DTI’s USEC MAGLAYA GRACES KADAGAYAAN FESTIVAL

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Undersecretary for Regional Operations  Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya graced the opening ceremony of this year’s Kadagayaan Festival and 48^th Araw ng Davao del Norte as keynote speaker on June 24, 2015 at the Provincial Park and Plaza, Capitol Grounds, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

In her speech, USEC Maglaya congratulated the provincial government and all Dabaonons for the progress that Davao del Norte is currently enjoying. She said that being a Dabaoeña herself (she was born and raised in Davao), she felt proud every time she goes back and see the developments happening in her hometown. She also applauded the “madagayaon” spirit of the Dabaonons that has been displayed countless of times in every difficult situation it had been through and that essence of optimism and oneness that the people constantly exhibits which she believes is the reason why “kadagaya” and “kasadya” is ever present in the province. She also stated that what made it achieve glorious feats such as being the banana capital of the Philippines to hosting the “best Palarong Pambansa ever” is because the Dabaonons hoped, dreamed and worked together without losing that “madagayaon” attitude.  

Usec. Maglaya, also talked about the ASEAN Economic Integration which as she say is already here even before 2015. However, she clarified that December 2015 (when the integration will be fully enforced) should not be considered a doomsday but merely a deadline for achieving a 100% compliance on agreed ASEAN Integration targets and since the country has opened its doors to international trade since 2010 with the lifting of tariffs on basically 99% of commodities coming from other ASEAN-member nations, the competitiveness of local industries has greatly improved enabling the country to adjust once ASEAN will formally enter the process of becoming a regional economic bloc.

She also added that for DTI’s part, it has partnered with various local government units and other national agencies in implementing projects geared towards increasing product quality, production capacity and investment promotion such as the approval and implementation of investments and incentives code, adoption of streamlined Business Process and Licensing System, Industry Cluster Promotion Program, SME Roving Academy (SMERA) and Shared Service Facilities.

Usec. Maglaya concluded by urging everyone from the SMEs, businesses and private sectors to close ranks to ensure the benefits and sustainability of the reforms and initiatives being implemented by the local and national government.

Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario, formally opened the 8-day Kadagayaan Festival, and toured the Agri-aqua Industry Trade Fair with Usec Maglaya,  Vice-Governor Victorio Suaybaguio, Ms. Phoebe Orbe DA-RFO XI, and Mr. Romeo L. Castañaga of DTI-DN. The group also got  a sample of what each municipality has to offer like New Corella’s fresh milk, San Isidro’s cacao-based products, Carmen’s balut, Panabo’s bangus, IGaCoS’s mangoes, Dujali’s black rice, Talaingod and Sto. Tomas’s fresh farm produce and Tagum’s calamansi juice among others.

DTI PROVIDES EQUIPMENT ON BANGUS PROCESSING

First row, left to right: Ms. Maria Lourdes Campion of BFAR-NMC, Ms. Gina Floren of Cagangohan Women's Association, OIC Romeo L. Castañaga of DTI-Davao del Norte and Ms. Judith Lee of LGU Panabo inked the Memorandum of Agreement and Usufruct Agreement for the turn-over of  Bangus Processing Facilities witnessed by (2nd row, left to right) Elmer Gingos of DTI-Davao del Norte, Division Chief Marie Ann J. How, Officer in Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi of DTI-Regional Office XI and DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya.

The Department of Trade and Industry – Davao del Norte Provincial Office recently provided fisherfolks from the Cagangohan Women’s Association (CWA) of Panabo City, Inc. set of equipment for Bangus Processing in a bid to improve their product quality and production capacity, through the BFAR National Mariculture Center (NMC), the project proponent.

This is made possible through the agency’s Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Program which aims to eliminate bottlenecks in the production process of MSMEs by providing necessary tools and facilities which are otherwise not readily affordable for small entrepreneurs.

The CWA, assisted by  the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – National Mariculture Center (BFAR-NMC) currently produces bottled bangus in corn oil, deboned bangus and bangus belly. Aside from these, they also sell lumpia and empanada made from bangus which is now gaining acceptance in the province and other places in Region XI. With the equipment provided consisting of 2 pressure cookers, 1 vacuum sealer machine,  2 chest-type freezers, and 1 stainless fish processing deboning table with a total cost amounting to Php300,000.00, said machineries are deemed essential for the improvement on the quantity and quality of processed bangus products being produced by the association.

DTI Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya,  DTI-XI Officer in-Charge Maria Belenda Ambi, OIC Romeo L. Castañaga of DTI-Davao del Norte, Ms. Maria Lourdes Campion of BFAR-NMC and Ms. Judith Lee of LGU Panabo graced the turn-over and launching ceremony of the said SSF last June 24, 2015 at the Fish Processing Training and Demonstration Center in Panabo Mariculture Park, Cagangohan, Panabo City.

The Shared Service Facilities for Bangus Processing turned-over by DTI to the proponent BFAR-NMC consisting of 2 pressure cookers, 1 vacuum sealing machine, 2 chest-type freezers and 1 deboning table.

In her message, Usec. Maglaya emphasized the impact of these Shared Service Facilities to the families of fishermen in Cagangohan which is estimated to double or even triple the amount of their earnings. She also said that with this venture, the women of the community can now assist their husbands in providing food on the table and the education of their children with the income they will derive from bangus processing.

DTI – Davao del Norte targets at least 18 CWA members who are mostly fisherfolk housewives to benefit from this project. Also, with a projected increase in production capacity and gross sales of 40% - 75% per month, more jobs can be generated for the women of Brgy. Cagangohan. The agency also aims to expand their market from local to international.

The Bottled Bangus, one of the products of the Cagangohan Womens Association under the assistance of BFAR-NMC.

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.