Cebu Province News October 2011

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Province of Cebu - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cebu metro.jpg
Aerial View of Metro Cebu

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Group maps out breast cancer walk

Carmel Loise Matus (Correspondent, Cebu Daily News)

ALL roads leading to the Cebu Business Park will be re-routed in time for the Moonwalk, an annual even held in observance of Breast Awareness Month this October.

Ronald delos Reyes, program coordinator of the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), said they expect 3,000 people to join the event to be held this Wednesday.

“Since Oct. 12 is a weekday, we would like to inform the public of a possible traffic congestion that might happen on that day from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.,” delos Reyes said.

The Moonwalk will assemble participants on the lot beside Pag-Ibig Fund Tower in Cebu Business Park at 5 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., they will walk to The Walk restaurant in Asiatown I.T. Park, passing by Archbishop Reyes Avenue.

At the Asiatown I.T. Park, participants will form a pink human ribbon.

A short program and Pink Rock Concert will follow. The Moonwalk is open to the public.

Participants are encouraged to wear pink shirts.

The Moonwalk, RAFI’s advocacy campaign, is aimed at promoting monthly breast self-examination for women aged 20 years old and above.

“We hold Moonwalk during a full moon and Oct. 12 is when the moon is at its fullest this month. Full moon, because it is symbolically linked to the women,” delos Reyes said.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Cebuano women, based on the Cebu population-based Cancer Registry of RAFI.

From 1993 to 2007, Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of RAFI recorded 3,005 breast cancer cases in Metro Cebu.

National awards for 4 district hospitals

By Gregg M. Rubio/JPM (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Four district hospitals in the Province of Cebu got national awards, as the Provincial Board also approved the upgrading of three more district hospitals into a tertiary one last week.

The district hospitals in the municipalities of Oslob, Malabuyoc, Badian and Daanbantayan received the Newborn Screening Facility Achievers and Exemplary Performance National Awards from the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health last October 3 in Manila.

On the same day, the PB also passed the ordinance upgrading the district hospitals in Danao City, Bogo City and in the Municipality of Balamban into a tertiary care hospital.

Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Chief Dr. Cristina Giango, who received the awards, said that the four district hospitals have performed newborn screening on 90 percent to 100 percent of the babies born in their respective hospitals.

However, Giango said the coverage of the newborn screening in the district hospitals should be increased as there are some mothers who refused to avail of the program because of financial constraints.

She said if they are Philhealth members, they will not have to spend P650 for the newborn screening because they are entitled to a reimbursement.

Meanwhile, hospitals upgraded into a 100-bed shall be renamed from district hospital to provincial hospital.

The Provincial Government aims to complete four 100-bed provincial hospitals before Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s term ends in 2013 in line with her effort to reach out to indigent patients from far areas who can’t afford to travel to the city for medical treatment.

The first provincial hospital in Carcar City was inaugurated on August after years in the delay of the construction which began in December 2006 and ended in January 2009.

The Carcar District Hospital used to have a 10-bed capacity, Balamban was 25, Danao City is 50 and the Severo Verallo Memorial District Hospital in Bogo City has a 50-bed capacity at present.

Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon also has a pending bill in Congress upgrading the district hospital in Bogo City to a 100-bed capacity and appropriating funds thereof.

There is already an on-going construction in the hospitals in Danao City and Balamban while work in Bogo City will start soon.

Giango said the passage of the ordinance is the first step in seeking clearance from the DOH for the LGUs to operate the new hospitals.

The Province has 16 hospitals including in the islands of Bantayan and Camotes.

Fortune 500 firm opens Cebu office, to hire more engineers

By MALOU M. MOZO

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Fortune 500 company, Fluor Corp., a US-based construction and management firm, which opened an office in Cebu recently, is targeting to hire some 150 engineering graduates by the end of this year, as it hopes to grow its pool of employees to 300 by 2012.

“We will be aggressive in our presence in Cebu, as we have successfully done in Manila,” said Peter Oosterveer, group president of Fluor’s Energy and Chemicals Group. “:n the next few months, we will be hiring more engineers.”

The company launched its engineering and design facility in Cebu at the TGU Tower, at the Asiatown IT Park. Said facility is the second office opened by the firm in the Philippines – their Alabang quarters currently employs a sizeable workforce–and its fourth in Southeast Asia.

Oosterveer said that because Fluor is a knowledge-based outsourcing firm, it will need the expertise of local engineering graduates from industrial, chemical, and mechanical to do “highly complicated technical work” from engineering design, procurement, and construction management services, among others.

