PLDT-SME Nation Targets Enterprises in Bicol

Bicol, composed of the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate, is one of the Philippines’ fastest growing regions. In 2009, the region’s economic growth was registered at 8.2 percent.

Loran, Panay island

In the small and medium and enterprises sector, Bicol is famous for its handcrafted products and ethnic food delicacies. Bicol’s signature products include native furniture, abaca decor and accessories, gold jewelry, pottery and chili- and pili-based food items.

For example, Calabanga, a first class municipality by the coast of San Miguel Bay wants to expand its production of export quality dried fish and enter the international market with the product processed through modern technology provided by government experts. At present, the fish is dried using an environment friendly mechanical dryer.

Earlier, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the local government would welcome a rise in bank lending to micro and small businesses in the area.

The local government helped put up the P3.5-million Albay Mayon Credit Surety Fund, hoping to double that so more small and medium enterprises could have access to loans.

Loran, Panay island

PLDT SME-Nation recently teamed up with the Trade Department to hold a four-day seminar at the Regent Hotel in Naga City. The department brought in business owners from different industries to receive an orientation from PLDT SME-Nation on how IT software and hardware can give their enterprises a boost. Some 150 SMEs took part in the seminar.

PLDT SME Nation offers digital business solutions that will enhance the productivity of large enterprises, small and medium companies.

“We are on a nationwide campaign to encourage a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs. The Philippines needs more entrepreneurs in order to ensure our economic future. Today, about 90 percent of income in the Philippine economy is generated by SMEs. As we move forward into the 21st century, we’ll need more SMEs to provide more jobs, more income and more purchasing power,” says PLDT-SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

The seminar’s objective was to help SMEs in the Bicol region grow their businesses with the use of PLDT SME-Nation’s packages as proper tools for their potential growth and success. Each business owner was given an orientation specific to his or her situation and the needs of the industry where the business belongs.

Loran, Panay island

“Our regional SMEs, particularly in Bicol, are a thriving community of businessmen. They are extremely vigilant to new offerings in terms of running a business, and so we’re here to help them succeed even more,” said PLDT SME-Nation regional Luzon business head Anthony Fernandez.

The orientation for the first batch of SMEs focused on the export industry, discussing various improvements that could be made to known Bicol exports like pili nuts and handicrafts — all to make these products world-class and attractive to the overseas market.

Another batch received an orientation specific to the health and wellness industry in the region. The highlight of the four-day event was the food processing industry and the integrators workshop.

Products that were introduced included the PLDT Watcher, a real-time monitoring surveillance device; Negosyo Boost, a strategically bundled hardware for every level of SME; MyDSL Biz, a cost-effective and speedy DSL connection for SMEs; and Shops.work, among others.

“The Bicolanos have always been very welcoming to PLDT SME-Nation. We just want to provide them the necessary tools to help them grow their business and in turn, benefit the local community,” says Luna-Abelarde.

For information, call 101-888 or
visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.
Dinna Chan Vasquez

Source: Manila Standard Today - 26 August 2010

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Bb Pilipinas Titlist Gersbach, 2 Others Die in Road Mishap

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) Binibining Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach, 24, died on the spot late Saturday morning when the car she was riding in collided head-on with a passenger bus, an Army official said.

The two other persons confirmed dead were identified as Dodong Ramos, the driver, and Alden Orense, couturier of the beauty titlist.

Melody Gerbach

Two other persons—the driver and couturier of the beauty titlist—also died in the accident, which occurred at 11:45 a.m., said Major Harold Cabunoc, public information officer of the 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, who was quoting from initial police reports.

"The accident occurred in Barangay Pawili in Bula, Camarines Sur," said Cabunoc in a text message.

Gersbach and her companions were on board a Toyota Innova en route to Naga City when it collided with a Guevarra Bus Line driven by Wilson Pontillas.

The bus driver voluntarily surrendered to police, said Cabunoc.

Radio anchor Pio Fernandez of DZGB in Legazpi City confirmed the report at around 3 p.m. in an interview with Peachy Lim, a staff member of a restaurant owned by Gersbach's family in Legazpi City.

A fourth victim identified as Ronald Lita survived the accident and was rushed to the Bicol Medical Center for treatment.

Police said the bus tried to avoid a tricycle when it collided with the Toyota Innova.

A resident of Barangay Culliat in Daraga town in Albay, Gersbach, who was also Ms Bicolandia 2009, left the house at around 9 a.m. to attend a pre-pageant event in connection with the coming celebration of the Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City next month.

Ricky Gonzales, brother of Ramoning, the owner of the Innova van, said the vehicle was a total wreck.

