows that a company with long-term venture capital investors is more successful than a company that has to rely on short-term financing from banks.
Interested companies need to submit a summary of project proposal with its title, description, amount of the project, description of the use of fund and financial statement. After which, the company will undergo preliminary screening and further project study. For more information, you may contact CLFG Cap directly at telephone number 896-5556 to 59 or email clfgcapital@clfolloscogroup.com.
However, micro enterprises can also seek financial assistance through Active Alliance Finance Corporation (Activefinance), an affiliate of CLFG. It has specialized financial packages such as travel assistance loan, tractor financing program, pre-owned car dealership, equity financing, inventory financing, receivables financing, purchase order financing and other capital requirements. (PNF)
Agri, tourism, public works top list of investment priorities
By Abe P. Belena
CAGAYAN DE ORO - A wide range of agribusiness projects, tourism facilities and services and infrastructure topped the list of proposed priority investment projects recently released by the Board of Investments (BOI).
The infrastructure projects include those to be built under the public-private-partnership program (PPP) of the government.
The accent on agribusiness, tourism and infrastructure reflected the main economic thrusts of the Aquino administration of creating millions of jobs quickly, BOI officials explained during a recent public hearing it called.
Specific investments in those areas, after getting registered with the BOI this year, will enjoy up to six years of income tax holidays.
Special stress on investments in agriculture arose from the fact that despite its limitless potentials, the farm and fishery sector experienced very little new investments in previous years.
It was pointed out in last year's Philippine Business Conference that total investments on agribusiness has remained less than five percent of total yearly investments in the country.
This has resulted in the sector's stagnation for decades.
Nationwide, qualified projects will include commercial production and processing of agricultural and fishery products including by-products and wastes, irrigation, post harvest, cold storage, blast freezing and the production of fertilizer.
Agribusiness was also given special attention in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where a wider range of specific projects have been detailed by the BOI for tax perks. New areas included the production of "halal" meat and foods, plantations and processing of industrial crops that include abaca, rubber, biofuel like jathropa and the establishment of state-of-the-art propagation technology like tissue culture.
Similarly, the development of tourism facilities included a wide range of investment areas under three (3) categories. The first category was in support of transportation facilities that included airports, seaports and cable car projects.
The second category included establishment and operations of all categories of hotels, theme parks, amusement parks, convention centers, health and wellness facilities, agri-tourism farms and facilities and adventure parks.
It also included retirement villages.
Infrastructure projects deemed top priority for private investments by the national government have been included among those that will enjoy tax holidays. Included are PPP projects which were not limited to those already identified by the NEDA but will include new lists that the administration will add. (PNF)
FA: Passport processing reduced to two-week waiting period
By Elaine O. Ratunil
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Consular Extension Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DAF) in Cagayan de Oro announced a cut on passport processing time.
Director Janeth Z. Falsis said DFA is glad to announce starting this year, passport processing schedules has already been improved.
For expedite processing, we already have a two-week waiting period, which is precisely 10 working days, and for regular processing, we have about a month or 20-working days.
This is way better than the almost three-month waiting period we had last year because of the technical constraints.
Nonetheless, we also would like to encourage the public to claim their passports on time.
Passports left unclaimed for more than six (6) months from date of issuance is subject to cancellation for security purposes, said Director Falsis.
The DFA implemented several measures to shorten passport processing time from 20 to 10 days.
Last year, the DFA strictly implemented the passport appointment system by going on line at www.passport.com.ph or by calling 737-1000.
Applicants are no longer required to bring photographs since they will have their pictures taken using ePassport data capturing machines at the DFA. They still need to bring other necessary requirements such as the application form that is available for download at the DFA website and at the reception desks of the new consular building.
The Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) also attributed the two-month waiting time for appointments to the peak summer season and the huge demand for the Philippine ePassport. It disclosed that it has been accepting 3,500 applicants on a daily basis.
The processing and releasing time is in fact faster compared to other countries. In the United States, for instance, passports are released four (4) to six (6) weeks from the date of application.
OCA clarified that it is the waiting time to get an appointment that is longer due to a number of reasons including non-appearance.
Forty percent of individuals who have set appointments do not show up on the designated dates. OCA still accommodates these slots since these were not cancelled by the applicants. (PIA-10)
168 students in Camiguin receive DOLE-SPES assistance
By Mildred E. Dablio
MAMBAJAO, Camiguin – Director Johnson G. Cañete of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Mindanao handed out the 40% checks on the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) here.
Some 168 students of the Camiguin Polytechnic State College benefited in the said assistance in a short program held at the Provincial Convention Center in Mambajao, Camiguin, Feb. 22.
Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Manager Paz Oclarit of the province of Camiguin joined the DOLE-10 team in the checks distribution.
For his part, Governor Jurdin Jesus “Jj” M. Romualdo, emphasized the importance of education and the assistance given to the students.
