AgSur brand development program starts with a
Social Enterprise Leadership Workshop
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 29 – The
Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur (DTI-AdS) organized a two-day
workshop on "Social Enterprise Leadership" as introductory and
foundation session for its brand development program.
The said activity sought to promote multi-sectoral
collaboration and community-led social development. It also hopes to help
micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) participants hone their leadership
skills and management knowledge to enable them to make sustainable social
changes in their communities.
Most of the participants are Kapatid Mentor Me
(KMME) mentee-graduates from the two batches run by DTI AdS.
In her message to the 30 MSMEs, DTI-AdS
OIC-Provincial Director Brenda Corvera thanked the participants for making time
to join the session despite their busy schedules, especially during the
Christmas season.
Corvera said it is a deliberate choice to start
with this workshop in order to build further the entrepreneurial character of
the participants by considering the needs of others, other than their
respective businesses. By this she meant the people they work with – workers,
the farmer-suppliers, the people in the communities where they source their raw
materials, and the environment where they operate.
Following this activity will be the two-day
"Brand Thinking Workshop,” which will focus on the fundamentals of brand
management and brand thinking process to help the social entrepreneur
"create a compelling brand narrative and brand thinking canvass."
DTI-AdS has engaged Frederick Blancas, a Philippine
Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE)-accredited local mentor who is also trained
in Active Citizens Social Enterprise Leadership module developed by the British
Council. Blancas, who is also a social entrepreneur, will then proceed to do
the Brand Development Mentorship initially to four of the participating MSMEs.
(DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
AgSur consumer welfare desk officers convene for
their year-end meeting

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 29 – "I am so happy that we have these
regular inputs on laws related to business, as well as feed backing and
clarifications on compliance with government laws, as it equips me to
accommodate even difficult customers," expressed Vina Jean Puntod, owner
of MGN Electronics of Alegria of this municipality.
The sharing happened during the 4th quarter
consumer welfare desk officers (CWDOs) meeting organized by the Department of
Trade and Industry Agusan del Sur (DTI AdS) held at the SAFRAGEMC Event Hall in
San Francisco.
As the 2017 closes, the CWDOs reviewed collectively
their compliance on business related laws and shared their understanding about
the topics they learned in the seminars they attended during the year. Topics
included the following: 1) Facts about Price Act, 2) Understanding of Bagwis
Program, 3) No Shortchanging Act, 4) Ways to stay safe online, 5) Products
subject to discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and 5)
How to serve customers as front line service officers.
Cerila Inson of the DTI-AdS Consumer Protection
Team reminded the group to be compliant of the Philippine government laws while
engaging in business to avoid violation.
Inson also mentioned that those enterprises engaged
on repair servicing like repairs on motor vehicles, air-conditioning units,
machining and electronics should apply for accreditation with the DTI; for
those who were already accredited, they should renew their accreditation on or
before January 31 every year thereafter. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
OWWA conducts orientation, agreement signing for
new scholars
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 29 – The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) has been implementing programs and services for OFWs and
their beneficiaries. It covers different kinds of assistance from social
benefits, eelfare, repatriation, reintegration, education and training.
Under the Education and Training Assistance are
Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP), Education Component,
Education and Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and OFW Dependents
Scholarship Program (OFWDSP), among others.
As to date, there were more than 150 college
recipients of these abovementioned scholarship programs who are either sons,
daughters or siblings of OFW members. The scholarship program is a financial
assistance given to qualified dependents of active OWWA-OFW members who intend
to pursue any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate degree in any preferred
college/universities, be it publci/state or private.
On December 10, 2017, OWWA Regional Welfare Office
(RWO)-Caraga conducted a Learning Support Mechanism for Scholars. Simultaneous
scholarship orientation and signing of Scholarship Agreement was done and was
headed by Yolanda H. Fabre and Rodel P. Deligero of OWWA Caraga.
The main objective of the said orientation was to
capacitate the new batch of scholars to be familiar and briefed with the
agreements and guidelines under the said program. Through this, they may be
able to abide by the rules prompting them from being prematurely terminated
from the program.
Eighteen new scholars attended the scholarship
orientation and at the same time signed the Scholarship Agreement held in OWWA
RWO Caraga’s Training Hall. These scholars, who wish to graduate with a degree
and be of help to their families in the near future, were from the different
provinces in Caraga region (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur).
The said Learning Support Mechanism for scholars
will be implemented in two separates activities and venue. Next activity will
be held in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur for the same orientation and
scholarship agreement signing for scholars who reside in the area. (AJMH,
OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA holds financial literacy advocacy to SurSur
OFC
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 29 – The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) held a Seminar on Managing Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFWs) and their families sponsored by the City Social Welfare and Development
(CSWD) Office of Bislig for the United OFW and Dependents of Bislig City, an
OFW family circle organized by OWWA under its Community Organizing Program.
