EntrepJournal

Mompong & Maniwaya Islands: Hopping for Discount

2020-10-12T04:01:00.001-07:00

Consumer Protection in Oriental Mindoro 2017

2020-06-05T18:38:00.001-07:00

DTI – ORIENTAL MINDORO ACCREDITS FIRST 5-STAR SERVICE & REPAIR SHOP

2016-03-25T02:29:00.000-07:00

The Department of Trade and Industry - Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office awarded its first five star shop accreditation to Psuello Group Inc. (KIA Calapan) on February 23, 2016 for satisfactorily complying with the requirements for accreditation pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1572, promulgated on June 11, 1978.

OIC-Provincial Director Arnel E. Hutalla awards the DTI- Certificate of Accreditation to representatives of KIA-Calapan.

Service and repair shops dealing with motor vehicle, heavy equipment; engine and engineering; electronics, electrical; air conditioning and refrigeration; office machine; data processing equipment; and medical/dental are required to apply for accreditation with the DTI.

Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines requires the accreditation of service and repair establishments with DTI in order to protect the interest of consumers availing of their services by ensuring that the said establishments have the right competencies to undertake the necessary repairs in terms of personnel support and mandatory tools. No person or company shall be allowed to operate a service and repair firm without first being accredited with the DTI.

Any firm found to be violating the provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines pertaining to the service and repair shop accreditation warrants the imposition of administrative penalties to include, among others, the issuance of a cease and desist order, and fines not exceeding P300,000.00.

A monitoring and advocacy drive was conducted by DTI-OrMin through its Trade Development Division in Calapan City last February 19, 2016. DTI OrMin OIC-Provincial Director Arnel E. Hutalla reminds all owners and managers of service and repair shops in the province that failure to renew their annual accreditation with the agency before January 31, 2016 shall subject them to a 25% surcharge as against the corresponding fees.

Applicants, both for new and renewal, are requested to visit DTI-OrMin at the Provincial Capitol Complex, Camilmil, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or contact 043-286-7093 or (043) 441-1118.

DTI Oriental Mindoro registers 1,803 New Business Names in 2015

2016-03-01T02:03:00.000-08:00

The Department of Trade and Industry – Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office has registered 1,803 Business Names in 2015, posing a 10% increase from 2014’s 1,633. The numbers have been increasing in the past years: 1,595 in 2013; 1,396 in 2012 and 1,365 in 2011.

DTI only caters for business name registration for single proprietorship. Partnerships and corporations, cooperatives and associations should register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) respectively.

Owners of the said 1,803 business names were 822 males (46%) and 981 females (54%). They employ a total of 4,609 individuals, of which, 2,945 are males (64%) and 1,670 are females (36%).

In terms of sectoral classification, trading is number one at 860 business names registered or 48%; followed by services at 802 business names or 44%; tourism at 60 and manufacturing at 59 or more than 3% each and agriculture at 22 business names registered or 1%. These were the main categories checked in the BN registration application form. Using the products/services specified/written by BN applicants themselves, these could be further classified under the following industry clusters:

No.	Industry Cluster	No. of Business Names Registered	% Share
1	Trading	472	26%
2	Services	448	25%
3	Agriculture	256	14%
4	Transport	206	11%
5	ICT	111	6%
6	Construction	100	6%
7	Tourism	74	4%
8	Health	68	4%
9	Manufacturing	58	3%
10	Finance	10	1%
	TOTAL	1,803	100%

Summary of capitalization totalled to PhP 399,593,945.00 with services having the highest contribution at 53%. Trading follows at 29%, tourism at 13%, manufacturing at 4% and agriculture at 1%.

The continuing development of the business sector, particularly the increases in individuals registering their businesses (as far as DTI is concerned) could be attributed to the overall competitiveness of the province as it ranked 15^th out of 68 provinces in the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Index (CMCI) of the National Competitiveness Council. Further, the Provincial Peace and Order Council declared the province as conflict manageable and ready for further development due to its peace and order situation last October 2015.

Among the fourteen municipalities and one city, Calapan City has registered the highest with 561 business names or 31%, Puerto Galera is second with 195 or 11%, Pinamalayan is third with 159 or 9%, Roxas at fourth with 156 or 9%, Naujan at number five with 135 or 7%, Bongabong at sixth place with 123 or 7%, Socorro at seventh with 100 or 6%, 8^th is Gloria at 83 or 5%, 9^th is Victoria at 78 or 4%, Bansud is 10^th at 55 or 3%, Baco is 11^th at 45 or 2%, Bulalacao with 38 or 2% is 12^th, Mansalay has 30 or 2% at 13^th, Pola has 25 or 1% at 14^th and San Teodoro at 15^th place with registered 20 or 1% business names.

On territorial scope, most registered under city/municipality with 1,283 or 71% business names, barangay is second at 313 or 17%, regional at 111 or 6% and national at 96 or 5%. Business Name registration is valid for five years and registration fee is at PHP 2,000.00 for national, PHP 1,000.00 for regional, PHP 500 for city/municipality and PHP 200.00 for barangay plus documentary stamp at a cost of PHP 15.00.

DTI-Oriental Mindoro further brought its Business Name registration services closer to the people this year through its bigger and better Mobile BN Registration Drive. Aside from Pinamalayan, five more locations were added this year. Mobile business name registration services were also offered in Victoria, Roxas, Bongabong, Puerto Galera and Bulalacao. If in 2015, 93 were registered during Mobile BN operations from January to June; 166 were already registered in the month of January 2016 alone.

Soon, business name registration in the province may be applied and approved through the existing Negosyo Centers (Calapan City, Provincial Capitol and Victoria) and those that are planned to be established this year (San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Bongabong and Bulalacao). The Go Negosyo Law provides for Negosyo Center establishment in all cities and municipalities in the country.

DTI CONTINUES TO GUIDE WOMEN MSMEs IN BONGABONG THROUGH MARKETING

2016-02-26T02:54:00.000-08:00

DTI-OrMin conducted a training on Basic Marketing with Leadership Modules on February 22-23, 2016 for twenty-three women micro-entrepreneurs in partnership with LGU-Bongabong through its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

The two-days seminar-workshop consisted of two modules: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Basic Marketing. Series of workshops on self-assessment as an individual, follower and leader were held with the intent of finding the participants' entrepreneurial inclination (sustaining strengths and improving on weaknesses) and applying the same when leading their existing businesses, either as a single proprietor or in their respective associations. A SWOT Analysis of their existing businesses ended the first day in preparation for day two of the training.

The Marketing part started with knowing their customers, where the 8 Consumer Rights and 5 Consumer Responsibilities were embedded. Then, workshops on doing a simple market research, developing a marketing plan and pricing based on customers and competition were actively participated by the women-entrepreneurs and out puts from which were presented and given feedback by representatives from DTI, MSWDO and other participants.

The sessions ended with a presentation on Product and Market Development programs and services of the Department of Trade and Industry available for the women MSMEs of the Municipality of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

DTI-MIMAROPA intensifies campaign on Product Standards in Oriental Mindoro

2015-06-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Calapan City. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office, in cooperation with the Philippine Association of Black Iron-Galvanized Iron Pipes and Tubes Manufacturers, Inc. (BI-GI) conducted an Information and Advocacy Campaign on Product Standards at Feraren Hills Resort, Calapan City on 04 June 2015. Fifty (50) participants composed of LGUs especially those who are responsible in the issuance of building permits, contractors, hardware store owners and water utility offices attended the activity.

Opening message and a briefing on DTI Programs and Services on Trade Development and Consumer Welfare were provided by OIC/Acting Trade Development Division Chief Roniel M. Macatol to help enable participating retailers’ avail of advocacy on consumerism since it brings goodwill to their business. Part of these are the establishment of Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD), a DTI recognized customer service that will provide information to consumers and serve as a mechanism for speedy resolution of consumer complaint and the Bagwis Seal of Excellence for establishments that uphold the rights of consumers and practice responsible business where consumers indeed get best value for their money.

Ms. Fely Joy C. Dinglasan, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist gave a Briefing on Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2:2007 which highlighted on the Responsibilities of Manufacturers, Importers, Traders, Wholesalers, Distributors, Retailers, Service Providers & or their Agents covered by Philippine Standards Certification Schemes, the prohibited acts and the prescribed penalties for violations thereof.

The Briefing on PNS 26:2003 or the Product Standards for Steel Black and Hot-Dip Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Longitudinally-welded pipes for Ordinary Uses (stem, water, gas and air) were facilitated by representatives from BI-GI. After the forum, info materials distributed include posters on PNS 26:2003 and 'Guide in Buying Safe and Quality Steel Pipes'.

A market monitoring was likewise conducted in sample establishments in order to survey/check the proliferation of uncertified and/or substandard steel pipe products which, however, gave positive results as retailers that were visited only carried products that are compliant to the standard.

Information and Education Campaigns such as this prove to be useful in increasing awareness and compliance to the law on product standards. DTI-MIMAROPA Regional Director and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge of DTI Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office Joel B. Valera, in a TVNet Newsline interview said that non-compliance has decreased in the entire region, specifically in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

While market presence of uncertified/substandard products are detected by the DTI Regional Monitoring and Enforcement Team (RMET) during their surprise on-the-spot inspection, Valera said that it is because some retailers still prefer low-priced items being offered by agents. When caught, retailers are made to explain and proof of purchase are gathered as evidence against their agents or the manufacturers.

