DTI partners with LGU IGaCoS on Yaman Pinoy Project

The Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte Provincial Office's Officer in Charge, Romeo L. Castañaga turned over a check worth Php740,000.00 to Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Aniano P. Antalan during the LGU’s convocation ceremony on June 8, 2015 for the latter’s implementation of Yaman Pinoy Project under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) approach.

DTI-Davao del Norte's Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga turned over a check worth Php740,000.00 to Mayor Aniano P. Antalan of Island Garden City of Samal during the city's convocation ceremony on June 8, 2015. Also seen are DTI-DavNor's Business Development Division OIC Maria Victoria D. Adriatico (2nd from left) and Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Necitas A. Lazaga (leftmost).

The Yaman Pinoy project is intended to enhance living conditions of the beneficiaries through a viable and sustainable economy utilizing its own resources. In line with this, activities such as capability building for the city’s labor force, product development sessions for food and non-food items, and marketing initiatives like trade fairs and exhibits shall be conducted.

DTI-DavNor's OIC Romeo L. Castañaga presents to Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Aniano P. Antalan a Php740,000.00 check for the city's implementation of the Yamang Pinoy Project under the Bottom-up Budgeting approach. 

Ms. Jennifer  Cariaga, City Investment and Tourism Officer said the targeted beneficiaries are organized groups such as Hugpong Manggagama sa Isla (HuMal), Building Art Weavers of IGaCoS (BANIg) and members of informal sectors like handicraft makers and service providers (masseurs, hairdresser, manicurist/pedicurist). Said project will be implemented by the city investment and tourism office.

Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Aniano P. Antalan holding the check turned-over by DTI for the BuB Project Implementation as city employees looked on.

Mayor Antalan said in his speech that with the aid of this fund, the city aspires to assist more small entrepreneurs and develop potential ones which in turn will create more jobs and a better life for Samaleños. He also thanked DTI for responding to the needs of the city resulting from grassroots consultation under BUB.

DTI-Davao del Norte's Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga (leftmost), Business Development Division's OIC Maria Victoria D. Adriatico and Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Necitas A. Lazaga poses with Island Garden City of Samal treasurer Merlina G. Caballero during the actual check turnover.

For DTI’s part, OIC Castañaga said that the Yaman Pinoy project is among the many initiatives implemented in partnership with LGU IGACOS, this time providing assistance to the grassroots sector and help them improve their products and services that may fuel more economic activities in the island. 

DTI Personnel together with Island Garden City of Samal officials and employees. From left to right: OIC City Administrator Guillermo Olden, DTI's Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Necitas A. Lazaga, City Investment and Tourism Officer Jennifer Carriaga, Development Management Officer Ms. Lludeza Quesada, Mayor Aniano P. Antalan, DTI-DavNor's OIC Romeo L. Castañaga, DTI-DavNor's Business Development Division OIC Maria Victoria D. Adriatico and City Budget Officer Jemelita Camaso.

DTI-CARP BENEFICIARIES LEARN FOOD SAFETY & GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES

DTI-Davao del Norte Provincial Office in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology conducted a Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Processes seminar to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries in the province last May 25, 2015 at its office in Capitol Compound, Mankilam, Tagum City.

Participants of the Food Safety Seminar were CARP Beneficiaries from San Isidro and Sto. Tomas.

DTI-DN's Business Development Division OIC Maria Victoria Adriatico spoke to the participants on the importance of Food Safety in her closing remarks.

Nema Freya Cebritas of Davao Food Safety Team discusses
 Food Safety Systems Development

Cheri May Tila and Nema Freya Cebritas, members of the Davao Food Safety Team, presented topics ranging from food safety hazards, personal hygiene, control of raw materials, cross contamination and pest control. They also conducted an actual demonstration on proper handwashing methods which everyone gets to try for themselves. Also explained during the session are the various food safety and good manufacturing certificates and the agencies issuing them.

Cheri May Tila of Davao Food Safety Team emphasized the importance of
implementing house rules in manufacturing plants.

