MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Trade Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque acting Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Malacañang announced on Friday (02 July 2024).
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Roque’s appointment in a Facebook post on the same day Secretary Alfredo Pascual’s resignation took effect.
Before her new stint, Roque served as DTI undersecretary leading the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Group.
She has executed various programs and initiatives aimed at helping MSMEs, according to the statement issued by the PCO.
“She oversees critical areas including the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the Bureau of Marketing Development and Promotions, the OTOP (One Town, One Product) Program Management Office, and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Management Office,” the PCO said.
“Additionally, she manages the operations of the Small Business Corporation and the Cooperative Development Authority,” it added.
The PCO said Marcos believes Roque is an “excellent choice” to become the acting head of the DTI, given her dedication and leadership in the MSME sector.
“The President emphasized the importance of the Department of Trade and Industry and the need for capable leadership. The DTI plays a pivotal role in our nation’s economic growth, particularly in supporting MSMEs,” it said.
Roque earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management Engineering, and a minor in Chemical Engineering from De La Salle University.
The PCO said Marcos is expecting a “seamless transition” under Roque’s leadership.
The PCO first announced Pascual’s resignation on July 31.
The PCO said Marcos is grateful to Pascual for his service and contributions to the department.
(ia/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — For the first time in the 56-year history of the trade department’s Board of Investments (BOI), the Philippines approved P1.16 trillion in investments this year, 70 percent of which came from foreign investors.
Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said on Friday (December 29) that these investments are expected to generate between 150,000 to 200,000 jobs for Filipinos.
“Makikita natin ngayong 2024 kasama ng mga nasa pipeline of projects hindi lang yung magtatayo halimbawa ng solar projects, ng windmill power projects,” the DTI official bared.
Rodolfo also noted that the investments exceeded the previous record-high investment approval of P1.14 trillion in 2019.
He attributed the increase in investments to the current administration’s “aggressive promotion” of the country to foreign investors, particularly during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s trips abroad.
“Dati ho yan mix natin pagdating sa investment approvals, 80-20. Eighty percent is coming from local, 20 percent is coming from foreign. Ngayon makikita natin almost 70 percent na ho yung coming from foreign tapos 30 percent yung from local. Nabaligtad ho…dahil nakikita natin na yung foreign investors interest sa atin ay lumalaki,” Rodolfo said in a televised briefing.
The DTI official also said the majority of the approved investments were for digitalization and renewable energy.
“Kasama sa mga papasok dito sa atin yung mga magma-manufacture ng mga equipment at component that are needed for this project and we could also export these to other countries in the region,” Rodolfo said.
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Anticipating the rush of buyers for media noche items to celebrate the upcoming New Year 2024, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Monday (25 Dec 2023) clarified that there’s no price increase for these goods and other necessities and prime commodities.
DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said noche buena items are the same as media noche items and they were able to assure that there will be no movement for these until yearend.
“Katulad ng ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail tapos yung mga all purpose cream, spaghetti. Para sa mga ganitong items na laman ng ating noche buena price guide, si Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual gaya po ng sabi natin nung nakaraan, nakakuha siya ng commitment sa mga manufacturers na wala pong magtataas ng presyo, mananatili ang presyo as stated in the price guide hanggang December 31. So hanggang media noche yan,” Nograles said.
However, the DTI official Nograles stressed that the prices of these will not change until December 31.
It was learned that the price adjustment will happen next year 2024 when DTI starts releasing the approval of notices after 18 manufacturers requested an increase on 63 items such as coffee and bread.
For his part, Steven Cua, President of the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PASA), concurred with Nograles but hastened to add that if ever there is a price increase on goods for media noche, it will be because some items have been sold out.
“If ever may pagtaas sa certain stores, for some stores, it’s because nag-replenish sila. Naging conservative ang kanilang orders or hindi expected ang kanilang demand. So naubusan, they have to replenish, sarado na ‘yung kanilang regular distributor, sarado na ‘yung kanilang regular source of supply, they will have to look for other suppliers like wholesalers or even other stores. So mas mataas ang kuha nila, natural mas mataas ang pasa nila,” Cua explained.
He advised shoppers to start buying what they need for their celebration on December 26 or 27.
Both Cua and Nograles urged the public to look for sale items.
(IAmigo/MNM)
Photo courtesy of KJ Rosales/The Philippine STAR
MANILA — There are ample supplies of Noche Buena products, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
DTI Asec. Amanda Nograles assured the public that there are abundant stocks of Noche Buena items available until December 31. This affirmation comes as part of the DTI’s daily monitoring of products in supermarkets.
“Nagpa-price monitoring po kami sa mga supermarkets at grocery stores araw-araw sa DTI. Sa ngayon, batay sa aming price monitoring reports at sa mga suplay, makakarating ang sapat na kalakaran hanggang sa December 31, 2023, ng mga Noche Buena products. Wala dapat ipangamba,” said Nograles.
Earlier, the DTI released a price guide for Noche Buena products. While the list serves as a reference, Nograles urged customers to inform the agency of any store charging more than the recommended amounts.
The price guide covers items such as ham, fruit cocktail, keso de bola, mayonnaise, all-purpose cream, sandwich spread, spaghetti, pasta, elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, salad macaroni, and spaghetti sauce.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
The President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta will be visiting the Philippines on November 10 to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries a ranking official said Sunday.
“The state visit of President Jose Ramos Horta involves discussions with President Bong bong Marcos on various areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste in terms of technical, political, educational and economic partnerships,” Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.
Sec. Garafil added that department secretaries of the following agencies will be present during the meeting: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave Timor-Leste assurances about the Philippines’ unwavering support for its transition into a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during a bilateral meeting held on the fringes of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia.
“In the Philippines, you have a partner. We have always been supportive,” President Marcos told Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in the said bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
(ai/mnm)
By Liza Soriano
Senator Mark Villar has urged market vendors not to abuse the flock of buyers during special occasions like Christmas and New Year saying that they should avoid price gouging on commodities.
“We are expecting an influx of buyers, so please do not abuse this important occasion for our fellow Filipinos. We are together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in appealing to our vendors to fairly sell their products this Christmas and New Year,” Villar said.
The Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship chairperson told the consumers to be vigilant in buying products as such should not violate the price guide imposed by the DTI.
“Apart from a safe and orderly celebration of Christmas, it is likewise important that we monitor the prices of these in-demand products,” Villar added.
The senator said that consumers may report to DTI regarding complaints about sky-high increases in prices of basic commodities during the holidays.
(ai/mnm)