DTI Region 02 or DTI Cagayan Valley Region is composed of five (5) provinces –Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya; and four cities: Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Ilagan, and Santiago.
The Cagayan Valley Region is abundant in agricultural products such as rice, corn, peanut, beans, and fruits making Region 02 known as the Top Corn Producer and second in palay production in the Philippines. Among the priority sectors being promoted for development by DTI R02 includes Agribusiness (Coffee, Cacao, Coconut, Pineapple, Peanut, Mango, Root crops, Banana, Citrus, Rice and Corn processing, waste processing of rice hull and corn husk), Bamboo, Home style & Wearables (furniture and creative industries), IT BPM and e-commerce, and Tourism/Agri-tourism.
Region 02 is working towards the attainment of its desired role to become the country’s “Prime Water Resource, Agro-Industrial Hub, and Emerging Tourism Destination” through the collaborative efforts of all concerned line agencies and stakeholders. The region is also is geared towards the promotion of investment opportunities positioning Cagayan Valley as the gateway to Northern Philippines
R2 - Consumer Protection Division
- Case Resolution
DTI-R02 provides redress mechanisms for consumer complaints arising from consumer transactions pursuant to the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Consumer complaints are settled through mediation and, if necessary, adjudication proceedings.
- DTI Bagwis Program
The DTI Bagwis Program gives recognition to establishments that uphold the rights of consumers, employ ethical business practices, and comply with fair trade laws. Retail establishments, supermarkets, department stores, appliance centers, hardware stores and DTI accredited service and repair shops are qualified to apply for recognition.
As of December 2019, there are already 186 business establishments that were already conferred with the Bagwis Seal of Excellence in Region 2.
- Consumer Education and Advocacy Program
DTI-R02 conducts consumer education and advocacy initiatives to raise consumer awareness on their rights and responsibilities. This is in consonance with one of the agency’s mandates of empowering consumers through education and information dissemination activities.
Consumer education and information initiatives include the conduct of public fora, dissemination of information materials, and guesting in radio and television networks, among others.
- Business Education and Advocacy Program
DTI-R02 promotes ethical business practices and compliance to fair trade laws among business establishments. DTI-R02 likewise promotes the establishment of a Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) in their business establishments as part of their social responsibility to respond appropriately to consumer issues and complaints.
Partnerships with private organizations are forged to expand the reach of DTI-R02’s business education and advocacy initiatives.
- Diskwento Caravan
A Diskwento Caravan provides an opportunity for consumers to have access to basic goods and prime commodities at reduced prices by bringing manufacturers and retailers closer to their market. There are three types, namely: Balik Eskwela Diskwento Caravan (conducted before the start of classes); Noche Buena Diskwento Caravan (conducted before the Christmas Holiday Season) and Post-Disaster
Diskwento Caravan (conducted after a calamity or disaster such as typhoons, earthquakes, among others.)
- Monitoring and Enforcement
DTI conducts market monitoring and enforcement activities to protect the interests of consumers against abuses committed by business owners. These activities are projected to increase compliance of businesses to trade and industry regulations such as business name registration, conformity to product standards, proper labelling and price tags, and accreditation of repair and service shops, among others.
- Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) Program
The Consumer Welfare Desk (CWD) Program provides consumers with an easier access to redress mechanisms at the level of the business establishment. It aims to forge partnership between the DTI and the business/private sector in the promotion of consumer welfare by developing and implementing self-policing mechanisms, and upholding responsible entrepreneurship.
- DTI e-Presyo “Your Gabay When You Buy”
The DTI e-Presyo is the on-line price monitoring system of the agency designed to collect, process and store prices of basic necessities and prime commodities that are being monitored by DTI. The purpose of the system is to have an efficient, timely and accurate price data for the information and guidance of all stakeholders especially the consumers.
- Recognition of Consumer Organization
Consumer organizations are recognized by DTI to ensure that the consumer sector is represented by legitimate consumer organizations in hearings, investigations, and in government policymaking bodies. They also serve as partners in propagating consumer advocacy initiatives of DTI to expand their reach.
A Consumer organization is an organized group of consumers where membership is voluntary and whose primary objective is to protect consumers against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable trade acts and practices, and other acts or omissions prejudicial or detrimental to the interests of consumers.
- Accreditation of Service and Repairs Shops
The accreditation of repair and service firms or establishments and their technical personnel aims to protect the interest of the consumers availing their services. The accreditation ensures that the firm or establishment has the necessary tools, equipment, facilities and amenities actually available and in good working condition, and its technical personnel have the required expertise to provide the services.
