DTI Oriental Negros

Negros Oriental's food products Go International

2008-02-19T10:35:00.000-08:00

For the first time, five locally produced food delicacies will be highlighted in the International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX Philippines 2008) together with other selected food products from the Central Visayas Region on May 16-18, 2008 at the SMEX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

To be featured in this year's IFEX under the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions' Partner Region Program are: Orient Foods' "energy food", a combination of ampaw and dehydrated fruits; Sans Rival's jam squares; Ivon's baye-baye; Chantilly's bod-bod kabog; and the bod-bod of Tanjay.

Under the program, the above food companies have been getting assistance in food packaging development/enhancement to make their products competitive in both domestic and international markets. The owners are given trainings/seminars in production and marketing-related topics to help improve their production towards safe and quality products as well as equip them with the knowledge to improve their negotiation skills in dealing with local and foreign buyers.

During the IFEX all products from Region 7, in their enhanced packaging and labels will be showcased in a special setting at the main exhibition hall, where local and foreign buyers are expected to visit.

Tammy Sevilla, DTI

NegOr joins Regional OTOP fair

2007-01-07T18:46:00.000-08:00

Five LGUs from Oriental Negros, namely: Bayawan City, the municipalities of Amlan, La Libertad, Tayasan and Valencia joined the Visayas OTOP Fair held on November23-26, 2006 at the SM Trade Hall in Cebu city. With the theme: "A Feast for the Senses", the activity was participated in by all provinces of the entire Visayas region and showcased big and small products, from hand-made paper, butingtings, slippers, bags and other fashion accessories and home decors to food items and mineral resources.

Some of the private producers that also added interest to the event were the province's own pride NOAH, Orient Gifts, Buglas Bamboo Institute, Arte de Negros, Babing's, Hikaban Coop., Liptong VCO and Gifts Fashion.

Bayawan City has region's best public market

2007-01-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

The City of Bayawan once again brings pride to Negrenses as it won 1st place as "Pamilihan ng Rehiyon" during awarding ceremonies held at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu City last November 2006. Second place went to Pardo, Cebu and 3rd place to Catigbian, Bohol. All three winners received plaques of recognition from DTI and a "Timbangan ng Bayan" each courtesy of the Rotary Club of Cebu. The competition is a DTI program recognizing the best public and private markets all over Region 7.

Before qualifying for the regional level, the Bayawan City Public Market won in the provincial round, with Dumaguete and Tanjay Cities in the 2nd and 3rd spots respectively. The three represented the Province in the regional competition.

Domini Torevillas gets to know Dumaguete's OTOP

2007-01-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

In town to attend her alma mater’s (Silliman University) 105th founder’s day celebration, Ms. Domini Torevillas, a noted columnist of the Philippine Daily Star, gets steered away from the portals of SU for a while as she gets oriented by DTI on Dumaguete’s main product (its OTOP) – that is education as a support to IT.

Last August 29, Ms. Torevillas spent most of the day getting oriented by no less than the president of the Negros Oriental State University, Dr. Henry Sojor; St. Paul University’s Sr. Nilda Masirag; Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria’s Fr. Enrique Balongag; and Foundation University’s VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Eva Melon. The school heads gave overviews of their respective school’s program highlights and the important things that they’re known for. The idea was to promote what the City of Dumaguete offers and the human resources that we produce, resulting from the main business of this “unitown” environment, Education.

DTI Provincial Director Jong Fortunato, TIDD Chief Aracelia Maypa and CARP staff Tammy Sevilla also brought Ms. Torevillas to the province’s first BPO locator, SPi, where she was also given a tour and a powerpoint presentation of their services.

9/4/06 mlts

Sandugo Regional Trade Fair

2006-07-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Come July 20-23, 2006 the region's top producers will again converge in an annual Visayan trade exhibition, this time at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City. Timed with Bohol's Sandugo festival, the Sandugo Regional Product Showcase is one of the highlights during the historic Boholano event.

With the theme: "Pride of the Islands...Beyond Boundaries", our very own nine handicraft and accessories producers will showcase the best of Oriental Negros together with the over 60 exhibitors from the Visayas. Our pride comprise: Oriental Arts and Heritage (NOAH); Janet's Kitchen; Generations toys, gifts & housewares; Gifts Fashion; DJD Hand Crafted Gifts, Orient Gifts, and Hikaban Community Development Coop. of SOMEONE; Liptong Virgin Coconut Oil; and Momsie's Hand Crafts.

After the 4:00 pm opening on July 20, exhibition hours will be from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm beginning July 21 up to 23.

DTI launches "Bantay Bilihan Award"

2006-07-13T23:25:00.000-07:00

At the end of the month DTI will be launching a nation-wide competition for private and public markets. Billed the “Bantay Bilihan Award”, the competition will cover selected areas of a maximum of 20 towns and cities of every province.

Starting at the local level judges will choose their top 3 choices, which will automatically vie for the regional competition. The top 3 in the region will then represent the region in the national level. In all levels, the judges will comprise representatives from the DTI, DILG, DA, a consumer group, and selected members of the Press.

Technical Seminars aligned for July

The Department of Trade & Industry collaborates with the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on a training series on “Retro Fitting, Recycling & Recovery of Refrigerants”. The training begins July 16 at the Negros Maritime College in Sibulan, the TESDA-accredited institution, and will run for five consecutive Sundays.

----------

Still in collaboration with TESDA, DTI and the Techno-Industry Association of Negros Inc. (TIANI) will be conducting a seminar-orientation on “Capacitative Discharge Ignition & Electronic Injection (EFI) System” on July 22 at the Plaza Maria Luisa Hotel along Bishop Surban St., Dumaguete City.

For more information please see Mr. Jojo Sumido at DTI or call 225-7211 or 422-1764.

Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS)

2006-07-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

The Department of Trade & Industry recently approved the release of 10 personal computers each to some 22 public high schools in Oriental Negros under the third phase of the PCs for Public Schools (PCPS) Project, a government program that grants PCs with printer and other computer paraphernalia to selected public high schools all over the country.

The PCPS project is “DTI’s response to the compelling challenges posed by the fast-emerging Knowledge Economy.” The project aims to enhance the IT skills of young Filipinos as future knowledge workers as well as promote IT culture in Philippine classrooms as a way of developing the skills of young Filipinos to keep up with global standards.

The delivery of the computers is set for this month of July, to be followed by inspection and installation of the units by DTI and DepEd personnel. A training has also been set for at least five teachers assigned to the program by the recipient schools, immediately after the installation, with a more intensive training to be sponsored by STI coming up sometime in October.

So far, some 62 public high schools in the Province of Oriental Negros have benefited from the program through the 1^st (2002), 2^nd (2004) and 3^rd(2006) phases of PCPS, receiving a total of 740 computer units in all. Incidentally, th second phase package included 5 units each for two LGU recipients, namely: Basay and San Jose.

