Taiwan firm to produce LCD monitors in Clark

A Taiwanese firm has chosen the Philippines as the site of its overseas plant that would produce Thin Film Transmission (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Peter Favila announced that Great Sun Optoelectronics of Taiwan will invest US$ five million and hire five hundred to eight hundred workers in its facility in Clark Field Special Economic and Free Port in its first year of operations. He added that Great Sun will be conducting talks with a minimum of three suppliers to complement Great Sun's operations in the Clark Economic Zone in Pampanga.

Moreover, Secretary Favila said that Great Sun plans to increase its investments to US$30 million and its manpower requirements to 10,000 employees within 3 to 5 years.

Great Sun Optoelectronics Corporation specializes in the design and manufacture of monitors for computers, television sets and automobiles. Great Sun developed a patented "Hi-View" TFT LCD whose contrast and resolution is 40-60 percent sharper that equivalent brands in the market. As a second tier supplier to the industry's Original Equipment/Design Manufacturers (OEM/ODM), Great Sun distinguishes itself in the industry by its capacity to accept design and fabrication orders of a minimum of 200 units for Original Brand Manufacture (OBM) clients

According to Liberato Laus, President of Clark Development Corporation, the establishment of Great Sun Optoelectronics' operations in the Philippines carries significant implications on Clark's bid to become the premier logistics and overseas manufacturing hub for high technology products in the Philippines and the region. The presence of Great Sun will spur the natural creation of supply chains in the form of the entry of new Taiwanese investments in peripheral and support industries.

Ms. Bernardita Angara - Mathay, DTI Special Trade Representative in Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) -Taipei, reported that Taiwan is the world's largest supplier of notebook PCs motherboards and LCD monitors. Taiwan's integrated chain of semiconductor industries has secured the TFT-LCD industry's leadership position in global markets. Ms. Angara - Mathay said that this Taiwan investment project will assist in the operations of similar Information Communications Technology investors and draw in investments in new and higher value processes into the Philippines. (end)

Photo: DTI, USTR discuss market access liberalization

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila (second from right) met with a delegation of US service experts led by Deputy United States Trade Representative Ambassador John Veroneau (third from right) last Friday, April 18, 2008. Among the items discussed were the services negotiations and the modalities for agriculture and non-agricultural market access. Also present during the meeting were (from left) US Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade and Investment David Kavanaugh, DTI Senior Undersecretary for International Trade Thomas G. Aquino, Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative for Services Christopher Melly, and US Embassy Economic Counselor Larry Memmott. (DTI Public Relations Office)

DTI Orders Retailers & Vendors to Display Price Tag:

Stricter Market Monitoring in Metro Manila Ensured

To allay public concern on the possibility of higher incidence of profiteering, the Department of Trade and Industry – National Capital Region (DTI-NCR) is conducting daily inspection of retailer compliance to the Price Tag Law. The regional office has issued notices of violation against non-compliant stall owners situated in several public markets.

As stated in Republic Act 71 and Articles 81 to 83 of the Consumer Act of the Philippines or R.A. No. 7394, “It shall be unlawful to offer any consumer product for retail sale to the public without an appropriate price tag, label or marking publicly displayed to indicate the price of each article and said products shall not be sold at a price higher than that stated therein and without discrimination to all buyers…”

DTI Assistant Secretary Angel L. Pelayo emphasized the significance of the Price Tag and reiterated that “consumers should not pay any amount higher than the price tag or price list displayed.”

This week, Asec. Pelayo and other DTI-NCR officials also met with Market Administrators and their representatives to discuss current price and supply condition in Metro Manila public markets. The administrators in the following local government units (lGUs) participated in the said meeting: Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, Pasig, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, San Juan, Marikina, and Valenzuela City.

Assistant Secretary Pelayo, recognizing the importance of the LGUs in safeguarding the interest of the consumers said that: “DTI believes that through close coordination with our LGU officials, most if not all unscrupulous vendors would be penalized.”

Agreements reached during the assembly include stricter monitoring and enforcement of the Price Tag Law and other related provisions of the Consumer Act including the calibration of weighing scales. Vendors specifically in wet markets that employ the use of dyes and deceptive devices to make their products appear bigger and fresher would be immediately sanctioned. DTI also encourages setting up of Consumer Welfare Desks (CWDs) for consumer complaints and inquiries.