By Rey M. Nasol
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:36:00 08/21/2010

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Youth Day

The twelfth of August could have been a triple celebration worth commemorating by the people of Catanduanes: International Humanitarian Law Day, International Youth Day, and the start of International Year of Youth, which spans from August of this year to August of 2011.

At least with the first, Red Cross Catanduanes Chapter has consistently sustained the event through a parade tagged with "Walk for Humanity" battlecry. It was participated in by densely populated DepEd schools in the capital town of Virac and TESDA-affiliated tech-voc schools.

The second and third celebrations must have been largely concentrated in Manila, being the host of the 11th International Youth Day Convention on August 10-12, 2010. Said gathering was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), expecting a delegation of 600 student and youth leaders ages 15 to 24 (which represent one sixth of the global populace) from the Philippines and the world.

Since its birth in 1991, International Youth Day was declared with the aim of espousing fundraising and promotional purposes to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with worldwide youth organizations.

With this year’s IYD theme, "Dialogue and Mutual Understanding", it sure looks fun to take note of the following recommendations to local youth and student leaders (better catch up sans the launch) as they carry on with the year-long celebration.

• Educational radio show. Contact local radio stations to request a slot to have a discussion between politicians or policy-makers and the youth.
• Organize a youth forum, public meeting, or debate in the center of town, at high schools, or at university centers to exchange ideas and raise awareness on youth-related and global issues.
• Organize a concert and invite your local musicians.
• Organize an exhibit. Get permission to use a public space for an arts exhibit, showcasing culture, arts and music.
• Write to your Minister of Youth to express everyday challenges young people face today and to suggest solutions. A list of Ministers of Youth can be found at www.un.org/youth.

IYD suggests worldwide, countrywide, and regional implementation of the World Programme of Action, which pursues achievement in 10 main fields. These are: starvation, poverty, education, employment, health, drug exploitation, childhood felony, recreation events, women and children, and environment. (That leaves me with a painful question, is it not too much for the Philippines to hurdle?)

In the Philippine scenario, the year 2011 will prove a magnitude of celebrations – the start of the 5-year countdown to achieving the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) under the United Nations Development Program, the 25th Year of Human Rights, the 115th Year of the 1896 Philippine Revolution, and the 25th Year of the 1986 People Power.

Youth leadership metamorphoses in school campuses. Here’s just hoping that the youth of our time and of our beloved province, Catanduanes, do their share in trying to make positive contributions to the community and to the world.

KALEIDOSCOPE: Youth Day
By Babes C. Masagca
Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 19 August 2010

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SUWECO Hydropower To End Daily Brownouts

Hounded by daily power outages for years, residents and businessmen in Catanduanes are pinning their hopes on two new hydropower plants of the Sunwest Water and Electric Co., Inc. to provide reliable power beginning this month.

The two multi-million-peso power facilities owned by SUWECO, an an affiliate of the Sunwest Group of Companies which is chaired by Bicolano businessman Elizaldy S. Co, will be switched on this month in the towns of San Miguel and Caramoran to supply half of the island’s energy demand of 6.5 megawatts.

The company’s P314-million hydropower plant in Solong, San Miguel, has a rated capacity of 2.1 megawatts and its P213-million plant in Hitoma, Caramoran has a rated capacity of 1.5 megawatts.

Jose Sylvestre Natividad, SUWECO president, said these facilities will help alleviate the decade-long power problem in Catanduanes.

He said the energy demand in the island province is 6.5 megawatts and grows 10 percent annually. SUWECO’s Solong and Hitoma projects will supply 3.6 megawatts or half of the current demand.

Agnes Doblon, principal of the Paraiso Elementary School in San Miguel town, said the power outages affect the learning environment of the students.

She said whenever brownouts occur, teachers and students would grope in the dark but they could not cancel classes or the students will be left behind.

"For the past two years, we didn’t have electricity during our graduation rites. Our students marched without music. We called out names of the graduates without a sound system," Doblon told the media who were covering Sunwest’s distribution of bags and educational supplies last July 22. It was also brownout that same day.

The current main power sources in Catanduanes are the 1.8-megawatt Balombong mini hydropower plant and the 2.2-megawatt Marinawa diesel plant.

Floro Barrameda, administrative officer of SUWECO in Catanduanes, said the government owned Balombong hydropower plant could only generate 20 percent to 30 percent of electricity due to lack of water supply. Power suppliers resorted to using diesel-run generators to bridge the supply gap.

San Miguel Vice Mayor Mary Ann Teves said the hydropower facilities will be a key to development in their fifth class municipality.