Recognized for its competitive advantage in the IT services sector, being the second largest producer of computer services in Asia, next to India, the Philippines has been ranked number 4 worldwide in the “Knowledge Jobs” category in the 2002 Global New Economy Index by US-based Meta Group Research. To maintain this edge and to continuously provide manpower to the IT sector, DTI, through the PCPS Project, promotes the need to incorporate IT in the basic levels of education by providing computers to public high schools.

AMA Graduation Speech

2006-06-08T01:23:00.000-07:00

Following is the speech of PD Jong Fortunato, who was the commencement speaker during the graduation exercises of AMA Computer College on May 30 at Bethel Guest House:

Let me thank you for inviting me to be your graduation speaker. It’s
quite unusual for us in Dumaguete to have a graduation just as classes are
about to start - my son, in fact, left just yesterday because his classes
start on June 1 in Iloilo.

I believe I was invited because we at DTI have been at the forefront
inviting IT investors to set up shop here and since that has been one
of our greatest successes, let me share with you how we did it.

My job at DTI has always been to help develop industry and SME’s,
especially if that industry or enterprise is export-oriented (like the
stone-craft or dried fruits that we produce here), labor intensive and
use our available resources. That was in effect a major strategy used not
just by our country but even by all our neighbors. That’s why we have many
export processing zones and industrial zones in all regions. And for
the 20 or so years that I have been here, we always looked at it that way
until we realized one day that there was another industry that was right in our
midst and even had more potential and promise.

I am talking about our education industry. Cebu’s growth was due to a
large part to trading and now the manufacturing zones in Mactan and so it is
a business center, while we in Dumaguete have always been known as the
education center in the south. Most students now watch tv and
entertainment stuff than read our history books, so it might interest you to know
that when the Americans took over the Philippines in 1898 the first-ever
private school they set up in our country was right here in Silliman…so we have
a long history of education behind us.

Another trivia as early as 1958, three of the top government officials
in the land were graduates of Dumaguete the President of our Republic was
Carlos P Garcia, the Secretary of Education was Jose E Romero and the
President of the Univ. of the Philippines was none other than Dr.
Vicente G. Sinco.

Going back to our education industry, we did a study and found out that
a third of the sales from the shops here in Dumaguete is education-
related notice there are now 30,000 plus students here and a good
number of them are foreigners. Which brought us to another discovery
education can also be an export industry. In just the same way that tourism can
bring in dollars, education is the same the Koreans, Iranians and other
foreigners who study, live, and travel around here are spreading their
money to all sectors of our society and is revitalizing our community.
Our research has shown that Australia’s No. 8 export is also education
more than 250,000 foreigners study in Australian colleges and universities.
Aside from the economic benefits, the more important thing is that when
they go back to their hometowns they will hopefully spread the good
news what they learned here, the hospitable Dumaguetenos they met here and
the overall experience they enjoyed here, which will in turn encourage
others to follow suit.

We also tried to do some re-assessment of our assets if the product of
say, Boracay, are the beaches and resorts galore, our best know product
here are the excellent human resources that graduate thru out higher
education institutions. You might say, hey most other regional capitals
like Tacloban or Cagayan de Oro also produce thousands of graduates. I
believe our distinctive advantage is we have some of the best schools
in the country. Silliman is probably THE most significant schools outside
of Metro Manila. And out of the 20 autonomous universities in the whole
country, two are here in Dumaguete, meaning they don’t have to ask CHED
permits every time they increase their fees or offer new subjects.
Foundation University, meanwhile, is on tract to becoming an international
university and last year even had a British guy managing its high
school department.

So two and a half years ago, we started doing road shows in Manila
about our excellent human resources. At that time, we already knew the key
criteria call centers and BPO’s were looking for was hirability and
retention rates. In Manila the hiring rate now is 2%, meaning out of
every 100 applicants only 2 get the job. Imagine the horror if you were a
recruitment officer and you had to fill up, let us say a 100-seat facility,
you would be needing something like 5,000 people. And that really is a
problem some companies are putting up mega call centers which have
2,000 seats and if you work the numbers, you will see that they will need to
interview 100,000 people. Imagine that…and no wonder the infrastructure
in Manila will always be bursting at its seams they need thousands of
people every day to interview.

Our game plan was to meet with the most senior people in offices and
organizations and assure them they would not suffer this fate. And
since this was done in Manila and you know how expensive things are in Manila
and we had a limited budget, we tried to “think global, but act local”,
meaning scheduling our meetings at around 11am so they could invite us for
lunch or calling on our better-off kababayans there to take us to dinner. This
was very effective because we would be able to inform them what we were
doing, convince them, and at the same time they would go out of their way to
look for other friends that we could bring our message to, so this was a
very good networking strategy.

Our team included a Dumagueteno who became the CEO of a major international
company and now semi-retired here, the Chairman of the Board of one of
the universities here, a Peace Corp guy who was working with us at DTI on
business development and an IT professional working with IBM at that
time. So the five of us were a good mix representing government, academe and
the private sector. Of course from time to time the Governor or his representative
would join us on these getting-to-know-you trips. On hindsight this was also
very important because most of the people we were seeing were American executives
and it kind of reassured them that we knew what they were looking for and could deliver on it.

Aside from expats, we also talked to policy makers, heads of the
foreign Chambers of Commerce in Makati and always about Why Dumaguete. In late
May 2004 or exactly 2 years ago, we were able to host the CEO of a company
who had never stepped foot outside of Luzon because he was always abroad
looking at their operations in the US, India and Europe. He was very
much surprised that a city our size had access to the country’s most
advanced telecom infrastructure. He liked the small town atmosphere and we even
brought him to Valencia and had lunch al fresco and under the trees and
he aid that in Manila, this was easily a two-hour ride. More importantly,
he promised he would send a team over to do a more comprehensive
assessment. The rest is history the team came in August, did interviews in
September, started training in October, looked at prospective office sites that
same month, and commenced operations in December that year. We were there
every step of the way - calling friends who had jobs but who were looking for
better jobs to apply, looking for temporary recruitment facilities and
staff apartments and introducing them to the community. Today, barely
18 months after they started operations, they already have 600 people and
I don’t know any company here that has grown that much that fast. I am
also happy to say a good number of them come from… AMA!

Our second success story is TeleTech. The expat running the Philippine
operations also heads Asian operations which include Korea and China,
and we were the first provincial office to invite them to look at sites
other than Manila. They were expanding very fast and knew the problems of
just locating in Manila so when he came here to visit, we gave him the red
carpet treatment, doing courtesy calls on the Governor and our Mayor
who assured them of safety (this is very important to them as we are near
to Mindanao and you know what the average American conjures up when they
hear that place) and of course they feel better when we bring them to dinner
at the boulevard and they see all the foreigners going about. We give them
a guided tour of the city and the different universities and colleges and
my having researched on the history of our place helped somewhat.