This is the reason why DTI enjoins retailers to also take responsibility by being vigilant, as low price does not always mean savings. Quality should also be given importance and the Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks guarantees this in products such as electrical products, home appliances, helmets and visors, sanitary wares, automotive products and construction materials which are covered by mandatory standards. Dir. Valera ended by asking for cooperation of local retailers to prevent damage to life and property brought by uncertified/substandard products.

Coron Sawali Weavers undergo Skills Upgrading through SME Roving Academy

2015-03-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) conduct of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy is geared towards reaching out to more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them both theoretical and practical business concepts.

Through SMERA, a Skills Training on Bamboo, Rattan and Vine Craft was conducted in March 23-27, 2015. It aimed at enhancing the skills of weavers by introducing technologies on bamboo, rattan and vine-based products processing to Typhoon Yolanda-affected members of the Guadalupe Sawali Weavers Association (GUSAWA) in Barangay Guadalupe, Coron, Palawan. This is in preparation for the plan to assist GUSAWA in terms of equipment line under the DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program.

DTI-SSF on the other hand aims to provide easy access of the bamboo, rattan and vine weavers to equipment and gadgets that will facilitate efficient raw material preparation (cutting, splitting, cleaning) and conversion (processing techniques in dyeing and design) of raw materials into high-value commercial products. Said skills training was in partnership with GUSAWA, LGU-Coron, International Labour Organization (ILO) and Partnership of Philippine Support Agencies (PhilSSA).

Trainees are already experts in weaving so main concerns are the emergence of fungi, termites (bukbok) and molds especially during the rainy season, coloring and how to interpret designs that maybe required by customers. To address these, The participants were given recommendations on treatment and bleaching and were taught on how to to read measurements that could come from design specifications from buyers in order to properly execute product designs, proper dyeing techniques and how to do finishing touches.

GUSAWA was recently proposed to become part of a “tourism circuit” wherein they will become part of the “package” for local tours. With this, the association was advised of the need to prepare for such by producing/making pasalubong or personal give-away items such as coin purse, card holders, and other small items. They were also reminded to turn the Production Center into an area where tourists can witness weavers in action and try and experience weaving by themselves.

They were also given consultations on pricing and costing and negotiation with buyers to avoid problems/losses as a result of miscommunication/misinterpretations. Likewise, the trainees were advised on the importance of establishing a system for bookkeeping and further formalizing their business.

At the end of the training, unity, perseverance, resilience, understanding, peace, and weave more came from the participants. They further resolved to strengthen the association members for them to do better with their business.

Press Release: DTI proposes revisions on product certification scheme

2015-03-13T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) proposes changes on the rules and regulations of its Product Certification Scheme to align to current international trade practices, to provide ease of doing business, to enliven competition in the retail market, and, to ensure consumers’ access to safe consumer products and services.

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo declares, “The revisions to the BPS product certification scheme are timely as we align our business and consumer programs to the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) economic integration. Simultaneously, we were guided with the Department’s intent to streamline its policies and procedures to add more ease in doing business in the country”.

DTI-BPS Director-in-Charge Atty. Ann Claire C. Cabochan explains, “The revision of the administrative orders is part of the Bureau’s program in keeping its guidelines and procedures abreast with the regional and global trade developments to contribute in the DTI’s efforts on trade facilitation”.

“Enforcement of technical regulations is essentially a gate-keeping function. The new scheme will address the recurring incidents where substandard products are able to gain entry into domestic market”, Atty. Cabochan adds.

Under the BPS Product Certification Scheme, the manufacturers and importers of certain electrical products, mechanical/ building and construction materials and chemical and consumer products, shall have their products inspected and evaluated based on specific Philippine National Standard (PNS). Those that comply with the performance and safety requirements of the PNS are issued with the Philippine Standard (PS) license or the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate and are allowed to distribute and sell in the market with the PS or ICC mark.

Currently, the rules and regulations of the BPS Product Certification Scheme are embodied in the Department Administrative Order (DAO) Number 04: 2008 (The New Rules and Regulations Concerning the Philippine Standard Quality and/ or Safety Certification Mark Scheme of the Bureau of Philippine Standards) and the DAO 05: 2008 (The New Rules and Regulations Concerning the Issuance of the Import Commodity Clearance under the Product Certification Mark Scheme of the Bureau of Product Standards).

The proposed revisions will constitute a new order that replaces the said DAO No. 04 and DAO No. 05. A major revision in the new order is the inspection, sampling and testing of an imported regulated product in its country of origin based on the requirements of a relevant PNS.

“The Bureau recognizes our commitments under the Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) as the proposed revisions highlight the principle of equivalence in test results for imported products”, Atty Cabochan asserts.

The other revisions that the BPS has put forward include certain adjustments on fees and surety bond, a reduction on documentary requirements; and, a tightening the monitoring and enforcement procedures.

DTI-Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba asserts, “The revisions are slanted on the safety parameters specified in the PNS that will respond to the needs of the consumers”.

“In fact, the new order is aligned to the DTI’s proposed changes to the Consumer Act of the Philippines that was submitted to Senator Bam Aquino and Congressman Mark Villar last week that include the Department’s authority to shut down business outlets that are caught selling uncertified products, to increase fines to no less than P50,000.00 up to P10,000,000.00, computed at five (5) percent of the gross value of the product subject of the consumer complaint”, Atty Dimagiba emphasizes.

The BPS conducted a public consultation on the proposed amendments on DAO numbers 04 and 05 yesterday, 09 March 2015, at the Philippine Trade Training Center at Pasay City. Representatives from the government offices, industry associations and federations of products under the BPS product certification scheme, and, members of the academe and testing institutions, participated in the discussions.

The DTI-BPS enjoins its stakeholders to review the draft new order that can be accessed at the BPS website, www.bps.dti.gov.ph, and to submit their comments and position papers on or before 24 March 2015. The draft has likewise been circulated to WTO members for comments in keeping with the transparency requirements of the TBT Agreements.

For more information on the revisions on the BPS Product Certification Scheme, call BPS at (632) 751.3127.

Top Fourteen as of & in 2014

2014-12-23T23:50:00.001-08:00

In 2012, I started a year ender about the all-time 12 posts with the most number of hits.The list became 13 in 2013. Here are the All-Time Top 14 as of 2014 and the Top 2014 posts:

All-Time Top 14 as of 2014

Top 14 in 2014

Thank you for helping me in coming up with this list! Without your clicks, views and reads, it wouldn’t be possible. Meanwhile, let me take this opportunity to greet you a Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year!!

Sunrise in Coron After Yolanda

2014-11-08T06:29:00.001-08:00

On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda struck the Calamianes Group of Islands (Coron, Culion, Busuanga and Linapacan), Agutaya and Cuyo. Right after the storm, this beautiful story about Coron’s rising appeared on national television. Both the private and public sector came to these islands in Palawan to provide various rehabilitation and recovery assistance to the typhoon victims. On its anniversary, let us try to see one, just one business story.

As a result of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) SME Roving Academy (SMERA) conducted in March 18, 2014 for Coron's affected tourism-support business sector, a total of PhP2.9 Million were provided by Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) under its Enterprise Rehabilitation Funds. One of the two MSMEs is Sunrise Pension House.

SUNRISE PENSION HOUSE is located at the coastal area very near the Port of Coron in Brgy. Tagumpay. It was established in year 2009 with four rooms out of their former warehouse for fishing nets and equipment. The owners shifted business from fishing into pension house due to the booming local tourism industry. The pension house progressed and now offers twenty rooms and a restaurant.

On their fourth year of operation, Coron was hit by Typhoon Yolanda which greatly affected the business.

During the typhoon, its third floor rooftop was totally wrecked, while windows and walls were also damaged. To cater to the booked guest of the pension, they repaired it using light materials. The rooftop was covered temporarily with laminated sack.

“Paano ko to ma-rebuild wala naman magpautang. May be there is, pero ang taas ng interes at ang daming hidden charges” said Mrs. Gloria Acbang, owner, when one of the private lending institutions in the area offered her a loan. To initially repair some of the rooms and facilities, she grabbed the offered loan with high interest rate and lots of upfront deductions.

When she attended the SMERA, she was encouraged to avail of financing due to its easy and complete package with only 6% interest rate per annum and with one-year moratorium. DTI-Palawan's Maylene Delliro and SB Corporation's Ronnie Dela Cruz fully assisted Mrs. Acbang in packaging the documentary requirements for her loan in just two days.

With SB Corporations release of funds, Mrs. Acbang is positive that her pension will be attractive to local and foreign tourists by finally replacing the makeshift materials into more suitable roofing and concrete and by further promoting it online with renewed rooms and rooftop function hall features. (Photo and Story from DTI-Palawan)

The BEST Workshop in Taytay, Palawan

2014-09-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

This is rather a late post from 2014 which is a make-up post in order to get this blog updated. I hope through this, existing and emerging entrepreneurs get something that they can apply to their business.

Twenty participants attended the Business and Entrepreneurship for SMEs Training (BEST) Workshop at the Pancol Producers Cooperative Office in Brgy. Pancol, Taytay, Palawan on September 5, 2014. They were composed of cooperative members and Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) beneficiaries who markets forest products to the cooperative. Four Biodiversity Partnerships Project (BPP) staff, along with two representatives from LGU Taytay and two representatives from DTI (who also facilitated the workshop) acted as advisers during the workshops.


