Caraga Wage Board approves new wage order
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 August) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) here, after thorough deliberation on July 28, 2010, approved the new wage order which provides an increase of 10 pesos to basic wage and 10 pesos from the 23 pesos Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under Wage Order RXIII – 09 and shall be integrated to daily wage.
In a press statement, RTWPB reported that in the agriculture sector the new basic wage for plantation workers is Php 220 plus a Php 13 COLA which totaled to Php 233 daily minimum wage rates (DMWR). Non-plantation workers, however, shall be receiving Php 200 basic wage and Php 13 COLA, totaling to Php 213 DMWR.
In the non-agriculture sector, workers/employees will now be receiving Php 243 DMWR which comprised Php 230 basic wage and Php 13 COLA.
For retail and services employing 10 or less number of workers, a Php 200 basic wage plus Php 13 COLA was approved, which totaled Php 213 DMWR, while those who are employing more than 10 workers, same rate with the non-agriculture sector was approved.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), upon review of the said Wage Order RXIII - 10, approved the same on August 5, 2010, it was learned.
The Board, represented by labor and management sectors, together with three government agencies: NEDA, DTI and DOLE, presented several wage options, proposal and counter proposals before arriving at the said new wage order.
The publication of Wage Order No. 10 was already made on August 10, 2010, and to take effect on August 25, 2010, 15 days from the date of publication. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) will be presented to the Board during the scheduled Board meeting as well as the final and approved IRR. All of these will be submitted to NWPC for review of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
This effort of the Caraga regional wage board is in line with the effort of the administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to uplift the living condition of the labor sector. (PIA-Caraga)
Red Cross-Agusan del Norte Chapter to spearhead “Torch for Humanity Parade”
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 August) – The local chapter of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) here is spearheading the 61st commemoration of the Geneva Convention signing which forms part of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day, through a “Torch for Humanity Parade” per presidential Memorandum Circular No. 179 of IHL Day.
Anchored on the nationwide theme “Towards achieving national solidarity: highlighting the role of government and other stakeholders in implementing IHL”, the activity is set on Saturday, August 14, 2010, 5:00 in the afternoon with its route to start at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court, proceeding to Butuan City Hall then back to the capitol grounds.
Prior to the motorcade/parade, a hiphop dance contest to be participated by different Red Cross Youth members both from the schools of the Division of Butuan City and Agusan del Norte is set to take place.
The entry must be composed of 10 to fifteen 15 dancers of the same gender or combination of both gender. Presentation can use single or mixed music and should not exceed seven minutes. Participants must provide the musical background and must be submitted to the committee before the contest proper, and can wear any costume but absolutely, no wearing of camouflage costumes.
Entries will be judged according to choreography which comprises 40%, as well as with the timing and coordination, theme relevance is 15%, same with costume.
Meanwhile, slogan, poster-making, and quiz bee competitions are scheduled on Thursday, August 12 at the Red Cross Training Center, Capitol Site, this city. Winners of these competitions will be awarded on Saturday together with the hiphop dance contest winners.
Among the invited guests include: Atty. Ernesto Brocoy, Chairman of the IHL Committee; and Fiscal Felixberto Guiritan, Chairman of the Board of Directors. (PIA-Caraga)
City dad signs “Adlaw Hong Katawhan” executive order
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 August) – Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. of this city recently signed Executive Order No. 3, “an order creating and establishing the Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day) as a regular social program of the City ayor, Honorable Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. whereby a day is set for all Butuanons to personally meet with the local chief executive”.
Signed on August 3, 2010, the order which was presented to the public by City Councilor – Dr. Virgilio Nery during the inauguration of the “Adlaw Hong Katawhan” Program on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, emphasized the importance of the existence of unique social needs of Butuanons that can only be treated by the local chief executive on an individual and separate basis.
“These needs can only be captured fully and responded to adequately by the local chief executive when taken up on a personal meeting with the concerned Butuanon,” it said.
