DTI spearheads the premiere GameDev Summit (GDS) 2024 in PH

By DTI-Export Marketing Bureau
March 8, 2024

MAKATI CITY - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) and the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), in partnership with GameOps, Inc. and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), has successfully concluded the Game Development Summit (GDS) in Boracay on 15-16 February 2024. This is the first International Game Industry Summit in the Philippines featuring two (2) tracks: External Development and Indie Games.

After the 2-day summit, the initial estimated export sales generated amounted to US$2,419,000.00 (actual and potential sales), and 53 B2B meetings were conducted resulting in 47 trade leads.

During the launch, DTI-CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba highlighted the DTI's partnership with private organizations such as the Game Development Association of the Philippines (GDAP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) ARISE Plus Philippines project to champion the development and promotion of the game development sector.

"As we strengthen our game development ecosystem, particularly through the indie games track where we promote our Filipino stories and games, the Game Development Summit takes on even greater significance. Who knows, the next big, game-changing idea might emerge from a Filipino developer, born right here at the GDS." Usec. Aldaba said.

Furthermore, International Trade Centre (ITC) National Project Coordinator Atty. Rami Hourani discussed the ARISE Plus Philippines Project of the ITC, implemented by the DTI-EMB and funded by the European Union (EU). He also invited two (2) ARISE Plus Philippines beneficiaries to share their first-hand experiences participating in several trade missions under the project.

The Philippines' first Game Development Summit (GDS) welcomed people worldwide, providing a collaborative platform for studios, developers, and advocates to forge connections, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and collectively promote the gaming industry. Featuring two distinct tracks, the External Development Track at The Lind Boracay facilitated studio partnerships with world-class game developers. At the same time, the Indie Track at Sea Wind Resort Boracay highlighted the growing independent game development scene. At the sidelines of GDS 2024, an Industry Consultants Meeting attended by the representatives of the DTI – Export Marketing Bureau, Foreign Trade Service Corps Coordinating Office (FTSCCO), Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – San Francisco, Board of Investments (BOI) and the Canadian Embassy commenced. Mr. Jason Della Rocca of Execution Labs and Mr. Krisitian Roberts from Nordicity, Canada, participated in the consultative meeting.

This summit, held simultaneously at both venues, was jam-packed with activities, including a business-to-business event with international participation, workshops, and learning sessions featuring esteemed speakers who are top players in the industry. Chris Wren, the executive director for XDS and co-founder of XDS Spark, led the opening of the XDS Main Stage in The Lind Boracay on 15 February 2024. Several learning sessions were conducted in the External Development Track during the 2-day summit, summarized as follows: "Unveiling Advantages and Differences of External Game Development in Asia," "Effective Communication in Game Development," "Unlocking the Power of External Partnership Collaboration" and "Panel: Insights from AAA Developers."

For the Indie Games Track, the following learning sessions were conducted: "Optimized Base-Building: How Indie Studios Can Leverage Support and Incentives," "Funding Models: Understanding How To Invest In Games," "Investing In Indie Games," "Setting SEA Developers Up For Success With International Publishers," "XBOX, Indies, and Southeast Asia," "Leveraging External Development Creatively," "Guiding Lights: The Crucial Role of GameDev Mentors for Indie Developers," "Philippine VCs and The Games Industry" and lastly, "Staying Alive and Redefining Indie: A Boozmap Case Study."

While learning sessions are happening in the Indie Games Track, workshops were also simultaneously being conducted at the venue: "Your Design Is Bad, And You Should Feel Bad", "GameDev Workshop Master User Stories To Create Expressive Gameplay," "Indie Gold: Crafting Viable Game Concepts and Budgets for Success," "Pitch Review Session," "Building Launch Momentum," "Building the Community For Your Indie Games Studio," "Act Like You're Self-Publishing (Chances Are That You Will Be)" and "Introduction to Influencer Marketing Strategies For Indies."

The event was well-attended, including 16 major companies local and international) at the External Development track, participating in networking and B2B. There were 300 participants from various sectors, such as Publishers, Investors, Developers, Advocates, Experts, Mentors, Service Providers, Industry Associations/Organizations, and other gaming development professionals. The summit's global appeal was evident, with representatives from 30 countries converging to participate in the maiden event.