Pancol Producers Cooperative Chairperson	Ms. Cecille Iligan LGU Taytay	BPP DENR Representative	Ms. Maylene B. Delliro, DTI-Palawan

Mr. Roniel M. Macatol of DTI Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) introduced the activity by defining micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the difference between business vs. livelihood, the rewards and risks of entrepreneurship. The activity revolved on Self-Mastery, Mastery of the Business Environment and Mastery of Business Set-up using the step-by-step process of starting a business as follows:

1. Self-Mastery (Look Within)

The participants were given a sheet of paper divided in two for them to draw/write their strengths on the left side which may come from their educational background, experiences, hobbies, talents and skills and their weaknesses on the right side. Some of the participants had their livelihood/occupation as their strength such as carpentry, dressmaking, operating a sari-sari store or fishing. Some identified their passion for planting and livestock, or their friendliness, among others. Majority identified as weakness their being easy to borrow money from or lack of self-confidence and limited source of financing.

Then the workshop proceeded to using the blank back sheet of the paper and the participants were asked to describe their impression of their co-participants which either reinforced or added to the strengths and weaknesses identified during the first part of the workshop.

How the participants described themselves revealed what is entrepreneurial and not entrepreneurial about them and their co-participants. These were related to the Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies’ achievement, planning and power cluster where the participants could relate their strengths and to use those strengths in overcoming their weaknesses. The activity was wrapped up through a message of change from Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you want to see in the world”.

2. Mastery of the Environment (Look Outside)

The participants were divided into two groups for the next workshop: cooperative members and Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) beneficiaries. Each group were asked to identify their raw materials supplier, customer for such raw materials, competition, and government support and business climate.

The members of Pancol Producers Cooperative identified fish and shells marketed locally, El Nido and Puerto Princesa City; rattan to Mapoo Trading and BFJT; honeybee to Taytay, El Nido, Roxas and Puerto Princesa City; and bamboo to Taytay, Roxas, El Nido and Puerto Princesa City. Competitions were identified in Liminangcong and San Jose, Brgy. Baong, El Nido and Roxas and Sabang Cooperative in Puerto Princesa City specifically for their wild honey product, but competition sells cultured honey. They mentioned the National Greening Program (NGP) and Bottoms-up Budgeting (BUB) as government support. However said group thought of season instead of the business climate which was clarified to be peace and order situation, availability of business infrastructure and the likes.

The CBFM beneficiaries identified rattan and honeybee with competition in El Nido for material sourcing ; bamboo and pandan with competition in Roxas being supplied to the community, local and foreign tourists. They identified training/seminars and the National Greening Program (NGP) as government support and transportation or lack of vehicle under infrastructure/business climate.

3. Mastery of Business Set-up

a. Identifying and Choosing Your Business: Business options according to class, kind and ownership was discussed in relation to the self-mastery and environmental mastery exercises that the participants have underwent earlier on.

b. Business Planning

Planning the marketing, production, organization and finances is essential whether starting a new business or improving an existing one. Business planning was introduced by telling the story of a humble tindera with a mission to be a success and a vision to turn her humble sari-sari store into a mini-grocery. These she worked on through business strategies; a customer focused marketing, frugal management of finances, just-in-time purchasing and well-managed organization. She proved to be a success when she realized her mission and vision and later on owning a private market renting out stalls including one to a daughter. The example proceeded to the next workshop for the participants to work on. They were again grouped into two, this time mixed cooperative members and raw material suppliers to work on a business improvement plan for the cooperative and the suppliers.


Pancol Producers Cooperative	CBFM Beneficiaries/ Harvesters/Suppliers

After the presentations and critiquing, the exercise ended with the message that “No plan is worth the paper it is printed on unless it starts you doing something.” Likewise, the planning tool could be used by the two groups in further exploring business improvement planning options for the cooperative or the CBFM beneficiaries whether as individuals or should they decide to organize themselves.

c. Raise Capital: Financial Requirements can be sourced from personal savings, borrowing from friends or relatives or from pawnshops, credit cooperatives, money lenders, lending investors, banks and financing institutions.

d. Seek other sources of assistance especially from the government in terms of training, research and development and also financing.

e. Location should be chosen in terms of availability and cost of labor, transportation, market (customers) and raw materials source.

f. Register with appropriate government agencies to legalize your business operations. Rules, regulations and requirements may differ according to type of business.

g. Hire/train staff and pay them decent wages, equal opportunities, safe working conditions, rest days/holidays and workers’ participation.

h. Pray and consult The Greatest Planner.

The workshop was wrapped-up through the following messages to the participants: participate and empower others; interconnectedness: Ang Lahat ng Bagay ay Magkaugnay (by Joey Ayala); together Everyone Achieves More (TEAMWORK) which is further broken down into these lessons; there is no “I” in TEAMWORK, it is less of ME and more of WE, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and it is working together even when apart.

Beyond the Shades of Fiber

2014-08-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

On our third week (out of five) of sharing success stories of DTI-CARP clients in MIMAROPA Region is this success story written by the former CARP Coordinator of DTI-Marinduque, Trade and Industry Development Specialist Mr. Nepthune L. Gutierrez:

When the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) implemented its program on land distribution in the late 80s, it was found out that it was not enough to give farmers land to till. Farmer
beneficiaries were encouraged to organize themselves to compete and contribute in the economic development of the country. On September 20, 2006 a group of 33 FBs from Tugos, Boac, Marinduque formed a Cooperative primarily to bring the basic services to its members, thus the Tanikala ng Pagkakaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TPMPC) was born.

Loan assistance and agricultural project on abaca nursery and plantation are some of the services they are into. In 2010, with the help of DTI, DAR and different line agencies, Abaca By-Product Development livelihood project producing slippers and bags started due to the abundance of raw materials plus its market demand.

Trainings on skills improvement, productivity, entrepreneurial and managerial expertise, technology missions and consultancy services were given to them to enhance their capabilities. Assistance to Trade Fair participation in the provincial up to the national level (i.e., National Handicraft’s Fair, OTOP Fair, Panagbenga Trade Fair in Baguio City) were also provided to enhance their marketing competence and to promote their innovative products. To be more competitive in the market, different designs were introduced and produced thru the Regional Integrated Product Development Assistance (RIPDA) of DTI—MIMAROPA.

Through this project, the cooperative has directly employed 20 FBs at their production center located at Sitio Kansurok, Tugos, Boac with almost 4 has. of abaca nursery and plantation in the same area averaging an additional income of P 2,000—3,000 / month / worker when in full time operation depending on their capacity.

To continuously address the gaps in the value chain of the industry and enhanced marketing approaches to develop priority and market-driven industries, DTI, thru the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project will provide equipment needed to increase productivity and tap a better and wider market share and be integrated into the global supply chain.

Mr. Pacifico L. Mabato, Chairman of TPMPC said “Akala ko ay sa panaginip lang namin ito makikita, hindi namin akalain na magkakaroon kami ng ganitong klaseng proyekto at produkto na pwede naming ipagmalaki. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin dahil nabibigyan ng hanapbuhay at pinagkakakitaan ang aming mga kasapi. Hindi po namin ito makakayanan at maabot kung di dahil sa walang sawa at tuloy-tuloy na pakikipag-ugnayan at tulong ng iba’t—ibang ahensya ng gobyerno tulad po ng DTI at DAR”.

Because of its strong management and good standing, the cooperative was also chosen as one of the 30 cooperatives nationwide to be the recipient by the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO NETWORK) under the MICOOP program that caters loan assistance for business opportunities and expansion to its members.

To date, they have a total asset of P 9,067,188.12 (MICOOP) and an increasing total membership of 773 of which 107 are Farmer Beneficiaries from the towns of Boac, Mogpog and Gasan.

ILO’s Community-Based Enterprise Development (C-BED)

2014-08-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

Presented by Mr. Jordi Prat Tuca, Enterprise Development and Livelihoods Officer for Emergency Employment and Livelihood Recovery for Typhoon Haiyan during the Orientation on the ILO New Business Management Training Methodologies at Coron Westown Resort, Sitio Dipulao, Brgy. Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan on 20 August 2014

Community-Based Enterprise Development (C-BED) is a new business management training methodology developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) utilizing self-facilitation to provide social learning and build business skills without the need for external trainors.

It builds on existing knowledge and experiences of participants for them to understand formal business concepts through sharing of experiences and problem-solving as a group. It targets Small Business Owners (SBOs), current MSMEs, aspiring entrepreneurs, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalized such as the victims of calamities.

The ILO Business Capacity Tools consist of Business Management (aspiring entrepreneurs tourism sector, handicraft traders and small holder farmers, small retailers/market traders, guesthouse and small hotel owners and managers, small business operators and aspiring or current entrepreneurs), Financial Literacy (Basic, Microfinance and Working Capital and financial Education for Business Planning) and Business Plan Development Tool. Each packet can be run in two (2) days.

It aims to provide high impact, sustainable, easy to implement and low cost technical assistance to users, both beneficiaries and service providers as no trainer is needed but an in-house facilitator.

Generally, increasing aspiring entrepreneurs and micro/small entrepreneurs’ understanding of the C-BED aims to reach micro/small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, often with low levels of education and provide activity-based and interactive lessons in basic concepts of business development and financial accounting.

To know more about C-BED, go to: http://cb-tools.org/

Beholding the Future of Calamansi and Dalandan

2014-08-23T08:38:00.001-07:00

In the next five weeks (now on our second week), I will be sharing success stories of DTI-CARP clients in MIMAROPA Region written by the current Trade and Industry Development Specialists and Analysts (TIDS/TIDA) in the provinces of Region IV-B.