The order also pointed out the mandate of the city mayor to respond to the basic needs of the city’s constituency with due consideration to policies and available resources.
“The mechanism to bridge the people’s unique social needs to its available resolution is for the concerned Butuanon to meet with the City Mayor through the program entitled “Adlaw Hong Butuan,” the order stated.
With the latest developments, Dr. Nery stressed that the executive order ordered the creation and establishment of Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day) to be held every Wednesdays of the week.
It was also learned that the Public Information Office (PIO) of the City Mayor’s Office (CMO), as additional function to its mandate, will serve as the overall coordinator and secretariat of the activity and as such, should ensure the conduct of attendance-checking of chiefs of offices concerned, medical missions and jobs fairs.
Meanwhile, section two of the executive order ordered CMO-PIO to promulgate and issue the necessary guidelines for the implementation of this program to guide the public, it was gathered.
The Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day) is another effort of the new administration of this city in response to the call of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to religiously serve the public as part of his administration’s transparency program. (PIA-Caraga)
Mayor Amante to Butuanons: “Kayo ang boss ko!”
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 August) – Duplicating one of the most familiar taglines of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. emphasized his role to serve the Butuanons, saying “Kayo ang boss ko! (You are my boss!)”, in his message during the launching of the “Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day)” project on Wednesday, August 11 at People’s Hall in City Hall here.
“Starting today, Wednesday and in every Wednesdays of the week, the city government of Butuan City is taking its way to serve you and the rest of Butuanons,” Mayor Amante said in Cebuano dialect.
Mayor Amante also informed the public of its importance to his administration for which, the Mayor was applauded by the crowd attending the inauguration ceremony.
“You are my inspiration when I accept with all my heart the call and challenges, in general, to govern the city and give answer to your needs,” the Mayor said.
Also, Amante stressed that the need of medicines and other assistance are among those that are given focus with the project. “The need of medicines and other assistance which you’ve been all waiting for, are among of our objectives that must be given attention starting today,” Amante assured the public.
“The conduct of People’s Day is a way so that we will be given chances and opportunities to meet and discuss with your concerns and even listen to your recommendations and requests,” Amante said.
Citing the involvement of the government offices concerning social sector, Mayor Amante admitted that the noble project will not be made possible and successful without the help of both the government and the public sectors, as well. “I can’t do this alone… So, with the help of our department heads of the different offices here in the city, this project will succeed,” he said.
Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day) is a humble effort of the city government to bring the government closer to the people. “With this, we are bringing the people closer to our heart… We are bringing the heart to where it should be… to the only place we know… Our only home which we call Butuan… Butuan - Ato ini, kadyawon ta na gid!,” Mayor Amante said. (PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Revitalized “People’s Day”, bringing the gov’t closer to Butuanons
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (11 August) - It was a fine Wednesday morning on August 11, 2010 when Butuanons flocked at the Butuan City Hall to avail of the services of the new and revitalized “People’s Day” dubbed as “Adlaw Hong Katawhan”.
True as the title of the program depicts, Butuanons who are listening to the inauguration ceremony have high hopes that with the new and rejuvenated program of the present administration in the city, problems and concerns of every constituent will be addressed.
In an interview with one of the recipients in the conduct of the medical mission, Amelita Paredes of Baan Riverside said, the project is an opportunity for poor Butuanons like her to avail of free medical and dental services offered by medical practitioners from both the public and private health sectors.
Paredes said, the medicines which she received is a big help to her considering the high prices of medicines that are available in drug stores in the city.
“Aside from that, I also availed the free medical consultation this morning… So, this project of the city government under the able leadership of Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. is noteworthy,” the teary-eyed Paredes said.
Also, Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President – Engr. Allan Silor lauded the efforts of the Amante-Fortun administration as he sees this project as a noble and timely as more people are having difficulty in aligning their financial cash flows. “This shows that the city government officials are really bringing the government closer to the people,” Silor said.
