SB Corporation, Cebu People’s Cooperative Strengthen Partnership

The Small Business Corporation (SB Corporation) expressed continued support to the Cebu People’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CPMPC) as its Credit Delivery Partner (CDP) for the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program. CPMPC reported a total P2.56 million loans released to 124 microenterprise beneficiaries in just three months (November 2019 to January 2020). SB Corporation through CPMPC aims to generate P2 million P3 loan portfolio per month for each of the cooperative’s 16 satellite offices.

Present during the update meeting are (seated L-R) SB Corporation South Luzon Group Head Ronald Inciong, Financing Sector Head Ma. Lourdes Baula, SB Corporation President and CEO Ma. Luna Cacanando, CPMPC CEO Macario Quevedo, CPMPC COO Brian Yap, SB Corporation MIS Department Manager Marc Quincy Talagtag and SB Corporation Corporate Support Sector Head Rowena Betia (Standing L-R) SB Corporation Information Technology Group Head Evelyn Felias, CPMPC Financial Officer Eric Abistado, Training Dept Manager Jacob Layan, Credit Dept Manager Melanie Baclayon, Manila Branch Operator Ulysses Mar Josef, and Executive Secretary Nelson Rabaja.

Under the P3 Program, a micro enterprise can borrow between P5,000 up to P200,000 depending on its business need and repayment capacity with no collateral requirement with an effective interest rate of not more than 2.5% per month (based on diminishing balance). The P3 Program serves as an alternative to the P30 billion “5-6” money lending industry that charges 20% interest rate to microenterprises.

As of January 2020 the P3 program has extended a total of P5.1 billion in loans to 124,374 micro enterprises and has partnered with 418 partner financial institutions nationwide.

DTI Eyes Market Expansion in Middle East

In an effort to diversify markets for PH exporters, the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), in coordination with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Middle East and Africa, is conducting an Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) to the Middle East on February 12-24, 2020. The OBMM is in conjunction with Gulfood 2020 in Dubai World Trade Centre.

"We hope that through this OBMM, the Philippines will be able to explore business environment and possible prospects in the Middle East markets and sustain networking and follow-up activities in the UAE as part of the mission legs last 2019,” DTI-Trade Promotions Group (TPG) Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman said.

The OBMM also targets to develop and expand relationships with business, government, and multiplier organizations in Middle East countries and enhance local understanding of the current economic conditions and business opportunities.

The mission is also anchored on EMB’s aspiration to engage with high-level promotion, targeted market intelligence and business matching, and focused training and capacity building for both large companies and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which also echoes the thrust of the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act (PHEDP) and the Expo 2020 Dubai campaign.

Moreover, this project supports the Export Promotion for PH Food Sector which endeavors to bring Philippine cuisine, ingredients, and beverages overseas. The program’s strategy will build on Strategy No. 3 of PEDP 2018-2022 which is to design comprehensive packages of support that will be able to mainstream the Philippine food, food ingredients, and beverages sectors and encourage innovations on major Philippine commodities and niche products.

Led by Usec. Macatoman, the business delegation is composed of representatives from 11 Philippine business companies, namely: Fitrite, Inc; Fruits of Life, Inc; HDR Foods Corporation; Jocker’s Food Industries; Magic Melt Food, Inc; Marigold Manufacturing Corp; Marikina Food Corp; Pinesvill Trading FZE LTE; Pixcel Transglobal; Sagrex Food, and LBC. Also included in the delegation are Philippine Commercial Attaché for the Middle East and Africa Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong, DTI-EMB’s Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Myrtle Faye L. Solina, and Trade and Industry Development Specialist Al-Mahdi I. Jul-Ahmad.

The featured products for this mission are food items, sauces, spices, mixes, and condiments as well as cargo and logistics for the services.

Macatoman reiterated the need for more Philippine brands to enter the Middle East markets to cater the demand of Filipinos living there, and to a larger extent, to penetrate the mainstream market. This mission also endeavors to deliberately promote Philippine bananas in the Middle East market, among others.

The delegation is set to have business matching events, market scanning, store visits, meetings with government authorities and a visit to Gulfood 2020.

“As part of the OBMM’s activities, the PH exporters will be engaged in B2B meetings with prospective buyers which will give them knowledge of the market requirements in terms of volume, quality, and price. It will bolster and increase exports of food and non-food products and services to GCC countries,” DTI-EMB Director Senen M. Perlada said.

Gulfood is the world's largest annual food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition which attracts F&B professionals from all over the world to Dubai - a hub for international trade and commerce. It is also celebrating its 24th edition this year.

In January - November 2019, the Philippines exported USD 720.1M worth of goods to the Middle East and imported USD 3,298.8M of goods. Among the top products exported by the country were bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried (USD 211.9M), Input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing (USD 64.0M), other bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other baker's wares, whether or not containing cocoa (USD 41.3M), pineapples, fresh or dried (USD 38.1M), and video projectors (USD 22.1M).