This week, DTI-CARP Oriental Mindoro Coordinator Mr. Marvin L. Macalalad reports Matulatula Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MARRCO) success story:

MARCCO was registered on March 19, 1998 with 26 members and an initial capital of PhP8,000 that was used to open a consumer store made of bamboo, madre de cacao and sulirap selling prime commodities, LPG, beverages, native products such as kaing and pawid.

A second consumer store was established and in 2004, piloted Calamansi processing and constructed its multi-purpose hall from a PhP35,000 grant from the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro. A Training on Calamansi Processing thru the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) gave birth to its first product, the Calamansi Concentrate marketed locally to schools and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Pola.

In 2006 and 2007, its developed Calamansi Concentrate with ginger and honey received the Best Beverage Product award which attracted new buyers and the attention of other government agencies such as DAR, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to further improve the product, its quality and market through provision of building, tools and equipment, product development and marketing assistance.

After undergoing downfall and change in management in 2009, it started Dalandan processing after another cooperative discontinued such project. In the same year, the cooperative received the Most Outstanding CARP Organization as well as Outstanding Accomplishments in the successful realization of CARP which contributed to economic development of many farmer-beneficiaries in the province during the CARP Congress organized by DAR and DTI.

In 2010, a Productivity Training on Good Manufacturing Practices was conducted through the convergence of DAR and DTI. In the same year, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between LGU-Pola, DAR, DTI and MARCCO was signed to upgrade the Calamansi Processing Center. The DTI committed to provide support services through technical, marketing and product development assistance. The cooperative obtained its FDA License to Operate (LTO) and boosted its confidence to reach out to more markets for their product.

In 2011, DTI provided the current label design for its Calamansi Concentrate with ginger and honey. A training on Production Systems: Dalandan and Calamansi Processing was conducted in cooperation with DAR to improve and maintain product quality as it continues to expand market by participating in DTI Trade Fairs,among other market linkaging activities. in 2012

As a result sales increased from PhP16,000 in 2012 to PhP370,000 in 2013. The PhP8,000 initial capital has raised to a total asset of PhP4,900,782.22 as of 2013.

As a result of an ocular visit by Regional Director Joel B. Valera during the 2013 National Calamansi Industry Cluster Workshop organized by DTI, the cooperative was chosen to benefit from DTI’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project. Entitled Productivity Enhancement of Calamansi and Dalandan (Ready-to-Mix) processing, the project amounts to PhP993,000. One of the components, a water purification system initially to address the water quality used in production of Calamansi and Dalandan was installed in June 2014.

15 member-agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) were trained to operate and maintain the water purification system which also serves as water refilling station providing safe and quality drinking water for the agrarian reform community and adjacent barangays.

Nowadays, members of MARCCO are juggling on their rural water system, minor swine propagation aside from the consumer store, calamansi and dalandan processing and water refilling station. They plan to reach out not only to local but to the international market as well. With the anticipation of more tools and equipment to be received from DTI’s SSF project, MARCCO is thinking of extending the production center to accommodate the same while keeping in mind compliance to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements which is an important factor in maintaining their fruit processing business.

As of June 2014, MARCCO has already generated PhP497,000 sales, PhP331,000 in investments and 152 jobs. The 26 pioneer members has now become 166 (87 ARB and 79 non-ARB members).

Formulating Feeds of Success for Mindoro Progressive MPC

2014-08-15T08:23:00.001-07:00

In the next five weeks, I will be sharing success stories of DTI-CARP clients in MIMAROPA Region written by the current Trade and Industry Development Specialists and Analysts (TIDS/TIDA) in the provinces of Region IV-B.

I first met Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPMPC) as Tangkalan Women’s Cooperative (TAWOCO) in 2004 composed initially of 83 founding-member housewives in a Training on Entrepreneurship and Business Planning funded by the (Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project II (ARCDP 2) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the project's Rural Finance Component while I was Provincial Coordinator of DTI-CARP in Occidental Mindoro. Back then, their income generating projects (IGPs) were sack making, lending, farm inputs supply and a mini-grocery.

Now, my colleague and current DTI-CARP Occidental Mindoro Provincial Coordinator Mr. Khristian C. Diwa narrates MPMPC’s success story:

It was a noble beginning for the women’s cooperative aimed to elevate the way of living of their family. Like other cooperatives, MPMPC struggled to sustain their operations and maintain a credible reputation. With hard work and determination of its officers and members, MPMPC is now recognized by government banks and government agencies as one of the many cooperatives in the province with a good performance.
Expanding the number of members necessitated the Officers to deliberate upon a resolution to open its membership to men. Eventually, TAWOCO, following Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) rules, regulations and guidelines, resolved to change its identity to MPMPC.

FORMULATING FEEDS

While talking with Mrs. Sofia G. Fabillar, Manager of MPMPC on the status of their operation, a member walked in and asked if she could be served 5 bags of animal feeds on loan. Mrs. Fabillar felt sorry she could not attend to her request since feeds were out of stock. She looked at me and heaved a sigh, “It’s the high cost of feeds”.

I need not ask Mrs. Fabillar as she asked outright if I could help them with this problem. Majority of MPMPC’s members are into palay and corn production and to provide additional income for the members, the cooperative introduced hog raising. Unfortunately, feeds were bought from commercial suppliers outside Mamburao at high price despite the bulk volume of purchases.

Back at the office, I discussed the assistance that could be provided to MPMPC with my boss, DTI Provincial Director Fe F. Banayat who approved of the Technology Mission on February 8, 2011 to expose the MPMPC hog raisers with the Cavite Farmers Feed Milling and Marketing Cooperative feed mill plant. The technology mission came out as an initial research on animal feed formulation technology.

As a follow-up activity, coordinated with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and discussed with them what intervention could be extended to MPMPC since DTI has no expertise on livestock raising. A Training on Feed Formulation for Swine and Poultry was arranged on May 29, 2012.

The technology mission cum research, the training on feed formulation bore fruit. As of February of 2014, MPMPC was able to produce 1,200 bags and were loaned to 30% (90 of the 300) current members for their hogs. Interestingly, MPMPC’s feed formulation were palatable for the hogs.

DTI contacted a fabricator in Batangas City for the fabrication of hummer mill and mixer for feeds which MPMPC purchased with the help of supportive agencies such as DA. Aside from these equipment, MPMPC were also provided with bagger machine and 10-wheeler truck.

Presently, MPMPC has four workers under its animal feeds production. MPMPC no longer disappoints the members because now local hogs are already fed from the cooperatives’ formulation.

Driven by commitment, Mindoro Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative has its eyes set on this goal – help its members so they can help themselves.

Improving Your Business

2014-08-02T08:15:00.001-07:00

The concept of business improvement comes when an entrepreneur experiences or realizes “gap”. Gap experience in itself is a deviation to a plan which hinders you in reaching your production’s 100% output, or 100% of your target market for sales which could be due to, among other factors, technology used, management factors and could affect your business finances in the short or long-run if not addressed.

Knowing yourself as an entrepreneur will help a lot in facing the challenge/s brought by it. Your values, interests, skills, vision and commitment for your business will help you determine what to prioritize. What drives you to do business? Do you want to be a millionaire or just a simple life? Are you committed to providing employment or are you willing to give everything in the name of your business. In Philippine agri-business today, the shrinking and ageing farmer population is an identified problem and experts say farm mechanization technology is one solution.

Business situation analysis is the next step where opportunities for improvement gaps or problems are identified. Some tools that could be used lies in as simple as Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis, Ishikawa or fishbone, mapping technique, gaps analysis (actual situation/problem, where you are vs. where you want to go by Kepner Tregol) to as complicated as force field analysis (tasks/jobs, what drives our targets vs. restraining factors, [technical abilities, management abilities and networks and supply system]) utility value measurements (ouch!). Let’s go Ishikawa:

Although the absence of a clear marketing plan is identified in this workshop output, it seems like the lack of resources is more of the problem in this example which incapacitates the business to sell at all. Does it even have a product? We will see.

Under production, it looks like the management does not see the need for product improvement and technology upgrading, thus, the lack of resources provided. Let us see management.

And yeah, poor management or leadership will only result to poor management of resources (human and not).

And it further results to poor, no, it’s more of bad, very bad financial management. This sole proprietor or board should not be in business in the first place.

Generating, evaluating and choosing the best solution/s could be as easy as this:

MARKETING

PRODUCTION

FINANCIAL

MANAGEMENT

– Do a marketing research

– Prepare a marketing plan

– Assign marketing personnel

– Train personnel

– Establish & maintain outlet

– Provide funds

– Train new production personnel

– Selected interested people in the community

– Conduct trainings/technology transfer

– Improve product

– Hire designer/look for government assistance on design improvement

– Make financial statements

– Complete financial records

– Select/train new bookkeeper

– Let bookkeeper do his job

– Appoint/train cashier

– Manage cash well

– Provide salary/motivation

– Refresher course on management (PMES)

– Strengthen leaders

– Delegate functions of cooperative staff

– Train staff or change the staff composition

– Assign duties and responsibilities to qualified/skilled staff

– Provide salary

– This way, resources will be managed well

Hell no! During our on-the-job-training (OJT) at the Footwear Industry of Liliw, Laguna, Philippines on SME "Shindan" - Capacity Development for DTI-SME Counselors wayback 2007, we did something similar to this thinking we have identified the problem, hence, we know the solution. But we were wrong for the reason that we missed an asset item in the balance sheet of the firm we studied. We were floored at the full-house storage of the firm that we forgot to take note of the very big amount of asset in the inventory. Products should be moved, so if not, your neglecting a very big problem which encompasses production, marketing, management and finances. And yes, accordingly, inventory is evil.