At the time we met the executives at Teletech, they were still intent
on getting a good foothold in Manila and they were just planning their
first foray in the suburbs of Novaliches. To make the story short, the Peace
Corp guy working with us in promoting Dumaguete was hired by Teletech as a
Business Development Manager when his contract ended and he was the one
who really pushed for setting up in Dumaguete. In October of last year,
they presented to Dumaguete City officials a plan for the “managed growth of
the call center industry”, meaning they wanted a timeframe of three years
so they could hire the most number of people without fear of poaching or
pirating but more importantly because for the 300-seat operation they
planned here, they were not sure about the hiring rate. Even if the
rate here would be 10% or 5 times higher than Manila’s, there was no
assurance on this. When they were finally granted the “First Mover Incentive”
and started hiring though, they were surprised because they had 20% plus
hiring rate.

Right now you probably know a friend or relative who is applying at, or
working for TeleTech. They now have more than 100 people and will hire
more as soon as they will occupy the first building that is now going up at
Dumaguete Business Park in Calindagan.

So in just two years time, we can proudly say that we did the
following:
· Have aggressively promoted Negros Oriental as the next “hot
spot” for IT services after Manila and Cebu, resulting in the first new
investment here in our Province in the last 20 years
· A PEZA registered IT Park, one of the few outside of Manila and
Cebu, which is in fact located in Bacong, a fourth-class municipality
· Even in the Animation Industry, a local company is now doing
outsourcing work for a Manila-based company

So IT is spearheading the development of our City and we at DTI can say
that our graduation gift to you is the prospect of more jobs here.

Before I end, let me leave you with some words of advice…

First, just because you have graduated doesn’t mean you stop learning.
Learning never stops and the more skills you have, the more you will be
“in demand” whether this will be fixing things or making things happen. I
fervently wish you would start your own businesses but in our culture,
we start by working for others. Most likely it will be working for a small
office or a big organization and this requires “soft” skills. Examples
are communication skills such as verbal, written and listening. Verbal is
something that we do day in and day out and its always nice if we can
say things nicely and not rudely. To me, some of the nicest people are
those who can “disagree agreeably”. So even if you will not be working for a
call center fielding calls from irate Americans, it will help if you read up
to improve on this skill.

Other skills like teamwork will be very much appreciated, and this
means doing your part so that as a whole you will be able to meet deadlines.
In other words, no if’s and but’s. In our local culture, managers become
really frustrated because just when they need more people, they
disappear because of some fiesta, bunyag or some other reason. Again,
the opening up of international companies here means adhering to their rules,
and if it means working the graveyard shift, we just have to work on it.

Others skills like being assertive, having integrity, commitment and
emotional competence are also equally important. We must always
remember we are now working with global companies and in a global environment,
it will help all of us immensely if we hone up on these skills.

Second, I would like to suggest get a life. Meaning do something you
really would like to do. When I first visited Siquijor more than ten years
ago, I told myself I would go biking around the island because it really is a
biking paradise. Well, it took me ten years but I finally did it this
summer my wife and I got bikes early this year and we started doing
starter trips up to Valencia. It took us several attempts before we
finally made it all the way to Valencia and I can tell you the feeling is
similar to those guys who just made it to Mt Everest. Last month, we decide to
make a go at Siquijor. We almost gave up because we got left behind by the
first 2 trips but finally made it to the 3rd trip. We started biking at 9am
and I can tell you it was glorious 80K around the island, 10 hours on our
bikes, 6 towns including stops to taste local cuisine and look at the sites
and we had one great vacation, short though it was.

Of course, the nicest thing is also it’s a cheap way to see our country
and I’m always reminded of that sign which says, “See the world before you
leave it.”

You don’t have to go to Chicago to see the Shedd Aquarium to see the
$47M wing which houses an exhibit called Wild Reef featuring our very own
Apo Island because its just a few minutes boat ride from Malatapay. You
don’t have to go to Bora or the Maldives to enjoy the best beaches because we
have our very own sandbar at Campuyo. You don’t even have to go to
Bohol to gaze at, in the words of my son, “those weird-shaped hills and that
even weirder-looking monkey” which have made Bohol famous because we have
our own share of endangered species in that mini zoo in Daro.

Lastly, carpe diem…that’s Latin for “seize the day”.

I think you’ve heard enough lectures in the last few years so I will
end now. In closing, let me thank you again for inviting me and
Congratulations, thank you all.

IT Planning Workshop

2006-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

The Department of Trade & Industry collaborated with Innove Communications through Globe Quest in the IT Planning Workshop held at the Bethel Guest House last June 1, 2006.

With the theme: “IT in Oriental Negros: Beyond Call Centers”, the activity aimed at providing a venue for an exchange of industry information and use it to craft an IT roadmap for the Province. The speakers in the morning presentations that focused on "Where are We Now" included: Mr. Frederick Dael, an accomplished Dumagueteno; TeleTech's Mr. Rommel Montano; Ms. Suzanne Lu-Bascara of SPI; Mr. Rolf Reierskog of IT Outlook; and Mr. Frederick Amores of the National Computer Center, Visayas.

Commissioner Dondi Mapa of the Commission on Information & Communications Technology facilitated the afternoon workshop that focused on “Where Do We Want to Go in the next 12 -18 months” and “How Do We Get There”.

Participants included key people from government and the academe, industry leaders and stakeholders who needed to understand the industry's problems and prospects . As it is IT has contributed so much to the development of our community in the last two years.

Give me a break!

2006-05-18T00:23:00.000-07:00

As the saying goes, "all work and no play...". And that's just what the fun-loving people at DTI did in a recent out-of-town blitz to beat the heat as the summer sizzled in this part of the Philippines. The entire staff tackled the tracks leading to the twin of lake Balinsasayao, lake Danao. More than the sweaty and pulsating struggle up and down the rocky path, we literally felt challenged by the very naturalness of the place...Our photos say it all, we had fun! But more than the fun of it, the activity gave our tired and sleeping muscles some real workout. Tirelessly dragging ourselves with office work (and endless feeding sessions in the morning or afternoon) at the office or on field simply hardens our body joints, arms and legs that is why the idea of a mountain trip really shook us up to realize that this was something we needed. Til next summer people!

Seminar on Handling Consumer Complaints

2006-05-12T01:19:00.000-07:00

DTI recently conducted a seminar on "Handling Consumer complaints" at the DTI Provincial Office. Held last April 26, seminar participants included frontliners (i.e. customer service personnel) of Lee Super Plaza, Hypermart and representatives of the Consumer Advocates Inc. (CAI), a private group of local consumer advocates. DA was represented by its Plant Quarantine Service Officer, Mr. Enrico Amores.

Price Bulletin Boards

2006-05-12T00:21:00.000-07:00

The Provincial SK Federation, through its president Hon. Arvin Cabio, is set to turn over their donation of 10 price bulletin boards to the Consumer Welfare Officers (CWOs) of 10 pre-selected municipalities and cities, namely: Ayungon, Bais, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Mabinay, Siaton, Tanjay, Valencia and Zamboanguita. The bulletin boards will be set up at strategic spots in the above-mentioned areas. The project is a joint effort of the SK federation and DTI. Turnover rites is set for Thursday, May 18 at the DTI provincial office.