"We are thankful because the SUWECO power plant will not only provide a stable supply of electricity, it could also bring revenues to our town. Soon, when power is stable, more investments will come. We will no longer be a sleepy town," Teves said.

Natividad said that since SUWECO produces renewable energy, it will help save the environment and mitigate the impacts of climate of change.

Sunwest has other existing energy projects in the provinces of Antique and Cagayan and provides access to hydro-electrical power, which will reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuel.

In Solong, the company built a dam 2.3 meters deep and 29 meters wide in the village high ands. Civil engineer Felix Dacasin said the power plant will tap the 10-kilometer Solong River as its water source.

He said the dam is a potent source of energy because it is built on high elevation, which will allow stronger water pressure for more energy to be generated.

The government has called for individual power producers or private investors, who would venture into renewable energy production through hydro-electric, windmill, solar, and other means.

In 2012, another hydropower plant with a rated capacity of 2.4 megawatts will be opened in the villages of Progreso and Paraiso in San Miguel, Catanduanes.

Ahead of the commissioning of its power plants, SUWECO launched community projects benefiting public schools in the towns of San Miguel and Caramoran. Last month, the Sunwest Care Foundation distributed bags and school supplies to 1,456 schoolchildren in six public schools. Public school administrators also appealed for further help in the reconstruction of classrooms and improvement of school facilities.

Gemina Quiros, Corporate Social Responsibility director of the Sunwest group, said the foundation have also started organizing women in the villages to train them in twine-making and bag-weaving.

Anelyn Sumanga, Sunwest Care managing director, said the foundation is also providing seed capital and will help the locals find niche markets for their products so they will have alternative livelihood aside from planting abaca.

Sumanga added that the foundation will provide scholarship grants to poor but deserving students who want to finish high school and college.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 12 August 2010

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Sorsogon 3D Tour

Below is a 3D tour of selected attractions in our neighboring province, Sorsogon.

This province is famous for "Butanding" or the giant whale sharks. View the tour as it dives underwater or see the crater lake atop Mount Bulusan.

You can stop the tour to view the surroundings or see additional information. Please comment if you found out-of-location balloons so adjustments can be made. Enjoy!

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Hitoma Flood Control Project: Showcase of Filipino-Taiwanese Cultural Engagement

Caramoran, Catanduanes - In what is now emerging as showcase of Filipino-Taiwanese lasting community development collaboration , the 19-member fourth batch of volunteers of the Eden Social Welfare Foundation ended their 10-day fruitful and memorable community flood control project in the Hitoma area in the third-class municipality of Caramoran, Catanduanes on July 9, 2010. This time, the batch was headed by two dynamic young volunteers, namely: Ms. Yang Yang Wang and Mr. Yu-Hsin Tung.

Accordingly, in recognition of said noble activities conducted by the Taiwan-based non-government organization founded on December 1, 1982 by Ms. Liu Hsia, the barangay officials headed by Barangay chairman Noel M. Brizo tendered a farewell party at the Hitoma Plaza on July 8. Once again, this send-off party provided them the opportunity to show case their respective cultural heritage and Asian mutual fellowship.

The batch (16 females and 3 males) started their community work on June 29 by gathering stones needed in the construction early in the morning and conducted teach-ins on drawing and interaction with students and out-of-school youths in coordination with Mr. Nestor Emerenciana, the school principal of Caramoran School of Fisheries.

Initially, the collaborative efforts between the Taiwan-based Foundation started last June 2009 through the efforts of Mrs. Eva Rubia , an overseas Filipina workers based in Taiwan, who personally accompanied the pioneer batch when incumbent Barangay chairman Noel Brizo accepted their humanitarian initiative.

"The fifth batch of the Foundation will arrive sometime this July composed of 13 volunteers" according to Brizo, the energetic, soft-spoken barangay leader.(Buddy Isorena)

Source: Bicol Peryodiko

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Safety at Sea for Marginal Fishermen

Admitting that many of sea-going motorized bancas in his town are unregistered, Bagamanoc Mayor Odilon Pascua has said he will pursue the registration of the bancas along with the provision that the owners make sure that there are lifejackets in the frail vessels.

Motorized fishing boats

Years ago, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) issued the directive requiring owners and/or operators of such vessels to carry lifejackets whenever they sail. The order, however, has been largely ignored by marginal fishermen, who probably preferred to buy bait instead of the life-saving equipment.

Mayor Pascua deserves to be emulated by local chief executives of the other 10 towns, who should not tarry longer as the country goes into the typhoon season. Our fishermen, who may not earn enough to be able to buy cheap lifejackets, need the assistance of the government in this regard.