All these and more should allow you to come up with an action plan for implementation in order to achieve fulfillment and satisfaction, just like Aling Maria, whose story I read a very long time ago from a newspaper. I summarized her story below.

Goal	To be a successful Tindera
Mission	To operate more than a sari-sari store; a mini-grocery to be specific
Objectives	Same as others and more (ex: school supplies, etc.)
Strategy (formula)	Same price but first to open, last to close to serve customer of other stores Increase sales; repeat customers - small profit Provide convenience (location/time) Four daughters pitch in free time
Policies	No credit Never suplada Do not short change Maintained grocery
Programs	Buy high quality as cheaply as possible Bestseller (cigarettes); to lower cost, bought in bulk not by box to supply other stores Wholesale soft drinks Inventory control schedule purchases at right time minimize stock outs (lost sales) Cash management pay purchases in cold cash living within or below means consume only 1/3 of profit, not all

An opportunity came when a public market stall for her dream mini-grocery was offered to her plus she had the money for rights and goods as a result of her good management of resources, hence, Aling Maria’s success story:

Cost of Expenses Estimates	Know how much needed to stock mini-grocery and how much is made in a day
Sales Forecast	Know how much the stall could make
Measure of Performance	Kept receipts but never maintained records – to know how much is made in a day, added day’s sales and applied an average mark-up on what they sold to arrive at net profit
Time-tested formula	No more grocery but own private market renting-out stalls; including one to a daughter

Turning Hobbies Into Business Opportunities

2014-07-28T20:38:00.001-07:00

It is said that success is RELATIVE. The more successful you are, the more RELATIVES you have. It is true, especially for us, Filipinos with strong family ties. See someone breaking into showbiz and people they meet with same surnames immediately claim their common roots. Some of these RELATIVES discuss it in social media account of the star which could be true and sometimes just part of their being supportive and passionate about the theory of RELATIVITY if not a false claim, hehe.

Kidding aside, success in entrepreneurship lies not only in assessing and analyzing our entrepreneur-selves. There are other things to look into which could prove useful to us when going into business or improving our existing businesses. Our experiences, education, hobbies and interests are vital tools for our relative successes.

In My Quest to Entrepreneurship, I discussed how an enterprising mother and frugal father and growing up inside a sari-sari store exposed me to business first which was strengthened when I first met and fell in love with entrepreneurship in DTI. That makes for experience and interest in one. Accountancy and some units in Public Administration are my education.

Talking about hobbies, I remember discussing this topic in my third year as a high school student. The subject was Technology and Home Economics (THE) and it was our group’s turn to report. The catch is that I, the group leader, entirely forgot the assignment and as the leader, I tried to turn the pending chaos into an opportunity. Found the back of an old calendar page and a permanent marker to write our topic introduction while I assigned my group members to provide an example of their hobbies and how it could be turned into an income opportunity to help their respective families.

Surely, if I asked today, people would tell loom band weaving or photography or social media marketing, hehe.

I remember one of my members discussed crocheting which she learned from her mother, a passion of the ladies in their family, making her able to sell a table cover. Another member said learning to cook a kakanin recipe, another one helping in the family business, if only I remember them right, hehe. The sampling of our group rolled to the other members of the class and almost everyone had something to say and share, we just ended because the class time is already up. It was an enriching discussion for a high school class about their hobbies that could be turned into a business opportunity.

It also made our class report look well-thought of if not well prepared, hehe. That experience is worth looking back into every time I have an opportunity to talk like the one we did for Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) for Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperativism in Schools (YECS) Clubs in the province years ago as a DTI facilitator. Up to know, I look back at it to inspire me when preparing my topics. Sorry I’m not sorry and I just had to put it in writing/this blog.

Have experiences, education, hobbies and interests to share?

By the way, aside from yesterday’s SONA, DTI is celebrating its 33rd Anniversary this week and a Diskwento Caravan selling prime commodities at discounted prices is up at the Trade and Industry Building in Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City for the public until Thursday, July 31, 2014.

Analyzing Your Entrepreneur Self

2014-07-12T07:43:00.001-07:00

In celebration of this year’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMED) Week, I am sharing another way of assessing oneself before going into business. By the way, who attended the free management and skills training offered by DTI’s Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) from July 11 to 12? It was an SME Roving Academy themed “ Strengthening Competitiveness and Sustainability of MSMEs”. And being in celebration of that, we start with the Entrepreneur in this blog post. I know we have assessed our entrepreneur selves in this post. But here’s a more practical and participative way, especially in a workshop setting.

The examples are about myself, my colleagues perception and my drawings way back 2005 during our Business Improvement Course staff development training. As questions/instructions are asked in this post, feel free to follow through by drawing your answer on sheet/s paper.

It is said that we could analyze ourselves based on the following:

Values	Interest	Skills	Vision	Commitment
Pinapahalagahan	Negosyo?	Kakayahan	Pananaw	Employee
Nagtulak	Agrikultura?	Kasanayan	Millionaire?	Business
			Simple/happy life

So what is entrepreneurial about me?

My answer then is that I am a “people person”, I like to be surrounded by people, talk to them, learn from them and share with them what I can. That is why I like the concept “meeting halfway”. From the link above, this could be related to the power cluster: persuasion and networking.

What is not entrepreneurial about me?

However, not entrepreneurial in me is that I developed this “Stage fright” when I am already working. As a student I was very self-confident but weakened due to some ‘real-world’ experiences. It is quite ironic that my weakness on self confidence is in the same cluster as my strength. They are both in the power cluster, there;s just the two of them there and I hit them already this early on in the exercise.

My analysis, I need to overcome my weak point, which, after 10 years I believe I was able to withstand and overcome by now (I hope).

Johari Window by Joseph Loft & Hari Ingram

We were asked to paste a blank paper at the back of each and after, one at a time, everyone had the chance to write their impression of each person and here are my results:

My colleagues were brutally honest about me, I guess. Then we were asked to plot in another paper our self-assessment, this time the “What is entrepreneurial..?” were named “Assets” and the “…not entrepreneurial” as “Liabilities” and compared it with what our colleagues had written. The output:

What I say?

What Others say?

ASSETS

– Friendly

– Get along well with others

– Networking & linkaging

– Good friend

– Galing kumanta

– Big heart

– Text addict

LIABILITIES

– Fear of the stage

– Lack of self-confidence

– Try to grow up

– Medyo makulit

– Comedian, be serious sometimes

– Too much extra-curricular

And I realized being brutally honest is an important element, because others may see in us what we do not see. Like for example, my singing and being a comedian which are factors that could help me overcome my ‘fear of the stage’. Not to mention though that I have to lessen being a “text-addict” that time but now more “internet addict” (sosyal!), try to grow up (bad, I grew wide!), be serious sometimes and lessen extra-curricular. I need focus.

Why will I go into business?

My answers then were the following: life after DTI, additional source of income, be able to help others, to sell “entrepreneurship” by example, self-fulfillment, provide a better life for the family and make use of my being a “text or social media addict”. My answers now are the same that is why I am investing my time and talents on blogging, public speaking and very soon, I’ll be back in investing. I call them my long-term investments, the future fruits of my endeavor.

Why should I go into business?

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
outlook – right strategies	hassles in business
very flexible	business risks
keep profits to yourself	both could be stressful
make a lot of profits

I also learned, upon scouring my notes which are a source of my blog posts, that one do not have to be in business, an employee that excels in his field, is a worthy Entrepreneur. Because all of us are in the business of our own person. With the result of my Entrepreneur-self analysis, all the uncontrollable (cash, part of purchasing and selling) controllable (process, part of purchasing and selling) of business and the advantages and disadvantages of entrepreneurship, all we need to do is to always look up for something new and outstanding in whatever field we are and favorably succeeding in them personally, socially or financially.

How about you, did you try drawing/writing your answers to the questions above?

What are your results, what Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs) were your “entrepreneurial” and “not-so entrepreneurial qualities”?

Did they match your “Assets” and “Liabilities” as identified by your family/friends/colleagues?

Are you already, not or will you go into business?

Please share your thoughts. I really hope you do. Thanks!

Championing Businesses while Empowering Consumers

2014-06-14T09:18:00.001-07:00

In September 14, 2012, I was tapped as member of the speaker’s pool during the Consumer’s Congress held at the Sikatuna Beach Hotel, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on a topic I do not really know – Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2:2007 Defining the responsibilities and liabilities of manufacturers, importers, traders, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, service providers and or their agents, with regard to products/services covered by the Philippine Standard Certification Mark Schemes and prescribing penalties for violation thereof. I warned my kababayan-audience about it to be honest and asked them to bear with me as together, we learn the topic.

In my humble opinion, DAO 2:2007 like other issuances of the Department of Trade and Industry aims to protect the rights of consumers by empowering them since a well-informed consumer is the best protected consumer and at the same time protecting the rights of businesses by enabling them through information and education of their responsibilities. Both can be achieved through good business-customer relationship by maintaining compliance to standards.