Earlier, City Administrator Leah Amante-Mendoza, in her message, said that the vision of the new administration is to bring the mountains to the people so that the people will not go anymore to the mountains.
Meanwhile, Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun announced in the middle of the program that in the coming People’s Days every Wednesdays, the city government will be catering free legal services to Butuanons.
Vice-Mayor Fortun also assured that his “Free Birth Registration” program which was initiated before when he was still a city councilor here will still be available and is part of the services of the People’s Day.
Moreover, Fortun urged the public and private sectors to take part with the project as it promises to serve the Butuanons to the fullest which is the priority concern of their administration.
Adlaw Hong Katawhan (People’s Day) is a regular social program of the city government as embodied in Executive Order No. 3 signed by Mayor Amante on August 3, 2010. (PIA-Caraga)
DTI surpasses RuMEPP total program target by 42% at the close of first semester
Implementing only 90% of its approved budget for business development services (BDS) this year under the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP), DTI-Caraga has already surpassed its annual target by 42% at the close of first semester this year.
As of June 2010, DTI-Caraga has implemented a total of P11.86 million of its P13.114M budget for business development services projects.
The BDS funds benefited some 4,614 micro entrepreneurs; this is 42% more than the annual target of 1,310 micro enterprises to be assisted this year.
The RuMEPP is a seven-year, US$22.826 million programme assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with the Department of Trade & Industry as the lead implementing agency.
It aims to help poor entrepreneurs and rural families in the country through its two program components: microfinance and micro enterprise development.
DTI’s attached agency - Small Business Corporation (SB) implements the micro finance component while the Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG) through its five regional offices and 19 provincial offices, takes care of the micro enterprise development component.
The micro enterprise development component, entails providing rural micro entrepreneurs with business development services like skills training, technology transfer, enterprise management training, and product development.
DTI-Caraga has a total program target of 3,248 micro entrepreneurs to be assisted by the program. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI intensifies info drive on discounts for PWDs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is intensifying information campaign on the 5% off on basic and prime commodities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This covers purchases amounting to One Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (P1,300.00) per calendar week.
The legal basis for this is the more than one-year old Joint DTI- Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order 02 series of 2008 which took effect on 3 February 2009. The order allows every person with disability to enjoy a special discount of five percent (5%) on the regular retail price of basic necessities and prime commodities in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenient stores and shops. This, however, excludes sari-sari stores with less than P100,000.00 capitalization, public and private wet markets, ‘talipapa’ and cooperative stores.
The Order defines “basic necessities” as referring to rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, infant formulas, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles and other commodities as maybe classified by the DTI and the DA. “Prime commodities” refer to fresh fruits, dried, processed and canned pork, beef and poultry, meat, dairy products not falling under basic necessities, noodles, onions, garlic, diapers, herbicides, poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle, paper, school supplies, nipa shingle, plyboard, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs, steel wire and other commodities that may be classified by the two departments.
Any establishment or retailer which refuses to honor the discounts can be penalized under Republic Act 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. Violators face a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court.
To avail of the discount, the PWD must present his/her identification card issued by the authorized office of the Local Government Unit (LGU) where he/she resides. The LGUs shall procure and distribute the purchase booklets to the PWDs residing within their respective territorial jurisdiction. The said booklet from shall be presented to the retailer every time a purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities is made.
If the person with disability cannot personally purchase basic commodities, a duly authorized representative may do the transaction. For those who can impossibly do the purchasing, the permanent representative shall be automatically considered provided that the name of the authorized representative shall be indicated in the booklet or in the identification card issued to the PWD. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI expands coverage of sales promo rules
The Department of Trade and Industry has expanded the coverage of the rules on sales promotion to apply not only to consumer products and services but also to credit facilities, which include sponsorships of game shows and similar activities.
Department Administrative Order No. 10-02 series of 2010 which took effect on 27 February 2010, reiterated that with respect to food, drugs, devices, cosmetics and hazardous substances and agricultural products, the same shall be under the jurisdiction of the concerned departments.
