DTI Hosts the 58th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Meeting in Boracay

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS), under the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), successfully hosted the 58th ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Meeting and its Related Meetings in Boracay, Malay, Aklan on 06-09 December 2022.

The Meeting was attended by ACCSQ Leaders from the following ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam with the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Nou Thara, Deputy Director General, Institute of Standards Cambodia and vice-chaired by Mrs. Konny Sagala, Director, Directorate of Standard Implementation System and Conformity Assessment, National Standardization Agency of Indonesia. 

 

The Philippine Delegation was led by BPS Director Neil P. Catajay as Head of Delegation, Director Jesusa Joyce Cirunay from the Department of Health - Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA), Directory Romulo Aggangan from the Department of Science and Technology - Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) together with representatives from the DTI-Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), DTI-Aklan,  DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), and other BPS partners. 

 

 

Delegates of the 58th ACCSQ Meeting in Boracay, Philippines 

 

During the opening ceremony, DTI-CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and the ACCSQ Chair Mr. Nou Thara provided the welcome messages to the delegates. 

 

 

DTI-CPG Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo delivered her welcome remarks for the 58th ACCSQ Meeting via recorded video message 

 

"The ASEAN has shown resilience and perseverance amidst the pandemic. It has created purposeful measures to allow the region to recover from the effects of the pandemic. While we are on our way to recovery, it is still an uphill battle and would require enormous effort from all stakeholders. Aside from the post-pandemic effects, we are also witnessing new heights of development in the area of digital trade, and the fourth industrial revolution which present opportunities and challenges in the area of online consumer protection and product safety," underscored by Usec. Castelo. 

 

With the said developments, Usec. Catelo enjoined the ASEAN Member States to move forward together through collective and individual efforts, across different ASEAN communities: political-security, economic and socio-cultural. 

 

 

The ACCSQ Leaders, ASEAN Secretariat, and Other Delegates during the 58th ACCSQ Meeting Proper 

 

The Meeting discussed matters arising from the 57th ACCSQ Meeting, updates on the recent developments in the ASEAN Economic Integration, progress of 2022 Annual Priority (AP) Deliverables, latest updates in the signing of ASEAN legal instruments in 2022, AP Deliverables for 2023 proposed by Indonesia, the Standards and Conformance Strategic Plan 2016-2025 and Third Sector Masterplan of ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, progress reports of ACCSQ Working Groups and Product Working Groups as well as Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (STRACAP) in ASEAN Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia and New Zealand, China, Korea, Japan, and Canada. The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) upgrade negotiations and cooperation with Dialogue Partners were also tackled. 

 

In addition, the following Dialogue Meetings were held back-to-back with the 58th ACCSQ Meeting:  

1.      1st ACCSQ - UK Dialogue Meeting on Standards and Conformance, which highlighted UK’s overall support to ASEAN particularly for the economic sector, technical support for ACCSQ, and updates on the activities and engagements in international standards bodies; 

 

                    1st ACCSQ - UK Dialogue Meeting on Standards and Conformance 

 

2.      20th ACCSQ - EU Dialogue Meeting on Standards and Conformance, which discussed the overall support from EU to ASEAN and the progress of the ASEAN Regional Integration Support from EU (ARISE Plus); and 

 

              20th ACCSQ - EU Dialogue Meeting on Standards and Conformance 

 

3.      8th ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Sub-Committee on STRACAP Meeting, which discussed the progress of ASEAN activities and projects in cooperation with Japan particularly the ASEAN-Japan Partnership Program for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Safety Conformity Assessment of Multi-Media Equipment (MME) and the development of ASEAN Common Qualification Scheme for Quality Control Experts. 

 

                  8th ASEAN Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Sub-Committee on STRACAP Meeting 

 

The IEC Asia-Pacific Regional Centre (IEC-APRC) also provided updates to the Meeting on IEC's latest activities and programs. 

 

The ACCSQ is a sectoral body under the purview of the ASEAN Economic Ministers that is tasked to reduce, if not to remove, technical barriers to trade in order to realize the goals of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). It was established to harmonize national standards with international standards, implement mutual recognition arrangements on conformity assessment, and develop harmonized regulatory regimes. 

 

The DTI-BPS functions as the Philippines’ lead agency to the ACCSQ. As lead, the DTI-BPS represents the country in the programs and events of the ACCSQ Leaders on standards and conformity assessment procedures and coordinates with other government agencies and the private sector involved in the activities of the Working Groups (WGs) and Product Working Groups (PWGs) under the ACCSQ. 

 

For more updates and information on standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures (STRACAP), please visit the BPS website (www.bps.dti.gov.ph). Emails and messages may also be sent to bps@dti.gov.ph or through the official BPS Facebook page (facebook.com/PHstandards).

Talagang Panalo Tayo kay Haresco!

Aking nasaksihan ang abot langit na pasasalamat ni Congressman Teodorico Haresco sa kanyang pagkakahalal muli sa kanyang bayang Aklan at sa mga kapwa niyang Aklanon na sumuporta sa nakaraang eleksyon. May Ilang buwan na rin ito at sa ngayon, ang magiting na  kongresista ay ginagawa ang lahat ng paraan upan maisakatuparan ang ganyang mga plataporma at mga naipangako bago mag eleksyon.

