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==Execs sign concession agreement for P17.5B Mactan airport expansion== | |||
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=649051 | |||
*Saturday, May 31, 2014 | |||
:By Eddie O. Barrita [(PNA), CTB/EB/] | |||
CEBU CITY, May 31 (PNA) -- Officials of the Lapu-Lapu City Government, the GMR-Megawide consortium and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Friday signed the concession agreement for the P17.5-billion expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). | |||
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza signed for the Lapu-Lapu City Government, along with DOTC Undersecretary Rene Limcauco, MCIA Authority General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete and GMR-Megawide chief executive advisor and chief marketing officer Andrew Acquaah Harrison and Louie Ferrer. | |||
At the signing at the Waterfront Mactan Hotel and Casino, Radaza reiterated her support to the joint project of DOTC and GMR-Megawide consortium in enhancing Cebu’s lone international airport. | |||
Harrison said GMR-Megawide regularly meets with the DOTC. | |||
He said they and DOTC officials have initially toured the areas they will prioritize for renovation in six months time. | |||
“There will be an efficiency of service for the Cebuanos, a friendly and organized environment of the new airport, as well as having a warm and engaging atmosphere. Added potential outlook of the project is also focused in renovating wash rooms and spacious waiting areas,” said Harrison. | |||
Harrison said changes will be made as soon as they will take over the MCIA by the end of October. | |||
Within the months before taking over the MCIA, there are certain arrangements to consider such as submission of documents, manuals to be written, recruitment of staff, launching of the brand and most importantly, the proper training of the recruited people for this project. | |||
Harrison’s team also approached the Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue to be part in designing the new MCIA airport. | |||
==Farm-to-market road fund OKd== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/metro-cebu/2014/05/30/1329053/farm-market-road-fund-okd | |||
*Friday, May 30, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Garry B. Lao (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council approved the allocation of the city government for the farm-to-market road project, which will be funded by the Department of Agriculture in the amount of P2.5 million. | |||
City Councilor Socrates Fernandez, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said the DA Regional Field Office already approved the memorandum of agreement entered into by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes. | |||
"The early release of the amount would also facilitate for the expenses and labor necessary for the fulfillment of the project," Fernandez said, adding that the farm-to-market road is seen to improve the people's access to the rest of the city and Talisay proper. | |||
Based on the proposed agreement, the farm-to-market road project covers the mountain barangays. | |||
The road will connect places with higher road class systems and major markets or trading posts. Once constructed, the road networks are seen to generate more jobs, helping farmers bring their goods to their markets more efficiently. | |||
"The LGU-Talisay City is much in need of this project farm to market road, this will expedite and facilitate the mountain farmers to bring down their products to the market," Fernandez said. | |||
Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: | |||
In the MOA, the project is embodied under the 2013 Bottom-Up Budgeting and Planning approach for the city's Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan. | |||
Each project will have 120 days to complete. | |||
Fernandez said the city also signified to appropriate the counterpart amount of not less than 10 percent of each total project cost subject to their Internal Revenue Allotment in compliance with the prescribed 2011 General Appropriations Act. | |||
As mandated under Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, the DA "provides post-harvest, infrastructure and facilities to enable small farmers and fisherfolks to have access to technology in order to improve the handling, storage, processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products." | |||
==RDC-9 holds ASEAN Economic Community Forum== | |||
*Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1391401270744 | |||
*Thursday, May 29, 2014 | |||
:By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao (FPG/MVC/PIA9-ZBST) | |||
ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 29 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 conducted a forum on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) on Tuesday to enlighten all stakeholders in the region on the 2015 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. | |||