Director Cañete, on the other hand, said the cooperation of the local government of Camiguin is indispensible for the success of the SPES program.
SPES is embodied under Republic Act 7323, on a year-round basis to help poor but deserving students pursue education until tertiary completion, as well as vocational and technological education.
It caters primarily to students and out-of-school youths with ages 15-25 years old.
Interested applicants can apply directly to their respective city/municipal PESO or participating private agency. (DOLE-10)
CdO bares construction of 500 houses @ Xavier Ecoville starts
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Construction of the 500 houses in Xavier Ecoville, Barangay Lumbia, as permanent homes for the Sendong victims has began, City Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Y. Emano announced.
This, after the mayor thanked Xavier University (XU) President Fr. Roberto 'Bobby' Yap and XU Board of Trustees Chair Engineer. Elpidio M. Paras, during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on XU ecoville relocation site area, Feb. 21.
The five-hectare permanent relocation site, which is owned by XU, is a joint project of the said University and the local government, in accordance with the efforts of the city government to relocate in the soonest possible time the families who were affected by the typhoon Sendong.
The first completed permanent housing units were turned-over to some beneficiaries last January 25, during the blessing of the XU Ecoville. (CIO)
New DOLE Field Office opens in Northern Mindanao
By Mildred E. Dablio
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Land Employment (DOLE), region 10 announces the opening of its Western Misamis Oriental (WMO) Provincial Field Office (Metro Cagayan de Oro) to accommodate and better meet the needs of its clients effective March 1.
Plans to maximize its service in the province were initiated as part of the full implementation of the Rationalization Plan of the Department.
The new office is the 5th Provincial Field Office which covers the municipalities of: Opol, Alubijid, Gitagum, Manticao, Laguindingan, Initao, Libertad and Lugait and the cities of El Salvador and Cagayan de Oro.
“The opening of WMO Provincial Field Office (Metro Cagayan de Oro) is an important step towards realizing our goals in serving the different deliverable programs of the DOLE,” said Provincial Head Dorothy E. Gabe.
She said this is among the many important changes in relation with our vision to respond the employee-employer concerns and strengthen tripartism especially that big companies sprouting in the city and the nearby municipalities.
Meanwhile, relative to Administrative Order No. 518, series of 2012 on Re-assignment of Senior Officials, Northern Mindanao has its new Regional Director effective February 1, in the person of Atty. Johnson G. Cañete, CEO III.
Director Cañete was formerly the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Executive Director in Central Office, Intramuros, Manila.
For any communications or concerns please address to: Dorothy E. Gabe, Director II, Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Office (Metro Cagayan de Oro), Corrales Avenue, this city, with Tel. No. (088) 857-1931 or (08822) 727682. (DOLE)
People Power ‘tree planting’ revolution conducted in Lanao del Sur
By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur - A people power ‘tree planting’ revolution was carried out throughout the province today in line with the commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution and in support to the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
It was dubbed as a people power tree planting revolt since all sectors of the society took part in this endeavour of protecting and preserving the environment, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Cosain Abbas said.
He said the tree planting revolt was conducted simultaneously in the different municipalities in the province this morning, but in Marawi City, the participants started going to the planting site below the historic Sacred Mountain in Barangay Guimba as early as 7:00 a.m.
Abbas said the tree planting activity was a joint effort of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Lanao Civil Society, and the academe, as well as, the 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army who coordinated with the all local government units in the province and provided transportation to the participants.
He said some 4,000 seedlings of various exotic tree species such as mahogany, falcata, rubber and narra were planted during the activity. (APB/PIA-10)
Habitat for Humanity calls on volunteers for the construction of Calaanan relocation site
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Habitat for Humanity is now aiming to finish 200 houses in the Calaanan Relocation site by March 15.
To do this, they need volunteers who are willing to help dig septic tanks and do back-filling.
Volunteers need to bring one sack, shovel, food and water. Volunteers can assemble at the SM area, in front of McDonalds, every Saturday, 7:30 a.m. They can also contact Dabs of the Habitat for Humanity at 09178662045 or at dabsliban@gmail.com.
Meanwhile, by April this year, more or less 500 houses built by Habitat for Humanity Philippines, and not less than 100 houses built by the local government, will soon be occupied by families who lost their homes, said City Mayor Vicente 'Dongkoy' Y. Emano.
"We'll do the best the city government can, with the help and support of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines, to have our homeless brothers and sisters occupy permanent homes starting April," the Mayor promised.
It can be recalled that 1,500 quadruplex type houses are being constructed now by Habitat for Humanity Philippines in the Calaanan Relocatin Site, while 1,000 row-houses are also being built by the city from the aid given by the national government and other donations for the typhoon Sendong survivors. (Habitat for Humanity/CIO/PIA-10)
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