TUKLASIN NATIN

At least 1,500 farmers and family members benefited from the medical and dental mission conducted on October 8 by Sinochem Crop Protection Philippines, Inc., an agricultural company.

Since 2008, Bernard Canapi, Sinochem Country Manager said that their company has been assisting farmers in Laguna, Cagayan and other provinces, by addressing the farmers’ crop care needs by providing quality guaranteed products.

It also makes sure that their technicians across the country are on-hand to assist the Filipino farmers and also ensures that their company pays back the farmers’ patronage. It is this part of the Sinochem International Corporation that has been named to “Fortune Global 500” for more than 20 times, ranking 168^th in 2011, he also said.

Brgy. Manacsac, having the largest rice field area of 520 hectares in Guimba, Sinochem chose it to benefit from their pay back incentive to farmers.

“The medical mission is the companys’ way of giving back to the farmers what they rightfully deserve, and that is access to healthcare” Canapi said.

A blind farmer and one afflicted with leprosy were given stall and P15,000 worth of groceries each to start business and have a source of livelihood.

The medical mission was held in partnership with Alagang Kapatid of TV5, PureGold, RiteMed, Gardenia and the Philippine Army of the 81^st Infantry Battalion, 7^th Division, Sto. Nino, San Jose, Nueva Ecija headed by Lt. Col. Orlando M. Suarez.

Sinochem Philippines is a member of Croplife. Ester Z. Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila

Recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP) as one of the best practices of the country in Consumer Protection, the DTI Bagwis Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gives due recognition to establishments that practice fair business and uphold the rights and welfare of consumers.

The Gold Bagwis Program in particular, includes setting up of Consumer Welfare Desks in business places aimed at providing accessible and speedy resolution of complaints to consumers. For this year, a total of 15 businesses will be awarded with the DTI Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence after having met the criteria under the said program. 

After thorough deliberation and evaluation by the DTI Bagwis National Certification Committee (NCC) chaired by Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison Maglaya of the DTI-Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Group (CWTRG) in a meeting held last 21 September 2011, announced the establishments that will be awarded with the DTI Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence are Canon (with 8 branches in NCR, Region I, III, V, VII and IX), Siapno-Tada Optical, Inc. (with 11 branches in Region I), Nerumo Enterprises (Region I), Bolong Agri-Management Corporation (Region I), Honda Cars Ilocos, Inc. (Region I), Northeast Car Care Center (Region I), EZ Supermarket San Sebastian, Tarlac City (Region III), EZ Supermarket Ligtasan, Tarlac City (Region III), Mart One Department Store (Region III), Big A Department Store, Tarlac City (Region III), Emilio S. Lim Appliances (Region III), K-Servico Trade, Inc. (Region III), DBL Aircon Refrigeration Center (Region III), Honda Cars Bulacan (Region III), and Honda Cars Nueva Ecija (Region III).

Undersecretary Maglaya stresses, “The DTI is very much pleased that more and more establishments have recognized the necessity to obtain the Bagwis Seal to not only help the consumers and enterprises, but most importantly, to help themselves grow as model businesses”. 

“The Bagwis Program is a check and balance for establishments to be guided on how they should operate while consistently conforming to government regulations and local and international standards”, she adds.

The additional establishment-awardees have met the criteria on Compliance with Fair Trade Laws, Customer Relations, Store Management Operations, Socially Committed and Responsible Business Sector, and ISO 9001/ Quality Management System.

In screening nominees for the program, DTI partners with the private sector, specifically with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Association of Supermarkets (PASI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Amalgamated Supermarket Association (PAGASA).

The NCC members who reviewed the documentary requirements of the awardees this year are Director Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba (DTI-BTRCP), Mr. Vince Justo (DTI-RODG), Engr. Mario Gaudiano (DTI-BPS), Ms. Velma Lim (NCAC), Ms. Victoria Padilla (PPSQF), Ms. Evelyn Salire (PRA), Atty. Federico Ples (PASI), and Mr. Veegee Sison (PCCI).

Director Dimagiba mentions, “Together with the DTI regional and provincial offices, the DTI-CWTRG encourages establishments to earn the Bagwis award and post the seals in front of their stores to properly guide the consumers”.