He expressed optimism that the company would be able to find a ready pool of engineers in Cebu, saing that Fluor’s reason for choosing the Philippines as one of its growth areas in Asia is due largely to the country’s good relationship with US-based companies, as well as the Filipino work ethic, flexibility and quality of skill.

“The company’s strong presence for about 25 years in the Philippines is enough testament of our confidence in the country,” Oosterveer said.

According to its website, Fluor Corp. is “a Fortune 500 company that delivers engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance (EPCM), and project management to governments and clients in diverse industries around the world.” It was founded as a construction company in 1912.

It currently employs about 42,000 people worldwide, 15,000 of which are under Fluor’s Energy and Chemicals Group.

The company, which maintains a network of offices in more than 25 countries across six continents, supplies services to all types of facilities including refineries, petrochemicals, EPSO floating production units, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, microelectronics, and mining operations, among others.

The company’s clients are in such sectors as oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, commercial and institutional, government services, life sciences, manufacturing, microelectronics, mining, power, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Master plan needed for ‘Mega Cebu’

By Aileen Garcia-Yap (Cebu Daily News)

A 30-year horizon to develop a “Mega Cebu” was described by businessman Roberto E. Aboitiz in a meeting of the Rotary Club of Cebu West in the Radisson Blu Hotel last Tuesday.

Aboitiz said this can be achieved through collaboration of the private sector and government in the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDB).

He said Cebu can move forward and become a “mega city” like Vancouver in Canada guided by a unified master plan.

“Success is no accident. It’s a planned journey and the future does not belong to the small, unprepared, incoherent and divided cities,” said the president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The MCDCB is chaired by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Aboitiz said that to achieve this goal, proper planning and decision making in the public sector side should go beyond city boundaries of the 13 citizes and towns from Carcar City in the south to Danao City in the north.

Aboitiz said seven businessmen sit in the MCDB : James Velasquez, country general manager of IBM Philippines; Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Samuel Chioson; Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph; Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Ng Mendoza; Cebu Leads Foundation president Bunny Pages; Felomino Lim of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and himself.

“The group will serve as an informal organization with a common, integrated goal for Cebu. We will be looking at areas for collaboration and help make the development plan for Mega Cebu,” said Aboitiz.

The role of business is to contribute “capital, technology and enterprise,” while the government provides the “planning, enabling environment and resources.” Civil society, meanwhile, is the source of “aspirations, obligations, participation and citizenship.”

Aboitiz said a Land Use Master Plan, Transport Master Plan and other sector master plans are crucial elements.

He said MCDB and its committees and working groups would be insitutional anchors, while RAFI will facilite the whole process, provide research and act as knowledge repository, and handle program and organizational development.

The vision for Metro Cebu would have a 25 to 30 year timeframe.

Crafting this vision and engaing political leaders to take necessary steps will be undertaken in the next six to 10 months. It will take 30-36 months starting April or Augut 2012 to develop the econominc roadmap and generate political, financial and technical support.

Then the task of lobbying support for projects and regional networking will take another 18 to 24 months starting October 2014 or April 2015.

Aboitiz spoke of the need to “re-think Metro Cebu” as a “city region” where planning and development of cities and towns is integrated even as each locality maintains its own geo-political integrity.

Examples given were Curitiba in Brazil and Shanghai, China.

Aboitiz said recommendations will be submitted to the government leaders for implementation.

“To achieve the Mega Cebu vision, all the government leaders of the 13 cities and members of civil society and business groups should come together and collaborate to come up with a more integrated and inclusive development plan for Metro Cebu,” said Aboitiz.

Some areas for collaboration are transport and traffic management, infrastrcuture and utilties, environment and health, public safety and seucrity.

The board is also open for more volunteer business and civic organizations to join committees for each area.

Metro Cebu’s population will reach 7.27 million in 2050 or an expected 12.09 million total population in Cebu.

The Philippines ranks 85 out of 139 countries in the world competitive index, falling behind Asian neighbors such as Singapore at rank 3, Malaysia at rank 26, Thailand at rank 38, Indonesia at rank 44 and Vietnam at rank 59.

“We will have the manpower. All we need is the support infrastructure that will make investors see us as the best place to invest. In order to do that we need a master plan. We need to come together to create that master plan and realize that goal and catch up with all the other most sought after cities in the world,” Aboitiz said.

In foreign direct investments, the Philippines only had $1.7 billion last year which is small compared to Singapore’s $37.4 billion, Thailand’s $6.8 billion, Malaysia’s $7 billion, Vietnam’s $11 billion and Indonesia’s $12.8 billion.