A total of 16 participants from the Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) of Balagunan in Sto. Tomas and Kipalili in San Isidro benefited from the seminar. Also present were representatives from the local government units of the aforementioned municipalities.

With this activity, DTI aims to make the food products of CARP MSMEs more competitive and marketable, especially with the ongoing ASEAN Integration, by improving their level of compliance with food safety laws, regulations and standards which will prepare them in applying for a license from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and other GMP certifying institutions.

Participants pose with speakers from Davao Food Safety Team, Ms. Cheri May Tila (seated, right) and Ms. Nema Freya Cebritas (seated, center), and OIC Maria Victoria Adriatico (seated, left) of DTI-Davao del Norte Business Development Division

SCHOOL SUPPLY MANUFACTURERS ASSURED DTI OF NO PRICE INCREASE

The opening of schoolyear 2015-2016 is fast approaching and the Department of Trade Industry through its Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) has begun its campaign in ensuring reasonable prices and ample supply of school supplies that are under the list of basic necessities and prime commodities of the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.

Last week, the DTI-CPG met with the manufacturers and traders of school supplies to discuss the prices and supply of their products.

“The DTI has maintained an open communication with the industry of school supplies and we continuously discuss their price and supply situation to level the playing field among them and to guarantee their cooperation in promoting consumer welfare”, Undersecretary Dimagiba reports.

Undersecretary Dimagiba also reports, “In the meeting, the Philippine School Pads and Notebooks Manufacturers Association, Inc. or PHISPANO, National Bookstore, Bridges Bookstore (formerly Goodwill Bookstore), and Morayta Bookstore (formerly Meriam and Webster Bookstore) declared that their prices are the same for this year compared to three (3) years ago and they are not increasing the prices of their products”.

Undersecretary Dimagiba adds, “The Department extends its appreciation to the manufacturers and traders of schools supplies for its continued support to DTI for the protection of consumers”.

Annually, the DTI-CPG through its Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) requests for the suggested retail prices (SRPs) from the industry members of school and office supplies. The CPAB validates the submitted SRPs against the costs of production particularly raw materials. Once the SRPs are acceptable, the DTI publishes this list of products with the brands and SRPs from manufacturers that will be the reference price guide for distributors and retailers in the market.

Among the school supplies that are in the DTI list of basic and prime goods and are frequently being monitored on their supply and prices are crayons, notebooks (composition, writing and spiral), pad paper (grades 1-4, intermediate), ballpens, and, pencils.

Undersecretary Dimagiba emphasizes, “The DTI targets to publish the price guide for school supplies if not by end of April 2015, by first week of May 2015. We will request the cooperation of the establishments to post the guide in conspicuous places where the consumers can easily access and refer to them”.

“Simultaneously, DTI will conduct its monitoring activities to check not only the reasonableness of prices and the availability of supply of school supplies but also the compliance with specific standards and labeling requirements”, Undersecretary Dimagiba states.

According to the Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, any manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer that if they are found not complying with the requirements of the PNS, they shall face administrative charges, which include a maximum fine of P300,000 per violation.

The DTI-CPG, through its Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), adds the school supplies among the various non-agricultural products that are being monitored per week. Last week, the DTI has found all 40 establishments visited in the National Capital Region (NCR) to be compliant with the SRPs for basic necessities and prime commodities.

Meanwhile, the DTI took note that Nestle’ Philippines has implemented a price rollback for its coffee refill products – 25 grams from P20.75 to P19.75 and 50 grams from P41.00 to P38.95.

Consumers can report or file complaints against unsafe school supplies to DOH/ FDA or overpriced and unlabeled school supplies to the nearest DTI office in their area or call DTI Direct 751.3330 and 0917.8343330.

In Davao del Norte, consumers may file their report at the DTI-Davao del Norte Provincial Office located at Capitol Compound, Mankilam, Tagum City. You may also reach us at telephone numbers (084)216-2309/(084)216-3505 or mobile number 09177221025.