Where:
How:
Contest:
Prize:
a) To help establish the needed environment and opportunities conducive to the growth and development of the MSME sector;
b) To recommend all policy matters affecting MSMEs;
c) To coordinate and integrate various government and private sector activities relating to MSME development;
d) To review existing policies of government agencies that would affect the growth and development of MSMEs and recommend changes whenever deemed necessary, and this shall include efforts to simplify rules and regulations, as well as review of the applicability and relevance of procedural and documentary requirements in the registration, financing, and other activities relevant to MSMEs;
e) To monitor and determine the progress of various agencies geared towards the development of the sector, and shall include overseeing the development among MSMEs;
f) To promulgate implementing guidelines, programs, and operating principles as may be deemed proper and necessary in the light of government policies and objectives;
g) To provide the appropriate policy and coordinative framework in assisting relevant government agencies in the tapping of local and foreign funds for MSME development;
h) To promote the productivity and viability of MSMEs; and
i) generally, to exercise all powers and functions necessary for the objectives and purposes of the Magna Carta for MSME.
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Davao City was chosen this year as the number one next wave city because of the availability of many graduates and the quality of its workforce. It also garnered high marks in terms of its good infrastructure and the lower cost of doing business.
Other awardees for 2010 include the cities of Sta. Rosa in Laguna; Bacolod in Negros Occidental; Iloilo in Iloilo; Metro Cavite (Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas cities); Lipa in Batangas; Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental; Malolos in Bulacan; Baguio in Benguet; and Dumaguete in Negros Oriental.
The recognition night for the 2010 awardees was held last June 22, 2010 at the Cebu Sports Plaza. The incoming City Mayor Sara Duterte accepted the award for Davao. She was joined by ICT Davao members Bert Barriga, George Sorio, Gary Dumael, Rey Rubio, and Holden Hao. Other members of the Davao delegate were Engr. Roberto Quinto, DCCCII president, Simeon Marfori II, immediate past DCCCII president,Ricarte Franco,jr., CITC Head, and Dianne Suico of PSIA.
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The recently concluded "e-Tapok e-Waste Weekend Collection" event in Damosa I.T. Park was successfully implemented by ICT Davao, co-hosted by Anflocor Group of Companies, last April 24-25, 2010.
Fact: Over its weekend collection event, up to 7 tons of e-waste were recorded by no more than 20 participating companies and households. That does not even comprise the entire Davao SMEs, public government offices and academic institutions!.
This advocacy effort will not be possible without the support from the following: Anflocor and Damosa Land, Inc., InkTech, NCCC Mall and NCCC Cares, Home Channel Network, Bayan Telecommunications, Inc., Amon Marketing Corporation, Brokenshire College, Southeast Software Solutions Corporation, Youth for Environment & Peace (YEP), MTC Academy, Astrochairs, Creative Factory, Digital Interface, Mindanao Bloggers, Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. and Basureros de Davao, Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Foundation (PAHRDF) funded by AusAID, Office of Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta and the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
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In collaboration of DOLE Regional Office XI and Information & Communications Technology Davao Incorporated (ICT Davao, Inc.), the umbrella organization of all IT groups hosted by Davao City as the private sector partner for this project. This aims to hire 100 unemployed computer literate youth aged 18-24 years old as mentors and 300 non-literate as benificiaries from selected barangays in Davao City.
Youth volunteer mentors will spend at least four hours of teaching and will receive a modest stipend of Php 25.00 per mentoring hour to cover for fare and food. The ratio for mentor and student is 1:2 or 1:3 to achieve quality ICT literacy training. ICT Davao Inc. will help source the mentors and recipients from the barangays, will shoulder the cost of the training venue and rental of facilities during this initial phase.
A Phase 2 will follow which is the Social Networking Skills Development Project where best performers from the initial batch of 36 Out of School Youth will become the recipients. This is a barangay IT enabling project of ICT Davao Inc. (IDI) thru a grant funding received from JICA – Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Program (DICCEP) and will be implemented on the same month. The lead team that will help implement this project is the Davao Software Industry Inc. (DSII) one of the members of ICT Davao Inc. Social Networking Skills Development Project aims to promote private and public ICT initiatives through the Barangay by extending ICT literacy for the out-of-school youth.
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The center, housed in DCCCII Building, Bajada is a collaborative effort between DCCCII, ICT Davao, Inc. and IBM Philippines. It will deliver IBM solutions to SMEs in the Mindanao region, expose local SMEs to the use of IT as a strategic business enabler and provide IBM partners and developers with facilities to increase homegrown software development. The establishment of this center also signals IBM's dedication to helping SMEs grow, especially in key areas outside Metro Manila.