BSMED conducts TOSCON

2006-05-09T01:53:00.000-07:00

In view of the Small & Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) plan to upgrade SME centers, the BSMED implemented the Training of Small Business Counselors (TOSCON) during the first quarter of 2006. With the aim of strengthening the competency and effectiveness of the DTI Provincial SME Counselors in the management of SME Centers and in providing advisory services to SMEs, the training ran in two batches. DTI-NOPO's Ms. Bing Sumanoy represented the provincial office during the 2nd batch which was held on March 13-26 at the BSMED office in Makati City. The 1st batch was held February 27-March 11.

With funding from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) through the Export Development Council (EDC), participants to the two-week training came from the 60 SME Centers that were not included in the 25 priority SME Centers.

BOI Capability Building Training for DTI Provincial Offices

2006-05-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ms. Araceli Maypa, chief of the Trade & Industry Development Division of DTI-Negros Oriental, represented the office in the Capability Building Training Program for DTI provincial offices on the Board of Investments (BOI) registration requirements and procedures.

Aiming to localize BOI registration utilizing the provincial offices, the training-workshop was held on April 5-6, 2006 in Tagbilaran City and participated in by provincial directors and industry development division chiefs all over Central Visayas. In the said workshop the following areas were covered: the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) and specific guidelines; Incentives to BOI/PEZA-registered enterprises; General Policies; Procedures on Processing of Applications for the registration of investment projects; and the Supervision and Monitoring of BOI-registered enterprises.

Before the end of the workshop, the group agreed on a specific monitoring system/procedure. Workshop facilitators were no less than BOI Executive Director Lucita P. Reyes and Dir. Rudy B. Cana.

ONIA runner-up joins Nebraska business plan competition

2006-05-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

The team e-UREKA, 2nd runner-up winner in the Oriental Negros Innovation Awards 2005-2006 competition recently joined the New World Ventures business plan competition in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The competition was held April 6-8, 2006 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lincoln and is one of the many events of its kind in the United States. Although admittedly their plan "i-Kard" needed more fine-tuning and further research, to e-UREKA Information & Advertising Officer Irene Rafil (the group’s lone representative to the competition), the experience was most rewarding, having been the only Asian team that made it to the finals. Her team was one of the over 60 applicants that qualified to submit the required executive summary of the plan, and out of the 60 moved up to the top 26 and eventually made it to the top 4 finalists in the graduate category. According to Ms. Rafil, the competitors, who mostly came from North America, were very professional, aggressive and experienced. Most of them were already “hands-on” in their businesses and their plans were either in the fields of agriculture or medicine, and, according to Ms. Rafil, iKard was the only entry that was into IT. During the Q&A portion, the judges told Irene that their plan “will not” work out in the U.S. but that it had a big market potential in the Asian region.

So what now for iKard? The group is set to go further into the business that they have started to establish. With their ONIA and Nebraska experience, they have realized that with determination, things are only starting for them. They also plan to join other forthcoming business plan competitions in Asia. Meantime they are in the process of establishing their presence in four big campuses in Dumaguete.

DTI joins BIARSP Info Fair

2006-05-02T00:29:00.000-07:00

DTI was invited to join the “Info Fair” sponsored by the Belgian Integrated Agrarian Reform Special Project (BIARSP) at the Sky Deck of Bethel Guest House last Tuesday, April 18, 2006.
The fair was part of the day-long activity in line with the Comprehensive Rural Entrepreneurial Academy (CREA) graduation. CREA is a BIARSP-funded program to support front liners in rural development of DAR and the municipalities which aimed at enhancing the participants’ knowledge and skills in entrepreneurial know-how and leadership.

Other government and private institutions that joined the fair were: DAR, DA, TESDA, FIDA, CDA, the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, Land Bank of the Phils., and the Silliman University Extension Program. During the fair participating institutions also presented their respective institutional profiles and thrusts.

DTI conducts mobile business name registration

2006-05-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

As part of DTI’s thrust in bringing service closer to the people, DTI has scheduled its regular conduct of mobile business name registration in different parts of the province.

On April 19, the entire staff of the Trade & Industry Regulatory Division (TIRD) headed by its chief, Dr. Angeline Gonzales, was in Tanjay City for one whole day to conduct various monitoring activities. On the same day they also issued a total of 200 application forms for business name registration. Apparently during an earlier inspection by the monitoring team, a number of establishments in the City were found to have no DTI-registered business names, hence, the need for the mobile registration. They also did random checking of price tags and weighing scales at the Tanjay City public market. Out of the 160 weighing scales inspected, 40 were confiscated due to defects.

Incidentally, TIRD staff Ms. Addie Balatayo also conducted an inspection for the ETC (Emission Testing Center) accreditation of JPV in nearby Bais City on the same day. JPV is one of the three emission testing centers in the province, the other two being PNL and Hi-Point, all Dumaguete-based facilities with branches in Bais and Bayawan Cities.

The team is again set to go to Bayawan City on May 16 for the “Halad Sa Pangulo” program, government’s initiative for the people of the southern part of Oriental Negros to avail of the services of various government agencies right at their doorstep.

NegOr participants reap top NTF awards

2006-05-02T00:17:00.000-07:00

Negros Oriental producers that joined the National Trade Fair (NTF) 2006 held last March 15-19 at the SM Mega Mall reaped top awards. NOAH of Bacong got the top selling prototype and top seller awards while Orient Gifts got the top seller for fashion accessories award.

NOAH has been a consistent winner for the last four years, and with this year’s performance coupled with that of Orient Gifts, they added to the laurels of Region 7, making it the top selling region on the national level.

Organized by the Department of Trade & Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the NTF is an annual market promotion for countryside entrepreneurs that have potential to serve both the domestic and international markets. As it is, the highlight of trade fair participation is the generation of cash sales and booked orders from buyers (i.e. exporters, export traders, institutional buyers and importers) who visit the show.

DTI-CARP Coordinators' Quarterly Conference

2006-05-02T00:11:00.000-07:00

DTI-NOPO’s CARP team, Melvin Badon and Tammy Sevilla, attended the regional quarterly coordinators’ conference in Cebu City last March 23-24. Held at the Crown Regency Hotel in Guadalupe, Cebu City, the conference’s highlights included the review of accomplishments vis-à-vis the 2005 workplan and presentation of the 2006 work plan per province on day one. Day two was dedicated to site visits to the OTOP Center in Car-Car, Cebu’s “shoe capital”, and the pandan bags of Barili.

DTI conducts assessment of OTOPS

2006-05-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

TIDD chief Araceli Maypa, together with three staff visited different areas in the north and south to assess the status of the OTOPs in different parts of the province. On March 16-17, the group visited Tanjay City (bod-bod), Bindoy (mango), Amlan (jackfruit or nangka), and Sta. Catalina (VCO). The assessment was also part of the provincial office’s campaign for participants to the regional trade fair to be held in Tagbilaran City in July, in time for Bohol’s Sandugo Festival.

