Beyond Food Packs: Jollibee Group’s Community Kitchen in Response to Taal Eruption

In Ibaan, Batangas, an unassuming kitchen for Taal’s displaced families shows why it takes a village to rise from the ashes.

On January 12, the province of Batangas was rocked by the Taal Volcano’s sudden explosion, which sent over 38,000 families to various evacuation sites in safer areas. The disaster triggered a flurry of aid coming from different sectors, groups and individuals from all over the Philippines. For its part, Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) mobilized its FoodAid response, providing hot meals to more than 17,000 individuals and food packs to sustain over 2,600 families.

While Taal’s activity has since consistently weaned, and most of the province has gone back to normal, an interim shelter still stands in Barangay Talaibon, Ibaan, Batangas. It houses around 500 families who are unable to return to their homes located within Taal Volcano’s permanent danger zone.

At the heart of the shelter’s operations, the FoodAID Community Kitchen set up by JGF, the Provincial Local Government Unit of Batangas and its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, provides much-needed sustenance to the residents. Powered by volunteers from the displaced families, and supported by the Anihan Technical School and Bangko Kabayan, the community kitchen churns out fresh, hot meals twice a day for these families. This initiative was also made possible, in part, by donations of customers received through the coinbanks located in Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Burger King, Mang Inasal, Highlands Coffee, PHO24 and Panda Express stores across the country, as well as in MerryMart Grocery and Islas Pilipinas.

The ds Kitchen is driven by JGF’s sustainable approach to its advocacies and programs. In the context of disaster, it is a response to the challenge of ensuring that internally displaced families have continuing access to sufficient and nourishing food even after the relief goods stop coming.

At the Ibaan temporary shelter, construction of the kitchen started on February 10, followed by fitting of equipment for high-volume production cooking. On February 24, the kitchen began its dry run phase, providing meals to residents according to a 30-day menu cycle developed by JGF. It will be turned over to the provincial government of Batangas within March. In preparation for the eventual turnover, volunteer family members and kitchen supervisors from the PSWDO are being trained on food safety and kitchen operation process flow. They also get hands-on experience through the dry run activities.

This initiative is inspired by JGF’s Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) School Feeding Kitchens, a partnership program in support of the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program that aims to keep children in school by regularly providing them with nutritious meals. The meals are prepared by volunteer parents in kitchens set up by JGF and managed by the school community and partner local government units.

The FoodAID Community Kitchen is built for high-volume food production at a Batangas temporary shelter. Volunteers learn food safety and kitchen operation in preparation for the kitchen turnover to the local government.

Cooking area before the FoodAID Community Kitchen was constructed.

DTI Charges Profiteers

Following the series of supply and price monitoring of N95 and surgical masks, DTI caught 18 retail establishments overpricing these essential products. Notices of violations were initially issued to give due process. With insufficient explanations, DTI proceeded with the filing of charges that imposed penalties of up to P300,000 per store.

The recent eruption of Taal Volcano on January 12, 2020 which affected not only CALABARZON but surrounding areas including Metro Manila, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) received reports on alleged overpricing of face masks such as N95, surgical, and other similar masks by some establishments.

Secretary Ramon M. Lopez ordered the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) to immediately conduct prices and supply monitoring of the above-mentioned products. The following days, 13-14 January 2020, enforcement activities were conducted in Bambang, Manila covering seventeen (17) establishments, twelve (12) of which were issued Notices of Violation (NOVs) pursuant to the Consumer Act of the Philippines or Republic Act No. 7394.

FTEB conducted another round of enforcement activities on January 15, 2020 and reports showed that another six (6) establishments were issued NOVs for overpricing. FTEB also reported that prices of N95 masks jumped from Php 50.00 up to Php 180.00 per piece and most establishments monitored were claiming that those products were already sold-out due to the increased demand.