The rules on sales promotional campaigns shall not however apply to the promo campaign or activities of the government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities when the same is conducted in the exercise of their governmental functions, private entities in joint project/s with any government agency, and social, civic, political, religious, educational and other similar organizations which extend promotional activity among their members.
Any person intending to conduct a sales promo campaign shall first file an application for a permit with complete supporting documents from DTI at least thirty (30) days before the start of such activity.
Conduct of any sales promotional campaign prior to the issuance of the DTI permit is prohibited and an administrative fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) up to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) depending on the gravity of the offense, and an additional fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for each day of continuing violation shall be imposed.
Sales promo permit fee ranges from P250.00 to P750.00 depending on the area/s to be covered by the promo campaign. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI to conduct business opportunities forum
BUTUAN CITY - A forum to market the various investment opportunities in Caraga is set to be held this August 12, 2010 at the Luciana Convention Centre, this city.
The activity organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is conducted to scout for possible business matches with Herbs Best International, Inc., a Filipino company that is currently preparing for a market introduction and rollout of organic products in the Philippines and abroad.
Herbs Best International is looking for partners in Caraga for contract growing arrangement in the production of Moringa and high value vegetables. It is also willing to buy abaca, processed food, coco sugar, arts and crafts and other products from the region. The company is also planning to venture into tourism business in the region.
The activity is conducted in cooperation with the Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONET). Interested participants may call Mr. Arnold D. Faelnar of DTI-Caraga at 225-5955 and 342-5615. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Are you 18? Now you can get your own BN!
One can now register his or her own business name (BN) once one turns 18 years of age.
The Department of Trade and Industry has reduced the minimum age requirement for those who will apply for business name registration from 21 years old to 18 years old to encourage individuals to be entrepreneurs at a young age or to register the name of their dream business much earlier.
Department Administrative Order 10-03 series of 2010 which took effect in May this year further extends the period for which a registrant shall start to operate business from 30 days to six months from registration of the BN.
BN processing time takes only 15-30 minutes at the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC)-Caraga. Registration fee is P300.00 plus P15.00 documentary stamp tax. A Certificate of BN registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration unless sooner cancelled or withdrawn.
For details, one may call the NERBAC Office at 341-2293 or (there is a direct cruztelco number @ NERBAC) or call DTI Hotline 1680. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
As of June 2010, DTI-Caraga has implemented a total of P11.86 million of its P13.114M budget for business development services projects.
The BDS funds benefited some 4,614 micro entrepreneurs; this is 42% more than the annual target of 1,310 micro enterprises to be assisted this year.
The RuMEPP is a seven-year, US$22.826 million programme assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with the Department of Trade & Industry as the lead implementing agency.
It aims to help poor entrepreneurs and rural families in the country through its two program components: microfinance and micro enterprise development.
DTI’s attached agency - Small Business Corporation (SB) implements the micro finance component while the Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG) through its five regional offices and 19 provincial offices, takes care of the micro enterprise development component.
The micro enterprise development component, entails providing rural micro entrepreneurs with business development services like skills training, technology transfer, enterprise management training, and product development.
DTI-Caraga has a total program target of 3,248 micro entrepreneurs to be assisted by the program. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI intensifies info drive on discounts for PWDs
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is intensifying information campaign on the 5% off on basic and prime commodities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). This covers purchases amounting to One Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (P1,300.00) per calendar week.
The legal basis for this is the more than one-year old Joint DTI- Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order 02 series of 2008 which took effect on 3 February 2009. The order allows every person with disability to enjoy a special discount of five percent (5%) on the regular retail price of basic necessities and prime commodities in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenient stores and shops. This, however, excludes sari-sari stores with less than P100,000.00 capitalization, public and private wet markets, ‘talipapa’ and cooperative stores.