- Accreditation of Private Emission Testing Centers
Pursuant to Republic Act 8749 or the “Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999”, which provides that the State shall maintain a quality of air that protects human life and welfare, DTI is mandated to accredit Private Emission Testing Centers (PETC) to ensure their compliance to standards in performing tests, services, repair, and the required adjustment to the motor vehicle emission system.
A PETC is a private facility engaged in testing the level of opacity and/or the analysis of the content of the gaseous emission of a motor vehicle.
- Accreditation of Truck Rebuilding Centers
The accreditation of truck rebuilding centers assures the public that rebuilt trucks are safe, roadworthy and meet the standards on exhaust emission. It upholds the development of technical and management expertise in truck rebuilding to assure the consumers of reliable and competent service that meet quality and safety standards.
- Issuance of Sales Promotion Permits
The DTI-R02 regulates sales promotion activities of business establishments in order to protect consumers from misleading advertisements and fraudulent sales promotion practices. It ensures fairness in the conduct of sales promotion and truthfulness in claims and delivery of commitments. Thus, any person intending to conduct any form or scheme of sales promotion campaign of a consumer product, service or credit shall first secure a permit from DTI.
- Activation of LPCCs
Pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Price Act, Local Price Coordinating Councils (LPCC) are activated to ensure the stability of prices and supply of basic and prime commodities within their respective jurisdiction. DTI-R02 facilitates the activation of the LPCCs by providing interventions such as the setting up of price boards, consumer welfare desks, and operationalizing the timbangan ng bayan in the public market.
- DTI-R02 Consumer Welfare and Protection Projects
15.1 Regional Consumer Assembly
Dubbed as “Great Cagayan Valley Consumer Assembly”, this activity was launched to provide a convergence of consumers and recognized consumer organizations in Region 2 to strengthen DTI-R02’s promotion of consumer protection advocacies.
Activities in the assembly include technical forum, Bagwis awards, and other programs involving consumer groups, private and civic organizations, government agencies, schools and other sectors that increase their awareness and vigilance on consumerism. Students are proactive in their involvement in different activities such as poster and slogan contests, stage plays, short film competition, quiz bee, among others.
15.2 I-MOVERS Project
The I-MOVERS Project, which stands for “Improved Market Operations for Vigilant, Efficient, and Responsive Services” was conceptualized to address the typical problems in the public market. It was launched in all the 93 cities and municipalities of Region 2. It has the following components:
a) Green Market – The project promotes a clean and green environment in public markets in line with the right of the consumer to a healthy environment.
b) Honest Market – It supports ethical business to ensure that consumers are protected from short weighing and overpricing with the installation of Timbangan ng Bayan and Price Bulletin.
c) Consumer-friendly Market – It provides an adequate means of redress for consumers with the establishment of a Consumer Welfare Desk.
d) Fair Trade Law (FTL) Compliant Market – In response to the right of consumers to choose products at competitive prices, the project promotes and monitors the compliance of establishments to the Price Tag Law.
e) Well-informed Consumer Market – Consumer and business education seminars and information drives are conducted, and a Consumer Education Corner has to be established.
R2 - Industry Development Division
I. INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAM
- Investment Marketing
Supportive of the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan which envisions that “by 2040, the Cagayan Valley Region shall be the Gateway to East Asia, its economy driven by agro-industries, manufacturing, IT-based industries, adventure and nature tourism, where people live in peace and prosperity”, the DTI-RO2 commits to undertake purposive investment targeting and marketing activities such development of investment portfolios, conduct of Investment Summit, Inbound and Outbound Mission, participation in International Investment Forum or Fairs such as China-ASEAN Expo.
- Enabling the Investment Environment and Investment Servicing
DTI-RO2 shall also endeavor to capacitate Local Government Units and other Investment Promotion stakeholders to improve competitiveness and ease of doing business, and building a conducive investment climate by establishing viable economic zones and strengthening investment promo networks.
Through the Regional Competitiveness Committee, Capacity Building activities are undertaken such as: Essentials of Investment Promotion, Development of Investment Collaterals, Formulation of Local Investments and Incentives Code among others.
- Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Survey
The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) is an annual ranking of different cities and municipalities in the country based on a tool developed by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) with the assistance of United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The framework of the CMCI is drawn from the goal to make the country more globally competitive by measuring local competitiveness based on four major criteria: (1) Economic Dynamism, (2) Government Efficiency, (3) Infrastructure, and (4) Resiliency.
