DTI-Caraga
set to roll out ‘Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso’
By
Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN
CITY, May 30 (PIA) – In accordance with the directive of President Rodrigo
Duterte to replace the “5-6” money lending system and eventually kill the
"loan sharks" or lending agencies under a 5-6 scheme, the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga is prepared for this year’s roll out of the
“Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program on May 31 in Butuan City.
According
to DTI-Caraga regional director Brielgo Pagaran, P3 is a funding program of the
government designed to provide microenterprises an alternative source of
financing tat is easy to access and made available at a reasonable cost.
“This
program gives a boost to the development of the micro, small and medium
enterprise (MSME) sector, particularly the microenterprises that comprise about
90% of registered enterprises in the country,” said Pagaran.
The
government has allocated P1 billion for the program, a part of P19 billion
financing initiative for micro and small businesses in the next five years.
“With this program, it requires borrowers to submit fewer documentary
requirements for easier access to financing,” Pagaran added.
Priority
beneficiaries of P3 are the microenterprises and entrepreneurs that do not have
easy access to credit, or are accessing credit at very high cost, market
vendors, agri-businessmen, members of cooperative, industry association, and
co-operators.
The
loanable amount is P5,000 for start-ups to P300,000 with maximum interest rate
of 26 percent per anum with no collateral requirements. This is lower than the
20 percent per day or weekly from 5-6 lenders or the so-called ‘Bumbay’.
The
loan will be payable up to 90 days and it will depend upon the loanable amount
and products.
The
application for the P3 program is free and it is advised not to entertain
individuals or groups who are recruiting and asking accreditation fees in
exchange for the arrangement of immediate release of loans.
To
know if one is transacting with accredited institutions, contact Small Business
Corporation (SB Corp) in the area or the nearest Negosyo Center as there are
scammers tricking businessmen around. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DTI
declares automatic price control in Mindanao
BUTUAN
CITY, May 30 (PIA) - Following the declaration of martial law by President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Mindanao amid the ongoing clashes between government
troops and Maute group in Marawi City, the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) informs all consumers and retailers that pursuant to Section 6 of the
Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act, prices of basic necessities in an area
proclaimed or declared under martial law shall be automatically frozen at their
prevailing prices or placed under automatic price control.
The
regions in Mindanao where the automatic price control shall be implemented are
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula; Region X - Northern Mindanao; Region XI
-Southern Mindanao; Region XII - South
Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City
(SOCCSKSARGEN); Region XIII – Caraga.
Unless
sooner lifted by the President, price control shall be in effect for 60 days
for basic necessities, and 15 days for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
and kerosene from the date of declaration.
Basic
necessities refer to goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance
and existence such as, but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, bread;
fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and
poultry meat; fresh eggs; potable water in bottles and containers; fresh and
processed milk; fresh vegetables and fruits; locally manufactured instant
noodles; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and detergents;
firewood; charcoal; household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene;
candles; drugs classified as essential by the Department of Health.
Business
establishments found to have violated the automatic price control shall face
the penalty ranging from P5000 to P1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of one year up
to 10 years.
The
DTI enjoins the retailers to comply with the automatic price control while
consumers are advised to be guided accordingly.
The
public is encouraged to make use of the DTI “e-Presyo” to check for the suggested
retail prices (SRPs) and prevailing prices of all basic and prime goods being
monitored by the DTI including those stores selling at the lowest prices.
The
“e-Presyo” can be accessed through the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph or
downloaded from Play Store using any Android device.
For
more information, or to report retailers selling goods above the SRPs, contact
DTI Direct at 751.3330 or text 09178343330. (DTI/PIA-Caraga)
Energy
department enforces price freeze on LPG, kerosene in Mindanao
BUTUAN
CITY, May 30 (PIA) – The Department of Energy (DOE) is imposing an automatic
price freeze on household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene products
in Mindanao areas.
This
is in view of the declaration of Martial Law as per Proclamation No. 206 dated
May 23, 2017, placing the entire Mindanao under state of emergency, and
pursuant to Section 6 of R.A. 10623 wherein such products are frozen at their
prevailing prices for a period of 15 days from the date of the declaration.
Unless
sooner lifted by President Rodrigo Duterte, price control of the said products
shall remain effective for a period of not more than 15 days, taking into
consideration the current inventory or supply levels.
DOE
emphasized that all concerned persons/establishments engaged in the sale of
household LPG and kerosene products are enjoined to comply with the automatic
price freeze (APF) requirement.
Accordingly,
all violators shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of one year
to 10 years or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1M or both at the discretion of
then court aside from applicable administrative penalties as provided under the
Price Act.
The
consuming public is also encouraged to be vigilant regarding the implementation
of APF and to report to DOE at telephone number (082) 221-0778 any violations
committed by individuals/establishments on the same. (DOE/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