Last Sunday, a civic-spirited individual donated lifejackets to fishermen in Bon-ot, San Andres in the hope that like-minded people would follow in his wake. Such an act of generosity and concern for the well-being of poor fishermen should be welcomed and congratulated. But it would take more than private donations to provide all of our marginal fishermen with the basic requirement for survival at sea.

Motorized boats along the seawall

Perhaps, the local governments should craft a program that would provide indigent fishermen with lifejackets, provided they pay for half of the cost and they register their banca with the government. One more thing, the municipal governments, and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, should strengthen their typhoon warning system by ensuring that timely warnings are sent to coastal barangays to warn fishermen of approaching inclement weather even days before an official storm warning signal is issued by the weather forecasters. Such a policy would help us save Catanduanes from incurring casualties even during storms we consider too weak, like "Basyang."

Source: Editorial Page, Catanduanes Tribune - 07 August 2010

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2010 International Year of the Nurse

The 2010 International Year of the Nurse (IYNurse) is the centennial year of the death of the founder of modern nursing - Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). To celebrate, the 2010 IYNurse was established to actively involve the world's nurses - estimated to be more than 15 million - in a celebration of commitment to bring health to their communities, locally and worldwide.

Nurses are the heart of healthcare and they touch our lives everyday. 2010 is the International Year of the Nurse - a collaborative initiative that is recognizing nurses for their contribution to making a healthier world for us all.

The following video was created by HeartMath in celebration of nurses everywhere that are making a world of difference with their care. Join us in honoring nurses by giving more of your care to others whether it be a family member, a co-worker of a neighbor. Share your care and pass this video on. Remember, your care can make a difference.

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Bicolana Wins ING Business Award

THE NETHERLANDS – Marianne Olano’s biggest dream is to become a well-known journalist. Before venturing into business, she worked as a writer for ABS-CBN Naga City and various publications in the country.

But after chasing her dream for several years, she realized she needed to find a more financially-rewarding career.

Unlike others, however, who sought better jobs in big cities, Olano went back to her hometown in Naga City and explored the possibility of starting her own business. Her father strongly disagreed with her plans, citing her lack of knowledge and capital. But she was determined to succeed.

She started with handcrafted items like wind chimes and Christmas decors but was barely making money out of it--until she attended a trade fair where she noticed the number of people gathering in one booth.

“They were selling stuff that I couldn’t see because there were so many people milling around it. When I saw what they were selling, I discovered those were costume jewelry from Cebu. I thought, these stuffs are something that will sell to anybody, it has no age limit, young people were buying, old people were buying, and even guys are buying for their loved ones. This is the product that I am looking for,” said Olano.

From that idea, Olano created Baycrafts, her own business, producing fashionable and affordable jewelry made from indigenous and synthetic materials like pearls, glass, fiber, wood, crystals and seed. She even utilized some recycled materials like used clothes.

She sells to wholesalers in Baguio City, Cebu, Manila and through the Internet. Her goal is to go on retail and reach a nationwide clientele.

Efforts recognized

Yearly, the BID Network organization gathers selected small and medium business owners from all over to the world to meet with investors, top banks and financial institutions in the Netherlands and vie for several business grants.

This year, 60 small and medium enterprises from Asia, Latin America Africa and Europe were selected to exhibit their business in the Fokker Terminal, Den Hague.

In 2008, Rajo Laurel’s Rags2Riches was the big winner of 20,000 euros for the main award in the BID Network competition.

In 2007, Baycrafts was chosen as one of the finalists for the BID Network business awards.

This year, however, Olano bagged more than half a million pesos of business retail grant from Dutch bank, ING.

“I felt really overwhelmed and I am very proud to represent the Philippines in this competition,” said Olano before the announcement of her win.

With the money that she won, she plans to create a different brand that will cater to the higher end domestic market.

“For this year, we have plans of branding Baycrafts and create a separate line that will also cater to the domestic market in the Philippines and promote via direct selling network. I want to be able to augment the income of young women professionals by providing them with a product that will really [earn] fast,” she said.

Aside from her enterprise which now employs 10 women, Olano also has a training center where she helps local residents learn how to make similar crafts.

Innovative Ideas

Aside from Olano, 3 other Filipinos--Ronald Villanueva of Kawayan Tech Bamboo Bikes, Maria Lourdes Molina of EcoBloks and 22-year-old Ma. Charmagne Cruz of Jacinto and Lirio Enterprises--were selected for the BID Network. All were chosen as finalists for 2 categories: Women in Business and BID Network Award.

Among the 3, Villanueva’s Bamboo Bikes gathered the most interest from Dutch visitors, the country being known as the biking capital of the world.