This tool is positioned to empower Local Government Units (LGUs) by measuring their current level of competitiveness against global standards, identify areas for growth and development and introduce possible reforms and initiatives to further boost local competitiveness.
Part of the component activities of this initiative is the regular conduct of Feedbacking on CMCI Survey results, Capacity Building, facilitate participation of academe in the Academic Symposium, and the annual CMCI Recognition for local government units.
The CMCI Survey is implemented by the Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC) through DTI Region 02.
- Cagayan Valley Competitiveness Development Agenda
Achieving & maintaining a certain level of competitiveness is a challenge among the LGUs & RLAs as well as the business communities in Region 02. Hence, the DTI-RO2, through the Regional Competitiveness Committee, initiated the conduct of a “whole of bureaucracy approach” in crafting a Regional Competitiveness Roadmap embodying the four pillars of competitiveness: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure & Resiliency. Decision makers of enabling agencies, local government units & key business associations are the participants in the workshop.
The draft roadmap output will be fine-tuned by the RCC then endorsed to the Regional Development Council-2 for approval & implementation of identified stakeholders. The crafting of the competitiveness roadmap paved the way for the creation of the Regional Policy Change Advocacy Council (RPCAC).
The RPCAC is a private sector-led, multi-sectoral body that was formed during the Regional Competitiveness Consultation conducted last October 8-9, 2019 at the Crown Pavilion, Tuguegarao City. The said consultation was participated by representatives from different sectors, businesses, government agencies, local government units, cooperatives, associations to craft the region’s competitiveness roadmap. The RPCAC’s formation is intended as a private sector – led Council that will own the said competitiveness roadmap and spearhead its implementation in tandem with the government-led Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC). The DTI-RO2 acts as Secretariat of the Council.
II. INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
- Industry Cluster Enhancement (ICE) Program
The ICE adopts the cluster development approach using the value chain tool. It is an economic model which combines the selection of a product and the appropriate technology with a particular way of organizing the actors in order to access the market. It is an institutional arrangement linking and coordinating producers, processors, traders and distributors of a particular product.
For Region 02, the following priority sectors are being promoted for development:
- Agribusiness
- Coffee
- Cacao
- Coconut
- Pineapple
- Peanut
- Mango
- Root crops
- Banana
- Citrus
- Rice and Corn Processing
- Waste processing (rice hull and corn husk)
- Bamboo
- Home-style & Wearables (Furniture, creative industries)
- IT-BPM and e-commerce
- Tourism/Agri-Tourism
The program aims to:
- Formulate & implement industry roadmaps/plans to enhance competitiveness and achieve inclusive growth.
- Increase local and foreign investments in the priority industry sectors, covering the entire value chain of each sector
- Encourage upscaling of value chain, from raw material suppliers to processing
- Encourage commercial scale production of agri-based commodities to supply raw material requirements of value-adding enterprises
- Foster convergence among the industry development agencies to harmonize efforts in the development of common priority industries
- Encourage collaborative governance through creation of industry clusters/councils for a more engaged private sector.
- Promote innovation through commercialization of Research & Development Outputs of SUCs, HEIs & other research institutions.
- Facilitate formulation of policy proposals/papers intended to support and address issues and concerns affecting the priority industries
- Promote infrastructure development in support to priority industries through the ROLL IT Program.
Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program
The Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program is a working arrangement between the DTI (along with the BOI) and DPWH to jointly undertake the planning, budgeting, advocacy for legislation, identification, evaluation, prioritization, regulation, supervision, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of industry-developing infrastructure projects in priority economic and manufacturing zones in the Philippines. These projects will aid the growth of industry and trade.
The Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG), of which DTI-RO2 is part, evaluates the road projects proposed by the priority industries to ensure that they meet the requirements of the criteria. Road project proposals that meet the criteria are then forwarded to the Central Technical Working Group (CTWG) for further validation and final.
- Resource Generation
The initiative aims to augment the resources of DTI in the implementation of its PPAs. The resource generation activity will involve the conceptualization of industry development and investment promotion projects in the form of Concept Notes to be submitted to the DTI- Resource Generation and Management Services (RGMS) for for possible matching and funding by foreign donors, like USAID, AusAID, KOICA, JICA. Other sources of funds are local partners such as Regional Line Agencies, Local Government Units, and Non-Government Organizations.