Since its launch in 2006, DTI has already awarded a total of 690 Gold, 589 Silver, and 917 Bronze Bagwis Seals of Excellence. With a new addition to the pool of DTI Gold Bagwis awardees, the Department of Trade and Industry is confident that the Philippine market will have more establishments offering quality goods, complying with fair trade laws, and propagating consumer welfare and protection.

In its entirety, the DTI Bagwis program will foster balance between engaging in business and safeguarding the welfare of consumers. Undersecretary Maglaya underscores, “The DTI Bagwis Program promotes a healthy competition among establishments to ensure that the welfare of consumers is constantly safeguarded”.

For more information on the DTI Bagwis Program, call DTI-BTRCP at 751.3223. Public Relations Office, Department of Trade and Industry

Informed and involved Filipino consumers is the main key for a product quality and safety conscious society, Trade SecretaryGregory L. Domingo states as the nation celebrates the 13^th Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October.

SecretaryDomingo emphasizes, “We are envisioning that in a few years, Filipino consumers are properly informed and are actively involved on programs for them and on issues they face through strong public-private partnerships”.

Every October, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reiterates its commitment in reinforcing its services, programs and activities to protect the interests of the consumers with the continued assistance of the Philippine industries. 

October was declared the Consumer Welfare Month based on Proclamation number 1098 of 1997.  The month of October gives national attention on the role that consumers play in the vitality of the Philippines’ economy.  Also, concerted efforts for consumer protection are discussed, planned and carried out during this month.

DTI-Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Group (CWTRG) Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya explains, “The DTI highly anticipates the CWM celebration and supports whichever department leads the festivity.  Simultaneously, all offices of the Department annually gear up to reach more consumers through activities in their regions, provinces and cities.”

The DTI has led the CWM celebrations in 2000 and 2006 with the themes, “Mapanuri at Masigasig na Mamimili: Hamon sa Bagong Milenyo (A Critical and Vigilant Consumer: Challenge of the New Millenium) and “Enforcing Consumer Rights Towards a Progressive Philippines”, respectively.  The DTI is expected to once again lead the CWM on 2012.

For this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is in the forefront of the CWM festivity guided with the theme, “Sapat, Ligtas at Abot-Kayang Pagkain Para sa Lahat” (Sufficient, Safe and Reasonably-Priced Food for All).

To celebrate the 2011 CWM, the DTI awards its Bagwis Gold seal this year to 15 establishments that promote the highest level of business ethics and upholds a fair and honest marketplace for consumers.  The Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) of the DTI has already awarded a total of 690 Gold, 589 Silver, and 917 Bronze Bagwis Seals of Excellence to establishments nationwide.

In addition, the DTI’sBureau of Product Standards(BPS), together with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), conducts a regional workshop on the newly-published international standard on Energy Management System or ISO 50001.  The DTI-BPS expects a wide use of ISO 50001 in the government and private sectors to address the impacts of climate change in the country.  

Furthermore, the DTI highlights its accomplishments in responding to anti-graft and corruption and for governance by recognizing its offices that have obtained the certification to ISO 9001:2008, the international standard on Quality Management System (QMS).  To date, there are 18 regional offices and four (4) central offices of the DTI whose system of processes, policies and personnel have been certified to ISO 9001. 

Undersecretary Maglaya rationalizes, “The ISO 9001 certificates will greatly assist the DTI offices in improving their programs and services for consumers and businesses as well”.

“The DTI enjoins the nation in celebrating this important event, the CWM, this October”,SecretaryDomingo reminds the general public.

“Yet the DTI services the consumers all year round for their immediate protection”, he underscores.

For more information, call the DTI-BTRCP at 751.3233. Public Relations Office, Department of Trade and Industry

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista reiterated on Monday (October 10), in his 2^nd State of the City Address (SOCA), his administration’s continuing commitment to pursue initiatives that will address the city’s concerns on housing and urban resettlement.

In his speech, the Mayor said housing will continue to remain a priority program,  for which the city government must continuously adopt strategies to help resettle informal settler families in Quezon City to safer grounds.      

“Kailangang isaayos ang programang pabahay ng lungsod upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng may 232,430 na mahihirap na pamilya na nakatira sa mga lugar na ma-peligro,.” The Mayor said.    