DTI-Neg Or holds LSM to local IT facilities

2006-05-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

The DTI-NOPO staff conducted a one-day local study mission (LSM) on Mar. 6 to four IT companies that have set up operations in Oriental Negros. Starting at 8:00 in the morning, the staff visited SPI Technologies, Entheos IT, SEAT IT and TeleTech. The tour gave us, the staff, the opportunity to see for ourselves and get the feel of how BPOs operate. In a way, it allowed us to get a better perspective of the growing IT industry in the province.

Consultative Meeting with IT companies

2006-05-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

Governor George P. Arnaiz called for a consultative meeting with top key players of the IT industry that have put up facilities in Negros Oriental – SPI Technologies and TeleTech to get the latest developments in their respective IT lines. SPI CEO Ernest Cu, Bacong site manager Suzanne Bascara and Ian Bellord attended on behalf of SPI. Teletech was represented by its business development manager Mr. Veneeth Iyengar and site manager Mel Montano .

Initiated by DTI, the meeting took place at the Jordan I Hall of Bethel Guest House last March 3. Also present during the meeting were DTI's Jong Fortunato and Araceli Maypa, Vice-Mayor William Ablong, City Planning Officer Josie Antonio, Provincial Planning Officer OIC Joy Gongob, the Investment Promotion Center (IPC)’s Francisco Martinez and John Jalandoni; the city’s higher education institutions represented by outgoing SU president Dr. Agustin Pulido, NORSU president Dr. Henry Sojor and FU’s VP for finance Mr. Dean Sinco.

DTI bosses attend "Go Negosyo"

2006-04-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

DTI-NOPO PD Javier Fortunato, Jr. and TIDD Chief Araceli Maypa attended the “Go Negosyo Entrepreneurship Summit and Expo” in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City last Feb. 23-24, 2006.

The expo had various activities, including forums occurring simultaneously, and one of them was the forum on business plan competitions. PD Jong was among the presentors who gave brief overviews on the respective business plan competitions (like ONIA) they each represented. Also in one of the activities, our ONIA 2nd runner-up eUreka presented their team’s elevator pitch, the pitch that won them additional P10K in last February’s ONIA finals.

DTI NOPO Hosts Regional Quarterly Mancom

2006-04-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Regional DTI-MANCOM Conference was held at Sta. Monica Beach Resort, in Banilad, Dumaguete City last Februrary 20-22, 2006. Hosted by DTI-NOPO, the activity was basically an assessment of the past year’s accomplishments vis-à-vis the regional vision and direction. In attendance were DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte, the various provincial directors, chiefs of Industry development and regulatory divisions, administrative officers, planning and communication officers from all four provincial offices of DTI Region 7. Facilitated by Ms. Mia Baguio, managing consultant of Leader’s Link Training & Consulting Center, the conference also had Mr. Joel Mari Yu as one of its resource persons.

NORSU launches Innovation Challenge

2006-04-25T00:31:00.000-07:00

The Negros Oriental State University’s College of Business and Accountancy, the DTI and the TVB Group launched on February 2, the NORSU Innovation Challenge (NIC). A competition aimed at generatingc business ideas, the event is open to all NORSU students with business ideas that may be in the form of goods or services. Consistent with its status as “center of science and technology researches and its programs to develop business ideas, the NIC challenges the students to become entrepreneurial starting within the campus.

The NIC launch was highlighted by the signing of MOA by NORSU, DTI and TVB representatives. The convocation’s guest speaker and Island Souvenirs Inc. president Mr. Jay Aldeguer and NORSU president Dr. Henry Sojor witnessed the MOA signing.

DTI-CARP conducts 1st quarter trainings

2006-04-24T23:53:00.000-07:00

Two trainings on values formation and parliamentary procedure were conducted by DTI-CARP separately to the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) of La Libertad and Guihulngan, in collaboration with their respective LGUs and the Provincial Cooperative Development Office PCDO). The training in La Libertad was held last January 31 to February 1 and the one in Guihulngan was conducted February 9-10. The trainings were incorporated in the BESTGAME training program of DTI. Participants to both trainings were the pandan weavers of the target Agrarian Reform communities of the area. Incidentally, the pandan bag industry of Guihulngan is the model OTOP of Negros Oriental.

DTI sponsors "Kapihan sa PIA"

2006-04-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

A weekly event ho The The Provincial Office of the Department of Trade & Industry sponsored a "Kapihan" last January 18 at the Sky Deck of Bethel Guest House. Hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, last January's "Kapihan" was about current IT investments in Negros Oriental. Acting as panelists and presentors were representatives of SPI Publishing Services, Entheos IT, SEAT IT Travel & Tours, and Original Code Weavers. They each gave the audience an overview of what their respective companies are into. Others present were representatives of the business sector, the academe as well as members of the press. Ms. Jennifer Tilos acted as moderator.

FinSosurce comes to Dumaguete

2006-04-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

TeleTech’s newly acquired subsidiary, FinSource comes to Dumaguete. This Manila-based BPO that has been providing financial and banking back office support to foreign and domestic clients since 2003 is expected to establish an office in Dumaguete. FinSource president and CEO Mohan Kulkarni visited DTI in January with TeleTech executives en route to visits to the city’s various universities and colleges. FinSource will soon hold office at the DCDB building, along Cervantes cor. Dr. V. Locsin Streets. This development is again expected to increase local employment, a welcome respite for job seekers.

ONIA 2005-2006 Holds two-day finals

2006-03-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

The Oriental Negros Innovation Awards Finals was held February 16-17 at the Flores Hall of Foundation University, this city. The activity started off with Round Table Discussions and Cocktails on day 1, with the three (3) ONIA judges as main speakers. The judges were: Mr. Jay Bernardo, AIM professor and multi-awarded CEO; Mr. Mohan Kulkarni, TeleTech’s Vice-President for Business Development and CEO of FinSource, a TeleTech subsidiary; and Mr. Richard Cruz, another AIM professor and consultant.

The Judges: Richard Cruz, Francisco "Jay" Bernardo, and Mohan Kulkarni

Day 2’s main events were the elevator pitch segment, with the five teams’ representatives giving 90-minute summaries of their respective team’s business plans, and the final 20-minute presentations of each team. Immediately after the presentations and Q&A with the judges, an awarding ceremony was held, and the following came out as winners: The Aces Trailblazers of ACSAT won the grand prize of P50,000.00. The team’s innovation, the automated rice seedbed protection (ARSP), uses sensors to regulate heat and moisture in a seedbed that creates an environment conducive for the growth of seedlings. It has been a collaborative effort of Lou Gallego, team leader, Ritchel Baldado and Susan Ofamin, under the mentorship of Engr. Jasmin Bala.

Grand Prize Winner: Aces Trailblazers

ProTek’s Watchdog24 won second place and P25,000.00. The wireless security system innovated by the team from Silliman University, monitors the status of a site for 24 hours and reports an event to the user or persons pre-assigned within 2-3 seconds through a text message. Third place and P10,000.00 went to e-Ureka’s iKard, a service-based customized prepaid card for single use that provides access to order products from the internet and eliminates the waste of unused balance. The product was a collaboration of students and from SU, ACSAT and SPUD. Incidentally eUreka won the elevator pitch competition and another P10,000.00.