“The SME Technology Center in Davao is part of IBM’s ongoing commitment to support SMEs around the world. The strategic use of technology can help give local SMEs - a competitive edge in this era of globalization. By providing Davao businesses with access to world class technology, we also hope to help the city become better equipped to seize greater opportunities to play an integral part in the Philippines’ economic growth,” said James Velasquez, IBM Philippines Country General Manager.
During the launch of the Davao SME Technology Center, businesses were also introduced tothe SME Toolkit, a major initiative undertaken by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, and supported by IBM. The SME Toolkit allows the design and building of new business management platforms which delivers interactive tools, online collaboration and educational content for small businesses in developing and emerging markets.
The SME Toolkit is a free online program which provides information and communication technologies to help small businesses in emerging markets learn and implement sustainable business management practices. The Toolkit provides these businesses with highly developed information, tools, and training services usually only available to Fortune 1000 companies. Originally launched by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2002, it is available in 22 emerging markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. It offers free business management information and training for small businesses / small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on accounting and finance, business planning, human resources (HR), marketing and sales, operations, and information technology (IT).
Potential users welcomed the launch of the center and the toolkit.
"The lack of access to best practice and business management tools is a significant barrier to the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). IBM's technological contribution to the Davao SME Technology Center and the introduction of the SME Toolkit will enable us to bring information and communication technologies faster and more widely to the small-medium businesses throughout the Mindanao region," said Simeon P. Marfori II, DCCCII President.
"The SME Technology Center will help broaden and increase the uptake of ICTs by Davaoenos, a move that will spur the city's ICT readiness and attractiveness as an outsourcing destination", said Wit Holganza, ICT Davao Inc. President.
According to Chito Alvizo, Chairman of Enterprise Bank, "We are fortunate to have an SME Technology Center here in Davao. Outside of the IBM blades server we recently purchased, I believe this center will be of great value in supporting the bank's ongoing growth and expansion initiatives."
IBM considers mid-sized and small businesses as the engines fueling a smarter planet, creating roughly 65% of the worldwide gross domestic product. The company has the right tools for SMEs to thrive in today's global economy. Across the globe, IBM is currently working with thousands of mid-sized firms to help them compete in a smarter world -- utilizing its Express Advantage comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software and services offerings specifically designed and priced for the SMB's unique business needs. The Express Advantage set of offerings brings together IBM's extensive business, industry, technology knowledge and experience, through a network of local competent Business Partners. The local perspective gives these partners the ability, backed by IBM, to work hand-in-hand to provide total solutions with enhanced value.
]]>A collaboration of ICT Davao Inc, the Dept of Education – Davao City Division and the Davao City Government through the Committee on Education, Science & Technology, Culture & Arts; the project will further strengthen partnerships between private sector and public sector IT champions.
Last Nov 28, 2009, the teacher-beneficiaries and the project proponents gathered at the Concentrix Institute to jumpstart the 14 day training session. During the oath of undertaking the teacher-recipients swore to fulfill their responsibilities cascading to their students learnings they will acquire during the training.
Part of the training launch included an afternoon tour to ICT companies such as, Mynd Consulting for Software development
and Digital Interface for IT vendors. “The tour to Mynd Consulting (Software Development) was both interesting and educational. I feel the need to allow my students to explore and allow them to design their own softwares.”, says Mary Ann Jacinto, representative from Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School.
Leah Mandafe of Mintal Comprehensive National High School added that “the visit to Digital Interface opened us new trends on products and services of the IT industry. They religiously put in plain words all the answers to our endless queries about their IT equipments. Now we can better relate to our young students.”
The participants are already looking forward to the succeeding sessions where they can further enhance their English skills and at the same time have BPO appreciation tours and simulations.
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Medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other health care professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. MTs generally listen to recordings on a headset, using a foot pedal to pause the recording when necessary, and key the text into a personal computer or word processor, editing as necessary for grammar and clarity. The documents they produce include discharge summaries, medical history and physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes, and referral letters. Medical transcriptionists return transcribed documents to the physicians or other health care professionals who dictated them for review and signature or correction. These documents eventually become part of patients’ permanent files.