For more information, please call DTI Direct at 751-3330. (end)

DTI to carry out tight watch on prices

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is strictly monitoring the retail market, especially in the following weeks in order to forestall any unjustified increase in prices of basic commodities, particularly canned products.

This, as the Tin Can Makers Association of the Philippines, Inc. announced that 202 by 306-milimeter tin cans used for canned sardines and corned beef has gone up by P0.35-P0.40 per piece to a range of P3.35 to P3.40 this month.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila assured the public that the Price Act will be strictly enforced during the course of the Department's monitoring activities to prevent unscrupulous retailers from raising their prices out of mere speculation.

DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya added that aside from monitoring the price situation in the metropolis, the DTI has also mobilized market monitoring teams in other parts of the country as well through its regional and provincial offices, as well as tap the assistance of local government units to avert any undue increase in the price of goods.

Secretary Favila warned that retailers tend to jack up their prices higher than the projected levels and do so immediately in spite of having an existing inventory that should be sold at current values.

Only canned sardines manufacturers in Zamboanga has announced intentions to increase the price of their 155-gram products by P0.50-P1 in the coming weeks due to rising tin plate prices in the world market. Imported tin plates comprise 70 percent of tin can production costs.

Tin can costs make up about 20-45 percent of the total retail price of canned goods, varied depending on the type of commodity.

DTI’s latest price report reveal that a 155-gram can of sardines costs between P10-11, while a 165-gram can of luncheon meat is sold at P23 to 26.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Maglaya reminded consumers to practice wise buying to get the best value for their hard-earned peso. “One of the ways is to practice comparing prices. With so many brands to choose from with varying range of prices, the consumers can exercise their right to choose and buy one which suits their budget best.”

She also urged the public to report complaints in price and/ or quality, NFA rice diversion, hoarding and profiteering activities to DTI Direct 751-3330 open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or call the nearest DTI Regional and Provincial offices. Complaint may also be sent by keying in DTI <message> and send to 2920 for both Globe and Smart subscribers. (end)

A call to consumers

Use electricity efficiently and wisely to save on hard-earned money

This summer, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urges all consumers to practice energy conservation while beating up the heat.

Consumption level of customers usually peak during the hot months due to the intensive use of air-conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, electric fans. Aside from this, it is also a vacation time for schoolchildren, thus, entertainment appliances like television sets and computer usage goes up.

The DTI also warned consumers to expect higher power bill after power retailer Manila Electric Company or Meralco announced a hike in the rates last March after their generation charge surged by almost P0.20 per kilowatt-hour because of a spike in the average price on the wholesale electricity spot market in February.

Meralco said its March generation charge jumped to P4.3998 per kWh, up P0.1939 from P4.1946 per kWh in February. Customers consuming 50 kWh will therefore see their March electricity bills up by P10, those using 70 kWh by P17, and those consuming 100 kWh by P28.

DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Maglaya remarked that it is during times like this that even little things we do matter. According to her, “there are a number of ways by which consumers can cut back on electricity consumption and, ultimately, earn savings to spend on much important need such as food.”

Here are some simple but practical ways to reduce monthly electricity bills:

1. Keep it a habit among your family to always turn off lighting and electrical appliances when not in use.
2. Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they are not in use. Plugged electronic devices make a continuous electrical circuit flow in devices.
3. Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs. A 16-watt CFL produces the same light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb at a quarter of the energy cost. Furthermore, use lamps that provide direct lighting over desks, beds and other work areas.
4. Use only energy efficient devices. Make sure to buy an air conditioner with the energy efficient ratio (EER) label, or a refrigerator with high energy efficient factor (EEF). Replace about 25 percent of your lights with compact fluorescent lamps.
5. Maximize electric lighting by painting your room in bright colors. This enhances the distribution of daylight and reflects higher levels of light.
6. Wash and iron clothing in full loads. Air them dry as often as possible instead of using a spin dryer.
7. Control your air conditioner’s thermostat setting to match your desired temperature. The ideal setting is 25 degrees Celsius. Keep the room cool by closing doors and windows. Use curtains or blinds to shut the sun out.
8. If you’re cooking with an electric stove, always use a cover as you let water boil or the food simmer. Prepare all ingredients before cooking to avoid frequent switching of electric stove. You can turn off the burner a few minutes before the allotted cooking time ends to take advantage of the remaining heat.
9. Thaw frozen food thoroughly before cooking. Match pots and pans to stove element and avoid using a big burner for a small pan to lessen heat transfer loss.
10. Always keep the refrigerator door closed and make sure it is sealed airtight and make cleaning a habit. Defrost the refrigerator to remove frost build-up and enhance its cooling efficiency. Also, clean the air conditioner’s air filter to reduce additional load on the compressor caused by accumulated dust.