RDC-9 Acting Chairperson, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-9 Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain brought in four experts in trade and economics to help participants better comprehend the “ASEAN Integration.” | |||
First to speak was DTI-Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Director Senen M. Perlada who gave the ASEAN Integration overview and the country’s Free Trade Agreements with neighbouring ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries; the benefits of that these agreements bring not just to the country but to the region in general. | |||
DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo followed, focusing on Advancing Philippine Engagement in AEC and Enhancing Philippine Competitiveness, Empowering Business. | |||
Rodolfo, head of the DTI’s Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, said, “ASEAN 2015 is a continuing process, a journey, and an evolution rather than a revolution. This goes beyond 2015.” | |||
He said ASEAN 2015 envisions a united ASEAN where 10 countries work as one to become a very competitive region in the world economy by becoming a single market and production base. This will also bring equitable economic development in the region. | |||
Dr. Erlinda M. Medalla of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), on the other hand, talked about achieving AEC 2015 through Trade Liberalization and Facilitation, and was followed by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, also of PIDS, touching on Infrastructure and Logistics as the country moves towards AEC 2015. | |||
Dr. Navarro revealed that there is much to be done in terms of infrastructure and facilities in the country. She mentioned the need to improve seaports here in Mindanao as it is nearer to the BIMP-EAGA region. She said Cambodia has better infrastructure and facilities than the Philippines and this should serve as motivation to upgrade the country’s facility to meet all challenges of AEC integration. | |||
Present during the forum are the business sector leaders, local chief executives and concerned government agencies in the region. | |||
==Cebu IT industry explores new outsourcing prospects== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2014/05/28/1328150/cebu-it-industry-explores-new-outsourcing-prospects | |||
*Wednesday, May 28, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - After hitting it big in the voice aspect of the Information, Communication Technology-Business Process Management sector, Cebu is now moving towards seizing the new wave of outsourcing opportunities. | |||
This will be one of the most important topics that will be tackled during the upcoming two-day ICT-BPM conference to be hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 2-3 as part of this year’s Cebu Business Month. | |||
Event chairman Jun Sa-a said in a press conference that there is a need for Cebu to step up to a higher ladder in the outsourcing sector, considering its ability to attract the high value type of outsourcing jobs such as the Health,Information and Insurance Management, Shared services, impact sourcing, and apps development. | |||
Sa-a said it is high time for the Philippines to capture the big opportunity in the higher value outsourcing jobs -- also to prepare for the entry of ASEAN integration next year. | |||
He said the Philippines, Cebu specifically is going to strengthen its grip in these emerging high value outsourcing investments, by also preparing the academe sector in providing qualified manpower in these in-demand skills and professions. | |||
This early, Cebu has already started to gravitate the HIIM type of outsourcing investing like the opening of United health Group, EXL Services, Manulife, Health Cognizant, QBE, among others. | |||
Cebu will also push itself to take advantage of the fast growing and highly profitable mobile apps economy. Next year, when the ASEAN integration will take a move, Cebu hopes to capture a large chunk of the mobile app economy, capitalizing on the 600 million consumer base of ASEAN member countries. | |||
Franco Eisma of Amazon Web Services will expand on a discussion regarding maximizing the apps economy specifically within the ASEAN bloc. | |||
The conference that will carry the theme "ASEAN 2015 and Beyond," aims at providing clearer perspective among participants on how to take advantage of the ASEAN integration, as well as preparing players how to combat possible threats and hindrances. | |||
==CHED takes over TCC management== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/05/27/1327805/ched-takes-over-tcc-management | |||
*Tuesday, May 27, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Garry B. Lao/JMO (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education – 7 will take over the management of the controversial Talisay City College until such time that the issue concerning the school’s president is resolved. | |||
The TCC Board of Trustees is supporting acting pre-sident Ritchel Bacaltos but Talisay Mayor Johnny De los Reyes has appointed Dr. Paulus Mariae Cañete to the post. | |||
Since then, the college has been caught in the middle of a tug of war, including its graduation rites and enrolment. | |||