Two Cebu grads top ME licensure exams

By Rene U. Borromeo/FPL (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Two engineering graduates from Cebu were among the topnotchers in the recent licensure examinations for Mechanical Engineering administered by the Professional Regulations Commission.

Dyson C. Cabahug of the Cebu Institute of Technology University ranked third with his average score of 92.45 percent while Lhoven Larrobis of the University of Cebu placed eighth place with his 91.45 percent.

Joseph Cyril R. Gredona of the Sorsogon State College bested the 1,686 successful examinees with a rating of 92.70 percent. Daniel Forteza also of the same school ranked second place.

The PRC announced that there were 2,513 ME graduates from all over the country who took the licensure examinations but only 1,686 have passed the tests simultaneously administered in Cebu and Manila last month.

The records show that out of the 26 examinees from the University of Cebu, 22 of them passed the exams. CIT-U has 51 graduates who took the tests but only 37 passed.

The University of San Carlos (USC) has 11 graduates who took the test and 10 of them passed while out of the 26 graduates from the University of San Jose Recoletos who took the test only nine failed.

Nine out of the 19 examinees from the University of the Visayas passed the test.

The PRC said those who passed the examinations are advised to immediately register for the issuance of the professional identification card. The schedule of their oathtaking will be announced later.

DOST initiates innovation survey

By Ehda M. Dagooc (Freeman)


CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has taken up the challenge to design and introduce a systems-oriented and policy-relevant innovation survey in the country through a project called “Towards an Innovation-led Development Path in the Philippines”.

Data on innovation are expected to provide a better understanding of the innovation behavior and activities of the firms.

According to DOST secretary Mario G. Montejo this project will in turn produce insights on how technologies and knowledge diffuse, along with essential feedbacks on science, technology, and innovation policies and programs that indicate possible gaps and weaknesses in the country innovation system.

The project, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC-CRDI), had conducted initial discussions with experts at the De La Salle University, the project staff of Ateneo de Manila University’s “Innovation for the Base of the Pyramid”, and potential partners like the National Statistics Office (NSO) and institutions based in Los Baños, Cebu, and Davao.

Subsequently,DOST tapped NSO to do the actual innovation survey. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) would carry out the analysis.

The project was patterned after the European Community Innovation Survey, and adapted to Philippine setting. It followed internationally comparable concepts, definitions, and methodology as embodied in the OECD Oslo Manual, “Guidelines for Collecting and Interpreting Innovation Data”, 3rd Edition, 2005. The survey covered 500 firms in selected survey sites including Quezon City, Metro Cebu, Davao City, and Philippine Economic Zone Authority sites in Cavite and Laguna.

A Project Steering Committee (PSC) headed by DOST Undersecretary for S&T Services Fortunato T. de la Peña has set the project’s direction. PSC members include Dr. Josef T. Yap of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS), Dr. Romulo A. Virola of the National Statistical Coordination Board, Dr. Rowena L. Guevara of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga represented by Cynthia S. Regalado of the National Economic Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal, Jr. represented by Myrna M. Sunico, and Mercedes M. Barcelon of Ayala Foundation, Inc.

The PSC has held nine meetings on planning and design of survey instrument, implementation, and analysis with experts including Dr. Jose Ramon G. Albert, Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba, and Francis Mark A. Quimba of PIDS; Joan A. Jaque of Hydronet Consultants, Inc.; and Dr. Bonifacio A. Gabales, Jr. of University of South Eastern Philippines.

As the project wound down, a series of innovation fora were held in Davao City, Cebu City, and Quezon City to tackle and validate the results of the survey. Participants were also asked to reinforce and/or identify strategies to mainstream innovation system approach in those areas and in the country. The team also prepared a national innovation forum.

Those who attended the fora included key local and policy-makers, representatives from industry associations and the private sector, research/academic community, civil society organizations, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral donors, private foundations, development partners, and other specialists that are part of the innovation system (e.g. legal, communications, manufacturers, etc).

The DOST is optimistic that the strategies formulated based on the results of the innovation project would promote and enhance innovation activities in different industries, and establish a suitable environment for business ventures.

“Innovation emerges from many sources, complex interactions, and knowledge flows. It emphasizes the need to nurture the demand for knowledge and technologies among a range of actors, including small businessmen… It is the two-way knowledge flows between these actors that enable innovation leading to value creation, increased income, job opportunities, and reduced poverty,” Montejo said.

Cebu Province now ITOP member

By Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu has been formally accepted as a member of the Inter-islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum composed of island-province destinations in the world.

