“Cost of Electricity” is the gateway to Investment

Reports on the decline in the country’s competitiveness hugged the headlines about two months ago. Of the many factors evaluated, this rating points to energy as the “worst ingredient” in our economy. Misleading perhaps is that energy is lumped under the Infrastructure category, losing the attention it deserves as a single major concern. Within this issue of high electricity cost we ask: how bad is the Philippine situation against our ASEAN neighbors? Our power cost per kilowatt hour is US$0.18 against Singapore’s $0.15, Thailand’s $0.08, Malaysia’s $0.07, Vietnam’s $0.06 and Indonesia’s $0.05. We are aware that lower power rates in these countries may be government subsidized in one form or another. Or maybe their geographical layout is less challenging, making it cheaper for them to pump out power into their system. Or their local financing, labor or supplies costs are lower. In any case, these countries rightfully recognize the value of competitive electricity cost as a key to economic development. If it is any comfort, we are thankful that at least, President Aquino has publicly acknowledged that high electricity cost is THE major deterrent to foreign investments. EPIRA and RE The next question is why such prohibitive rates in the Philippines? The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) believes that the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA, enacted in 2002, has not brought power costs to a competitive, sustained and reliable level. Various sectors and business organizations advocated with PCCI for the repeal, drastic amendment or suspension of the EPIRA. Others blame the Department of Energy for inaction and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for being too lax and biased in favor of the utilities or the generation sector. More disturbing is the aggressive proposal of other sectors to install thousands of megawatts of wind or solar or even small hydro electric power plants to solve high [more]

COTABATO CITY to organize 1st CRAB FESTIVAL

  The Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce & Industry Foundation, Inc. (MCCCIFI), City Government of Cotabato, Department of Trade and Industry-Cotabato City and Department of Tourism-12 will organize the FIRST CRAB FESTIVAL this December 15-19, 2011 in Cotabato City coinciding with the celebration of SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL of Cotabato City. The Crab Fest with the theme “Sustaining Quality and Productivity to Optimize Gains” is geared towards promoting the crabs of Cotabato City known as the tastiest crab in the Philippines, as the City’s One Town One Product (OTOP). Through the event, key decision makers and industry players will convene to enlist commitment of support to implement sustainable programs and projects that will lead to the growth of the local crab industry and provide opportunity for networking and forging business matching among participants, exhibitors, retailers, producers and successful crab entrepreneurs. The Crab Festival will be composed of series of activities such as a Crab Forum on December 15 at South Seas Mall Ballroom, featuring presentations on Crab Technologies and its Business Opportunities and the 3-Year Crab Industry Development Plan of Cotabato City, signing of business matching agreements and the launching of the new MCCCIFI website.  The Crab Forum will also highlight the campaign for the renewal of business permits in January 2012 to crab producers, retailers and other local business owners in the City, a Business Permit Licensing System (BPLS) Help Desk will be set-up at the venue to attend to queries regarding business permits applications and renewals. Another component event of the Crab Festival is the Crab Exhibit at South Seas Mall Chowking  Parking Area on 15-19 December. The exhibit will  showcase the pride of Cotabato City which is the Cotabato Alimango as live aqua products and other aqua-marine products like Shrimps, Bangus and Pangasius fishes. The Crab  Culinary  Arts Competition is also an exciting [more]

MCCCIFI conducted BUSINESS PERMIT FORUM and SME SEMINAR on COST MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING

Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized two advocacy events last September 29, 2011 at Sahara Restaurant, Cotabato city in line with its thrust to establish a business friendly community in the City and to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the Cotabatenos. BUSINESS PERMIT FORUM presented to the participants the intricacies, procedures and requirements in acquiring a business license. It's goals were to expose them to new innovations introduced by the local and national government particularly the use of a unified business permit application form (NERBAC),provide updates on the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) and the Computerization of the Business Licensing System (eBPLS). These initiatives focus the challenge of simplifying the business registration and at the same time ensure the accuracy and integrity of business and collection data. The participants have given their comments and recommendations on how to further improve the business licensing process. SEMINAR ON COST MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING enhanced the capacities of the participants on how to wisely manage their businesses' operating costs and at the same time learned the techniques on how to market their goods and services to ensure a successful business venture. The above mentioned events were conducted by MCCCIFI in partnership with the City Government of Cotabato, Department of Trade and Industry-Cotabato City and Growth with Equity in [more]

COTABATO CITY celebrated 5th Business Month

COTABATO CITY celebrated 5th Business Month The Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., in partnership with the City Government of Cotabato and with other key Government Agencies namely Department of Trade and Industry-Cotabato City, Department of Tourism-12, Department of Science and Technology-12, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cotabato City organized Cotabato City’s 5th Business Month last MAY dubbed as “COTABATO CITY TOWARDS GREEN ECONOMY” which is more significant and attuned to the needs of the time. The month long festivity has lined up various events, activities and trainings such as Smoke Fish Production, Pangasius Fish Production, Bottled Bangus Production and Crab Relleno Training at Barangay Mother Kalanganan Cooperative Center. It has also featured The Baggumbal Trade Expo from May 7 to June 20, 2011, wherein local producers from Cotabato City as well as from other neighboring places have featured and exhibited their local products. The Mega Square was the venue for the Trade Expo as the City Government would like to showcase the new Mega Square as one of the center of trade and commerce in the city. MCCCIFI and GEM have conducted series of seminars on How to be an Entrepreneur, Integrated Business Licensing, How to handle Consumer Complaints and How to be a Halal Certified Company and attended by those who were interested in starting a small business enterprise. The highlight of the month long celebration was the 9th Cotabato Business Forum on May 25, 2011 which was held at the South Seas Mall. This event discussed various issues and concerns affecting business, and tackled the Local Government Unit of Cotabato’s advocacy and programs in relation to Solid Waste Management. Other feature of the month long event is the DISKWENTO Promo wherein participating business establishments have given discounts to selected items for the consumers. The Cotabato City Business month was organized to [more]