On the other hand, the country’s top imported products from the Middle East in the same period were petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude (USD 2,112.6M), light petroleum oils and preparations thereof (USD 225.9M), propane, liquified (USD 126.6M), butanes, liquified (USD 120.9M), and aeroplanes and other aircraft, of an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000 kg.

To know more about of the Philippine Delegation, you may scan the QR Code below.

You can visit their Facebook Page: fb.com/dti.export to stay updated on DTI EMB’s new and upcoming events and programs.

OTOP All Set for 2020

The One Town, One Product Program (OTOP) Next Gen kicked off the year assembling all its regional and provincial focal persons through the “OTOP Visions 2020: Trade Promotions Officers’ Evaluation and Planning Session”, last February 5 and 6, 2020 at the Hotel Jen Manila.

The session aimed to assess the group’s performance, to earn from the best practices of each region, and to set the direction of the program for 2020. It was attended by DTI Regional and Assistant Regional Directors and all the Trade Promotions Officers who have played crucial roles in the continued success of the OTOP program.

“We hope to face 2020 with a clear and unified vision of OTOP. As we set out to elevate our level and quality of MSME support, may we grow all the more resilient. Let us remember why we are doing this and who we are doing this for – for MSMEs and for the continued development of our country”, OTOP Program Manager Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga stated during the opening of the OTOP Visions 2020.

The two-day conference also included learning sessions for participants given by various resource persons from the Department and other agencies. In line with rising global trends, the prospective e-commerce platforms are also being explored by the program.

The program surpassed its targets for 2019, successfully providing 10, 819 counts of MSME assistance, 6,771 counts of product development services, and enabling OTOPreneurs to generate Php 1.407 billion in sales.

To date, the program has already established 37 OTOP Philippines Hubs (OTOP.Ph), OTOP’s retail and marketing arm, nationwide with many more underway.

The Program also engaged with prospective foreign markets during a mission to Europe, where it participated in the ANUGA Fair in Cologne, Germany. There, it showcased the rich flavors of the Philippines on the world stage, enticing potential buyers and partners from all over.

The session only marked the beginning of OTOP’s continuous thrust to promote inclusive economic growth and increase the competitiveness of local MSMEs. Much can be expected from the program this year as it seeks to further expand its pool of new enrollees and level up the package of services it offers to OTOPreneurs.

Bamboo Industry Gets Boost from Government and Private Sector

QUEZON CITY - Government and private sector stakeholders converge to support the bamboo industry during the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council meeting (PBDIC) on 6 February.

As Chair of the Bamboo industry council, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez reported that various agencies like the Departments of Agriculture, Environment, Local Government, and Trade are aligning their various programs and connecting the dots in the value chain of the bamboo industry. These programs include from tissue culture, and planting materials developed by DA to plant propagation and greening program of DENR, to processing, product development and design and marketing by DTI.

Several private organizations and advocacy groups will likewise merge their activities into the council’s programs. Moreover, being an agribusiness activity, located at the countryside, Lopez added that these activities are included in the Board of Investments BOI investment priorities plan or IPP that can enjoy incentives. The PBDIC is now also heavily supported by the House Deputy Speaker DV Savellano, being a staunch Bamboo advocate for years.

“The DENR’s National Greening program is targeting to plant 19,000 hectares of bamboo nationwide" said Sec. Lopez.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar also expressed support for this effort in turning bamboo crops into an investment opportunity. Sec. Dar recently approved DTI’s request of including bamboo as a high-value crop. DA encourages farmers to plant high-value crops like mango, banana, coffee, and cacao as they are expected to generate more profit.

"With bamboo as a high-value crop, we can undertake various interventions that include research, processing and value-adding, and budgetary support, complementing the programs and projects of the PBIDC," said Sec. Dar.

Bamboo takes only three years to fully grow as compared to 10 to 20 years for wood trees. The plant can be used as construction materials, as well as furniture and paper-making, among others, providing a good livelihood source for a community.

Sec. Lopez shared that investments are welcome at all stages of the value chain from nurseries to design studios. Both secretaries also promoted the use of modern technology to quickly propagate and process the plant. Secretary Dar meanwhile encouraged the participation of big businesses to partner and help the small farmers, to make the project more competitive and profitable.

PBDIC Vice-Chair and Ilocos Sur Representative Savellano shared that the bills filed are to institutionalize the PBDIC and these are now being discussed at the 18th Congress. He also committed to push the bill at the bicameral hearings.

Senate Bill 524, proposed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, aims to make bamboo a main export product by creating the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Roadmap and the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to provide the overall policy and program directions, and coordinate the activities of the public and private sectors.