All 18 establishments with NOVs were asked to submit their explanation within 48 hours from receipt thereof. Upon finding the explanations to be not acceptable, the NOVs ripened to Formal Charges against the erring establishments citing Article 52 of Consumer Act particularly for selling N95 at an Unfair or Unconscionable price and for taking advantage of the situation.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez warns establishments against taking advantage of the high demand by raising their price excess of the true worth of the said products. He also added that the aforementioned establishments will face an administrative penalty of up to Php 300,000.00 depending on the gravity of the offense.

For further inquiries, clarifications, and/or complaints, consumers may immediately connect through Consumer Care hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or may email at consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

DTI PARTNERS WITH MAP TO BOOST LGU COMPETITIVENESS

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) are teaming up to get more local government units (LGUs) to join the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI). The CMCI is an annual ranking of cities and municipalities based on Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed last 16 January, the MAP will participate in the CMCI annual ranking of LGUs and will conduct regional, provincial, and local seminars and forums with the DTI. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (2nd from L:) said that achieving ease of doing business nationwide takes a whole-of-nation approach and thanked the MAP for lending their expertise to the cause. He also urged more LGUs to work on increasing their CMCI rankings to attract more trade and investments in their localities. In the photo are from (L to R:) DTI Undersecretary Rowel Barba, Sec. Lopez, MAP President Francisco Ed Lim, and MAP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr.

DTI ASSURES PUBLIC OF N95 MASKS SUPPLY WITH MEDTECS: DONATION OF 2,000 N95 AND 100,000 N88 MASKS TO BE GIVEN TO AFFECTED AREAS

MAKATI – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Chairman Ramon Lopez assured the public that there will be a constant supply of N95 face masks and N88 surgical masks in the market with the help of the sole local manufacturer of medical masks, Medtecs International Corporation Limited.

“The public should not worry as DTI is working to ensure the supply of reasonably-priced N95 face masks will be made available to the public to protect them from the ashfall generated by the Taal Volcano eruption,” said Trade Secretary Lopez.

Sec. Lopez and DTI Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo met with Medtecs after the company gave 2,000 pieces of FFP2-N95 face masks and 100,000 pieces of N88 surgical face masks for donation to affected areas in Region IV-A through the DTI regional offices.

Medtecs confirmed they will be supplied with 400,000 more pieces of FFP2-N95 face masks from their mother company abroad by next week. They also have two million pieces of N88 surgical masks available and ready for disposal, which are being produced from their plant in Bataan.

Sec. Lopez thanked Medtecs—a healthcare product and services provider that sells a wide range of medical products in the US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, and is the sole manufacturer of medical face masks in the Philippines—for helping during the crisis. Medtecs has already donated a total of 12,000 FFP2-N95 face masks and 500,000 N88 surgical masks for those affected by the volcano eruption.

“While we are conducting price monitoring operations to certify that there is no overpricing of medical face masks, we are safeguarding the production of critical products needed to address the calamity through a program of incentives in the 2020 Investments Priorities Plan as well,” Sec. Lopez added.

Medtecs Chief Financial Officer and Director Wilfrido C. Rodriguez gave their commitment to supply the needed medical masks in the wake of the recent Taal Volcano eruption and said they can produce bulk orders. They also said they have not increased their prices with the FFP2-N95 face masks still available for purchase at the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of Php60 via their hotline number (632) 8817-9000.

‘No Price Increase for N95 and other Similar Masks,’ Vow Retailers and Suppliers to DTI’

Drug and medical stores committed to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that they will not increase their prices for N95, surgical, and other similar masks as the country faces the effects of the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano which happened last Sunday, 12 January 2020.

Upon receipt of public reports about the rampant selling of overpriced medical masks in the market, the DTI immediately mobilized monitoring teams in the affected areas of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Metro Manila to monitor the prices and supply of said products, including those goods classified as basic necessities and prime commodities.

Monitoring reports revealed that N95 masks are sold at PHP 120 up to PHP 150 per piece while surgical masks that were priced at PHP 1.00 per piece were sold at PHP 4.00 per piece after the Taal eruption. These were mostly sold out due to an increase in public demand as ashfall enveloped nearby cities and provinces surrounding Taal.