The DTI-EMB has been an active partner in championing the creative industry, recognizing the potential of exports in the game development sector, particularly with the recent passage of Republic Act 11904, also known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), which provides strategic direction and strengthen the export promotion and development of the industry. Furthermore, the mission aligns with the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028, which lists IT-BPM as one of its priority industries.

DTI VI, EMB facilitate XRoads Philippine Sea Salts' and local artisans’ partnership

By DTI-Regional Operations Group
March 5, 2024

MAKATI CITY – In a series of meetings spanning from February 28 to March 1, XRoads Philippine Sea Salts, founder Ms. Lennie DiCarlo, from San Diego, California, explored collaborative opportunities in Western Visayas, with assistance from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region VI and the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB).

XRoads Philippine Sea Salts is renowned for delivering unique culinary sea salts to the global market, enriching flavors while uplifting small communities in the Philippines, and contributing to the revival of the country's salt industry. The company is supplying traditionally made salt to major restaurants and hotels in the US packaged in handmade nito boxes.

On February 28, Ms. DiCarlo visited the DTI Region VI office, where discussions revolved around her upcoming engagements with local salt manufacturers in Guimaras and Iloilo. The team visited the Tuburan Abaca Handicraft Association (TAHA) in Janiuay which makes quality bags made of abaca fiber.

Emphasizing the potential of the local salt industry for both domestic consumption and exports, Ms. DiCarlo highlighted the significance of DTI’s support in her endeavors. DTI Iloilo Provincial Director Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo and Industry Development Division Chief Mary Jade Gonzales warmly welcomed Ms. DiCarlo and her team, setting the stage for productive partnerships.

Continuing their journey on February 29, Ms. DiCarlo and her team, in collaboration with DTI Regional Office VI, DTI Guimaras Provincial Office led by OIC-PD Juvy Benliro and the local government of Jordan, Guimaras, initiated a market linkage between local "Tultul" salt producers in Guimaras and XRoads Philippine Sea Salts. The meeting, aimed at enhancing the production standards of local salt producers and providing market promotion assistance, brought hope to the Tultul salt industry. The team also conducted visits to local handicraft producers of handwoven pandan and nito crafts in Guimaras to engage with various sectors of Filipino craftsmanship.

On March 1, DTI VI personnel led Ms. DiCarlo and her team on a visit to De Paul Artisanal Salt Manufacturing in Miagao, Iloilo, accompanied by DTI VI OIC-RD Rachel N. Nufable, and DTI Iloilo Provincial Office representatives led by PD Ma. Dinda R. Tamayo, wherein DiCarlo eagerly explored the intricate salt production process.

The group also visited the Indag-an Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative, renowned for its hablon products where discussions ensued about potential collaboration for crafting all-Filipino bayong souvenir bags, symbolizing a fusion of Filipino heritage and modern design.

During her visits, Ms. DiCarlo actively engaged with local artisans, inquiring about their production capacities and pricing structures, aiming for a win-win situation that would satisfy both parties. She sought to understand the needs and aspirations of the local artisans, ensuring that any collaboration would be mutually beneficial.

She also offered valuable advice to further enhance the quality of the products and shared insights and suggestions based on her expertise, aiming to support local artisans in improving their craftsmanship and product standards.

She collected salt samples to undergo testing in the US to ensure they meet food safety standards, with XRoads covering the expenses. She also provided prototypes of nito boxes to be replicated for bulk orders.

Ms. DiCarlo's vision of incorporating Filipino products into XRoads' offerings was met with enthusiasm from both local producers and DTI representatives. She expressed her desire to not only sell Filipino products but also share each product's story and the community it came from. She aims to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines to the global market, adding depth and authenticity to XRoads' offerings.

Through these engagements facilitated by DTI, XRoads aims to expand its product range and open up market opportunities for local artisans. As XRoads continues its journey of exploration and collaboration, DTI's support remains crucial in developing important partnerships and stimulating economic growth in the Philippines.