“Nandito tayo sa isang bansa na nakakaintindi ng pagbibisekleta saka environmentally conscious sila so malaki ang business potential dito,” said Villanueva of the attention he is getting from Dutch buyers.

Along with 5 other UP mountaineers, Villanueva saw the potential of bamboo to be used as the main frame of a bicycle. According to him, bamboo is not only as strong as iron but it is also more comfortable and better during long rides. And because of its abundance in the Philippines, bamboo is a good material for a profitable business.

“Ang kawayan kasi ay isang magandang materyales mula sa kalikasan. Ito ay para sa reforestation, para sa carbon capture at saka mabilis tumubo. Isang magandang business para sa mga Pilipino,” he said further.

Since its establishment in 2009, Kawayan Tech Bamboo Bikes is now selling to distributors in the United States and Italy and got a lot of inquiries for the Netherlands.

Molina’s Ecobloks are building blocks for kids made of scrap mahogany and pine trees from wood-working companies. A mother of a 3-year old kid, Molina buys these scraps, packs them in her attic and sells to toys and online stores across the country. In a little more than a year, Ecobloks is now being distributed to 10 retail stores and 8 online stores.

“I plan to launch more products that will satisfy certain criteria like analytical and artistic development of a child and for role playing,” said Molina of her future plans.

Meanwhile, Cruz, a new graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University and her classmates, make bags and boxes from water hyacinth, a plant that is also abundant in the Philippines. They coined this material “plant leather” which they developed from drying and processing water hyacinth.

Because the product is very new, Cruz hopes that by joining the BID Network, they will meet investors who will finance more research on the process of converting water hyacinth into plant leather.

“As long as you address unemployment and environmental issues, then there is certainly a niche for your business,” said Villanueva to young entrepreneurs.

Filipina Wins ING Business Award
By Dheza Marie Aguilar, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Posted at 06/15/2010 7:48 PM | Updated as of 06/15/2010 7:49 PM

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CVS Calls for Catanduanes Development Blueprint

Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento has proposed the creation of a blueprint for the development of Catanduanes that should be followed regardless of whoever is elected into office.

In his remarks during the 2nd quarter meeting of the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council at the RHAJ Inn last Friday, the congressman said such a blueprint is needed if only to ensure that our development efforts continue without interruption. He also called for all government agencies to ensure that there are no overlaps in their individual programs and projects.

Sarmiento likewise disclosed that he has told the DPWH Catanduanes officials and personnel to expect a different congressman in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

"I will personally ask the blacklisting of a contractor if his road concreting projects becomes "ampaw" in six months or one year," the solon said, vowing to take efforts to create a different kind of infrastructure. The changes, he added, is aimed at raising the bar of performance as far as membership in the House of Representatives is concerned. "There will be no dredging projects on my watch," he emphasized, noting that it will be back to basics as far as the selection of proposed projects is concerned.

Lamenting the fact that only 45 percent of the provincial road network is paved despite all of the funds poured into the province in the past decades, Sarmiento said the concreting of new roads has to be done properly as the rehabilitation of existing ones have proven too costly. "We have to start now," he stressed as he encouraged the people to speak out to him regarding anomalies in the infrastructure sector.

One of the priority projects he would like to see completed, he said, is a P20-million street lighting project in the capital town’s main thoroughfare from the CSC to San Vicente that would encourage visitors and enhance the business climate. Part of the P300,000 monthly power consumption for the project could be shouldered by Ficelco or even Sunwest Water & Electricity Co. as a Corporate Social Responsibility project while the rest could be paid for by the local governments and the business sector, the solon suggested.

Sarmiento also said that he will be sitting down with airline officials in the coming days for the possibility of bringing back daily flights that would benefit ordinary commuters as well as businessmen and public officials. PSMEDC chair Councilor Rene Abella and DTI provincial director Ireneo Panti Jr., however, said that of their earlier request for such flights, only Zest Airlines responded. Zest Virac general sales agent Capt. Ivanhoe Arcilla said that the airline is changing its turboprops with jets in January 2011 but doubted if the Virac airport runway would be able to handle the increased weight of the landing aircraft.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 01 July 2010

RELATED LINKS:

• Too Much Politics is Anathema to Progress - We can achieve this, if we only work together, disregarding political colors - and disregarding too much politics. Too much politics is anathema to progress...
• The Fish Keep Getting Away - If people at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Catanduanes were fishermen, their bellies would have been full but their families would have nothing for dinner...
• 7 Missing Fishermen Found in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur - Seven fishermen, who were missing since Typhoon "Basyang" hit the country on Tuesday, were rescued in Catanduanes and Camarines Sur provinces Friday...

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