For this purpose, businesses and their responsibilities being referred to are the following:

Manufacturers are producers, assemblers and processors of materials or products EXCEPT If another person/company attaches his own brand name in the final product. Local manufacturers are responsible to secure a Philippine Standard (PS) License prior to selling, offering for sale, or otherwise disposing off their products pursuant to DAO 4:2008 PS Quality/Safety mark scheme (on the product or its packaging).
If imported, local representatives of overseas manufacturer or in his absence, the “importer” shall be deemed the manufacturer. An importer is the one who brings in products from foreign country/ies to the Philippines. Their responsibility is to secure an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC), a document issued by BPS for imported products covered by mandatory Philippine National Standard (PNS) pursuant to DAO 5:2008 or the ICC product certification scheme.
Also deemed responsible to sell or offer for sale only such products which complied with the requisite PNS and with the required PS mark or with a valid ICC are:

Wholesalers, person/s, juridical entity who sells products in bulk or in large scale but not to the end user.
Distributors to whom a product is delivered/sold for distribution/who markets a product whether for importer-trader/manufacturer/wholesaler or retailer.
Retailers who are selling products directly to end-user, and
Agent/s who acts or transacts on behalf of manufacturer/importer/wholesaler/trader/ retailer or distributor.

My understanding of this rather complex technical matter greatly improved when I became a member of the Regional Monitoring & Enforcement Team (RMET) just this year, an enforcement operation which is one of the methods of market surveillance conducted by DTI. Other methods include test buy operation and market monitoring scheme. Due to the wide variety of products covered by mandatory product certification to be monitored, other product specific monitoring schemes maybe developed to enable DTI to perform market inspection and sampling operations, such as the recent addition of helmets.

Back to RMET, the team visits firms with proper written authorization from the BPS Director, in our case from the DTI Regional Director, and proper identification (we wear our IDs and/or DTI shirts) to inspect products as to sufficiency of marking requirements. In case of violation (sub-standard), a formal charge is issued and the inventory of violative products are taken and withdrawn or sealed. Other prohibited acts which maybe license related/product related/implementation related are as follows:

License related

Non-conforming/substandard products found in the premises of the wholesaler, distributor or agents
Providing repair, requalification and installation services without the required license, accreditation and/or recognition
Products with PS mark but without PS license/permit
Product covered by mandatory certification but without BPS license/permit
Imported product covered by mandatory certification without ICC

Product related

Product covered by mandatory certification but without BPS required ID & product marking
Selling with fake, withdrawn, suspended or cancelled BPS license/permit
With ICC mark but no ICC ‘clearance’
Bearing the required BPS ID and marking but not placed correctly

Implementation related:

Absence of or fake license of imported a.k.a. smuggled product/s
Refuse access to/ or copying of pertinent records, to permit entry of or
inspection in the establishment's premises or warehouse facilities conducted
by authorities.
Failure to comply with any duly served notice, summons, or subpoenas
issued by authorities.
Giving false or misleading datal information, misrepresenting a material
and substantial fact; or willfully concealing a material data or fact.
Failure to comply with the applicable rules and regulations regarding
stockpiling, as defined in Article 9(b) of R.A. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.
Failure to comply with the Orders issued pursuant to Article 11 of R.A.
7394, relating to the a) notification requirements on; and b) recall, repair,
replacement or refund of substandard products

Through the issuance of a formal charge for any violation, the business owner is summoned to the DTI Provincial Office for mediation/investigation and/or adjudication/hearing/mediation/ arbitration where penalties and sanctions are given which maybe any of the following:

cease & desist order, or discontinuance from the respondent under terms & conditions as maybe imposed by the officer
seizure/forfeiture/condemnation of products
seizure/forfeiture/condemnation of paraphernalia & all properties, real or personal used in the commission of offense
prescribed fines
cancellation of permit/license/authority/registration
withholding permit/license/authority/registration
recommendation to LGU thru proper channel for cancellation/suspension of Mayor’s permit
nominal & liquidated damages
closure, or closure for not more than 1 year, order to recall, replace, repair, refund / order to reimburse complainant the expenses & costs incurred in prosecuting the case

To avoid these complications, businesses who carry the following products must ensure compliance with mandatory product safety standards:

A Chance to Mentor

2014-06-07T23:29:00.001-07:00

Last week, our quarterly assessment and planning workshop became a turn-over activity for promoted and new DTI-CARP staff in the region. I joked that it was a chance for us to provide employment opportunity for the new generation but seriously it is a chance to be a mentor of sorts to our successors.

But I am at peace with our top management’s support for a smooth, apt and sufficient transition. Top management has issued a memo regarding the transfer of files, information, knowledge and properties so that onboarding will not be like sending them out to the blinding dark.

As such, those promoted to regular positions gave a testimonial of how was it to be with DTI and CARP, the professional growth it provides, the experiences – good or bad, were all shared while new hires talked about their expectations about themselves and the new job.

True to the importance given by DTI-MIMAROPA to its CARP program, DTI Romblon (who hosted the activity) Provincial Caretaker Rodolfo J. Mariposque was officially sworn into office by Regional Director Joel B. Valera as Provincial Director of DTI in the province after seven+ years as Caretaker, with the DTI-CARP staff as witnesses.

All outgoing personnel from the program presented best practices, profiles and other databases that they have acquired through the years while the new ones presented their revised work and catch-up plans for the rest of the year.

DTI Oriental Mindoro and Palawan brought product samples which were displayed and presented to other participants for inputs on product development and other need for assistance.

Before the activity ended, the highest contributors to DTI-CARP bottomlines and other indicators were recognized in the traditional awarding of certificates by the Regional Director Joel B. Valera.

On the second day, the DTI-CARP Team visited puffed rice, arrowroot and bamboo fan, herbal tea and peanut butter projects, including the Romblon Pasalubong Center. The puffed rice and arrowroot projects, both Grassroots Participatory Budget (GPB) beneficiaries were provided with some technical consultancy based on the observations of the team which will form part of their project implementation.

The two days was a quality check, an assessment of what has been and the necessary adjustments for quality improvement. As top management called for change in action, to fill the gaps of what was wanted and what was actually achieved/present. It felt like DTI-CARP MIMAROPA played double team who is about to execute double, all for the benefit of CARP beneficiaries in the region.

Shifting Mindset into a Change Paradigm

2014-05-24T02:33:00.001-07:00

I was honored and privileged to have been given 30-40 minutes to share my knowledge and thoughts on the basics of how to develop a training program and on how to shift one’s mindset into a change paradigm at the Executive Development Program of 180 Degrees Consulting Philippines at Ateneo de Manila University.

180 Degrees Consulting is the world's largest university-based consultancy composed of student consultants that provide sustainable and innovative solutions for struggling small to medium-sized enterprises and nonprofit organizations. As a volunteer-driven consultancy, they are present in more than 18 universities and have completed more than 400 volunteer consulting projects. Globally, some of their clients include Red Cross in Australia, A21 in Ukraine, Hand-in-Hand in India, Viola Vitalis in Bangladesh, Africap from Mauritius and World Vision in the Philippines.

As a way to build the consulting and leadership capacities of their volunteer consultants, they hold learning sessions aimed at providing the volunteer consultants with practical lessons and concepts that they could use for their change initiatives. Please see my presentation below:

I. Change Agent

I first heard of the term Change Agent in a gathering of the College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines in UP Los Banos wayback 2001. I could not say life was simple then for those I met in that gathering. The change being referred to then was on the continuing struggle for student’s rights and national freedom. It was quite a complicated adventure for my simple want during that time - to become a writer.

My first quest to becoming a campus journalist in high school gave me the impression that I do not have literary license - I never made it. But I did not give up. The following year, I took another chance in the world of writing and finally made it. There, I became a Filipino poetry section regular and I enjoyed seeing my name in print for the first time. What was more inspiring was hearing my schoolmates recite my poems - what a feeling!

I returned to The IMAGE (that’s what we called our school paper) when I was in second year college. Another year after, I was appointed Editor-in-Chief. We picked the school paper up from being partly shut thereby not publishing issues that are relevant to student’s rights and welfare/not utilizing publication fees paid by the students to a school publication that students later became proud of. It was service worth doing.
What I got is more than I wished for, aside from my love for writing, I learned goal setting, information seeking, systematic planning and monitoring, persistence, commitment, risk-taking, concern for quality and efficiency, persuasion and networking and self confidence; all essential personal entrepreneurial competencies. In retrospection, the experience honed my leadership skills.

II. First Exposure to Community Development

My first job was in Semirara Island of the municipality of Caluya in Antique - a two and a half boat ride off the coast of my hometown, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. I was hired as Timekeeper at the Semirara Mining operated by DMC-Construction Equipment Resources, Inc. (CERI). During my application I presented myself as an accounting graduate who was active in extra-curricular activities specially in Campus Journalism.

This was an opportunity sought and seized by the HR Manager. During my last few months in the job (I was there for a short five and a half months) maybe just about the time he assessed that I have mastered timekeeping and was ready to take on more responsibilities, he asked me to see the Community Development Officer. I was first asked of my background in Journalism and was asked to assist in the coming up with a community newsletter. It was entitled Padayon - pasulong in Filipino which means to move forward.

The Community Development Office staff have had ready articles of the projects and activities for publication by the time I arrived to assist them. I became their editor, layout artist and writer. With my small involvement in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the company, I learned of their short and long term plans outside and around the mining operations – livelihood projects here and there and when the mines shall someday close, I heard from the grapevine that the mine pits shall be developed into man-made (obviously) lakes surrounded by man-made forests for Semirara Island to become a tourism destination (not to mention that it now already have white sand beaches to start this with).