However, in a closed-door meeting at the CHED office, the BOT members decided unanimously to let CHED take over. The body believes the current dilemma can only be resolved if CHED takes over the affairs of the school. | |||
In effect, CHED Regional Director Freddie Bernal will sit as officer-in-charge of the college. | |||
The meeting yesterday was presided over by De los Reyes who sits as chairman of the board. | |||
The TCC board has 11 members with the mayor as chairman, the college president as vice chairman, Cebu first district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas as honorary member and Talisay City District Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo as board secretary. | |||
The present members of the board are the chairman of the committee on education, the chairman of the committee on budget and finance, the president of Cebu Normal University, the president of Cebu Technological University, the regional director of CHED, the city treasurer, and the president of the Talisay Chamber of Commerce. | |||
Except for the presidents of CNU and CTU president, all the other members were present in yesterday’s meeting. | |||
“Since time immemorial, I have said that I will abide whatever decision of the Board of Trustees is. The decision of the BOT is for CHED to take over in running the school, then I will abide,” Bacaltos told The FREEMAN. | |||
Bacaltos, who also sits as vice chairman of the college, was present in the meeting. | |||
With classes resuming next week, Bacaltos said the decision of the BOT is timely. This way, possible academic issues can be prevented. | |||
Before the decision was made, the board approved the minutes of its previous meeting, including its reaffirmation of Bacaltos’ appointment and its decision to set aside De los Reyes’ executive order, which formalized Cañete’s appointment. | |||
A source told The FREEMAN that De los Reyes reiterated his choice for president but the board members reportedly reminded him that only the BOT as a whole can make an appointment, as provided for by a city ordinance. | |||
“There was a negotiation. Mi-insist man gyud ang mayor nga si Cañete iyang gitudlo pero ang BOT insisted to recognize Ritchel Bacaltos as the city college acting president,” the source said. | |||
Bacaltos reportedly did not say anything during the meeting. | |||
After the meeting, Bacaltos confirmed an agreement was reached. | |||
“The only way nga dili magsamok-samok na si Cañete is ako pud ma-out sa city college. I did not object because the BOT decided that CHED will take over,” Bacaltos said. | |||
As part of the agreement, De los Reyes said he will revoke the executive order he issued, which formalized Cañete’s appointment. | |||
Bernal said the school board will activate a “search committee” and will set guidelines in looking for a new college president. | |||
==Cebu governor cites need to strike a balance between protection of environment and progress== | |||
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=647315 | |||
*Monday, May 26, 2014 | |||
: (PNA), FPV/EB | |||
CEBU CITY, May 26 (PNA) -- Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said there should be a balance between protection of the environment and progress, as there are times the environment is compromised in the implementation of government projects. | |||
“There has got to be a balance. There is a need to protect the environment. As the population increases, so will the needs of the populace. There is also a need to fill in the gap to deliver the basic services,” Davide said. | |||
Davide cited as a good example, a water reservoir project, which must need a big track of land for it to be implemented, and this land area could be agricultural. | |||
He said that agricultural land must be sacrificed for the reservoir, which becomes the source of the public’s water. | |||
Davide made the statement when asked for his views on the controversy faced by Argao Mayor Edcel Galleos, who allegedly cut 400 trees in an upland area to make way for a road project. | |||
But Davide said he will just wait for the outcome of the investigation conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7. | |||
Davide said he was also willing to sit down with Galeos and with DENR 7 officials to talk about the mayor’s alleged violation of environmental laws. | |||
==DepEd-7 to launch new study materials== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/05/25/1327137/deped-7-launch-new-study-materials | |||
*Sunday, May 25, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Jessa J. Agua, ATO (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education Central Visayas is set to embrace in its curriculum the "Bugsay" Philosophy of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated. | |||
The RAFI philosophy is described as "having a goal, planning well, and working hard to achieve it, which he (Roberto Aboitiz) liked to share to the younger Cebuano generations." | |||
With this, DepEd-7 pledged to pioneer the integration of "Akong Bugsay" learning materials in selected public elementary schools in 10 divisions of Cebu starting this school year 2014 to 2015. | |||