29 years later, Philippine Mining Act calls to be scrapped

By KATRIBU
March 4, 2024

QUEZON CITY – Indigenous and Moro Peoples' groups, along with environmental and human rights defenders, trooped to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Monday, a day following the anniversary of the implementation of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 7942). The groups demanded the scrapping of the law, decrying its 29 years of promoting destructive large-scale and open-pit mining operations on Philippine soil and coastal seas.

Enacted during the administration of former President Ramos, the mining law liberalized the Philippine mining industry to bolster the country's economic growth. However, nearly three decades later, mountains have been flattened, rivers have become lifeless, and the well-being of the people has been severely affected.

Critics of the law, including Indigenous Peoples and environmental activists, stress that the mining act has not yielded any positive progress for the country and its people, but has rather facilitated the surrender of national patrimony to avaricious foreign corporations. While RA 7942 does not guarantee 100% foreign ownership of mining companies, it does grant leases of the country's lands to foreign corporations for 25 years, renewable for an additional 25 years thereafter.

Communities most afflicted by mining companies are often those of Indigenous and Moro Peoples, where lands have been protected and enriched for centuries. Mining projects persist in encroaching upon ancestral lands and territories, facilitated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) through fraudulent and manipulated free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). This is often accompanied by the militarization of communities, commonly supported by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and state security forces. Consequently, these actions have led to widespread land-grabbing in Indigenous and Moro Peoples' territories, causing significant loss of livelihoods and displacement.

Over the years, environmental disasters and tragedies have plagued communities living around mining sites. In the Cordilleras, the Benguet, Lepanto, and Philex mining corporations have wreaked havoc on the lives and surroundings of the Igorot people. Most recently, the landslide incident involving APEX mining in Maco, Davao de Oro, claimed nearly a hundred lives.

The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 is anti-people and anti-environment. Its continued existence, along with the push for Charter Change (ChaCha) under the Marcos Jr. administration, will only lead to further disasters for the people and the environment. Therefore, it is imperative to call for the repeal of the law and the enactment of pro-people and pro-environment policies, such as the People's Mining Bill, among others.

Philippines ratifies WTO subsidies agreement, advancing fisheries sustainability

By DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations
February 28, 2024

ABU DHABI, UAE – In time for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Philippines has deposited its instrument of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (FSA) on 27 February 2024. The Agreement is a crucial step towards curbing harmful subsidies and safeguarding the world’s depleting fish stocks.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. presented the country’s Instrument of Ratification to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, making it the 70th Member to accede to the FSA.

The FSA prohibits subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, subsidies concerning overfished stocks, and subsidies for fishing in the unregulated high seas.

At the same time, the FSA provides flexibility to developing and least-developed countries to provide subsidies up to and within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for two years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. This provision benefits the country’s small-scale and artisanal fisherfolks, who fish within their respective municipal waters.

According to DTI Secretary Pascual, “The Agreement allows Members to grant subsidies for disaster relief under certain conditions to support fisherfolks impacted by natural disasters. This is vital to the Philippines, being a climate-vulnerable country, especially since small-scale and artisanal fisherfolks are heavily impacted by strong typhoons and the increasing sea temperatures exacerbated by climate change.”

Moreover, the Philippines can avail of technical assistance from the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist in implementing the disciplines and obligations of the Agreement.

The Agreement was adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in June 2022 and will enter into force once two-thirds of the WTO Membership (i.e., 110) have ratified it.

17 gov’t institutions support FARM, sign MOU

By JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
February 23, 2024

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Eastern Visayas joined other government institutions on February 21 this year in expressing support to the Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM) Project, which primarily aims to address the price of rice.

As a gesture of support, DAR Regional Director Robert Anthony Yu together with representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skill Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Health (DOH), National Irrigation Authority (NIA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Visayas State University (VSU), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), BPI, Tingog Partylist and the Office of the House Speaker, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday afternoon at the NEDA Regional Office in Palo, Leyte.

Other signatories to the MOU are the Mayors from the Municipalities of Palo, Sta. Fe, Alangalang and San Miguel, all in the province of Leyte, where the project will be pilot tested.