Elevator pitch winner: eUreka

Since it started three years ago, ONIA has been run by DTI and funded by the Provincial Government of Oriental Negros through the Business Development Foundation and the One-IPC, with the support of the TVB Group and the various Higher Education Institutions of the City of Dumaguete.

First Mover, Teletech moves in!

2005-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

It’s final. TeleTech Holdings Inc., one of the biggest customer management service providers operating in the country, has finally signed a memorandum of agreement with the city of Dumaguete as the first company to avail of the first mover incentive, a local ordinance specifically favoring the call center industry.

TeleTech Executive Director Craig Reines signed the agreement on behalf of TeleTech with Mayor Agustin Perdices signing for the City of Dumaguete. The MOA signing was held yesterday, November 14 at the City Hall in the presence of Governor George Arnaiz, the E-Services Council, city government and other officials from various national government agencies.

As it is, the call center industry has now become one of the country’s biggest providers of outsourced services, that is why the Province of Oriental Negros and the City of Dumaguete have pushed for call centers to invest here in the last two years.

The agreement allows the company three years of operation with no competition from other companies with businesses of similar nature. Teletech will initially hold office at the second and third floors of the DCDB Bldg., located along Dr. V. Locsin and Cervantes Streets, this city.

Marketing Technology Ideas - ONIA Workshop

2005-11-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

The Oriental Negros Innovation Awards (ONIA) through the Department of Trade & Industry conducted last November 5, 2005, a workshop on “Marketing Technology Ideas” at the Blue Audio Visual Room of Foundation University’s IT Building. Guest speaker was Mr. Federico Gonzales, the Executive Director of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) and Director for Business Plans of the Philippine Emerging Start Ups Open (PESO).

Other than the workshop theme, Mr. Gonzales also talked on the thrusts and directions of PCE as well as his experience in running PESO, the history of the program, its challenges and opportunities. Mr. Gonzales gave his audience, which comprised mostly of business and entrepreneurship students and faculty from the city’s universities and colleges, a perspective of running and being a part of a scheme that launches future business magnates and empires. He also acknowledged ONIA and Dumaguete’s being the pioneer in business plan competitions in the country and challenged the students to take this opportunity and come up with unique and high impact business plans.

ONIA is now on its semi-final stage and has trimmed down to 10, the number of teams that have qualified for this level. The workshop is only the second in a series given to teams that reach the semi-finals.

Following is the schedule of workshops for the next two weeks to be held at the AVR, IT Bldg., FU main campus: Nov. 12 - “Financial Aspect of a Business Plan” with Atty. Doram Dumalagan; Nov. 19 – “Creating a Winning Business Plan” with Mr. Francisco Bernardo.

For more on ONIA, visit its website at http://www.innovationawards.kom.ph.

CESO Consultants evaluate SOMEONE

2005-10-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

A four-man evaluation team from the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) arrived in Dumaguete last October 13 in connection with the institution’s assistance program extended to one of our client organizations in the handicraft sector, SOMEONE.

The month-long program, through Mr. Douglas Johnson, a financial management consultant, aided the association in setting up their books which indirectly benefited almost a thousand employees.

Incidentally, CESO Country Manager, Mr. Timothy Moiket, introduced another consultant in the person of Dr. Agathe Gagne`-Collard, Ph.D., a Canadian expert adviser on loomweaving. Dr. Collard is here for three weeks to assist in the development of the loomweaving industry. The technical assistance aims to help improve production through the use of raddle and the use of four harnesses, against the usual two that is currently being done locally, and eventually increase productivity. Dr. Collard will also conduct product development by introducing new designs, colors and new types of weaves to the local weavers.

First Mover Incentive Ordinance

2005-10-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that the Dumaguete City Council has already passed the First Mover Incentive Ordinance, a landmark ordinance for the city as this is the first time the city has come up with something more tangib1e, in so far as the call center industry is concerned.

As it is, the ordinance promotes a long-term sustainable environment for the call center industry. It protects itself from the industry’s usual problems like very low hiring rate, high attrition rate and poaching. It also provides employment opportunities for locals and provides a favorable business climate to prospective investors.

To promote a long term sustainable environment for the call center industry in the City of Dumaguete;
To protect the industry from problems typically associated with call centers in other parts of the country: very low hiring rate, high attrition rate and poaching;
To provide employment opportunity within Dumaguete City; and
To provide a favorable business climate to prospective investors.

Convergys converge in Dumaguete

2005-10-19T23:33:00.000-07:00

The Human Resource team of Convergys Corporation was in Dumaguete City last week to promote, recruite and hire applicants for their Cebu -based call center. Convergys Corporation is one of the several customer management service companies that have been landing in our shores in the last two years. They invited selected agencies and institutions for a company briefing at La Residencia Hotel last Wednesday, October 12, then a two-day job fair over the weekend, in collaboration with Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria to receive and process applications.

A leader in providing customer care, human resources and billing services, Convergys is also into the development of “software that delivers convergent capabilities for providers of voice, video, data and mobile services.”

So far, of the 260 applicants who took the exams at COSCA, 19 qualified to undergo training. Convergys is open to as many applicants who are interested to apply.

BUGLASAN 2005 - The Festival of Festivals!

2005-10-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

For the nth time, Oriental Negrenses celebrate the “Festival of Festivals” on October 14-25, 2005. No less than President GMA herself will open this year’s festivities, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies to be held at 4:00 pm today at the Capitol grounds.

With the theme: “Buglasan: Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Partnership in Tourism Development”, the 11-day affair has over 50 activities aligned. Topping this year’s highlights is the tourism exhibition of the 20 towns and 5 cities that showcases the province’s various tourist destinations. There is also the rodeo and horse show; street dancing and showdown participated by the various municipal contingents. The “Motorada”, which aims to document the world’s longest single line motorcycle parade for the Guinness World Book of Records, is another exciting highlight.

Among the numerous activities spread throughout the next 11 days, people could expect entertainment day or night: be it sports, music or cultural extravaganza at the exhibition grounds. Food stalls abound while visitors and guests take their pick.

Over all, Buglasan 2005 is a conglomeration of events resulting from the collaborative efforts of different sectors; from the LGUs, national government agencies to the business sector; the NGOs, the civic sector to the academe. Everyone is practically involved. Of course, our OTOPs are very much part of the showcase, as each municipality provides a corner for their OTOP display. Our DTI staff have been coordinating and assisting in the preparation of promo collateral in this respect.

Anime Assault!!!

2005-10-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

The Department of Trade & Industry is happy to inform the public of the entry of Top Peg and EntheosIT, Inc., two young and promising business partners in the animation business in Dumaguete City.

The first of its kind to be ever conducted outside Metro Manila, the partnership focuses on the training of potential animators that are guaranteed jobs after a three-month training period. The training requires high technical skills, specifically on drawing, but doesn’t require a college degree. It is open to everyone aging 17-60 years old.