Bilang representante sa kongreso siya ay nagpresinta ng pagtulong, unang una sa larangan ng Kalusugan, maaari siyang lapitan para sa tulong medical lalo na kung ang mga ospital ay Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Kidney Center at PGH. Isa pa sa kanyang ginagawa ay ang pagpapapatuloy ng kanyang programa na bigyan ng scholarship ang mga deserving students na papasa sa entrance exam, bukod duon, siya din ay  magpagpapatayo ng mga impastraktura na kaagapay sa mga malalaking programa sa Boracay.

Itutuloy din ni Cong. Haresco ang mga proyekto para sa mga Aklanon lalo na sa mga Micro-Entrepreneurs. Isasali na rin nya sa kanyang mga plano ang pagpapatayo ng Farming schools na naglalayong magturo ng Organic Farming dahil na din sa umuusbong na pangangailangan nito.

Si Congressman Teodorico Haresco ay nagtapos sa De La Salle University ng Maynila at nakakuha ng kanyang Master's degree na International Economics sa McGill University sa Montréal, Canada noong 1978. Ang kamangha-manghang cosmopolitan at multi-national na background ni Ginoong Haresco ay makikita sa kanyang malawak na pag-iisip, diskarte  at solusyon sa mga isyu sa ating bansa. Naharap sa mabusising gawain sa paglutas ng mga isyu sa gaya ng pagkokonekta ng merkado sa kabayanan sa kabila ng malaking hamong ng pagkakahiwalay ng mga isla sa ating bansa. Si Teodorico Haresco ay lumikha ng isang konsepto na naging President's Bridge Program (PBP), sa ganitong mga ideya ay napansin ng ibang mga lahi ang kanyang proyekto na ginamit ng ibang mga bansa kabilang ang Cambodia, Siberia, at Sri Lanka.

Dito sa Pilipinas, madalas nating makita ang mga artikulo sa balita at mga snippet na nagpinta ng mga pampublikong tagapaglingkod sa isang masamang ilaw. Ang nakakalungkot na bahagi ay, ito ay nagiging pamantayan at hindi kami nasusukalang tuwing nakakakita tayo ng masamang balita tungkol sa mga pulitiko na ito.

Sa bagong generasyon na kung saan nasa digital age na ang mundo, kailangang mag-isip nang dalawang beses ang mga pampublikong tagapaglingkod dahil madali silang mailantad kung gumagawa sila ng di kanaisnais sa gobyerno.

Dapat nilang patuloy na gumawa ng mga karapat-dapat na proyekto na kapaki-pakinabang para sa kanilang mga nasasakupan upang maalala nila ang susunod na halalan.

Patuloy nating subaybayan ang mga proyekto na ginagawa at mga gagawin pa sa ilalim ng pamamahala ni Congressman Haresco at maging malaya tayo na punahin, makipagtulungan at magbigay ng mga suhestiyon sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng pagdulog sa kanyang opisina o kaya'y deretso sa kanyang connection sa social media.
https://www.facebook.com/CongNonongHaresco/

Rep.Teodorico 'Nonong' Haresco, Jr. wants more than to see his fellow Aklanons achieve a certain level of success in lif

Congressman Teodorico 'Nonong' Haresco Jr. narrated his story to us when he started to be an entrepreneur for as early as his college days at De La Salle University, on how he was able to grow a two thousand-peso loan from a relative into a buy-and-sell business by purchasing shrimps in Aklan, then selling it in Manila.

Not only an entrepreneur student, he also finished with honors in Economics and in Accounting, He was able to turn his startup of 50-hectare prawn-farming venture in his hometown of Ibajay, Aklan and he would find himself catering to big name restaurants in the metro.

Not only did he finish his schooling in Manila but he also went to Canada and completed his M.A. in International Economics at the McGill University, also participated in United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-International Trade Center in Switzerland where his business acumen led to the formation Haresco Trade Specialists Co. and Silver Thread Inc., this venture exported local capiz shells to the European country.

Even though it is clearly set that he's life is all good outside the Philippines, he still decided to go back to his hometown in Aklan

A person like Rep. Nonong is someone that I admire because he is someone that have a good heart for the less privileged and at the same time uplifts them, not by giving them fish but teaching them on how to fish. A wise person does thing long term not only for himself but for his fellow. This proud Aklanon is a firm believer that micro-enterprise industry has the ability to better the lives of his kababayan with commitment and dedication.

To eventually be able to provide jobs for others in their communities and help in the development of its socio-economic sector is a vision Haresco continues to aspire for Aklan.