Sofonias Gabonada Jr., Deputy Secretary General of the Office of the House Speaker, explained that FARM Project is an initiative of the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez designed to lower the price of rice by utilizing and maximizing existing government interventions available to farmers. He added that this is in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to identify creative solutions and mechanisms for a more robust rice industry.

Meanwhile, Meylene Rosales, NEDA-8 Regional Director, said, “This is a reason to celebrate as this (project) will serve as a silver lining,” as she believes FARM Project is one way to develop the agriculture sector.

BOI endorses P329-B, 2000 MW Danish offshore wind power projects for Green Lane

By DTI-Board of Investments
February 23, 2024

MAKATI CITY – Widening the playing field for renewable energy in the Philippines, the Board of Investments (BOI), through its One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI), granted a green lane certification to Copenhagen Infrastructure New Market Fund Philippines Corporation or CI NMF (PH) Corp. for its three offshore wind power projects in North Samar, Pangasinan / La Union and Camarines Sur / Camarines Norte on February 19, 2024.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo presented the Green Lane Certificates of Endorsement to CI NMF (PH) Corp. officials during a brief awarding ceremony at the BOI Main Office.

A pioneer in offshore wind projects, CI NMF (PH) Corp. is the first 100% foreign-owned company to be awarded renewable energy service contracts in the Philippines. CI NMF (PH) Corp. is an affiliate of Danish fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the world’s largest fund manager dedicated to renewable energy investments, and a global leader in offshore wind.

In March last year, CI NMF (PH) Corp. was awarded with three Wind Energy Service Contracts. The offshore wind projects will have a combined capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) of power, with a variety of components including wind turbines, foundations, cables, and substations. The specific configuration will be defined through a rigorous procurement process, additional engineering, and environmental evaluations required by both national and international legislation and norms.

In the meeting with the BOI officials, Mr. Niels Holst, Partner and Co-Head of the Growth Markets Fund lauded the Marcos administration’s vision for renewable energy, pointing out that CIP’s portfolio of projects in the Philippines presents an exciting prospect of accelerated deployment of offshore wind in the country.

“The Marcos government’s vision for renewables has been instrumental in attracting significant interest from a global leader in offshore wind like CIP, first with the removal of the foreign equity restrictions in November 2022, then the issuance of Executive Order 21 in April 2023 for a coordinated approach to offshore wind, and now the award of the Green Lane status to our projects, which we highly welcome,” he told the officials of the BOI.

According to Mr. Przemek Lupa, Associate Partner, and APAC Lead for the Growth Markets Fund, significant work has been done by their teams to progress the three projects since the execution of the wind energy service contracts in March last year. “Today is another significant milestone for CIP and we strongly believe that the Green Lane status will materially contribute to putting up the first offshore wind projects into commercial operations within the Marcos administration. We look forward to further working closely with the BOI and DTI to ensure smooth project permitting and consenting,” he said.

In response, Undersecretary Rodolfo thanked the officials for investing in the Philippines. “Thank you for your interest and investment in the Philippines. We will increase our coordination with other government agencies. We'd like to bring in all of the agencies on one loop and explain the requirements,” he added.

OSAC-SI will actively monitor the progress made by agencies in processing permit and license applications and will submit comprehensive reports accordingly.

Cavite student leaders, Save the Children unite against online sexual abuse

Press Release
February 21, 2024

QUEZON CITY – Student leaders in Cavite are speaking out against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) with Save the Children Philippines in celebration of Safer Internet Day 2024.

About 30 High School student leaders from Tagaytay, Trece Martires, Naic, Tanza, Silang, and General Mariano Alvarez participated in the activity organized by Save the Children under its Protect Children Philippines (PCPh) Project on February 17 where their knowledge about OSAEC-CSAEM prevention was reinforced.

So far, Save the Children Philippines has trained more than 18,000 children and adults in ensuring the safety and well-being of children online through its PCPh Project.

"Most of us are not familiar with the terms OSAEC and CSAEM, so it is essential for us to learn about such terminologies because these are the stepping stones I see for us, the youth, to raise awareness. Through this, we can give voice and courage to those who have become victims of such cases,” said Aleah, 17, President of the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) at Tanza National Comprehensive High School.

