BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – Despite being one of the last regions to launch the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center, NERBAC-Caraga has played catch-up and is now well on its way to operating as a full-fledged one-stop action, resource and assistance center.
Since its launch last June 25, 2008, NERBAC-Caraga has beefed up its facilities needed to fully service business applicants and investors through its business registration and licensing (BRL) unit, knowledge management (KM) unit and investment marketing and facilitation (IMF) unit. These functional divisions are anchored by full time staff from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with some detailed staff from SSS, Pag-Ibig and PhilHealth reporting once a week.
More importantly, NERBAC maintains a strong network of technical working group members or focal persons from its more than 30 member agencies (including local government units) and an active set of NERBAC board of advisors.
The NERBAC business registration and licensing group has worked to discuss the different processes and requirements of all agencies involved in registration and licensing to establish the existing processing time which an applicant must go through or comply with to start a business. NERBAC has also anchored a series of consultations to try to reduce time and other requirements to encourage more people to start their own enterprise.
Existing baseline processing time (excluding time spent by applicant to complete requirements, the inspections and other special licensing) stands at seven days and 47 minutes.
The CRL group has also strengthened its referral system to be able to attend to NERBAC applicants faster even if they are not physically present at the center.
As a regional investment promotion unit, NERBAC’s IMF has spearheaded an investment marketing and facilitation training for LGU and national government agency personnel involved in investment promotion, facilitated review and formulation of investment/incentive codes of LGUs and provided investment information and investor servicing to potential investors. A strategic planning is slated early next year to tackle the region’s investment agenda to work on the different functions of advocacy, image building/promotions, investment servicing/facilitation and investment targeting or generation.
NERBAC’s Knowledge Management unit on the other hand, has been building up its databases, the better to provide investors and entrepreneurs their information needs. It has also coordinated several advocacy forums on competitiveness, public-private sector partnerships, and the streamlining of business permit among LGUs. By next year, it plans to set up a tracking mechanism for Caraga’s leading economic development indicators. (Mary Grace S. Tocmo and Brenda Corvera, DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga hosts 3 Mindanao-wide events for DTI
BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – Caraga has been the destination and location for three consecutive Mindanao-wide activities of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
These activities were the Quality Management System and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) briefing for the quality implementation team members of DTI-Mindanao regions last December 3, 2008 followed by the Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulatory Group (CWTRG) consultative meeting for the provincial and regional consumer welfare division heads of DTI-Mindanao regions, including the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The ISO briefing which was conducted by Renato Navarette of Certification International Philippines discussed the basics, standards and requirements of ISO alignment and certification. DTI is targeting for all regions to be an ISO-certified by 2009 as a good governance measure to ensure high quality services to achieve consistent customer satisfaction.
The CWTRG consultative meeting was called to discuss updates on consumer welfare laws on how best to protect consumers, to strengthen local consumer groups and how to enforce existing laws and provide quick response to consumer complaints and other issues.
The Mindanao LRED ToF on the other hand, was held to train participants with the German Technical Cooperation or GTZ process or tool for economic development planning.
As host region, Caraga was also able to pilot the LRED process in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. The actual LRED process for Talacogon was done back to back with the facilitators’ training to allow participants to do hands-on and observe some of the steps of the LRED process such as the rapid economic appraisal or REA, the validation of the REA results including the identification of the most pressing issues to be addresses and the action planning done for these issues.
Activities in December 3 to 5 were held at Dottie’s Place Convention Center, while the week-long LRED ToF was conducted in four venues – Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort in Butuan City, Provincial Training Center in Patin-ay, the Municipal Hall in Talacogon and the Department of Agriculture Research Outreach Station in Del Monte, Talacogon, all in Agusan del Sur. (Mary Grace S. Tocmo and Brenda Corvera, DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI-Caraga reports meeting agency targets in 2008
BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – Having the lowest budget among all DTI regional offices dist not stop the local department of trade and industry to meet and even exceed most of its agency targets for 2008.
DTI-Caraga Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran in his preliminary year-end report during the briefing with the media last December 16 said the agency bottom line targets for investments, jobs generated, number of micro small and medium enterprises assisted, and resolution of consumer complaints among others, registered accomplishments over 100 percent.