BPO Units: The Answer
SPI Technologies was founded in the Philippines in 1980. It is now a multi-country outsourcing provider with over 6,500 employees in 24 locations across the United States, Europe and Asia. It serves various markets in the publishing, financial services, health care, legal and retail areas.
In the Philippines, SPI employs 4,000 people, representing about 65 percent of its global workforce.
Aggressive in its hiring mode, SPI Training Director Rainier R. Egos came with its Vice President for Asian Operations Mr. Francis Patalinghug.
Mr. Patalinghug joined SPi in 2008 to lead and manage the Healthcare operations in both Philippines and India. He has 24 years of extensive experience in the field of manufacturing in the areas of process development, work simplification, volume-ramp management and productivity improvement, among others. Throughout his career, Francis held various senior positions in companies like NEC Technologies, Philippines; Loctite Philippines and Amkor Technology Philippines. His most recent position was with Claymount Assemblies Philippines, where he was their Manufacturing Director. Francis is a graduate of BS Chemical Engineering from the University of San Carlos, Philippines.
Recent developments show that SPI Technology had just recently opened its medical transcription facility at Asiatown IT Park, Cebu City. It has over 500 seats and has hired 150 employees with medical backgrounds for the said branch.
SPi serves hundreds of healthcare clients across the US. They range in size and scale from some of the largest hospitals, to large university teaching facilities, to mid-size physician practices. And at each of these organizations, we regularly work with different individuals to meet the needs of their specific programs.
SPi and Its Underlying Principles
Its byline: Global Resources. Customer-Centric Solutions.
SPi has been known to deliver highly accurate medical transcription services, 24 hours a day, every day, to hospitals, physician practices, and other healthcare organizations across North America. Now true to its form to go global has literally made its presence in the Asian Region.
It recently inked an agreement to buy the medical transcription business of India-based KG Information Services Private Limited located in Coimbatore, which has a capacity of 800 seats.
SPI has also expanded its Dumaguete publishing facility to accommodate additional 450 staff members.
Mr. Patalinghug on the other hand cited that SPi does not subcontract transcription to other vendors. The service they provide is handled by their own team of well-trained, experienced, and carefully screened professional medical language specialists: men and women who are fully accountable to SPi. Their data security meets or exceeds all HIPAA standards, and their medical language specialists are supported by hands-on experienced supervisors, project managers and experts in medical terminology. These factors help to account for their 98% plus level of accuracy.
Seeing the great potential of Davaoeños as potential human resource backed up by their level of proficiency in the command of the English language and intonation they deemed it vital to tap resources from the city.
The Results
Last July 17, 2009 after almost a month long wait for the results, SPi has released the results of the almost 54 candidates.
Seven were considered for OJT Training (Basic MT Training) in MTC Davao, namely Kenneth Robbe Apresa, Daniel Bok, Lixel Arbas, Jonie Jane Tayhon, Gypsy Jennsen Arquio, Celeste Ang and Jeanelyn Andrin.
For Apprenticeship training in SPi’s Manila facility are Bjarnye Ysatisse Pedida, Joebert Sarong and Scott Philip Carmen. Mr. Carmen will only train for 1 month and will be considered as MT Probationary in Manila.
For OJT training in SPi’s Cebu facility are Ma. Elaisa Evangelio and Shannen Kinichi Aquino. The former for Basic MT Training and the latter for Apprenticeship. Chester Von Ferrer and Julie Anne Butlig were also considered of Apprenticeship in their Cebu facility.
Congratulations to those who made it. The three-type examination they had encountered that day and the waiting time for the interview seemed to be a mazelike race they underwent. Indeed the road to success has a very thin and narrow pathway. Biblically many indeed are called but few are chosen. Nevertheless, the thrill and excitement of acquiring a job with one of the most formidable company in the country is an insurmountable feat to achieve.
MTC Academy then is looking forward for a possible partnership with SPi Technologies and ePLDT in training and acquiring more medical transcriptionists in the City of Davao. A realization that Davao City is a mine of potential human resource in this arena validating what was stipulated in the survey by Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), a research company on the Asian Cities of the Future that Davao City, along with Singapore and Hong Kong, is in the top five cities in Asia with the best human resource. Further, Davao City was also listed in the top ten Asian cities in the same survey. This venture will help the human resource pool for medical transcription mature as they are being exposed to big companies like SPi Technologies and in turn will benefit Davao Transcription industry for having more competent transcriptionists who will soon come back to Davao.
In recent years, the city has witnessed the spur of growth of IT-BPO services with multiple locations leveraging their strength to become the outsourcing destination for global business processes.