The Order defines “basic necessities” as referring to rice, corn, bread, fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, infant formulas, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles and other commodities as maybe classified by the DTI and the DA. “Prime commodities” refer to fresh fruits, dried, processed and canned pork, beef and poultry, meat, dairy products not falling under basic necessities, noodles, onions, garlic, diapers, herbicides, poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle, paper, school supplies, nipa shingle, plyboard, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies, light bulbs, steel wire and other commodities that may be classified by the two departments.
Any establishment or retailer which refuses to honor the discounts can be penalized under Republic Act 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. Violators face a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court.
To avail of the discount, the PWD must present his/her identification card issued by the authorized office of the Local Government Unit (LGU) where he/she resides. The LGUs shall procure and distribute the purchase booklets to the PWDs residing within their respective territorial jurisdiction. The said booklet from shall be presented to the retailer every time a purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities is made.
If the person with disability cannot personally purchase basic commodities, a duly authorized representative may do the transaction. For those who can impossibly do the purchasing, the permanent representative shall be automatically considered provided that the name of the authorized representative shall be indicated in the booklet or in the identification card issued to the PWD. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI expands coverage of sales promo rules
The Department of Trade and Industry has expanded the coverage of the rules on sales promotion to apply not only to consumer products and services but also to credit facilities, which include sponsorships of game shows and similar activities.
Department Administrative Order No. 10-02 series of 2010 which took effect on 27 February 2010, reiterated that with respect to food, drugs, devices, cosmetics and hazardous substances and agricultural products, the same shall be under the jurisdiction of the concerned departments.
The rules on sales promotional campaigns shall not however apply to the promo campaign or activities of the government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities when the same is conducted in the exercise of their governmental functions, private entities in joint project/s with any government agency, and social, civic, political, religious, educational and other similar organizations which extend promotional activity among their members.
Any person intending to conduct a sales promo campaign shall first file an application for a permit with complete supporting documents from DTI at least thirty (30) days before the start of such activity.
Conduct of any sales promotional campaign prior to the issuance of the DTI permit is prohibited and an administrative fine of not less than Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) up to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) depending on the gravity of the offense, and an additional fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for each day of continuing violation shall be imposed.
Sales promo permit fee ranges from P250.00 to P750.00 depending on the area/s to be covered by the promo campaign. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI to conduct business opportunities forum
BUTUAN CITY - A forum to market the various investment opportunities in Caraga is set to be held this August 12, 2010 at the Luciana Convention Centre, this city.
The activity organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is conducted to scout for possible business matches with Herbs Best International, Inc., a Filipino company that is currently preparing for a market introduction and rollout of organic products in the Philippines and abroad.
Herbs Best International is looking for partners in Caraga for contract growing arrangement in the production of Moringa and high value vegetables. It is also willing to buy abaca, processed food, coco sugar, arts and crafts and other products from the region. The company is also planning to venture into tourism business in the region.
The activity is conducted in cooperation with the Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONET). Interested participants may call Mr. Arnold D. Faelnar of DTI-Caraga at 225-5955 and 342-5615. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Are you 18? Now you can get your own BN!
One can now register his or her own business name (BN) once one turns 18 years of age.
The Department of Trade and Industry has reduced the minimum age requirement for those who will apply for business name registration from 21 years old to 18 years old to encourage individuals to be entrepreneurs at a young age or to register the name of their dream business much earlier.
Department Administrative Order 10-03 series of 2010 which took effect in May this year further extends the period for which a registrant shall start to operate business from 30 days to six months from registration of the BN.
BN processing time takes only 15-30 minutes at the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC)-Caraga. Registration fee is P300.00 plus P15.00 documentary stamp tax. A Certificate of BN registration is valid for five (5) years from the date of registration unless sooner cancelled or withdrawn.
For details, one may call the NERBAC Office at 341-2293 or (there is a direct cruztelco number @ NERBAC) or call DTI Hotline 1680. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