Director Pagaran noted that this has also been the trend in prior years. He was the first, however, to say that these accomplishments may not still be enough to impact on our region’s goal of reducing poverty significantly.
“But we are getting there”, he said citing the start and continuation of several programs and projects to help Caraganons create more wealth for themselves and their communities.
Director Pagaran reported that two more clusters have been formed this year for Moringa (malunggay) and coconut bringing the industry cluster to 13 groups. The other clusters are abaca, palm oil, banana, high value vegetables, ICT, mining, processed foods, seaweeds, word, arts and crafts, and tourism. These clusters are formed to foster collaboration and cooperation among private and public players in the different industries to be able to improve production, find new markets and address issues and concerns to increase investments, trade and sales.
The National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC)-Caraga has been set-up with adequate facilities needed to fully service business applicants and investors through its business registration and licensing unit, knowledge management unit and investment marketing and facilitation unit. These functional divisions are anchored by full time staff from DTI with some detailed staff from SSS, Pag-Ibig and PhilHealth reporting once a week.
More importantly, NERBAC maintains a strong network of technical working group members or focal persons from its member-agencies including LGUs and an active set of NERBAC board of advisors.
The One Town One Product (OTOP) of the different municipalities of Caraga have been provided support through product development and marketing. OTOP enterprises joined other Caraga regular producers to trade and selling fares such as Cebu X, an annual exporters fair for furniture and home accessories; National Trade Fair at the Mall of Asia; 110th Independence Day Celebration Exhibit at the Luneta; Kahimunan 2008 in Cagayan de Oro City; International Food Exhibition at the World Trade Center; and the Manila FAME.
The localized Small and Medium Enterprise Development (IFAD)-funded Rural Micro-enterprise Promotion Program (RuMePP) on the other hand, has also provided and will continue to provide financing through local micro-financing institutions like rural banks and cooperatives and business development services or assistance to new and existing micro enterprises. The four Caraga provinces belong to the group of 19 poorest provinces implementing the RuMePP. (Mary Grace S. Tocmo and Brenda Corvera, DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PIA-Caraga supports PMFPC in fighting against forestry violators
BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – During the meeting of the Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (PMFPC) held recently at the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development Management Office (PEEDMO) Conference Hall, in this city, Mr. Abner M. Caga, OIC-Regional Director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga being represented by Nora CL Molde, took oath as Chairman of the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) sub-committee, which is responsible for advocacy campaign and gives credible information to public.
As the head in the IEC sub-committee, PIA-Caraga will assist the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Caraga in the IEC dissemination to upland communities and forest resources stakeholders on forest conservation and environmental protection, tap its network and assist the DENR in the monitoring of forestry violations, provide inputs to strengthening of law enforcement and forest protection strategies, provide communication support activities related to PMFPC, and assist PMFPC in carrying out communication and info-projects thru tri-media.
Meanwhile, Ms. Molde informs the members of PMFPC that PIA has a TV program entitled “Caraga in Focus” shown in the two cable stations here once a week.
“If there are committees in the PMFPC or in any government agency who will be conducting activities, they are free to request PIA in the documentation. The video coverage will be shown on TV during the schedule of “Caraga in Focus” in the two cable stations,” Ms. Molde said.
“Also, if you have press releases either in Cebuano, Tagalog or English, photo releases with its corresponding captions, you can send it to PIA email add at pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph or piacaraga@gmail.com. Your press releases and photo releases will then be posted at PIA website at www.pia.gov.ph and can also be seen at PIA-Caraga blogsite at www.piacaraga.blogspot.com,” Ms. Molde added.
Members of the PMFPC were also informed that PIA-Caraga facilitates press conferences and radio interview for the resource speakers of a certain event. “And PIA has also writers who write press releases and do photo releases when covering an event,” Molde said.
PIA-Caraga, being the head in the IEC sub-committee of the PMFPC assures the committees that by having proper coordination with the partner agencies involved and having constant communication will eventually stop the acts of forestry violators in destroying our mother nature. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)
Public hearing on abandoned NALCO concession held
BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – A proposed ordinance authored by Board Member Sadeka G. Tomaneng seeking for an effective protection, development and management of a formerly NALCO concession area was the subject of a public hearing held recently at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol, this city.