To date, Quezon City is one of the very first local government units to comply with the deadline set by President Aquino for the submission of its shelter plan which gives QC a five-year framework to define the strategies needed to reduce the gap in the city’s housing needs.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. announced that Quezon City will be receiving the biggest share of President Aquino’s P10 billion housing program for local governments in Metro Manila with informal settler communities.

To meet QC’s housing requirements, Mayor Bautista launched one of the city’s major housing projects during the city’s celebration of the 133^rd birth anniversary of the city’s founding father, President Manuel L. Quezon, at Barangay Payatas.  Aptly known as Bistekville I, the housing project is expected to benefit about 400 informal settler families, including public schoolteachers in Quezon City.

QC also intends to launch this year the Bistekville II project at Barangay Kaligayahan.

In his speech, the Mayor also commended the 26-member city council for passing legislations that encourage the development of additional housing funds for the city. Chief among these measures is the imposition of the idle land tax beginning January this year and the socialized housing tax ordinance that was  approved recently by the city council.

Mayor Bautista said there is also a proposed ordinance that  will require private-sector subdivision developers to allocate the same amount of land area or its equivalent for the establishment of new settlements or townships, public-private housing ventures, and even community mortgage programs.

Aside from housing, gains achieved by the Bautista administration in the delivery of basic social services, such as health, livelihood, education, disaster-risk mitigation, environment management and economic development, were also included in the 2^nd SOCA of Mayor Bautista.         

The full development of the new Quezon City Central Business District is a critical component of the city’s economic development agenda, the Mayor said. Precy/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista underscores the vital role than elders play in the task of nationbuilding as he leads city officials in honoring QC centenarians at Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the QC Hall.  Among those honored by the Mayor is 103-year old Trinidad Pabaya, a centenarian from Banlat Road in Barangay Tandang Sora. To date, QC has about 42 centenarians who are being rewarded by the city government with a one-time P10,000 cash incentive and P1,000 monthly allowance.  With the Mayor are Congressman Godofredo Arquiza, party-list representative of senior citizens, QC office for senior citizens affairs (OSCA) head Lino Illera and Alberto Lucero, OSCA administrative officer.  Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista watches a tree-balling demonstration using QC’s newly-acquired rootball uprooter as the city government, under its “Ayos-Puno” program,   embarks on a massive transplanting of some 10,000 flowering and shade trees to about half a million hectares of open space and combined developed and undeveloped parks in the city.  Aside from the massive transplanting program, the city government is also spearheading the planting of some 2,000 indigenous trees at the Quezon Memorial Circle as part of a continuing effort to develop QC’s status as Metro Manila’s “green lung.” With the Mayor during the demonstration are parks development and administration department head Engr. Zaldy dela Rosa, public affairs and information services office chief Gregorio T. Bañacia and Frederika Rentoy, head of the QC environmental protection and waste management department.  Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

The 20-man rescue team from the Quezon City department of public order and safety poses for a photo opportunity shortly after winning top honors in the rescue boat and fire and rescue combat challenge (LGU category) in the recently concluded 2^nd Pasig City Disaster Readiness Competition.  The QC rescue team bested the cities of Manila, Pasay, Caloocan, Marikina and Valenzuela in the boat challenge while QC’s five-man fire and rescue combat team won over the rescue teams fielded by Pasay City and Caloocan City.  Elmo San Diego, head of the DPOS and action officer of the QC disaster risk reduction management council is represented during the occasion by Noel Lansang, Disaster Control Division Chief and Col. Valentino Santacera, Executive Officer. Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO

NASA larawan sina Alkalde Herbert M. Bautista ng Lungsod Quezon habang nakamasid kay Marianne “Gigi” Orayani, City Budget Officer habang katuwang nyang ginugupit ang ’ribbon’ bilang pagbubukas ng Photo Exhibit sa Quezon Memorial Circle-Philcoa underpass. Cathy Cruz, DWAD

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista leads city officials in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of a photo exhibit highlighting the accomplishments of the Bautista administration in the delivery of basic services among QC residents, especially the underprivileged sector.  The exhibit, mounted at the Quezon Memorial Circle – Philcoa underpass, is organized jointly by the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Office PAISO), City Administrator’s Office and the  Chief of Staff of the Office of the Mayor.  With the Mayor are QC information technology development office (QCITDO) chief Engr. Reynald Paul Imjada, social services development department head Teresa Mariano, city budget officer Marian Orayani, parks development and administration department head Engr. Zaldy dela Rosa, PAISO chief Gregorio T. Bañacia, city health department head Dr. Antonieta Inumerable, QC Police District director P/CSupt. George T. Regis, Deskarte design studio creative director Jon Felix Malinis and student-members of the Association of Visual Communicators from the UP College of Fine Arts. Precy/ Ramir/ Ej/ Maureen Quiñones, PAISO    

