DTI LAUNCHES FIRST BAMBOO PROCESSING FACILITY IN MINDANAO

DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga (leftmost), DTI-Regional Office XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, CESO V (third from left) and Tagum National Trade School (TNTS) Principal Mario S. Gregorio (2nd from right) inks Memorandum of Agreement for the turn-over of the Engineered Bamboo Shared Service Facilities to TNTS on August 26, 2015 as witnessed by representatives from the Department of Education, Provincial Government of Davao del Norte and the City Government of Tagum.

Under the auspices of its Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program, the Department of Trade and Industry Davao del Norte Field Office in partnership with the City Government of Tagum launched on August 26, 2015 the first ever Engineered Bamboo Processing and Development Facility in Mindanao located at the Tagum National Trade School, Apokon, Tagum City.

The facility which consisted of various bamboo processing equipments for primary processing, cutting operations, sanding operation, electric and portable tools, carpentry tools and consumables, and planks and panel for final processing has a total cost of Php3.559 million.

Some of the Shared Service Facilities on Engineered Bamboo Processing handed over by DTI to Taagum National Trade School: (left to right) Universal Sharpener for Circular Saw, Laminating Press with Pneumatic Cylinder, Twin Rip Saw, Dust Collector, Wide Belt Sander

According to data from DTI, this project was conceived way back in 2010 when the agency provided trainings and equipment for the processing of engineered bamboo and had consequently organized a Bamboo Forum in 2012. With the implementation of their SSF Program in 2012, a proposal for the provision of a bamboo processing hub in Davao del Norte was made.

The kiln dryer for bamboo is one of the facilities entrusted by DTI to Tagum National Trade School. Drying a freshly cut bamboo pole minimizes breakage and prevents decay caused by microorganisms

Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, Officer in Charge of DTI – Regional Office XI revealed that this is one of the first projects to be approved upon commencement of the SSF Program.

DTI-Regional Offie XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi talks about how this bamboo development project came into being during the Launching and Turn-over Ceremony.

The main objective for the establishment of this facility is to introduce appropriate production processes and manufacturing technologies to MSMEs for e-bamboo and bamboo furniture and fixtures. It also aims to fully utilize the bamboo resources in the province especially since all its local government units have already established their respective nurseries and bamboo propagation projects in partnership with DANA Foundation, the private sector champion for bamboo industry development.

The local government unit of Tagum City has expressed their support in this endeavor with the provision of funds to Tagum National Trade School for the construction of a building to house the equipments. It also signified to look for ways to put bamboo propagation at the forefront of its agricultural projects.

According to Tagum National Trade School principal Dr. Mario S. Gregorio, even the private sector contributed for the inception of this project by donating aggregates to level off the land for building construction.

From left to right: Tagum City Schools Division Superintendent Cristy C. Epe, Executive Assistant from the Provincial Governor's Office Rosalio Ibañez, DTI-XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi and DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga lead the cutting of ribbons during the launching and turn-over ceremony of the Shared Service Facility for Engineered Bamboo Processing.

DTI – Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga said that this facility will not only serve as training center for senior high school students and individuals who are interested in bamboo processing but will also welcome MSMEs and other stakeholders who wanted to process their  raw bamboo.

“This is not the end but just the beginning. The agency is set to conduct more interventions in the future such as product designing and lectures on pricing and costing.”,Castañaga added.

DTI-Davao del Norte will also partner with Tagum National Trade School in the proposed SSF for Jewelry Industry Development.

DTI, TAGUM LGU TO ESTABLISH OTOP TRIBAL DISPLAY CENTER

DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga (fourth from left) turned over a check worth Php2.4million pesos to Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (fifth from left) on August 24, 2015 at the Tagum City Hall Grounds for the implementation of the Bottom up Budgetting (BuB) Program 2015 as witnessed by City Officials and Employees.

LGU Tagum City aims not only to promote local products but also preserve the culture of the different tribal groups in the city through the establishment of an OTOP Tribal Display Center  at the Tagum City Cultural and Trade Center where they can showcase their crafts and food products. The store shall be locally known as "Balay Sang Pamilyanan", a local phrase which means “a house to make purchases”.