R2 - SME Development Division
NEGOSYO CENTER
The Go Negosyo Law or RA10644 mandates the creation of a Negosyo Center in all provinces, cities, and municipalities. To be established under the supervision of DTI, Negosyo Centers are convergence points for the DTI, LGUs, and the private sectors to (1) promote ease of doing business, and (2) ensure access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction.
The Negosyo Centers provide four different categories of services which include:
Business Registration
Facilitate business registration through the Philippine Business Registry including those for (1) Barangay Micro Business Enterprise registration, (2) Business Name registration, (3) Business Permit Registration; with the goal of also processing other permits and licenses businesses need to acquire.
Business Advisory Services
Provide free one-on-one advisory services to MSMEs tailored according to their needs including access to financing, market promotion, training and mentorship, and other business development services, investment facilitation, financial management.
Business Information and Advocacy
Provide access to information on markets, suppliers, buyers, government assistance programs, and other relevant information.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Track the progress of MSMEs and their development.
As of February 2020, Region 02 has seventy-three (73) established Negosyo Centers. More centers will be set up region wide to bring the ease of doing business closer to every MSME. The Negosyo Centers help stimulate entrepreneurship development as MSMEs contribute substantially in driving the Philippine economy.
MARKET ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT
- PADDAY NA LIMA REGIONAL TRADE FAIR
The Padday Na Lima Regional Trade Fair is a regional marketing event implemented annually by the Department of Trade & Industry-Region 2 (DTI-R2). “Padday Na Lima,” is an Ybanag vernacular which means “made by the hands”. It has been the banner for marketing and promotion of exquisite Region 02 products in the furniture and furnishing, lifestyle, gifts and holiday decor, health and wellness, and fresh and processed food sector.
This fair has evolved into a much awaited annual activity of the R02 MSMEs that raised awareness about the Cagayan Valley products, and harnessed potential MSMEs to explore markets beyond their locality. It brings together the local entrepreneurs of Region 02 to promote and showcase their best products to everyone and to highlight their talents in weaving, carving, basketry, fossilized flower making and many more using the indigenous materials available in their respective municipalities.
In 2020, Padday na Lima will be held in a bigger venue, at the Megatrade Halls 1-2, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on July 30-August 3, 2020, which features the Trade, Agribusiness, Tourism and Investment of the Region. It will bring around 300 MSMEs to showcase their products in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 2 (DA-RF02), Department of Tourism Region 2, Local Government Units, and State University Colleges (SUCs).
- OTOP PHILIPPINES PROGRAM
OTOP Next Gen – the tri-focal effort between national government, local government units and the private sector including the OTOPreneurs to LEVEL UP the products. OTOP Next Gen is shaping to be the MSME ‘factory’ for product development as it engages various stakeholders, partners and service providers in transforming and innovating product quality, design, packaging and labeling, branding and supply chains.
From 2017-2019, a total of 100 Food MSMEs and 91 Non-food MSMEs were given intensive product development. In 2019, 169 products were developed and showcased in Provincial, Regional and National Fairs.
For 2020, DTI-Region 02 aims to assist and capacitate thirty (30) food sector and forty (40) non-food sector MSMEs in the Region and develop a total of two hundred sixty (260) innovative and culture-inspired products. Further, DTI Region 02 strategizes to boost and add value to the OTOP Next Gen by implementing a Culture-Oriented and Tradition-Based Intensive Product Development activity which shall embody the strength and cultural identity of Cagayan Valley Region and its provinces. The main focus of the product development is to identify and craft distinct ethnic patterns, colors, and raw materials; and integrate these outputs to furniture and furnishings, handicrafts, arts and crafts and package designs.
Further, capacity building activities shall be complementarily conducted also to support the ProDev activities and consequently, trained/ developed MSMEs would be able to participate in trade expositions, shows and/ or fairs up to the international level.
OTOP Philippines Hub or OTOP.Ph – As OTOP Next Gen provides focus on the OTOPreneurs MINDSET CHANGE and MASTERY, the program’s second component provides a platform for MARKET ACCESS. The OTOP Philippines Hub or OTOP.PH is a retail store and/or spaces where products from One Town One Product offerings can be found. Catering to the general mainstream market of both local buyers and tourists, these stores and spaces offer a general outlet for quality OTOP merchandise before they level up to the premium market catered to by Go Lokal and others.