The acceptance was formalized during the 15th ITOP Forum held in Jeju Island, South Korea, last September 28 to 30 which was attended by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Cebu was given observer status two years when Garcia was invited to the 14th ITOP Forum in Hainan, China.

Magpale, who returned ahead of Garcia after the forum, told the media that ITOP has a bigger scope than the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Forum (EATOF), of which Cebu is also a member.

“Mas high-end ang ITOP, not limited to East Asian countries. We want to tap the market of Europe and US,” Magpale said.

Other member provinces of ITOP are Jeju, South Korea; Hainan, China; Okinawa, Japan; Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Hawaii, USA; Canary Islands, Spain; and South Province, Sri Lanka.

With the theme “MICE Industry and Tourism Vision”, Magpale said the forum focused on the conceptualization of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition triggered by reports that tourists are now spending less.

“Mao ila gi-address ang high-end market (MICE) kay sila ang big spenders, stay longer in the place,” Magpale said.

Magpale said that in the Joint Declaration, it emphasized cooperation and sharing of information on how to prepare for this “high-end and very discriminating group” which is MICE.

Cebu businessmen implement wage increase

By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Several business owners in Cebu have complied with the implementation of the new minimum wage rate, which raises the daily wage to P305, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) revealed.

CCCI President Samuel Chioson said he has not received any complaints from employers on the implementation of the P20 daily wage increase, adding that most business establishments can afford the increase.

Except for those who belong to the export industry, which was given a grace period until 2012 to implement the increase, Chioson said other business owners must follow the wage order.

He said owners of small business shops, like internet cafes and convenient store, and those with a work force of less than 10 employees can file exemption from the wage increase at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7 office here.

Last week, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and DOLE offices in Region 7 reminded employers to implement the P20-increase in daily minimum wage, bringing the minimum wage in Cebu to P305, or face sanctions.

DOLE 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga said his office will closely monitor business firms in the compliance of the new wage order raising daily wages by P20. He said DOLE will be inspecting establishments in the entire region.

“The law dictates that all business establishments in Central Visayas should implement Wage Order 16. There are no exemptions Other than those running household and personal services, there are no exemptions,” Sarcauga said.

Companies not yet implementing the wage order will be given two payroll periods to comply. The labor department will issue a “5-day finding” to those companies not complying.

Sarcauga said if these firms fail to implement said wage order after five days, they would be investigated. If lapses are found, a writ of compliance will be issued against these erring firms.

He also encouraged workers to report to DOLE employers not giving them the additional P20.

In Bohol, some business owners have already started implementing the P20 daily wage increase, which brings the daily minimum wage in the province to P275, said DOLE Provincial Officer German Guidaben.

The RTWPB 7 has approved a uniform P20-increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in Central Visayas, but labor groups claimed the increase is way lower than their proposed P100 wage hike.

Cultural Center of Cebu inaugurated

By: Jaime Picornell

The Cultural Center of Cebu had a soft opening at its premises within the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu college campus along Gorordo Avenue. Started 18 years ago, its completion is to the credit of current Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Governor Gwen thought of inviting former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez Marcos to preside the ribbon-cutting. It was quite a long silken swath for Mrs. Marcos, Governor Gwen, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, UP president, to cut.

And there were more: Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Rodolfo Fariñas, Honorary Consul of Russia Armi Garcia and Russian sculptor Gregory Pototsky. He unveiled his “Dandelion” sculpture in front of the building after the blessing prayers by Msgr. Roberto Alesna.

Architect Tessie Javier was among the elegant crowd. She is part of the team tasked with completing the center, which will be functional in time for its grand inaugural come November 25.

Governor Gwen has been congratulated for the terrific success of the recent EATOF confab held in Cebu. The initials stand for East Asia Inter Regional Tourism Forum. Most of the activities were held at Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

EATOF was formed 12 years ago, consisting of member provinces in different countries of East Asia, with Cebu one of the most active. For this gathering, delegates came from Gangwon, Korea; Jilin, China; Tottori, Japan; Tuv, Mongolia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Luang Prabang, Laos; Quangh Ninh, Vietnam; Sarawak, Malaysia; Seam Reap, Cambodia; and Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The opening ceremonies at CICC were well-attended. The venue also served as site of a trade fair, with booths from the participating countries. Local products and crafts were also on exhibit.

There were three intense nights with Governor Garcia hosting various festivities. One was a welcome reception at The Capitol Building. Guests gathered at the front terrace for cocktails and canapés, awaiting a wondrous display of fireworks.

The action moved to the second level for dinner and the program. Teresin Mendezona decorated the place with masses of yellow orchids, and Café Laguna served a stupendous buffet.