“While we recognize that the N95, surgical, and other similar masks as medical supplies are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health (DOH), the DTI readily dispersed its teams to monitor the prices and supply of these masks to assist the DOH and the consumers. As the Health Department, we understand that its utmost priority is ensuring the lives and health safety of those who are affected by the phreatic eruption. Market surveillance and monitoring is the best form of immediate assistance that the DTI can provide. As the President constantly underscores, A whole-of-government approach is highly necessary and called for especially during times of calamities and disasters,” says DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

The DTI further clarifies that these masks are neither classified as basic nor prime good under the Price Act. Therefore, these have no Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) and were never part of the list of products being monitored by the DOH or any of the implementing agencies of the said law.

However, the Price Act provides that the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) in which the DTI and DOH are part of, can recommend to the President the inclusion of these masks in the list of basic or prime goods. When approved, the NPCC through the recommendation of the DOH and consultation with relevant stakeholders can set an SRP, if found necessary.

Since stocks of the medical masks are depleted, the DTI talked with local suppliers and major drug store chains such as Mercury Drug, Watsons, and Southstar Drug, to ensure that they immediately restock and ensure constant availability of supply in their branches, especially those located in the affected areas.

At the interim, current inventory in their branches and warehouses in non-affected areas will be distributed to their stores in CALABARZON and Metro Manila while waiting for the arrival of new stocks. Foreign suppliers were also contacted by the DTI to immediately send stocks to the country.

In an earlier advisory, the DTI reminds the retailers to refrain from unreasonably increasing the prices of N95, surgical, and other similar masks. Prices of manufactured basic and prime goods shall likewise remain unchanged as of the published 30 September 2019 DTI Suggested Retail Price Bulletin.

Those found to have committed profiteering or any form of illegal act will be filed with appropriate administrative and criminal charges and will be dealt with the fullest extent of the law.

Report overpricing and any other illegal act of price manipulation through the One-DTI (1-384) Hotline or send an email to consumercare@dti.gov.ph.

ADVISORY

It has been reported that some retailers have jacked- up their prices of face masks and gas masks, taking advantage of the surge in demand of these products due to the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.

The Department of Trade and Industry hereby issues notice to all retailers that we have dispatched teams to monitor and observe movement of retail prices in the market.

Those found to have unreasonably increased their prices for gas masks, face masks and other similar items, which act is tantamount to profiteering, shall be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

Prices of manufactured basic necessities and prime commodities shall likewise remain unchanged as of the published September 30, 2019 DTI Suggested Retail Price Bulletin.

DTI will not hesitate to file administrative and criminal charges against unscrupulous business entities and individuals who capitalize on the consumers’ need for their own profit.

PLEASE BE WARNED ACCORDINGLY.

P3 Loans Breaches 110k Micro Entreps Assisted, P5.1B Loans Released

Over 110,000 micro entrepreneurs have been assisted even as P5.1 billion has been released through the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program, which is being rolled out to the countryside to provide affordable and easy access loans to micro entrepreneurs.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the P3 Program will continue without let up to achieve the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan Agenda of the Duterte Administration.

“The P3 program was created so that even the smallest of entrepreneurs, like the sari-sari stores owners and market vendors, will have an opportunity to grow their business without the usurious 5-6 loans. I encourage all entrepreneurs in need of capital to avail of the P3 program through the DTI Negosyo Centers and accredited credit delivery partners,” said Sec. Lopez

As of December 23, 2019, the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), the micro financing arm of the DTI, has extended financing assistance through the P3 program to 110,006 micro entrepreneurs. Established as the government's flagship program with the aim to address loan sharks and their onerous loans, P3 has been widened to reach Filipinos throughout the countryside since its inception in 2017 to give them better access to financing.

The SB Corporation has also released a total of P5.15 billion worth of loans through partner micro finance institutes (MFIs). In July, the SB Corporation also introduced 10 Credit Delivery Partners (CDPs) from Luzon to Mindanao to deliver fast and efficiently P3 loans. The P3 Program also now has 412 micro financing institute (MFI) partners to reach rural and far-flung areas in the provinces.