III. My Quest to Becoming a Change Agent

I left Semirara Island when I was hired as Trade and Industry Development Specialist (TIDS)/Coordinator of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 2005. Read more…

IV. On track to entrepreneurial leadership (Sample Concept Paper on How to Develop a Training Program)

V. Going Technopreneurship

In 2009, I underwent a paradigm shift. From business development, I encountered technology at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), where I learned to teach, facilitate and impart technology acquisition/upgrading/improvement.

VI. Technopreneurship Boot-Camp (Sample Concept Paper on How to Develop a Training Program)

This consists of different modules on entrepreneurship and technology covering three major areas of: Self-Mastery, Enterprise Mastery and Situation Mastery. Custom-designed exclusively for micro-entrepreneurs and adult learners, the modules make use of highly interactive and visually appealing learning tools and materials.

It delves in the fact that technology is a connecting thread for our MSMEs to become more competitive, that technology plays a vital role in nation building. Entrepreneurs should see and appreciate what it can do for their business, the benefits/added value that can be derived from processing or semi-processing of their agricultural produce.

The Boot-Camp aims to benefit owners of livelihood to micro level food-based or other manufacturing businesses with distinct products that need the following:

nurturing to grow from livelihood type to micro through technical/technology infusion
ability to think ahead in terms of technology, finance and marketing
assistance from LGU-based business development officers
local technologies developed by SUCs
fill the demand for products for the growing tourism industry in Palawan
penetrate major market centers in Palawan and institutional buyers in Manila, and sustain the same once penetrated

VII. Refocusing on Productivity and Quality

Just before I left DTI and continued during my stint in DOST, I was exposed to some productivity and quality tools. We were to align our existing operations for it to become a Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001:2008.

I returned to DTI in 2012 and was assigned the Internal Quality Audit (IQA) Head of DTI’s QMS due to my ISO background. The job this time is the preparation of annual audit program/plans, conducts and preparation of audit report. I was further trained to become a Lead Auditor so that I can be part of the audit team for manufacturers of dry chemical portable fire extinguishers who apply for or for their continued use of Philippine Standard (PS) License. What continual improvements we only implement in our QMS before, we are now able to teach, facilitate and impart to our clients.

Act as team leader or member of the Regional Monitoring and Enforcement Team (RMET) in conducting spot inspection/monitoring and enforcement of products falling under the jurisdiction of DTI (construction materials, electrical supplies, appliances, LPG tanks, helmets and monobloc chairs) in MIMAROPA Region pursuant to DTI's General Enforcement Guidelines for Trade and Industry and Consumer Related Cases. In this capacity we teach, facilitate and impart knowledge to owners/entrepreneurs not to buy and sell sub-standard products as a way of improving their businesses thereby becoming law abiding and consumer friendly establishments. Compliant businesses are acknowledged through the awarding of DTI Bagwis Seal of Excellence or simply Certified Establishments.

VIII. What was consistent in my becoming a Change Agent?

In summary, I can say that a Change Agent does not give up, he is entrepreneurial, a leader, seeks and seizes opportunities, ready to take on (more) responsibilities and move forward (padayon/pasulong), seeks help of others, assesses self and masters it in order to master the environment [enterprise and situation], knows and is not afraid of technology, knows and uses some productivity and quality tools, embraces change in order to teach, facilitate, impart and improve entrepreneurs in managing their enterprises.

Sikat Pinoy National Fashion Fair Opens May 21

2014-05-20T07:56:00.001-07:00

Themed Piling-piling pananamit Pilipino, the Sikat Pinoy National Fashion Fair will be held from May 21 to 25, 2014, at the Megatrade Halls, SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City.

As a tribute to the vibrant fashion industry, it will will feature fashion pieces, from handcrafted accessories to intricately woven fabrics, as well as distinctive apparel from small businesses across the country will be showcased at this event.

About 150 MSMEs from across the 16 regions of the country are expected to display their wares in different fashion categories, such as clothing, apparel and other wearables, footwear, leather goods, bags and accessories, jewelry, health and wellness products, etc.

Among the event highlights will be a fashion show of bridal gowns using indigenous raw materials, to be held as part of the formal opening on May 21. The Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers will display their export-quality costume jewelry and fashion accessories in a special setting.

Fashionistas looking for that unique, one-of-a-kind item that can make you stand out at special occasions should grab this rare shopping opportunity. Homemakers on a budget will also be able to get some great bargains, especially for the coming school opening. Even trendy hunks will surely be able to find an interesting accent piece or accessory to jazz up their daily office outfits.

To encourage aspiring entrepreneurs, Awareness Seminars are being offered free of charge. The Bureau of Internal Revenue will hold a seminar on BIR matters and the duties of SMEs as responsible taxpayers on May 22 & 23, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. Those interested in venturing into Online Marketing can attend the seminar by Air21 Global on May 24 & 25, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM.

There will also be training demos during the event. These are scheduled from 2:00 – 4:00 PM as follows: May 22 – Bag Accessorizing; May 23 – Beadworks; May 24 – Hair & Make-up; May 25 – Massage Oils.

For more information, contact the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade at telephone no. 751-3223,fax no. 751-3224, or email bdt@dti.gov.ph. You can like their Facebook page for updates on Sikat Pinoy events.

Youth Empowerment for Food Suffiency & Sustainability

2014-05-11T04:51:00.001-07:00

My Boss made me his representative as one of the judges for the Handicraft (Novelty Item) and On-the-spot Painting contests during the Regional Farm Family Forum in Calapan City on April 28-30, 2014.

The activity is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute and Rural Based Organizations of Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) in preparation for the National Convention for the Rural-Based Organizations and to give due recognition to outstanding farmers, women and young farmers in improving the standard and quality of life of their families and communities to be globally competitive.

I didn’t get to take photos of the handicraft contest and their products as I was busy judging during the time (good as their competitors wouldn’t see, hehe). The product which were made using at least 70% livestock/poultry by product were judged according to presentation, quality, economic values and question and answer. I advised the contestants not to “overkill” on one material as there is a good possibility of mixing media, one only needs lots of creativity in order to come up with such “good mix” for a product.

The next contest, on-the-spot painting were judged according to originality, visual impact, relevance to the theme “Youth Empowerment for Food Suffiency and Sustainability”, and question and answer. Materials were provided thereby not allowing pre-assembled materials, and the painting is good for two hours in a subject area where they were only exposed two hours before the contest started.

The winner was unanimously selected by the panel of judges and I for one advised for a “coherent” painting in terms of illustrating people, produce and logos that need to be incorporated in the drawing and to use the allotted time wisely.

It was a pleasure as well as an enriching experience to be part of a good cause of promoting agriculture and entrepreneurship especially to the youth for food sufficiency through environmental sustainability.

What is #BarakaSaGalera?

2014-05-01T07:40:00.001-07:00

Some might have wondered when we posted in our personal facebook about #BarakaSaGalera or what those product booths were really about for those who were at Puerto Galera during Holy Week. So this post answers those question/s. Well, Baraka sa Galera is a venue to promote products of local entrepreneurs as an offshoot of the then One Town, One Product (OTOP).

Baraka sa Galera was first staged in 2008, a trade fair and exhibit organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office featuring the province’s resources and skills through its best of the best native delicacies and pasalubong products.

White Beach in Brgy. San Isidro, Puerto Galera played host of this year’s event. It is home to about 800,000 foreign and local tourists with peak during the Lenten Season, thus the activity commenced from April 15-20, 2014.

Midtown Breadhaus of Calapan City’s ube bar, apas, tiping, buttered toast, ugoy-ugoy and toasted mamon were some of the Pinoy breads sold for breakfast (partnered with coffee) or snacks.

For meat lovers, Mindoro’s Pride longanisa (skinless and regular), footlong and ground pork were a hit especially when already cooked and ready-to-eat were sold during dinner time.

Various other products such as powdered ginger, ready-to-mix calamansi, banana chips, boneless anchovies and spicy squid, peanut roll, tamarind candy and virgin coconut massage oils were sold as well.

And who would not buy Merl’s Native Delicacies very famous suman sa lihiya and coco jam?

The Baraka sa Galera dubbed “2014 MIMAROPA Edition” aimed to feature not only the products of Oriental Mindoro but MIMAROPA Region’s finest indigenous products as well.

It is the first time Occidental Mindoro, to join the selling fair. Some of the products were Happy Rice Noodles, Malawaan Dried Fish and Mindoreno’s Flavoured.

And Romblon was represented by Mama’s Yami Deli Foods peanut butter from Odiongan town.

DTI Trade Promotion Officers manned the booths and answered the queries, inquiries and sold MSME products to eager and supportive buyers.

The DTI-MIMAROPA would like to thank the fair’s satisfied customers, Mayor Hubert Christopher A. Dolor of Puerto Galera,who is a collaborator for the project along with the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro. In the last photo is also DTI-Oriental Mindoro’s partner, DOST Provincial Science and Technology Director Jesse Pine.