Nationwide, revenues from the BPO industry has already breached the $4.5 billion mark.
"The industry here is still in its infancy stage, and there are still a lot of speculations going on," Holganza said.
Davao City is among the 2008 Top 10 Philippine IT-BPO Destinations, having been ranked by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) as Number 4 out of 37 Philippine cities in the 1st BPO Summit last December of 2008.
Despite this seemingly enviable position, Davao City only has 1 percent market share as against the industry's total market. But in the past years, Davao City has seen a 56 percent growth in number of IT-BPO jobs in the city.
In the wake of this development, ICT Davao Inc. will convene stakeholders for the ICT Summit 2009, with the theme "Roadmap 2015: Empowering Davao through Information and Communications Technology."
"This summit will bring together the private and public sector in an effort to create a blueprint for how we will realize industry targets," Holganza said.
The two-day ICT Summit hopes to gather around 250 or more participants from the local and national government, industry and its suppliers, academe teaching professionals, potential investors, IT entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.
The key topics in the plenary sessions include the Philippine Next Wave Cities, the Philippine Industry outlook, and Davao's Roadmap 2015, which will showcase its medium term development plan for ICT and IT-BPO industry. (CPM)
Holganza said the event aimed at creating a blueprint on how to realize the industry targets in order to position Davao City as number one in the Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) preferred destinations in the country.
She said although it is quite an ambitious goal, it is attainable with Davao City being ranked fourth in the Top Ten Philippine IT-BPO Destinations out of 37 Philippine cities.
The ranking was made by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) in the 1st BPO Summit in December 2008.
ICT Davao Inc. has tracked 67 ICT and IT-BPO companies in Davao City generating an estimated 6,000 jobs.
Holganza said the estimated number is very conservative because not all ICT and IT-BPO are being tracked in the absence of a Comprehensive ICT Master Plan for Davao City.
She said the number could be more if all IT operations are tracked.
Coming up with a comprehensive ICT master plan or roadmap is the main agenda of the upcoming summit she added.
The IT sector is focusing on four areas to pump prime the industry’s potentials: 1) talent development; 2) cost of doing business; and 3) business environment; and 4) risk management.
Other significant topics such as highlighting the key CICT programs and projects will be discussed during the summit.
Holganza said the city is “very competitive in the ICT-IT-BPO business” but added it cannot relax.
“We have to see the scoreboards and address the problems to meet the goal to dominate the industry,” she said.
Holganza said potential IT investors are coming to the city and interest from other potential investors keeps growing.
She said the ongoing series of video conferencing and tele-conferencing by ICT Davao City Inc. with IT investors particularly in the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Singapore are indicators of a growing interest in the city as an IT-BPO destination.
She said at least four Indian investors have partnered with the city’s IT-BPO operators in the field of medical transcription with an average of 15 seats in Davao City and some other areas of Mindanao.
Holganza said there is still a lot of work to be done in order to generate a larger market share in the industry nationwide.
Athough the ICT sector has seen a 56 percent growth in the number of IT-BPO jobs in the city, Davao City only has one percent market share, she said. (PNA)
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While the summit would like to know the commitment of the different telcos to reassure reliable electricity and broadband supply to the city, the gathering would also like to hear the position of the city government on whether it was interested in crafting a clear direction of the ICT industry.
“Davao City has been listed as a fourth preferred investment site for new and existing companies planning to relocate their operations from the congested and expensive rental rates in Metro Manila and Cebu,” Andrei Fournier, member of the board of trustees of the ICT Davao, told a local forum of business reporters at the Marco Polo Hotel here.
Being the fourth could not excite ICT business leaders here because, Fournier said, “we are far from the third [Makati] and very near from the fifth and sixth places on the list in terms of the number of companies operating.”
“If these issues about land rents, local government incentives, promotion and direction, and steady supply of human resources would not be settled and assured, it’s easy to be pulled down from the list and bypassed by other cities hungrier to host them,” he said.
The city has about 13 or 14 big- and medium-sized companies, those hiring more than 30 agents, which have aggregately employed more than 60,000 persons here, but more were coming and could have settled much earlier if negotiations did not bog down on the rates, or if the infrastructure is in place.
“Our immediate concern that must be settled before the August 6 and 7 summit is for the electric companies and the telcos to assure us of the reliability of power supply and broadband connections,” he said. Not only BPOs have raised their concern on the succession of power outages and the disconnection of broadband Internet connections in the past few months, he added.
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