The P3 program is a P1 billion loan financing program intended to give micro enterprises better access to finance, while providing them an alternative to the informal or 5-6 scheme of lending.

Meanwhile, the P3 program has reached out to Maranao entrepreneurs through the Bangon Marawi initiative and has released P7.5 million to 457 Maranao borrowers. Likewise, soldiers and policemen who were either wounded or killed in action during the Marawi siege were also provided assistance with a total of P31 million released to 412 soldiers and policemen, and their families.

The primary beneficiaries of the P3 Program are microenterprises and entrepreneurs that do not have easy access to credit, which include market vendors, agri-businessmen, members of cooperatives, and industry associations.

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. Interest rate and service fees, all in, do not exceed 2.5% monthly.

The P3 Program serves as an alternative to the P30 billion “5-6” money lending industry that charges 20% nominal interest rate to MSMEs.

Bangon Marawi Pop-up Stores open at UP Town Center and Greenhills

Starting December 24, selected Marawi products will be available at UP Town Center, Quezon City and Greenhills Mall, San Juan City. Initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Task Force Bangon Marawi, the Bangon Marawi Pop-up stores will operate until June 23, 2020.

After the Marawi siege, the DTI has been active in assisting the Maranao entrepreneurs who were greatly affected by the crisis. The mounting of pop-up stores in major malls nationwide is part of the agency’s effort to provide opportunities to Marawi MSMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The pop-up stores will offer a wide array of products such as brassware, home décor (baur, kulintang in different sizes), woven products, malongs and other wearables, pearls and costume jewelry.

The Bangon Marawi Pop-up store at the UP Town Center will be located at the Ground Floor, Phase 1 in front of Sports Barbers. Its store at Greenhills Mall will be temporarily located at the Cellphones & Gadgets Extension (Former Admin. Office), Level 2, until January 8, 2020 and will be transferred to the Home Decors Section near Chinabank starting January 9, 2020.

You may visit the stores from Mondays to Sundays during mall hours.

DTI, CARD RENEW P3 PARTNERSHIP WITH ADDITIONAL PHP100M FOR MSME MICROFINANCING

MAKATI -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) renewed its partnership with the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc., an NGO that provides microfinancing loans.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed last 16 December, CARD committed an additional PHP 100 million of its funds for Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program. This brings CARD's total revolving fund for the P3 program since the partnership began in 2017 to PHP 300 million pesos, which it will lend out to other beneficiaries to widen the reach of the P3 program to more micro borrowers.

P3 is DTI's program that provides low-interest, no collateral loans for existing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The program, managed by Small Business Corporation (SB Corp), is a response to President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to combat 5-6 loans. Through P3, entrepreneurs can borrow amounts from PHP 5,000 to PHP 200,000 from CARD and other accredited credit delivery partners.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that DTI benefits from the partnership since CARD supplements the PHP 3.5 billion P3 allocation from the government with their own funds. CARD is also one of the biggest microfinance institutions in the Philippines, with 7 million borrowers nationwide.

Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip reported that CARD disbursed PHP 600 million in P3 loans to around 56,000 borrowers since 2017. He also said that CARD targets to increase its P3 allocation to PHP 100 million every year to reach 100,000 entrepreneurs.

Signing the agreement are (from L to R: ) SB Corp President Luna Cacanando, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, CARD Founder Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, CARD Inc President Flordeliza Sarmiento and Executive Director Jocelyn Dequito. 

Argentinian Bizman to Promote PH Products in Latin America

Mr. Depindir “Tony” Lamba discusses possible opportunities in Latin America for Philippine exporters during the briefing at the DTI International Building, Makati City on August 13, 2019.

The Department of Trade and Industry - Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) urged Philippine exporters to tap the Latin American market, following the visit of Depindir “Tony” Lamba, an Argentinian businessman, to the Philippines on August 13, 2019 at the DTI International Building, Makati City. 