The Province of Cavite ranks third in the country with destinations for suspicious OSAEC-related transactions and largest proportion of domestic senders on OSAEC-related remittances.

“Internet crime related to children is a significant problem in the Province of Cavite. We are trying to address it, but due to the size of the province and the multitude of opportunities, we are facing challenges. Let's all work together to end this. Let's have a safe Cavite. Let's Save the Children," said Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on a video message.

The children and youth participants provided recommendations to address the issue. Aleah and her SSLG peers proposed to organize a symposium, an oratorial speech competition, and a media literacy campaign – all of which would highlight OSAEC-CSAEM. Other participants proposed organizing theatre productions, workshops, community outreach, caravans, and campaign festivals.

"We should know how to speak up for the truth and our rights. So, if we know that what we see online is not right, report it, do not share it. In that simple act, you are already making a big difference for others,” Aleah said.

Save the Children Philippines advocated for the passage of Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC-CSAEM Law in 2022 and actively participated in the development of its implementing rules and regulations in 2023. While legal safeguards are in place, Save the Children firmly believes in the vital role of children's active participation in fostering a safer online environment.

PBBM inaugurates BOI-registered submarine cable project

By DTI-Board of Investments
February 20, 2024

MAKATI CITY – Japan stands as a cornerstone of foreign direct investments (FDI) for the Philippines and tangible outcomes are now seen following President Marcos' recent visit to Japan to further solidify both countries’ vital economic partnership.

On February 15, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. spearheaded the lighting-up ceremony for the Express Route of the InfiniVAN-initiated Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN). Emphasizing the crucial role of private sector collaboration, President Marcos articulated in his address the significance of ensuring the provision of "reliable and affordable internet services" to the Filipino people.

40% Japanese-owned InfiniVAN registered P649 million of its Visayas and Mindanao network rollout – an integral part of which is some of its investment in the domestic subsea submarine cable project – with the Board of Investments (BOI) which was approved last December 2023.

“I congratulate InfiniVAN for this truly innovative project, as it can help open opportunities in various regions in the country and can provide faster internet for the Filipino people. This is a testament that investments from the foreign trips of the President are coming to fruition. Rest assured that there are many projects in the pipeline that will boost the country’s economy and provide employment for Filipinos,” BOI Chairman and DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

The company has already activated its service in the following key areas in the country: Iloilo, Bacolod, Boracay, Caticlan, Pinamalayan, Surigao, Palanas, Bulan, and Placer.

Koji Miyashita, Chairman of InfiniVAN Inc., said, “we started our telecom business here in 2015 before the amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA) took effect, foreign restrictions notwithstanding. We were convinced then, and more so now, that introducing healthy competition in the telecom industry will encourage more foreign infrastructure investments in the sector, improve quality of service, and bring service prices down to more reasonable levels. The completion of our PDSCN project reaffirms our conviction and is a testament that ‘coopetition’ works, having done it with erstwhile competitors Eastern and Globe Telecom."

“With the amended PSA taking effect, we have lined up additional investments in fiber optic backbone infrastructure along toll roads, PNR routes and the Metro Manila Subway Project among others. We are also looking into building new submarine cable landing stations for international cables as well as facilitating the launch of a Philippine flagship satellite,” Miyashita added.

InfiniVAN’s PDSCN, a new neutral fiber network infrastructure co-built with two other telecom carriers, boasts substantial capacity to accommodate the data and internet traffic needs of each island. In particular, the domestic submarine cable spans approximately 2,500 km, connecting Visayas and Mindanao to mainland Luzon through multiple landing points and terrestrial fiber optic links.

Notably, President Marcos recognized the contribution of Japan in making the said project possible. “It is also a testament not only to Japanese ingenuity and technological advancement that we strive to emulate but also to the strong bonds of friendship that connect our two countries forever,” said President Marcos in his speech.

Based on the report of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the biggest source of net FDI flows from January to November 2023 was Japan with USD667.58 million. Japan is followed by Singapore (USD158.88 million), Germany (USD149.80 million), and the United States (USD110.8 million).