To provide a physical channel and market access platform to the MSMEs, DTI Region 2 established two (2) OTOP Philippines Hub located at the Tuguegarao City Airport managed by the Bountiful Cagayan Valley Producers Association, Inc. and Santiago City, Isabela managed by the Local Government Unit of Santiago City in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Currently, both OTOP Hubs display products of more than fifty (50) MSME suppliers regionwide.
This 2020, three (3) OTOP Hubs will be established in the Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan and Quirino.
- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
The service aims to provide consultancy services to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in terms of product improvement and product development by the agency’s in-house designers to improve quality, range and competitiveness of local products. This includes packaging and labelling assistance for the food sector and product consultation, and design innovation and development for the Wearables and Homestyle sector. The assistance is exclusive for walk-in MSMEs only and requests from the Provincial Offices.
- FOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Food Development Program is a key strategy to achieve the government’s goal of inclusive growth and job generation through implementation of interventions related to product development and food safety. It offers a package of public – private assistance in order for MSMEs with minimum viable products to cope up with the gaps on improvement and innovation in the areas of quality, product development and standard compliance. It is with high confidence that handholding a group of MSMEs with complete support on the regulatory and technical requirements through a designed framework is an effective way to level up the products in the areas of compliance, quality and safety.
The framework of the program is composed of assessment/evaluation activities (eg. sensory/market/consumer evaluation), capacity building (food safety management training series), product development (product and packaging critiquing and design) and acquiring regulatory/statutory certifications (FDA-LT/CPR/GMP/Halal) of processed food products to access local and international markets.
- SHARED SERVICE FACILITY
The Shared Service Facilities (SSF) project Public Private Partnership initiative which will be implemented through private sector partners who can provide sustainable facilities to house machines/equipment. The projects aim to improve the quality and productivity of MSMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters through the provision of processing machines/equipment for the common use of the MSMEs within the said industry cluster all over the country.
Region 02 is currently maintaining 277 SSFs regionwide.
- KAPATID, MENTOR ME (KMME) PROGRAM
The KMME Program is an effort initiated by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, which aims to produce more confident entrepreneurs by providing them ten modules ranging from entrepreneurial mindset up to business laws. The mentees, micro-small enterprise owners, are mentored by qualified business experts on the duration of the mentoring and coaching sessions to scale up their business operations and graduate to the next level of entrepreneurship.
As of December 2019, there are already 676 Mentee-Graduates regionwide.
- PONDO SA PAGBABAGO AT PAG-ASENSO (P3)
The P3 Program is a funding program that will provide an alternative source of financing for micro entrepreneurs that is easy and quick to access. The program is seen to give boost to the micro enterprises sector, which comprise the bulk of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector in the country. The program also aims to stabilize informal lending, locally known as 5-6 lending, and prevent micro entrepreneurs from falling victims from these usurious lenders.
Target beneficiaries of the P3 Program are micro entrepreneurs including, market vendors, sari-sari store owners, stall owners, among others, who are mostly members of cooperatives. To emphasize, only those with existing businesses and are able to pay are qualified under the program. The fund should be used for the enterprise’s expansion and/or additional supplies of the business.
The Small Business Corporation (SBC) has identified micro financing institutions (MFIs) or cooperatives throughout the country where the agency can funnel the funds allocated by the National Government and lend to end borrowers or micro entrepreneurs.
An end borrower may avail P5,000 up to P200,000 depending on the size of the business and the enterprise’s ability to pay. For enterprises with at least one (1) employee, beneficiary can borrow up to P200,000.
The fund should be used for the enterprise’s expansion and/or additional supplies of the business.
- GREAT WOMEN PROJECT 2
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with Philippine Commission on Women are implementing the Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Philippines or the WEE Project. This is also called the Great Women Project 2. It started in 2014 when the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Philippines to implement the WEE project and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) was then designated as the lead executing agency.
The project focuses on two components namely; (1) development of high quality, environmentally friendly products for markets, and building entrepreneurial management skills of women entrepreneurs, and (2) enhancement of coordination and service delivery mechanisms and improving gender responsiveness of policy and regulatory processes to address the needs of women entrepreneurs and workers in micro enterprises.
- COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM (CARP)
The program provides comprehensive package of support services to stimulate agro-industrial activities in the Agrarian Reform Communities. These services include Entrepreneurship Development, Technology Upgrading, Skills Capability-Building, Product and Market Development, Industry Development and Investment Promotion.