The funding for the project is part of the Php2.4 million handed over by Department of Trade and Industry-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castanaga to Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon during the City Employees' Convocation Ceremony on August 24, 2015 at the Tagum City Hall grounds. The said amount represents the total fund to be used in the implementation of various projects under the Bottom up Budgeting (BuB) Program 2015.

“Five sub-projects are to be implemented in the city under this fund. Aside from the OTOP Tribal Display Center, other sub-projects include Safe Food Handling for Tagum City Night Market Vendors, Productivity Enhancement for the Food Processors Association of Davao del Norte, Capacity Building for IP Micro-enterprises, and Indigenous Product Development (Yaman Pinoy)”, Castañaga disclosed.

At least 100 night market vendors, 16 food processors, and 100 indigenous women are expected to benefit from these projects.

Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon (right) and DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga shows newly-signed Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of Bottom up Budgetting (BuB) 2015 during the MOA Signing and Check Turn-over Ceremony on August 24, 2015 at the Tagum City Hall Grounds.

BuB is a program of the national government which aims to achieve inclusive growth through provision of sustainable livelihood projects coming from the communities and LGUs.

Since the city is also known for its night market, several activities such as Good Customer Relations Training and Entrepreneurship Seminars will be conducted for the night market vendors. Trainings on Safe Food Handling shall also be given to improve food quality while safeguarding public health.

A manualization on Good Manufacturing Practices is also scheduled for the food processors in Tagum City as initial step for them to acquire a License to Operate (LTO) from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

DTI-Davao del Norte also has ongoing BuB projects in Talaingod, Panabo, San Isidro, Kapalong and Island Garden City of Samal. The agency is also set to implement the said program in the municipality of Carmen later this year.

DTI LAUNCHES NEGOSYO CENTER IN DAVNOR

The first Negosyo Center in Davao del Norte was launched by the Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte Provincial Office in partnership with the provincial government under the auspices of the Provincial SME Development (PSMED) Council on August 5, 2015 at the DTI Building, Government Center, Mankilam, Tagum City.

The personage who led the launching of the DavNor Negosyo Center. From left to right: Program Officer Aram Fernandez of Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino Office, DTI-Davao del Norte Officer-in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga, Panabo City Mayor James Gamao, DTI-Regional Office XI OIC-Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, Melanie Mendoza from the Office of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, SP Chairman for Committee on Trade and Industry Vicente Eliot and Congressman Anthony del Rosario’s Executive Assistant Cesar Granada

The launching was led by DTI-XI OIC/Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, Program Officer Aram Fernandez of Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino Office, DTI-Davao del Norte Officer-in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga, also with SP Chairman for Committee on Trade and Industry Vicente Eliot, Panabo City Mayor James Gamao, Congressman Anthony del Rosario’s Executive Assistant Cesar Granada and Governor Rodolfo del Rosario represented by Melanie Mendoza, and members of the Davao del Norte Provincial SME Development Council.

The newest Negosyo Center in Davao del Norte is now open and ready to cater to MSMEs.

The Center is now open to serve the MSMEs, declared Director Ambi, to provide them their needs in their business endeavor, from business registration, counseling, trainings and seminars and business information, among others, as mandated by RA 10644, or the Go Negosyo Act authored by Sen Bam Aquino. DTI is also partnering with financing institutions such as the Small Business Corporation (SBC) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to facilitate MSME’s availment of additional or starting capital for their business activities.

 “The services offered in the Negosyo Center are inclusive.  This means that anyone who wishes to go into business or expand their current business is always welcome at the center”, DTI-Davao del Norte Officer in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga said during an interview.

DTI-Davao del Norte Office in Charge Romeo L. Castañaga welcomes everyone to the Negosyo Center's Launching Ceremony.

OIC Maria Belenda Q. Ambi of DTI-Regional Office XI said that this project is a collaborative effort of government agencies tasked to assist in the development of MSMEs such as DOST which provides technology transfers and TESDA for skills trainings.

DTI-Regional Office XI Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi gave an overview of the Negosyo Center project to the PSMED Council and MSMEs present.

The Negosyo Center is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It also conducts various trainings under the SME Roving Academy (SMERA) program of DTI.