The one-day activity was held at MAFISCO Bldg.,
Mangagoy, Bislig City and was attended by 20 OFWs who were member of the
organization.
The OFW Association’s Grocery Project with the CSWD
was approved, giving the organization a budget of P500,000. Their business
venture is already in the process of canvassing and purchasing.
To aid in the preparation of the organization, a
seminar on proper handling of finances was given to the members. Family Welfare
Officer Lorie Ann G. Hilongos, organizer of the United OFW and Dependents of
Bislig City, discussed financial literacy to the participants.
During the discussion, Hilongos tackled
safeguarding investments on individual and group levels. She also discussed
migration realities to make the members aware of the conditions that our OFWs
face overseas.
Moreover, the advocacy was geared towards imparting
to OFW families knowledge towards prudence in handling family finances and
discourage the culture of dependency on overseas remittance.
Hilongos also relayed to the participants the new
and enhanced programs and services of the agency to ensure that the programs
were made available to the OFWs.
Association President Edna Alferez, 2015 Model OFW
Family of the Year Awardee, extended the organization’s gratitude towards the
agencies who worked to assist them with their project. (JPIM,
OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
National MOFYA winners named
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 29 – The Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) named the national winners for the 2017 Model OFW
(Overseas Filipino Worker) Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA). The awarding
ceremony was held at the Rizal Hall, MalacaΓ±an Palace.
The family of OFW Leo Rafer de Velez from the
National Capital Region won for the land-based category, while Region 12
Soccksargen Noe Canja Diola captured the sea-based category. The winners took
home a trophy and received P500,000 each.
The awards were presented by the OWWA Administrator
Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte.
Outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship and
community projects were also recognized during the awarding. The special award
for community service was given to Emerico Gepilano who hailed from Central
Visayas. Cebu City’s seafarer Gerry Paglinawan was given the special award for
Entrepreneurship.
The two families, both from Region 7, were each
given a plaque and P75,000.
Meanwhile, three domestic workers who triumphed
over adversities abroad were also awarded the Natatanging Parangal ng Kalihim
ng Paggawa. Region 2 nominee Marchela Valdez, Radiya Mustapa of Region 11 and
Evelyn Camenda of Region 12 were given a plaque and P75,000 each.
The regional winners were also given plaques and
checks worth P30,000 per family-nominee. The families of Rolando Hordista from
Trento, Agusan del Sur and Napoleon J. Jovita from Surigao City represented
Caraga Region in the National Search.
MOFYA, now on its 12th cycle, is an
institutionalized search of OWWA, giving honor and recognition to outstanding
OFW families who have displayed exceptional achievements and an example of
success in all aspects of living: family solidarity, financial stewardship,
civic/community involvement, and entrepreneurship. (JPIM,
OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur's green advocates meet for 2018 planning
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 29 – The Agusan
del Sur Green Practitioners (AdSGP) hopes to expand its membership in 2018 to
increase the number of green advocates in the province.
This was agreed during its 1st meeting held in
Barangay Patin-ay, this municipality.
Representing Brenda Corvera, OIC-Provincial
Director of the Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del Sur (DTI AdS), Jose
Baron of the Business Development Unit reiterated the agency's commitment in
the advocacy in Promoting Green Economic Development (ProGED).
Baron said and that the local government units
(LGUs) are also doing their part by pursuing its solid waste management system
and other initiatives. He then encouraged the media to help advocate.
Avel Galorio, president of AdSGP shared his
learnings on ProGED to his neighbors. He reported not seeing any actions yet
but that he knows they may adopt it soon.
During the sharing of group members, it was agreed
that green practice will have to start from home. One can start by guiding
members of the family in managing wastes.
Alfredo V. Lobog, station manager of DXAK in
Bunawan shared that the private sector has a big role in promoting green
practices.
He urged the group to be registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for legal identity.
The group agreed to have their quarterly meeting
every 3rd Friday of the 2nd month of the quarter. The first meeting is
scheduled on February 16, 2018. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
IP's strike team reaches out to Manobos in Bayugan
City
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 29 – The Strike
Team of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a program briefing
for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and profiling for members of the Manobo Tribal
Association of Bayugan City, this province.
Some 42 tribal members headed by Bae Nelia Havana
Tion joined the activity at their Tribal Hall in Barangay Taglatawan.
The group, as profiled, are currently into falcata,
banana, rice, cassava, and livestock production, while others are into beads
and tribal wear making.
A needs assessment was also made and will become
basis for further assistance under the program. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan
del Sur)