A pain in the back has led to delightful bliss for young entrepreneur Chester Sy. Muscle aches made getting out of bed quite difficult for the textile businessman from Quezon City, and leading an active lifestyle was increasingly becoming more elusive.

His wife, Juvilyn, a pharmacist, had discouraged him from taking medicine to relieve the discomfort, and so the couple researched alternative methods of pain management. They found promise in employing particular herbal seeds that can store both heat and cold, plus with very fragrant soothing scents at that.

Making use of pieces of textile left on the cutting room floor, Juvilyn put her sewing skills to work and formed pillows to hold the seeds. However, it was only after two years of trials and experimenting with numerous combinations of seeds when Chester and Juvilyn were finally satisfied with their output.

Using the pillow is a no-brainer: Put it into the microwave for one to two minutes and get a hot compress. Store it in the freezer for one to two hours and get a cold compress.

At first, they gave the items away as gifts. However, friends were so pleased with the therapeutic effect that they encouraged the Sys to launch the pillow as a business.

Chester and Juvilyn eventually relented, and have never looked back. Two years after the Sys initially tried their luck at a Christmas bazaar, the Precious Herbal Pillow is currently retailed in a variety of shapes and sizes at groceries and major shopping malls in Metro Manila.

And it’s a certified winner, taking top honors as Most Innovative Product in the non-food category of the 2011 One Town, One Product (OTOP) National Expo of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held on 21 to 25 September at the SM Megamall Halls 1 and 2 in Mandaluyong City.

Nowadays, Chester copes with another kind of pain: how to keep up with the increasing demand. “It’s a very big thing for us that we’re able to help other people. We get positive feedback from users that their pain goes away while using the Precious Pillow,” Chester said during an interview at the 2011 OTOP expo.

He lamented that the Precious Pillow has already been imitated in the market, and as such he is reluctant to share components of the product with the general public. Nonetheless, Chester knows that he has the superior product, and a safe one.

“Once we found the right combination of seeds, what took up a lot of time for us during the development period was perfecting our methods to process the seeds. We studied how to remove the possible allergic effect on some users, and we were able to successfully achieve this. The Herbal Pillow is not a product that anybody can just go out and simply copy. We were very careful before coming out with this,” said Chester.

As an aid in the relief of discomfort and pain, Precious Pillow currently has the nod of 16 doctors who have already opted to become dealer-stockists.

Chester vividly recalls receiving an unexpected call from DTI staff, who told him that, “Your product has a future.” From there, the Sys have been working closely with DTI in gaining links to trade fairs such as the OTOP Expo, as well as getting publicity, exposure and marketing assistance.

While still relatively new in the market, Chester is indeed looking towards the future for the Precious Pillow. “We already have the mindset of someday competing in the international marketplace,” he said. Chester sees its applications in sports medicine for the rehabilitation of injured athletes. He and Juvilyn are still at it today, experimenting with other seeds and pillow shapes for newer releases.

For Chester, the Precious Pillow has become more than a business of retailing a unique, high quality product. It has become a personal mission.

“We really don’t want to stop in getting the pillow in the hands of more people. The good feedback has given us the drive to do more and to help more people,” Chester said.

Retail prices of the Precious Herbal Pillow starts at P500. Interested parties can also become stockists for an investment of P40,000 and enjoy a 30-percent sales markup. Call (+632) 2516287/ (+632) 7582541/ (+63917) 8621976/ (+63922) 8001976/ (+63922) 8361976. E-mail hello@preciouspillow.com or visit www.preciouspillow.com.  Public Relations Office, Department of Trade and Industry

When the times call for innovation, Nestor and Francia Flores of Naga City respond with transformation. The couple was faced with the prospect of soon sending their eldest child, a 15-year-old girl, to study hundreds of kilometers away in the bustling Philippine capital of Metro Manila.