Happily married and a loving father of four, his contributions to the development of Aklan and the Philippines are well documented. As of date, Congressman Nonong Haresco has authored and co-authored more than 60 house measures including HB00111, an act establishing a mechanism for the sustainable development and use of the island of Boracay; HB00115, an act increasing the bed capacity of Ibajay District Hospital from 25 to 100; HB02239, an act granting P1,000 monthly stipend by way of financial assistance to centenarians; HB02240, an act exempting users of electronic vehicles from the payment of road user’s tax; HB02241, an act to prescribe nutrition labeling for food products; HB02323, an act granting P500 monthly allowance to barangay tanods; HB02414, an act amending section 5 of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as an act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System; HB02415, an act to combat abuse and increase penalties for crimes against senior citizens; HB03192, an act providing for the establishment of barangay drugstores, otherwise known as “Botika sa Barangay”; HB03366, an act penalizing anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive mergers, establishing the Philippine Fair Competition Commission; HB03776, an act empowering the micro, small, and medium enterprises; and HB04335, an act requiring mandatory installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on major roads included in routes of public utility vehicles among others.

Aside from these, some of his milestone accomplishments include being the only Visayan and Aklanon to receive the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Businessman of the Year Award (2007) and the Deutsche Bank Banker of the Year Award (2005). He was People Asia’s Person of the Year and graced the cover in 2008 and is one of the Modern Day Filipino Heroes (2008), as well as one of 23 Filipinos cited in the book celebrating 347 years of Philippine-British Relations. His company WINSOURCE Solutions Inc. has been a five-time recipient of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

Teodorico 'Nonong' Haresco, Jr.a alsoconceptualized President’s Bridge Programme (PBP) as a parallel intervention to regular government infrastructure programmes. This very successful reengineering model in the Philippines is being duplicated in Sri Lanka, Papa New Guinea, Cambodia, Siberia, and in other parts of Asia.

Lastly, Haresco is also the principal developer of a nationwide scholarship fund for the children of slain journalists and has put 34 young scholars through school since 2007.

Congressman Nonong Haresco Talks About Issues on

It is no secret that Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. or more known as Nonong Haresco of the lone district of Aklan has a soft spot in his heart for the less privileged. But instead of giving them fish, he encourages them to learn how to set up their own small business ventures as a means to make their lives better.

A proud Aklanon, Haresco is a firm believer in the microenterprise industry and its ability to uplift hardworking individuals who in turn would eventually be able to provide jobs for others in their communities while at the same time help in the development of its socio-economic sector.

This is something Haresco learned at a young age. As a student at De La Salle University, he turned a two thousand-peso loan from a relative into a buy-and-sell business by purchasing shrimps in Aklan, which he would then sell in Manila.

Finishing with honors in Economics and in Accounting, his determination developed his little startup turned into a 50-hectare prawn-farming venture in his hometown of Ibajay, Aklan and he would find himself catering to big name restaurants in the metro. 

After completing his M.A. in International Economics at the McGill University in Canada, Haresco participated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development-Internat­ional Trade Center in Switzerland where his business acumen led to the formation Haresco Trade Specialists Co. and Silver Thread Inc., which exported local capiz shells to the European country.

As of date, Congressman Nonong Haresco has authored and co-authored more than 60 house measures including HB00111, an act establishing a mechanism for the sustainable development and use of the island of Boracay; HB00115, an act increasing the bed capacity of Ibajay District Hospital from 25 to 100; HB02239, an act granting P1,000 monthly stipend by way of financial assistance to centenarians; HB02240, an act exempting users of electronic vehicles from the payment of road user’s tax; HB02241, an act to prescribe nutrition labeling for food products; HB02323, an act granting P500 monthly allowance to barangay tanods; HB02414, an act amending section 5 of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as an act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System; HB02415, an act to combat abuse and increase penalties for crimes against senior citizens; HB03192, an act providing for the establishment of barangay drugstores, otherwise known as “Botikasa Barangay”; HB03366, an act penalizing anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and anti-competitive mergers, establishing the Philippine Fair Competition Commission; HB03776, an act empowering the micro, small, and medium enterprises; and HB04335, an act requiring mandatory installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras on major roads included in routes of public utility vehicles among others.

Aside from these, some of his milestone accomplishments include being the only Visayan and Aklanon to receive the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Businessman of the Year Award (2007) and the Deutsche Bank Banker of the Year Award (2005). He was People Asia’s Person of the Year and graced the cover in 2008 and is one of the Modern Day Filipino Heroes (2008), as well as one of 23 Filipinos cited in the book celebrating 347 years of Philippine-British Relations. His company WINSOURCE Solutions Inc. has been a five-time recipient of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. 

Haresco likewise conceptualized the President’s Bridge Programme (PBP) as a parallel intervention to regular government infrastructure programmes. This very successful reengineering model in the Philippines is being duplicated in Sri Lanka, Papa New Guinea, Cambodia, Siberia, and in other parts of Asia.

Haresco is also the principal developer of a nationwide scholarship fund for the children of slain journalists and has put 34 young scholars through school since 2007.

But while his exemplary performance in Congress is well documented, nothing gives Aklan Rep. Nonong Haresco more fulfillment than his family. Happily married and a father to four, his contributions to development of Aklan and to the Philippines cannot be denied.