Dubbed as “LasBueNasCar Sustainable Agro-Forestry Development Program”, the provincial government seeks to maximize the use of this 56 hectares land area located at the municipalities of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Nasipit and Carmen which were once a booming logging industry of the Nasipit Lumber Company (NALCO) in the early 1950’s.
The ordinance particularly will establish the operational and management mechanism for a sustainable agro-forestry development of LasBueNasCar.
The project area is formerly a NALCO concession area covered by TLA-39-4 with a total land area of 56,093.81 hectares. The cancellation and abandonment of its TLA just recently resulted to the conception of a Co-Management Project between the provincial government and the four municipalities.
Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante sees the significance of this program and would be one of his flagship projects. (Francisco R. Jayoma, Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Rene Boy Ocares Bernaldez
Report on illegal logging
On December 14, 2008 at 3:05 PM, elements of Jabonga Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Jonathan Satentes, COP responded to a report through cellphone that there were illegally sawn lumber infront of the residence of a certain Marlito Bardon, along the Barangay Road of Bangonay, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte and operation was conducted which resulted to the recovery of abandoned 25 pieces lumber (Tugas) with an estimated volume of 200 board feet and estimated market value of P6,000.00.
Said forest products were properly turned-over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cabadbaran City for proper disposition.
Report on illegal possession of firearms
On December 15, 2008 (Monday) infront of Camp-G Bar, Barangay Taft, Surigao City at 2:30 in the morning, PNP personnel of Surigao City Police Station led by PO3 Carlito Hilaos Jr., apprehended the suspect identified as Arthur Menil Pacis, 23 years old, single, Security Guard and a resident of Sitio Tumanday, Barangay Rizal, Surigao City for violation of RA 8294.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession and control was one unit .38 revolver, Smith and Wesson, with serial number 882288 loaded with five live ammos.
Said person is now detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition while appropriate charge is being prepared for filing in court against the suspect.
Cabadbaran market vendors undergo workshop
BUTUAN CITY (December 17) – Cabadbaran City market vendors recently underwent a Sustainability Training Workshop for the Women Market Vendors Association.
Around 35 market vendors gained the basics on savings and managing cooperatives both at the national and local scene. Said participants were representatives of various market sections – fish, meat, fruits, dry goods, shopping center and cafeteria. They are members of the Vendors Association of Cabadbaran Public Market (VACPM).
The training workshop is an essential activity under the Japan Fund Poverty Reduction Program (JFPR) – Social Protection for Poor Women Vendors in Mindanao. It basically enables the market vendors to sustain the operation, maintenance and management of the Women’s Resource Center (WCR) particularly in Cabadbaran City.
The resource speakers of the said training were Atty. Allan Asio (on behalf of City Mayor Dale B. Corvera), Regional Program Anchorperson Mariles Oclarit, PASCRES President Romeo C. Dahuyag, DILG Buenavista MLGOO Romeo A. Solis and VACPM President Dr. Edgardo J. Batitang, Jr.
The training workshop was conducted at the Roadside Eatery Function Room, Cabadbaran City. (Ormela Beluan, DILG-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Investment incentive code sa Buenavista aprubado
Sukad karon aduna nay insentibo’ng madawat ang mga mamumuhunan og buot mamuhunan sa lungsod sa Buenavista.
Kini ang unod sa Municipal Ordinance No. 04-2008 sa pagpangamahan ni Buenavista SB Member Rodulfo A. Pitogo nga mag-establisar sa Comprehensive Investment Incentives Code sa lungsod isip usa ka pamaagi nga ma-ingganyo ang mga negosyante nga mamuhunan sa lungsod.
“To facilitate investment, there is a need to adopt a cohesive and consolidated investment incentives law of this municipality for the guidance of local and foreign investors”, matod pa sa maong konsehal.
Subay sa maong ordinansa, adunay tukuron nga Municipal Investment Board aron insakto kini’ng ma-implementar.
Ang nasangpit nga ordinansa gi-aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa pagpaningkamot ni Bokal Rey G. Jamboy. (Jay Vincent V. Demain, Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