These materials include workbooks for Grade 3 students. | |||
With this, a memorandum of agreement will be signed this May 28 with Netherlands Honorary Consul Roberto Aboitiz representing RAFI and Regional Director Carmelita Dulangon from DepEd Central Visayas. | |||
Aside from Dr. Dulangon, division superintendents of the pilot schools would also be present during the signing which will also be the schedule for the officials launching of the learning materials. | |||
Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: | |||
The activity will be held at the RAFI-EADSC Plenary Hall, 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City, across the Casa Gorordo, 9 a.m. to noon this coming Wednesday. | |||
Bugsay is a Visayan word for paddle or oar and in this philosophy, every individual involved is a paddle having the choice to either pick and paddle forward into development or remain stationary and stagnated. | |||
Last year, "Akong Bugsay" a bilingual (Cebuano and English) children's book was launched which was written by Amaya Aboitiz, the daughter of RAFI president Roberto Aboitiz and handles Dolores Aboitiz Children's Fund. | |||
The book is likewise illustrated by Karmina Cuzon. | |||
==Mactan airport pays initial P88M of P1.8B unpaid real property tax to Lapu-Lapu City== | |||
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=3&rid=646823 | |||
*Saturday, May 24, 2014 | |||
:(PNA), CTB/EB/ | |||
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu, May 24 (PNA) -- The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Friday paid an initial P88 million of its P1.8-billion unpaid real property taxes to the Lapu-Lapu City Government. | |||
MCIAA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete, who personally handed the payment to the Lapu-Lapu City Treasurer's Office, earlier said the MCIAA acknowledges its obligation to the Lapu-Lapu City Government. | |||
He said they are willing to pay their obligations but there are many issues that need to be settled first before the payment. | |||
A case between MCIAA and the city government of Lapu-Lapu is now pending at the Supreme Court. | |||
Villarete said MCIAA's initial payment of P88 million will not affect the outcome of the case. | |||
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she was happy with the initial payment made by MCIAA. | |||
Radaza said they are still studying how to use the money, although she said in earlier forums that the money collected from the airport's unpaid obligations will be used to construct more classrooms in the city. | |||
Mayor Radaza said there are other priorities in her administration that need immediate attention. | |||
Early this month, the Lapu-Lapu City Council has passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Paz Radaza to enter an agreement with MCIAA regarding the initial payment of the airport to the city. | |||
But the City Council passed a resolution withdrawing the authority before it reached the mayor’s office. | |||
The same council passed another resolution authorizing Radaza to collect MCIAA’s unpaid real property taxes to the city government. | |||
==CICC as Mandaue nerve center== | |||
*Source: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/2014/05/23/cicc-as-mandaue-nerve-center/ | |||
*Friday, May 23, 2014 8:17 am | |||
:By Peter L. Romanillos | |||
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has found another idea on how to repurpose the mothballed Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). | |||
Cortes in a letter to the Provincial Board on May 12 had expressed the city government’s intention to acquire the CICC from the provincial government. | |||
Should the city government succeed in their plan, Cortes said they would rename the CICC as the Mandaue Expo and Convention Center which will then serve as the centerpiece of the city’s South Point Commercial District. | |||
Cortes said City Hall will repair and renovate the facility which was heavily damaged in last year’s earthquake and will be converted into an exhibition center in collaboration with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). | |||
The CICC, which was built by the provincial government in 2006 for the 12th Asean Summit and 2nd East Asia Summit, has a gross floor area of 28,000 square metres and is located on 3.8 hectares of land at the Mandaue City Reclamation Area. | |||
The site where the convention center now stands was originally intended for a sports complex dubbed as the “Cebu Mega Dome”. The project was however halted after some members of the provincial board opposed it. | |||
Then Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia revived the “mega dome” project after the province was designated to play host to the Asean summit but the design was revised as a convention center instead of a sports arena. | |||
CUSTOMIZE DEVELOPMENT | |||
Cortes said they plan to develop the CICC’s unused spaces which would be offered for lease to private establishments as well as build a public transport terminal which will also house a travel agency and traveller’s lounge. | |||