The council will have an official launch to promote the bamboo industry. The campaign will be named 5K: Kawayan, Kalikasan, Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kinabukasan.

Bamboo Una Mas

With having one of the most recognizable and formidable singing voices in the Philippines, singer-songwriter BAMBOO MAÑALAC is like a well-oiled machine, all power and with no plans of slowing down just yet! The Prince of Philippine Rock is ready to ROCK it again in this BAMBOO: UNA MAS CEBU EDITION 2019 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino Cebu City, on November 23, 2019, door opens at 6 pm.

With his famous vocals, which combines a rock style with mellow approach, he is notably has energetic style in his LIVE PERFORMANCE! Breaking into the music scene in the 90s, Mañalac was part of the band, Rivermaya that churned out hit after hit, among them “Hinahanap Hanap Kita” and “Awit ng Kabataan.” He took a break from the industry then formed the band Bamboo in the early 2000s. Among their original hits were “Hallelujah” and “Noypi.” Bamboo then went solo and released his first album titled “No Water, No Moon.” In 2013, Mañalac was chosen as one of the coaches for ABS-CBN’s singing competition, “The Voice of the Philippines.”

BAMBOO: UNA MAS CEBU EDITION 2019 is presented by Espicom Events, a startup live entertainment company with a combined individual that has extensive years of experiences, Espicom Events has an expert team dedicated to live entertainment planning and implementation. Set on stage by the Espicom Production, with the intended beneficiary of the Cebu-leg show which is Balay Silangan, a community-based reformation program that aims to rehabilitate surrendered drug personalities in the country – a program launched by PDEA last 2018, expect Cebu Waterfront to rock.

Tickets now available at SM Tickets, Ticket world and at the lobby of Waterfront Cebu, prices are as follow: VIP = Php 2,800 Gold = 2,200 Silver = 1,800 Bronze = 1,100 General Patronage = 800.00 Balcony = 600.00.

Bamboo Mañalac is famous for his vocals, which combine a rock style with a mellow approach; he also has a notably energetic style in live performances. His musical and vocal talents as well as his band's polished sound have made him a rock icon in the Philippines.

PH Bamboo Industry Development Council Identifies New Bamboo Roadmap Strategies to Create more Jobs, Attract Investments

The Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) boosts its efforts in addressing the challenges of the country’s bamboo industry. PBIDC Chairman and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez shared that the council has identified new approaches and strategies to grow the industry that will lead to investments and job creation.

“We are updating our strategies and expanding the list of government agencies as well as private sector partners to be involved in the development of this industry. It will be a whole-of-nation approach to ensure sustainable progress. We are also working closely with long-time bamboo industry advocates House Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor DV Savellano and the Philippine Chamber of Mines official Atty. Leo Dominguez,” said Sec. Lopez.

During the council meeting on 16 October 2019, strategies were set such as identification of more land suitable for bamboo plantation; sourcing of right species and planting materials; propagation strategies; setting up of treatment facilities; product development assistance; exploration on the potentials of bamboo fiber as well as its byproducts; and inclusion of bamboo in crop insurance. The council is also looking at establishing bamboo industries at the barangay level to provide jobs and business opportunities in the countryside.

The inclusion of the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Climate Change Commission, as well as National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) as partner agencies were discussed.

DTI is currently assessing its 101 Shared Service Facilities (SSF) on bamboo processing nationwide. The agency is also consolidating bamboo's market potentials. It will likewise tap the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills development, training, and scholarships on bamboo production and processing. Meanwhile, the DTI-Bureau of Philippine Standards will work on setting up standards for bamboo products.

“The goal is to make the development of the bamboo industry more inclusive. Encourage farmers to plant bamboo and provide economic activities in their communities,” Sec. Lopez added.

As one of its initiatives, the PBIDC together with industry partners showcase high-value bamboo-made products at the ongoing Manila FAME. Contemporary designs of Filipino bamboo manufacturers and artisans are featured in the premiere lifestyle exhibitions in Asia Pacific.

Design Center Showcases Bamboo Innovation at Manila FAME 2018

The Design Center, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully showcased innovative and revolutionary bamboo products at Manila FAME 2018. The special bamboo setting was arranged under a canopy of bamboos and was divided into two innovation projects – the Bamboo 360 and the Bamboo Extreme 2.0. The Bamboo 360 featured design-forward home and lifestyle products while the Bamboo Extreme 2.0 focused primarily on mobility concepts for modern lifestyle. Gracing the innovative bamboo display were (left to right) DTI undersecretary Nora Terrado, Design Center of the Philippines executive director Rhea Matute, Philippine Nickel Industry Association chairman Isidro Alcantara Jr., Olli Consulting Group Inc. chief executive officer Leo Dominguez, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines vice chair Joey Leviste, DTI secretary Ramon Lopez, Bambike founder Bryan Benitez McClelland, and Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.