They recognized that a lot of adjustments would come by the way of their daughter, and wanted to give her some comforts of home. Condominium units and modest apartments in the big city often provide limited options for space.

But Nestor, a civil engineer, started to think out of the urban box. Why not have a single bed breaks into a three-piece living room set? Plus, why not throw in a couple of drawers, too, for extra storage options? The pieces must have wheels so these could be moved around easily, yet all of them had to fall into place as nicely as Lego blocks and interlock securely.

This concept was a bold and exciting one for the Floreses, who had been registered in the furniture business for about 16 years. After a month of conceptualizing, they decided to finally bring their design into production and then promptly to a bigger stage.

The very next morning after coming up with a finished unit, they loaded their creation on the back of their Asian utility vehicle and took an eight-hour drive to the SM Megamall shopping complex in Mandaluyong City to participate in the One Town, One Product (OTOP) National Expo of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on September 21 to 25.

There, Francia and Nestor unveiled the Transfo-Bed – a modular sofa-bed made of Philippine marine plywood and built specifically for small residential spaces.Put together, it is a standard single bed that is 36 inches wide and 75 inches long. Unfasten the wheel and panel locks and it provides a coffee table and two sofas that each comfortably seat a pair of adults. In all, six drawers are incorporated.

For the expo organizers, the Transfo-Bed was a perfect fit worthy of being called the event’s Most Innovative Product in the furniture category. The Floreses also earned the Best Dressed Booth award in the same category for presenting the Transfo-Bed and its functions in a simulated condominium space.

Francia was elated to be chosen as the best among the participating furniture makers from the different provinces. “It’s inspiring because people appreciate what we have created. It came from our imagination, and now, here it is. We can touch it, we can see it. And people can use it,” she said during the expo.

Impressive as their feat is, the Floreses are no strangers to winning in an OTOP expo. They also won the innovation award last year for their race car-inspired pull bed. This piece was similarly started because of their children, particularly their young boy who fancied toy cars. They also felt that a pull bed would open up more space than a double deck.

As for the Transfo-Bed, its dimensions and carvings can be customized while the wood can be changed depending on the client’s preferences. However, Francia said this product was developed with Philippine marine plywood in mind because it is environment friendly, sourced locally and very durable.

“As furniture makers, we have to think of other materials for our products. We are running out of forests. There’s this feeling of guilt if manufacturers keep relying on wood taken straight from trees,” she said.

Asked how durable Philippine marine plywood is, she said that, “It’s used to build fishermen’s motorized outriggers so it’s very tough and moisture resistant.”

Innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand for the Floreses when coming up with new products. “You have to be aware of your surroundings. These days, living spaces are getting smaller, so you should think of things that will go well with the times. Also, discussions on the extent of the logging ban linger, so you have to think of what’s available for your business,” she said.

Opening up possibilities

The DTI is currently helping Francia and Nestor to forge large business deals with condominium property developers to supply the Transfo-Bed.

Francia expressed gratitude for the support provided: “The DTI has been continuously bringing us to the larger markets, matching our products with buyers, and helping us establish connections that lead us to bigger orders.”

She added that the DTI has also been providing them other forms of assistance that has enabled them to take their business to the next level. These come in the form of comparative product pricing advice, management training, seminars, and creating exposure on media including the Internet.

In today’s age when the next great idea can be easily ripped off, Francia said this was also a reality of the furniture industry that they had to deal with. However, she felt unfazed.

“The world is out there for everybody. If somebody copies our product, well, then it got copied,” she said, adding that, “you just have to work hard and always keep a foot ahead of the competition.”

From the looks of things, Francia and Nestor intend to keep on leading the pack with fresh ideas. Right beside the Transfo-Bed display at the 2011 OTOP National Expo was another creation – the Four-in-One Table as Floreses call it.

This item reveals a shoe rack on its side, tilts its top for drawing table, flattens out as a study table and a dining table to boot. Indeed, there are just some things that even the craftiest thieves won’t be able to steal from these furniture makers who like pushing the envelope every time.

Nestor and Francia Flores accept home visits to plan furniture pieces that meet client specifications. For Francia, going to Manila for business is “just eight hours” away. Interested parties may call (+63917) 8503353 and (+63922) 8525880 or e-mail nitzfurniture@gmail.com. Public Relations Office, Department of Trade and Industry