MIMAROPA Exhibitors at the National Food Fair 2014

2014-03-15T07:33:00.001-07:00

The first edition of the National Food Fair 2014 will be happening from March 26-30, 2014 at the Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. The Department of Trade and Industry in MIMAROPA Region will be showcasing 25 MSMEs in approximately 10 booths that will offer you mouth-watering and sumptuous native delicacies from your usual pasalubong from a trip to the more exotic items. The thing is, no need to book a trip yet at this time just to have a taste of them all. Well, if after the tasting and shopping that you will do while in the metro, you realize you want more then go ahead and visit MIMAROPA to have them food all you want in the most beautiful setting that is called naturally, MIMAROPA! Here goes the list of must-taste offerings and more coming to you in Metro Manila in a week’s time:

MARINDUQUE Participants

Company Name : REJANO’S BAKERY

Contact Person : Carmelita R. Reyes

Position : Owner

Address : Bonifacio St., Brgy. Banahaw, Sta.Cruz

Telephone No. : 042-3211069

Mobile No. : +63-939-9228399

Fax No. : 042-3322065

Email Address : marinduquedeli(at)yahoo.com

Products : Arrowroot cookies

Raw Materials Used : Arrowroot Starch, Margarine, Flour, Eggs, Sugar, Pinipig

DTI-CARP Marinduque

Company Name : 3 SISTERS HOMEMADE BANANA CHIPS

Contact Person : Adelia P. RIVADENEIRA

Position : Owner

Address : Bangwangan, Sta. Cruz

Mobile No. : +63-919-6098063

Products : Banana Chips

Raw Materials Used : Saba banana, sugar

Company Name : SIKAP ASSOCIATION

Contact Person : Ludovico Fabella

Position : Chairman

Address : Bicas-bicas, Buenavista

Mobile No. : +63-948-6491785

Products : Coco sugar

Raw Materials Used : Coco sap

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO Participants

Company Name : RICHBLITZ SWEETS

Contact Person : Grace D. Dinglasan

Position : Owner

Address : San Roque 2, San Jose

Telephone No. : 043-4911376

Mobile No. : +63-918-3291904

Email Address : richblitz_sweets(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Cheese cake bar; Cocojam candy; Merengue; Blueberry tart; Pastillas

Raw Materials Used : Cheese, Flour, Eggs; Coconut milk, sugar; Egg whites

DTI-CARP Occidental Mindoro

Company Name : ALDENIDA FOOD PRODUCTS

Contact Person : Benida T. Yumul

Position : Owner

Address : Sitio Pusoy, Ligaya, Sablayan

Mobile No. : +63-935-5887573

Products : Mango Jam

Raw Materials Used : Mango, Kalamansi juice

Company Name : CALUMPIT MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE

Contact Person : Jaime Alferez

Position : Manager

Address : San Vicente, Sablayan

Mobile No. : +63-939-5249136

Products : Homemade Peanut Butter

Raw Materials Used : Peanut

Company Name : FROOTCROPS DEVELOPER ASSOCIATION

Contact Person : Cristita R. Asuncion

Position : President

Address : Poypoy, Calintaan

Mobile No. : +63-926-1908678

Products : Ube cookies

Raw Materials Used : Ube powder

Company Name : MINDOREÑOS FOOD PRODUCTS

Contact Person : Veronica L. Pasion

Position : Owner

Address : Barangay Murtha, San Jose

Mobile No. : +63-928-2445847

Email Address : veronica_pasion(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Salted Flavored Egg

Raw Materials Used : Duck Egg

Company Name : PALUAN FOOD PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION

Contact Person : Jerllie T. Daseco

Position : President

Address : Barangay Alipaay, Paluan

Mobile No. : +63-906-3295302

Products : Paluan Pastillas

Raw Materials Used : Carabao’s Milk, sugar

Company Name : PANTRIBUNG SAMAHAN NG KANLURAN MINDORO (PASAKAMI)

Contact Person : Divina Embadi

Position : Coordinator

Address : Mabini Street, San Jose

Mobile No. : +63-907-6441157

Products : Forest Honey

Raw Materials Used : Honey Bee

Company Name : ROLDAN FOOD PRODUCTS

Contact Person : Conchita Q. Roldan

Position : Owner

Address : Barangay Malawaan, Rizal

Mobile No. : +63-909-7508369

Products : Ube cookies

Raw Materials Used : Ube powder

ORIENTAL MINDORO Participants

Company Name : BANSUD LIVESTOCK MARKETING COOPERATIVE

Contact Person : Alfredo N. Majaba

Position : Chairman

Address : Poblacion, Bansud

Telephone No. : 043-2987313

Mobile No. : +63-910-6847694

Email Address : bansudlivestock(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Processed meat

Raw Materials Used : Pork meat

Company Name : LGU - CALAPAN

Contact Person : Amormio CJS. Benter

Position : City Trade and Industry Officer

Address : 2^nd Floor, City Trade and Industry Office, New City Hall,

Barangay Guinobatan, Calapan City

Telephone No. : 043-2882054

Mobile No. : +63-920-9558586

Facsimile : 043-2882509

Email Address : jbs_91(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Instant salabat; Peanut turon; and assorted bread cookies

Raw Materials Used : Salabat; Peanut, sugar, oil

Company Name : MERL’S NATIVE DELICACIES

Contact Person : Merlita R. Bolus

Position : Owner

Address : 146 Ubas Street, Barangay Lalud, Calapan City

Telephone No. : 043-2867684

Mobile No. : +63-917-7074803

Email Address : merlsnativedelicacies(at)gmail.com.

Products : Suman sa Lihiya; Coco Jam

Raw Materials Used : Glutinous rice, salt, corn oil, lye; coconut milk, sugar

Company Name : MIKKO BANANA CRACKERS

Contact Person : Benjamin A. Esclanda Jr.

Position : Owner

Address : Nautical Highway, Catiningan Socorro

Telephone No. : +63-939-9402738

Mobile No. : +63-939-2485122

Email Address : eloisabenjie(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Mikko Banana Crackers

Raw Materials Used : Unique saba banana

DTI-CARP Oriental Mindoro

Company Name : BIGAAN AGRARIAN REFORM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

Contact Person : Lurynith M. Fajutag

Position : General Manager

Address : Bigaan, San Teodoro

Mobile No. : +63-928-7414087

Products : Virgin Coconut Oil

Raw Materials Used : Coconut milk

Company Name : CALIMA SOCIO-ECONOMIC MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE

Contact Person : Juliet P. Manglapus

Position : General Manager

Address : Calima, Pola

Mobile No. : +63-918-5303019

Products : Virgin Coconut Oil; Salabat; Banana chips

Raw Materials Used : Coconut; Ginger; Turmeric; Saba banana; Sugar

Company Name : COMMUNITY MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE

Contact Person : Reynaldo C. Miranda

Position : Manager

Address : Maligaya, Gloria

Mobile No. : +63-939-2119874

Products : Rice crispy

Raw Materials Used : Rice, sugar

Company Name : MATULATULA AGRARIAN REFORM COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE

Contact Person : Zenaida M. Macaraig

Position : Manager

Address : Matulatula, Pola

Mobile No. : +63-907-5098043

Products : Calamansi Juice

Raw Materials Used : Calamansi

Company Name : SAMAHAN NG MANGGAGAWA SA BALATASAN (SAMASABALATASAN)

Contact Person : Lilybeth R. Magsayo

Position : Manager

Address : Balatasan, Bulalacao

Fax No. : 043-2882162

Mobile No. : +63-939-1737335

Email Address : retsedar(at)yahoo.com

Products : Seaweed canton; Seaweed pickles; Seaweeds instant noodles

Raw Materials Used : Seaweed

PALAWAN Participants

Company Name : EXOTIC DELICACIES OF PALAWAN

Contact Person : Anna May T. So

Position : Owner

Address : Ground floor, Market! Market!, Taguig, Metro Manila

Telephone No. : 02-5852787

Mobile No. : +63-917-5226363

Email Address : exoticdelicaciesofpalawan(at)gmail.com

Products : Assorted Marine & Processed Foods

Raw Materials Used : cashew nuts, danggit, assorted fish

Company Name : PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF PALAWAN /

PROVINCIAL ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (PEEDO)

Contact Person : Anna Lisa B. Barroma

Position : Officer-In-Charge, PEEDO

Address : PEEDO, Capitol Complex, Puerto Princesa City

Telefax No. : 048-4342258

Mobile No. : +63-929-5975087

Email Address : palawan_peedo(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Assorted Processed Foods (cashew based, sweets & delicacies)

Raw Materials Used : cashew nuts, assorted marine products

Company Name : TOPBEST MARINE PRODUCTS

Contact Person : Elena P. Gabi-Tan

Position : Owner

Address : Alimanguan, San Vicente

Telephone No. : 043-2987313

Mobile No. : +63-906-8523141

Email Address : elena.tan96(at)yahoo.com.

Products : Frozen/Fresh/Dried Squid; Lamayo

Raw Materials Used : Loligo Squid

ROMBLON Participants

Company Name : MAMAS YAMIDELI FOODS

Contact Person : Ellen E. Muros

Position : Owner

Address : Manuel L. Quezon Street, Barangay Tabing Dagat, Odiongan

Mobile No. : +63-926-7150849

TeleFax No. : 042-5675090 (c/o DTI-Romblon)

Email Address : rmamasyamideli(at)yahoo.com

Products : Peanut Butter

Raw Materials Used : Peanut

DTI-CARP Romblon

Company Name : NENENG’S HOMEMADE PRODUCTS

Contact Person : Fedina F. Rufon

Position : Owner

Address : Barangay Rizal, Odiongan

Telefax No. : 042-5675090 (c/o DTI-Romblon)

Mobile No. : +63-906-2371034 / +63-949-4723707

Email Address : nenengfetalverofuron(at)yahoo.com

Products : Pastillas; Yema; Peanut Butter

Raw Materials Used : Powdered & condensed milk; Peanut & milk; Peanut, sugar & oil

See you there!