Spectacular dances from various municipalities of Cebu province were presented, as well as performances by some of the participating delegations. Korea presented the most beautiful, with lovely ladies in diaphanous white floating about like swans.

It is all a matter of breath control, said Junjet Primor, who does most of the

choreography for presentation at Cebu Capitol.

*National costume night

Next evening, delegates were asked to wear national costumes to the festival held at CICC. This was another occasion for more dance presentations.

The finale evening was held at the grand ballroom of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. GM Hans Hauri, resident manager Julie Najar, food/beverage director Stephan Wieprich and other hotel top brass were at the foyer’s red carpet to welcome all.

First to arrive was Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who said there’d be a slight delay since the group had been on a cruise to scenic Camotes Island. Eventually, Governor Gwen came and everyone ascended to the ballroom.

It was decorated with flaming-red roses on all tables and the long buffet spread.

“I have prepared a heritage menu,” said Jessica Avila, Marco Polo’s consultant for Cebuano cuisine. The poached shrimps with a dash of chili were delicious. It went perfect with rice cooked in coconut leaf baskets, so typical of Cebu.

It was a fun evening, with more dances and performances by Cebu groups and the delegates. Everyone gathered onstage to sing the EATOF hymn, whose lyrics are by Sam Costanilla. Music is by Gani Villarojo.

Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco and his wife Christina, Governor Gwen’s daughter, were among the happy group that stayed on for dancing up to 2:30 a.m. Some delegates went straight to the airport as most were scheduled to leave first thing in the morning.

Completing the week’s hectic pace was the visit of Harry K. Thomas Jr., Ambassador of the USA. For him, Governor Gwen Garcia hosted a luncheon at the social hall of the capitol.

With the ambassador and Garcia at the presidential table were Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia (the governor’s father), Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Mayor Nelson Garcia, US Consular Agent in Cebu John Domingo, Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Robin Dialo from the US Embassy, Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier with his wife Amparito, and Mariquita Yeung, the governor’s best friend.

Provincial board member Peter Calderon delivered the welcome remarks, while Governor Gwen herself introduced the American ambassador. He said he had learned quite a number of Cebuano terms in the four hours he had been in Cebu, and pronounced some of them, like init.

Well, it was a sun-drenched ceremony he had attended earlier. The ambassador said he enjoys Chicken Joy, mango cake from Red Ribbon, halo-halo, and “I wear a Timex watch made in Cebu.”

He also speaks very good Spanish, having learned it in Peru. He smiled as he said, “Tengo una hija, profesora de español, en Carolina del Norte.”

The Philippines is very much a part of the USA, he stated, adding that 4.5 Filipinos live there, not counting the TNTs. The US Embassy in Manila has the second largest visa section in the world.

Cebu-based startup offers personalized web design

By FLEIRE CASTRO

A Filipino graphics design company seeks to bring back the human element in the inexpensive, template-based design industry with its personalized graphic design service through the web.

Pinoy Document Company or pindoco.com has partnered with the Cebu Business Incubator for IT (CebuinIT), POW! Designs and DOST-UP Cebu College to create a more streamlined process of offering customized designs.

Barry Canton, one of the founders of pindoco.com, mentions that the name was inspired by a 1960 comic character named Pedro Penduko.

"He has no special powers but he is resourceful and quick-witted in battling evil forces," Canton said. Thus, the startup company that includes wanted to bring the same sense of resourcefulness by harnessing the power of the internet and streamlining their graphics design service processes through web-based collaboration with their clients.

Users who are aiming to have their designs printed only need to present their design concept or requirement and leave the execution to the Pindoco graphic artists. Through their website, you will be able to facilitate the whole design process. You can interact personally wit the graphic artist and make real time design directions and instructions.

At first glance, some users might see some similarity with project management systems like Basecamp. Averell Piramdae, a pindoco.com team member, mentions that unlike Basecamp selling the software to other companies, their platform is different since it is basically the personalized graphics design services that they are selling and not the system itself.

They also boast of the easy access to the platform making back and forth emailing of revisions and updates a thing of the past. All work progress is said to be accessible and stored in your dashboard. Aside from that, you can easily set appointments with your graphics designer and setup your most convenient time for conferences and calls.

"It is as if the designer is right beside you," said Jethro Estimo, one of the pindoco.com team members.

At the moment, the startup is serving international customers only for the printing and delivery of the final products.

Jeffrey Montecillo, Marketing Specialist of CebuinIT, said that pindoco.com, together with three other startups, is just one of the first batch of incubatees of the business incubator. They are looking forward to the graduation ceremony for the 4 startups within October 2011.

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