Lamba is keen on promoting Philippine products to Argentina and other parts of Latin America.  Organized by the DTI-EMB, Lamba’s visit to the Philippines was endorsed by Commercial Counsellor Michael Vyke Roaring of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center - Mexico, which also covers other Latin American countries.

The EMB arranged a briefing for Lamba on business registration procedures, EMB services, export procedures, and trade opportunities. One-on-one meetings with 15 exporters of food, personal care, and coconut products along with a franchising company were also arranged for Lamba during his visit in the country on August 13 - 15, 2019.  

Lamba, who is of Indian descent, has 40 years’ experience in trading in Asia and Latin America.  He is familiar with the country as he was once importing rattan furniture and costume jewelry from the Philippines. 

This time, he plans to establish an export-import firm in the Philippines to take advantage of opportunities both in the Philippines and Latin America.

DTI Remains Steadfast in Extending “Malasakit” to Marawi IDPs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with other members of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood continue to foster livelihood growth for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Marawi siege through the Kawiyagan program.

Dubbed as “Siyap sa Marawi, Gagaw ko Pagtao” (Pag-aalaga sa Marawi, Pagmamahal sa Kapwa), Kawiyagan is a series of distribution of livelihood assistance to the IDPs affected by the Marawi siege. The program is one of the TFBM’s initiatives in refreshing Marawi City’s illustrious business environment. Last August 22 marked the first anniversary of the Kawiyagan program since its launching on August 24, 2018.

During the program’s launching anniversary, DTI-10 Regional Director Linda Boniao emphasized its essence being an avenue not limited to the distribution of livelihood starter kits, but also a way to showcase the beneficiaries’ outputs, and how different agencies complement each other’s livelihood interventions.

Kawiyagan also ensures that livelihood programs will be immediately provided directly to the IDPs and it encourages other stakeholders to provide livelihood assistance to the IDPs. This ongoing initiative of the TFBM serves as an inspiration for the IDPs’ fellow residents of Marawi.

The Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood is chaired by DTI with member agencies the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), local government units (LGUs) of Marawi City and Lanao del Sur and humanitarian organizations.

As of August 23, 2019, 17,680 beneficiaries or 36% of the target 49,000 IDPs by the end of 2019, have already received starter kits from the DTI-TFBM livelihood interventions. The Department has released more than P200M worth of the starter kits including sari-sari store, bigasan, sewing, school supplies, carinderia, carpentry, electronic tools, and e-loading.

TFBM, through its Subcommittee on Business and Livelihood led by DTI, ensures the unceasing assistance for the revival of businesses and livelihood projects in the affected city.

4th Philippine Quality Award Forum Inspiring More Local Organizations to Achieve Performance Excellence

The Department of Trade and Industry- Competitiveness Bureau recently held the 4^th leg of the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Forum at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Capitol Site, Batangas City this year. 

The PQA Forum is conducted annually to showcase the best practices of the previous cycles' PQA recipients. It provides insights for local organizations on how they can achieve performance excellence through the PQA. This forum has been helpful in encouraging other local organizations to deliver a quality service or goods and ensure organizational sustainability by establishing sound processes. 

The Conferment Ceremony of Philippine Quality Award was held in Malacañang Palace last October 24, 2018, wherein 16 organizations received the various recognition levels from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. With that, four of these recipients from Region IV-A were invited to share their success stories and PQA Journey in this event. The City Government of Tanauan, the Department of Science and Technology IV-A, Colegio de San Juan de Letran – Calamba, and the host for this year’s forum, Lyceum of the Philippines – Batangas, actively shared relevant information in improving an organization’s effectiveness that other companies can emulate. 

Presenters of the forum discussed about lessons they have learned from the results of the assessment, outlook on the future using the PQA system, and of course, best practices with specific results achieved. This information will be useful for aspiring organizations to level up the quality of products and services that they offer to their customers. 