Incidentally, animation happens to be one of the currently rising industries in the country that shows great potential, as far as employment opportunities is concerned. In a press conference held at DTI-NOPO last Tue, Oct. 14, Ms. Grace A. Dimaranan, Top Peg’s Managing Director and currently vice-president of the Animation Council of the Philippines said, that with IT being the “in” thing, with computer and IT literacy rising, and of course satellite and cable TV dominating our households, animation has found its niche in the world market.

5 Reasons for You to Visit Oriental Negros

2005-04-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

1. The University Town of Dumaguete

Silliman University

Centers of Excellence/Development in Biodiversity Conservation, Nursing, Education, Coastal Resources Management, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Sciences, Business & Management Education and Biology
National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith Tiempo started the oldest Creative Writing Program in Asia, producing a majority of PEN and Palanca Awardees
It is the only university that owns its fiber optic system; it is one of only two academic institutions in the Philippines that have extensive fiber optic backbones.
Costing US $2.5 million in 1997, the fiber optic backbone connects all colleges and buildings in the University.
First school in the Philippines to deploy wireless Wi-Fi B2B LAN technology on its campus; WIFI and Fiber Optics are the main media used for data communication within the University

Foundation University

Operates a CISCO Networking Academy consistently having 100% certification rate
IT Center open 24/7 so students can work, do research, browse, chat, have lessons, or even play online games
Its Computer Science program focuses on working with open source programming.
IT is applied to all disciplines.
It also hosts several student-designed and built websites for local NGOs, including the website for the Oriental Negros Innovation Awards, a pioneering business plan competition aimed at generating more new businesses in the province.

Saint Paul University Dumaguete

Opened in 1904, it was the first school of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres
St. Paul College – Dumaguete is the first ISO 9000 certified school in the Philippines

Negros Oriental State University

The newest State University in the country
Pioneer internet service provider in Oriental Negros
DOST Outstanding Academic Institution
Gateway for province-wide One Government Network
Has the biggest student population in Oriental Negros

2. The Power Source

Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant

Palinpinon 1 Geothermal Power Plant (NPC), Total Generating Capacity 112.5 MW
Palinpinon 2 Geothermal Power Plant (NPC), Total Generating Capacity - 80 MW

3. The Robust Telecom Infrastructure

Globe Telecom's Fiber Optic Backbone Network (red lines) and Telicphil's NDTN (yellow green) landing in Dumaguete City.

The Visayas Network: Dumaguete with links to Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

4. The Cost of Doing business

Minimum Daily Wage : P 188.00/day

Telephone

Installation Fee : P 2,475.00
Monthly Subscription : P 520.00-995.00

Internet

Installation Fee : P 2,000.00-3,500.00
Monthly Subscription : P 1,195—20,000 (128 Kbps—1 Mbps)

Space Rental

Commercial : P 100.00—300.00/sq. m.
Residential : P 5,000.00—10,000.00/mo.

Utilities

Power

Commercial : P 5.4849/KwHr
Residential : P 5.1835/KwHr
Industrial : P 5.3159/KwHr

Water

Commercial : P 7.04/cu.m. (1-inch pipe)

5. The Quality of Life

Small town ambience
Urban amenities (24 –Hour convenience stores, restaurants and bars)
Large foreign resident population
Rich cultural life
Choice tourist spots
Excellent schools
Friendly, hospitable people
NEDA report: most economical city

Hotels and Pension Houses

2005-04-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

BETHEL GUEST HOUSE

No. of Rooms: 54 fully air-conditioned

8 studio rooms
12 double deluxe rooms
24 twin rooms
8 family rooms
2 family deluxe rooms

Air-conditioned equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, which are ideal for meetings, weddings, seminars and conventions

Facilities/service:

250 KW standby generator, electrical outlet 220V, 24 hour centralized air-conditioning
Business Center , sage deposit boxes, Multimedia, overhead and slide projectors, photocopier, risograph and fax machine
Reservation can be done without deposit or credit card guarantee shall be at the discretion of the management.
Dolphin and Whale watching tours available.

Contact:

Rizal Boulevard , Dumaguete City
Manager: Mr. Roy Cang
Tel. No. (035) 225-2000, 422-8000
Fax No.: (035) 225-1374
E-mail: bethel@mozcom.com

LA RESIDENCIA ALMAR

No. of Rooms: 17

17 aircon rooms
4 non-aircon rooms

All fully air-conditioned, toilet and bathroom in all rooms, Cable TV, PABX, hot and cold shower

Facilities/service:

Restaurant, coffee shop
Safety deposit, room, laundry services
Standby generator, parking space

Contact:

Rizal Boulevard, Dumaugete City
Manager: Mrs. Yolanda Hilado
Tel. No. (035) 225-7100/7101, 422-8449
Fax No.: (035) 225-4724
E-mail: das@mozcom.com

PLAZA MARIA LUISA SUITES INN

No. of rooms: 20 (all fully air-conditioned)

All rooms with private toilet and bathroom, hot and cold shower, PABX system and Cable TV
Free breakfast

Facilities/service:

Fax/long distance/photocopy/laundry services
Coffee shop, elevator, free shuttle service
Upon request – massage service
Function rooms: 5 (audio visual equipment, LCD/overhead projector)
Three (3) big – maximum of 300 pax
Two (2) small – good for 150-180 pax

Contact:

Legaspi St., Dumaguete City
Manager: Cristy Bollos
Tel. No.: (035) 225-3267, 225-4801, 422-7382
Telefax: (035) 225-7994
E-mail: plazamar@moscom.com

SOUTH SEA RESORT HOTEL

No. of Rooms: 62 fully air-conditioned

All rooms with private toilet and bathroom and hot and cold shower.
All rates – added 20%

Facilities/service:

Transportation service, room service
Safety deposit boxes, boutique, restaurant
Swimming pool, conference and poolside pavilion

Contact:

Bantayan, Dumaguete City
Manager: Architect Renato Armogenia
Tel. No.: (035) 225-0491/225-2409/422-0113
Telefax No.: (035) 255-0491

Cost of Doing Business

2005-04-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

Minimum Daily Wage PhP 180.00/day

Telephone

Installation Fee PhP 2,475.00
Monthly subscription PhP 520.00 - 995.00

Internet Connection

Installation Fee PhP 2,000 - 3,500
Monthly subscription PhP 1,195 - 20,000 (128 Kbps - 1 Mbps)

Space Rental

Commercial PhP 100 - 200/sqm
Residential PhP 5,000 - 10,000 (semi-furnish house w/ 2Bedrooms, sala, CR, etc.)