“With this customized development of the CICC among others, we hope that it will become the nerve center of the Mandaue South Point Commercial District and help us propel the city’s attainment of the Mandaue 2020 Vision which is to be the primary source of high-quality manufactured consumer products,” Cortes said. | |||
Despite the proposed developments, the facility will continue to function as a “premier destination for conventions and conferences in central Philippines,” he said. | |||
The Mandaue City Council has passed a resolution supporting Cortes’ plan. | |||
The City Council cited the lack of profit coming from the facility since its closure in October last year due to the damage it incurred from last year’s earthquake. | |||
“Due to the structure’s damages, no more activities have been undertaken compounding the disadvantages against the City of Mandaue as the prime commercial lot will not even earn a single centavo as an income for the city coffers,” the resolution said. | |||
“For Mandaue City to enjoy the benefit of the use and maximize its productivity being an economic enterprise, it is imperative for the city to purchase the edifice for the sole management and operation and facility,” | |||
The facility was initially considered as one of the venues of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation that the country is hosting. The cost of repairing the structure, estimated at P160 million however discouraged organizers and dropped the facility from the list of possible venues. | |||
==DepEd-7: Schools, teachers ready== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/05/22/1325967/deped-7-schools-teachers-ready | |||
*Thursday, May 22, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Sherwin O. Gabrinez, Kristine B. Quintas and Evelyn C. Espinosa /JMO (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education in Central Visayas is ready for the resumption of classes on June 2. | |||
“We are 100% ready. The teachers are ready, the officials are ready, the children are ready,” said DepEd-7 Director Carmelita Dulangon. | |||
Dulangon said classes will start even in calamity-stricken in northern Cebu and Bohol or those affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda last year. | |||
She said the classrooms that were damaged have been repaired to accommodate classes.Makeshift classrooms will also be used. | |||
Dulangon said less than 50 percent of classes will be held in tents. In Bohol, classrooms made of nipa will also be used. Books that have been damaged will be replaced. | |||
To maximize the use of existing classrooms in calamity-stricken areas, Dulangon said a shifting scheme will be adopted – one class will use the room in the morning and another in the afternoon. | |||
Aside from this, classes will be distributed to corresponding days – during Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday. | |||
The DepEd central office is yet to approve a P974 million proposed budget to cover expenses for recovery efforts in recovery-stricken areas. Around P15 million was released last week and a separate P56 million was given to the region for rehabilitation efforts in areas in Bohol damaged by the earthquake. | |||
Based on data from DepEd, 1,973 classrooms in Cebu Province were damaged slightly while 366 others incurred major damage during the earthquake and typhoon. | |||
There are 11,491 elementary schools and 630 secondary schools in the 4th District where damage was more prominent. There are 74,092 pupils and 28,426 students are enrolled in these schools, respectively. | |||
:Brigada Eskwela | |||
In Cebu City, Councilor Alvin Dizon wants to use the P216,000 budget for t-shirts for Brigada Eskwela volunteers to be used in fixing damaged classrooms instead. | |||
He said doing so would be more practical and useful for more people. | |||
Mayor Michael Rama earlier agreed to provide 1,200 shirts to the volunteers, which they will use for Brigada Eskwela – related activities and for other activities the rest of the school year. Among the volunteers are the members of the Parent Patrol that schools and the Parent-Teacher Association have recognized. | |||
Patrol members are visible in schools for volunteer work. | |||
:No permit, no exam | |||
Dizon, vice chairperson of the City Council’s committee on education, also asked the Council to study the possibility of the city to impose sanctions against schools that refuse to let students who have not paid tuition fully to take examinations. | |||
Dizon’s request came after at least 117 private institutions in Cebu are seeking to increase tuition up to 12 percent. | |||
The ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy refers to the institutionalized policy of many schools and universities in the country that requires students to settle matriculation and other obligations before they are allowed to take exams, usually during midterms and finals. | |||