DTI champions the welfare of consumers as it joins millions of consumers worldwide in the campaign for accessible, affordable and sustainable energy supply.

Likewise, DTI reminds consumers to be conscious on the judicious use of energy. Energy is nonrenewable, thus the need for responsible use of it to maintain environmental harmony. (end)

FUNNY: JOINT TRIP OF SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DR. WATSON

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend.

"Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Watson replies, "I see millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?"

Watson ponders for a minute. "Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Timewise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, its evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"

Holmes is silent for a moment, then speaks. "Watson, you idiot, someone has stolen our tent."

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Adam and Mhaan's Prenup Shoot

Last Monday, April 7, my wife and I accompanied her friend Mhaan, and her h2b Adam to UP for their prenup shoot (they asked me to be their photographer. I have no experience in shooting prenups, so please bear with these snapshots.Let me hold you ang drama nila dito.
Ang sweet nila.HHWWAdam and Mhaan, plus baby Pooh.
Uso pa pala ang harana.
Crossing over to the next level.

FROM MY MAILBOX: CHERISH YOUR CHOSEN ONE

CHERISH YOUR CHOSEN ONE
By Bo Sanchez

Getting married is the greatest mistake anyone can ever make.

Being wed is the height of insanity, the most ludicrous commitment, the most totally illogical decision any human being can fall into.

Tell me. Why should I commit myself to be with one woman for the rest of my life - and thereby reject 3.2 billion other females in the world? Along the way, I'll meet a girl who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more charming, or sexier, or holier. So why nail myself down to one choice, permanently -- and suffer the agony of simply watching beauties pass me by?

And in western countries, one out of two marriages end up in divorce. That blows my mind. That's a pathetic 50% failure rate! I would never buy a car, a stereo, a shaver, or even a nail clipper if there was a 50% chance that it would conk out on me.I simply wouldn't. And why stay with one person "in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, till death do us part"? Is my mind fried? If my shirt shrinks on me because I eat too many pizzas, don't I just throw it away and buy an XL? (That will be the day.) And if I outgrow my ancient computer, don't I just look for an updated version? And then there's the catastrophe some call kids. I mean, I don't really want to wake up in the middle of the night to entertain a self-centered, bald, toothless tyrant in diapers? Do I really want little rampaging monsters to break the most expensive furniture in my house? Do I really want juvenile creatures to stay on the phone for six hours straight, listen to noise they call music that you believe came directly from hell, and mope around uncommunicative, catatonic, and depressed because another demented juvenile creature (a.k.a.boyfriend) hasn't called in the passed thirty minutes?

Why should I go through the torture? Marriage is insanity. But few years ago, on my 32nd birthday, I gave myself a special birthday gift: I got married to a lovely woman -- and committed myself to insane living. Marowe is her name, the person I chose - out of 3.2 billion females. Yes, we now have a tiny tyrant that wakes us up at night, and in the near future, we will most likely have little monsters that will destroy our house during playtime, and creatures from outer space that we will call teenagers.

Why?

For three reasons.

FAITH. We believe that God calls us into marriage. And if HE called us there, that means He'll be there to meet us. We will suffer all things-just let us be with our God.

HOPE. We confidently expect the best blessings -- immeasurably much more than all the hardship. God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.

LOVE. Oh yes, there will be other females who'll be more beautiful, or more intelligent, or more this and more that. But they'll only be just that - females - like flowers in the field of a million hectares of flower fields.

But not this woman - my Marowe - the one beautiful flower I have personally chosen, personally picked from her roots, personally planted in my own clay pot, personally watered everyday, personally watched every day, and personally loved every day. Because of my love for her, there will be no one like her.

In my heart, she will eternally be the most beautiful flower of them all. Because in the end, there will be only be faith, hope, and love.

And the greatest of these is LOVE.