Utilities

Power

Comercial P 5.4849/KWHR
Residential P 5.1835/KWHR
Industrial P 5.3159/KWHR

Water

Commercial PhP 7.04/cu.m (1 inch pipe diameter)

Education

2005-03-31T16:05:00.000-08:00

UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES

Silliman University : Founded in 1901 by the Silliman family of Presbyterian missionaries, this flourishing institution exemplifies the academic and youthful spirit of the city. The Silliman “Gates of Knowledge” are a majestic landmark to the city’s commitment to education. Silliman’s facilities include the theater transported from the Broadway in New York City (check on this) and rebuilt here in Dumaguete, as well as the Marine Lab, the Center for Tropical Studies and Conservation, and the Luce Auditorium.

Number of Graduates

DEGREE	SY 02-03	SY 03-04
General Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biology	-	13
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry	7	10
Bachelor of Science in Physics	8	4
Engineering, IT & Computer Sci.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering	73	44
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering	-	22
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science	-	-
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering	27	25
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology	7	20
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering	22	26
Nursing and Allied Medical Courses
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology	56	64
Bachelor of Science in Nursing	33	55
Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy	18	16
Business
Bachelor of Business Administration	155	148
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy	16	25
Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Application	23	24
Others
Bachelor of Arts	63	48
Bachelor of Elementary Education	4	6
Bachelor of Mass Communication	32	38
Bachelor of Music	5	14
Bachelor of Science	38	25
Bachelor of Science in Agri. Business	8	2
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture	10	10
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics	12	8
Bachelor of Science in Psychology	-	34
Bachelor of Science in Social Work	13	15
Bachelor of Secondary Education	17	10
Bachelor of Theology	9	5
Bachelor of Laws	22	25
Graduate
Doctor of Education		1
Master of Arts	4	5
Master of Arts in Psychology	6	5
Master of Arts in Teaching	-	2
Master of Business Administration	4	-
Master of Divinity	3	5
Master of Divinity	3	-
Master of Education	1	3
Master of Music	1	-
Master of Public Administration	1	1
Master of Public Health	1	3
Master of Science	-	1
Master of Science in Coastal Resource Management	-	4
Master of Science in Environmental Science	1	3
Master of Science in Marine Biology	1	2
Master of Science in Nursing	-	1
Master of Science major in Social Work	1	-
Master of Theology	-	2

St. Paul University Dumaguete : As envisioned, the College had a three-fold function-instruction, research, and civic action. The clarity of this vision was recognized 1963. Foundation College received international recognition when it was invited to be a member of the international Association of Universities. The College was the first institution in the Visayas and Mindanao to receive this honor and first institution of higher learning worldwide that was not a university to become a member of this world organization. In January 28,1969, the Department of Education, on the strength of the College’s achievement and performance, superior instructional facilities, the quality of its graduates, and sincerity in purpose, granted the institution a university charter.

Foundation University : As envisioned, the College had a three-fold function-instruction, research, and civic action. The clarity of this vision was recognized 1963. Foundation College received international recognition when it was invited to be a member of the international Association of Universities. The College was the first institution in the Visayas and Mindanao to receive this honor and first institution of higher learning worldwide that was not a university to become a member of this world organization. In January 28,1969, the Department of Education, on the strength of the College’s achievement and performance, superior instructional facilities, the quality of its graduates, and sincerity in purpose, granted the institution a university charter
Asain College of Science & Technology : ASIAN COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ACSAT), Dumaguete branch started operating 1992. it had only two (2) courses offered - the Computer Secretarial (COMSEC) and the Electronics and Computer Technology (ECTech) registering only two-hundred fourteen (214) students with only three (3) faculty members and four (4) people in the Administration staff, under Mrs Dorothy S. Dy as the School Directress. All classes were held in one floor of the 4-storey building located along Real Street, Dumaguete City. ACSAT Dumaguete Transfers to its modern and state-of-the-art building with a population of 1,200 students.
Negros Oriental State University : The Beginnings of what is now the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) date back to 1907, from a single woodworking class at what was then the Negros Oriental Provincial School, the forerunner of the present Negros Oriental High School. As more industrial arts subjects were added, a separate arts and trade school on the secondary level called the Negros Oriental Trade School was established 1927. This was the provincial trade school which became East Visayan School of Arts and Trade in 1956 and the Central Visayas Polytechnic College in 1983. In June 25, 2004, became Negros Oriental State University.

DEGREE	2002-2003	2003-2004
DEGREE	2002-2003	2003-2004
GENERAL SCIENCES
BS BIOLOGY	4	4
BS CHEMISTRY	5	4
BS GEOLOGY	8	17
BS MATHEMATICS	8	17
ENGINEERING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMPUTER SCIENCE
BS ARCHITECTURE	12	4
BS CIVIL ENGINEERING	28	18
BS COMPUTER ENGINEERING	5	17
BS ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING	7	11
BS ECE	14	33
BS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING	7	8
BS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY	45	33
BS COMPUTER SCIENCE	76	109
EDUCATION
BEED	111	75
BS COMPUTER EDUCATION	12	0
BS INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION	11	18
BSED	102	79
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION	6	3
OTHERS
AB GENERAL	30	28
AB MASS COMMUNICATION	22	20
BS OFFICE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT	75	121
BS TOURISM	14	26
BS HRM	39	47
BS INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY	114	241
BS CRIMINOLOGY	81	85
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY	5	6
BACHELOR OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY	36	40
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FORESTRY	15	1
BS MARINE ENGINEERING	11	10
BS MARINE TRANSPORTATION	41	35
DIPLOMA COURSES
GENERAL RADIO COMMUNICATION OPERATOR	1
ASSOCIATE IN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY	8	18
ASSOCIATE IN MEDICAL-DENTAL-NURSING AIDE	30	38
ASSOCIATE IN COMPUTER SECTRETARIAL	107	96
ASSOCIATE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT	21	12
DIPLOMA OF TECHNOLOGY	31	27
MIDWIFERY	16	34

Real Estate

2005-03-31T11:23:00.000-08:00

Rent per square meter: PhP 100 - 200

Available spaces

Dumaguete City Development Bank Bldg. - 235 sq.m. concrete structure, with parking space, ready electrical wirings and telecommunications cables.

Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Coop., Inc. - 500 sq.m., 3rd flr., concrete structure with parking space, ready electrical wirings and telecommunications cables.

HyperMart – 5 x 1000 sq.m. concrete structure, bodega type with very high ceiling and with parking space, electrical wirings and telecommunications cables
NORECO Bldg. – 980 sq.m. concrete structure, with parking space, ready electrical wirings and telecommunications cables.
Rural Bank of Dumaguete Bldg. – 200 sq.m. 3rd flr. Space
Albert Ong Bldg. – 343 sq.m. concrete structure, bodega type with high ceiling

Telecom Infrastructure

2005-03-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

Globe

Services

1) Internet connection

Broadband DSL (P 1,000.00 - 4,000.00 per month)
Dial-up connection

2) Landline telephone (Caller ID, NDD, IDD)

Facilities

Fiber optic network (320 Gigabits maximum capacity, less than 5% utilized)

Contact Person

Mr. Noel Cambronero
Innove Communications
Sol y Mar Bldg., Rizal Avenue
Dumaguete City