“This is an urgent call amid the economic difficulties that an average Filipino family has to confront day-to-day and that any increase in tuition and school fees would mean another burden. And if they are required to pay more, every single centavo should translate to real investment on their children’s future,” Dizon said. | |||
“This would be a complementation of the existing provisions to have more concrete penal provisions. But, ato pa ni tun-an pagtarong before filing this,” he added. | |||
The CHED Memorandum Orderhas set new guidelines for higher education institutionsallowing students with delinquent accounts to take school examination, withholding the issuance clearance of students until prior accountabilities are fully settled. | |||
==To address skills mismatch Biz community urged to work with academe== | |||
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-business/2014/05/21/1325551/address-skills-mismatch-biz-community-urged-work-academe | |||
*Wednesday, May 21, 2014 12:00 am | |||
:By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman) | |||
CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu business community should work closely with the academe to reach out to potential students and teach them about entrepreneurship to prepare them for real work in the industry. | |||
This according to Consul General Robert “Bobby” Joseph, a pillar of the country’s tourism industry, urging members of the business industry to visit different schools and do seminars on marketing, selling and entrepreneurship. | |||
“We also do this in tourism, molding movers and shapers and promoting good acts, values, skills and attitudes for them to be equipped in entering the industry,” Joseph noted during Tuesday’s 888 News Forum. | |||
Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel and Tours, said the skills mismatch is one of the problems the Philippines needs to solve as it prepares for the ASEAN Economic Integration come 2015. | |||
Joseph also expressed the need to mold young people to become entrepreneurs. | |||
Industry experts should also try to visit the academic curriculum to upgrade the learning program of the students in the field of entrepreneurship, suggested Virgilio Espeleta, entrepreneurship consultant of this year’s Cebu Business Month. | |||
Officials and members of CBM 2014 were the main guests of the forum. | |||
He said they have partnered with a univesity in Cebu to teach students and technopreneurs and expose them to possibilities of technology-based startups. | |||
CBM’s entrepreneurship team is inviting people from the Asian Institute of Management and Marketing Association of the Philippines to join in its seminars on business development, Committee Chair Apolinar Suarez, Jr. said. | |||
He said the seminars will not only educate but further expand the knowledge of the small entrepreneurs, adding that the industry should already be brought to a next level. | |||
CBM is also inviting Nora Terrado, undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, to speak during the ICT & BPM Conference on June 2 - 3. | |||
Committee Chair Jun Sa-a said the DTI official will talk about the ASEAN integration and its impact on the information and communications technology and business processing indusries. | |||
“We believe she is familiar of the topic as she used to be an active member of the Philippine Software Industry Association and that she will foresee what would most likely happen in the integration,” Sa-a noted. | |||
The conference will also have people from Amazon Web Services, he added. | |||
He also stressed that one way to tap the integration’s estimated 600 million market is to use information and communications technologies in business startups. | |||
Sa-a believed the Philippines has one of the “youngest, creative, most trainable and innovative and probably the most digitally connected people” and that if efforts are being done to help them, a big opportunity will soon come for the country. | |||
:Power supply | |||
Ensuring a stable supply of power in the country is a big challenge especially among businesses as preparations are being done to meet the challenges poised by the 2015’s integration. | |||
Espeleta said the cost of power is now challenging businesses and that these should remain competitive in the coming economic integration. | |||
“We just don’t blame or reklamo na lang,” the consultant said. “What should the business do? That’s part of educating entrepreneurs to be competitive in as far as the Philippine industry is concerned.” | |||
For his part, Joseph shared that the tourism industry is already aware of the energy problem, saying “At times, we can create a destination where there is no air conditioner. That’s part of marketing.” | |||
A Philippine Star report stated that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines has planned to have a “super Asian grid” to ensure a stable power supply in the future. | |||
==School repairs on== | ==School repairs on== | ||
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/05/20/school-repairs-343779 | *Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/05/20/school-repairs-343779 |
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