The forum has been a success for being attended by several representatives from the public and private sectors of Region IV-A. This served as a venue for other organizations to gain knowledge from the stories of PQA recipients' quality performance and adapt the strategies towards performance results, leadership effectiveness, customer and employee satisfaction, process management, and being one of the best organizations to deliver quality goods and services. 

DTI 4-A Aims a Bigger, Better, and Smarter Trade Solution for Southern Luzon

To promote the competitive advantages of using the Batangas International Port for cargoes (inbound/outbound), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 4-A, in cooperation with the Asian Terminals, Inc. and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)- Batangas, conducted “The Batangas Port Forum” for the benefit of industry stakeholders and potential users, presenting updates and developments on the Batangas Container Terminal (BCT) on August 15, 2019 in Batangas City, Batangas.

“We, in the DTI, would like our manufacturers and exporters here in CALABARZON to further grow and develop by being efficient and cost effective in their logistics and transportation cost in bringing their goods to their intended market. Likewise, we would like Batangas Port to be fully utilized and efficient, not just as a transshipment hub but also as a port that can directly ship cargoes to international destinations at the least possible time,” said DTI CALABARZON Director Marilou Q. Toledo.

The forum tackled issues that hinder industries, exporters, importers, and other stakeholders from utilizing the port fully, including the big possibility to have a direct shipment from Batangas Port to Japan once the volume requirement is met, shortening the transit time. Subsequently, a windshield tour around Batangas port was provided.

In the presentation of ATI Marketing Manager Jel M. Yulo on updates and development of the Batangas Port, she enumerated the advantages to Southern Luzon exporters and manufacturers of using the Batangas Port such as, improved cash flow, maximized free time of shipping lines, lesser storage cost versus port charges, lesser trucking cost, and shorter delivery call-in lead time. Some of the recent developments in the port are the ongoing civil works on crane rails, berth connectivity, yard rehabilitation, and expanded container yard.

Moreover, ATI released its first mobile application named Mobile Port or MPort—designed in its first stage to bring information on Client’s transaction by giving data as it happens when it happens.

“The presence of everyone in the government and private sector is a clear manifestation of their great commitment towards the economic prosperity of our country, particularly in response to the increasing business opportunity in the CALABARZON region,” said PPA Batangas Acting Manager Ambrocio O. Ilao.

“Rest assured that the PPA will support and serve in this growing business opportunity by providing port facilities and services of global standard,” added Ilao.

Around 100 participants from shipping lines such as Sealand Maersk, CMA-CGM, Evergreen Shipping, COSCO Shipping, and Wan Hai Lines, ecozone associations from the electronics, automotive, and metals sectors, manufacturers from coco-based and food sector, and government agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the National Economic Development Authority attended the forum.

The event was an offshoot of the Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Batangas Port Issues held last June 28, 2019 in Calamba City, Laguna attended by representatives from the DTI 4-A, DTI Batangas, ATI, PPA, Export Marketing Bureau, Board of Investments, Bureau of Import Services, Export Development Council, Regional Development Council- Sectoral Committee on Infrastructure Development, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Light Industry & Science Park II and III, and logistics and shipping companies.

SEC. LOPEZ, PARAÑAQUE MAYOR OLIVAREZ LAUNCH EXPRESS LANE OPERATION 2.0

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (3rd from R), together with Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez (2nd from R), and Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Jeremiah Belgica launched on 8 August 2019 the Project Express Lane Operation (ELO) 2.0, which streamlines and offers transparency on business permit processing in the city through innovative information technology solutions. Project ELO 2.0 is the second phase of the city’s program that integrates barangay business clearance in the Business One Stop Shop operations in the city hall. It features 3-step process for business registration where permits are released within 2 hours, depending on the type of business.  Sec. Lopez commended the local government for being a trailblazer in automating transactions and simplifying processes that support the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Duterte in providing comfortable lives to Filipinos. The Secretary emphasized the role of automation in ease of doing business and attracting investors. According to Mayor Olivarez, the project is the fruit of consolidated efforts to raise the bar in delivering services to the people. At the same event, DTI and Parañaque City government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will integrate a system for verification of registered business names to their local IT system.