There is so much frenzy and campaigning now in all of the barangays in the country. Why is the position of the Barangay kapitan and Kagawads so hotly contested? Do you know that there are quite a number who would kill for this position. In the past, I had never participated in the barangay elections and so many of my friends and colleagues too; not knowing that these kapitan and kagawads play a very critical role during the national and local elections. They can make a Mayor or even a President win or lose in their barangays. These people are the ones who get and deliver the votes of their areas. When I run for congress in the last elections; it is always the kapitans that you go to first when you enter their area as a sign of respect to their position. Most of the kapitans that I met were courteous and really helped me get around but of course delivering the votes was another issue.
So it is no wonder why so many local officials from the Congressmen down to the Mayors and their Councilor support the campaign of kapitans and kagawad candidates who can help them get the votes in future elections. I know that this electoral process must be “non political” and so national and particularly local officials. However this is not the reality on the ground and we all know that.
The barangay system is what makes the Philippines the community oriented country of the world. The core LGU (Local Government Unit) of the Philippines is the barangay and they are governed by the Kapitan and kagawads (council) who are elected into office every three years by popular vote of the registered voters.
Barangays are further subdivided into smaller areas called Puroks or Zone. A sitio is a territorial enclave inside a barangay, especially in rural areas. As of today , there are around 48,000 barangays all over the country.
Powers of Barangay
What are the powers of the barangay? The 1991 Local Government Code is one of the landmark legislations ever passed in Philippine Congress during Pres. Cory Aquino's term. Basically, this decentralization law has three features: it devolves power, authority, and growth (in a grand effort to restore democracy lost during the Marcos years).
Decentralization among different levels of local gov’t units (LGUs) from provincial to barangay varies to certain degrees. On the whole, the barangays implement municipal ordinances.
The Code also gave the following responsibilities to the barangays. These Barangays are responsible to provide
support services for agricultural through a distribution system for agricultural and fishery inputs and the operation of agri and fishery produce collection and buying stations; and health and social welfare services, through the maintenance of barangay health and daycare centrers. These will also include service and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, and solid/ garbage waste collection. They are also tasked to administer the barangay court. They are on top of the maintenance of barangay roads, bridges and water supply systems and infrastructure facilities such as multi-purpose halls, pavements, plaza, sports complex; satellite public market. Their power may also include maintenance of barangay peace and order from doing though they are not allowd to carry fire arms.
Sources of Revenues of Barangays
Where do barangays get their revenues or sources of income? They have
the power to collect collect taxes and this includes
: taxes on stores or retailers with fixed businesses with gross sales receipts of P50,000 or less
; service fees or charges for services rendered in connection to regulation or use of barangay owned properties such as dryers;
fee for issuance of barangay clearance for any business located or
conducted within the barangay ; fees for commercial breeding of fighting cocks
cockfights and cockpits
; places of recreation with admission fess
; billboards and signboards
and community tax (P5.00)
Local governments have their shares in the national internal revenue taxes, representing 40 per cent of the total internal revenue collections, based on the third preceding year . However, there is at present a bill pending in congress to increase these shares to 50 per cent. The regional distribution of the Internal Revenue Allotment to local governments is as follows: Provinces (23 per cent), Cities (23 per cent), Municipalities (34 per cent) and Barangays (20 per cent).
The barangay share is 15 per cent of the total Real Property collection in cities and municipalities. The barangay likewise are empowered to receive contributions from the private sectors, financial institutions and the like.
The Barangay Elections is Important
Knowing all of these; it is very important that we should all go out and vote on Monday, October 25 since this is the barangay election. The leader of this smallest political unit in the communities that we live in is as important as the leader of our city. So let us all go out and vote!
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE MINDANAO ECONOMY
Late post
The recently concluded Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) held last Sept. 12-14, 2010 at Cagayan de Oro City had a huge turn-out of businessmen and women from all over Mindanao. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Board headed by President Francis Chua, Atty Mike Varela, Sergio Ortiz Luis, Donald Dee and Ed Lacson; together with the new Cabinet Secretaries came in full force to support Mindanao. Edwin Capili, the current Vice President for PCCI Mindanao ably chaired the whole event showcasing his own brand of leadership in enabling Mindanao to sustain its vibrant economy. My congratulations to Edwin together with the current Regional Governors of PCCI Mindanao.
This is an indication that PCCI Mindanao is still the only business organization that can truly boast of a real business constituency representing all the regions of Mindanao and thus is the only real voice of business.
At the end of every MinBizCon; it has been a tradition to present a set of Mindanao resolutions which was a result of a series of round table discussions and consultations all over Mindanao. These are the important points which we think government must prioritize in order to boost businesses in Mindanao.
The success of businesses and investments is largely dependent on the policy environment of both the national and local government. Businessmen may have the capital to invest but if the environment is not conducive for doing so; then you will have very little economic movement.
The most important resolution that was brought forward was the immediate formulation of a comprehensive energy plan for Mindanao to address the energy crisis. This will call for various measures that will not only provide alternative sources of power; but also address the growing concerns on the rising cost of electricity and reforms in the energy sector.
In hindsight, I am glad to know that the new Mindanao Authority Chair Lou Antonino had made this her priority agenda. This will really affect our desire in Davao to be the call center and Business Process Outsourcing center (BPO) in Mindanao. The lifeblood of BPO is a steady supply of power and skilled manpower.
Our Mindanao will always remain an agriculture based economy and so there is a need to prioritize this sector by addressing the perennial concerns on lack of access to financing and technical support and more investments in post harvest facilities. It seems that the support given to the agriculture has not been sufficient enough despite the huge budget allocation. With all the talks about the re-alignment of budget in agriculture for other purposes; it is not a wonder why we always have the same concerns year in and year out. I hope that the new leadership will be able to fill in this glut the soonest.
Mining has always been a controversial issue that will always spark a debate. But the Mindanao business community is fully supportive of responsible mining and this can only be attained through the strengthening of multi sectoral partnerships in the area where there is an investment in mining. There is a call to clarify the role of government in the protection of environment and management of natural resources and also to streamline the processes and procedures in getting permits and other needed clearances.
A resolution to further develop an integrated transport logistics from shipping to road network for the efficient movement of the Mindanao’s product from one island to the other was also presented.
We continue our advocacy for the capacity building of the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSME’s) since they are still the backbone of the economic momentum of businesses in the countryside. There are many smaller provinces and cities in Mindanao that do not have a single multi- national or big corporations doing business in their areas; so economy is really locally funded from the small businesses. The Magna Carta for MSME’s has not yet been fully implemented until today, particularly on its provisions of credit allocations by lending institutions.
Education has always been a significant part of the Mindanao business agenda, The call is for the development of a comprehensive approach to human resource through quality literacy and cognitive and practical skills integrated with ethical and social resources for a competitive workforce. The technical vocational sector is also asked to integrate Information, communication technology (ICT) and English courses in their curriculum to meet the current and future demands of the BPO businesses in Mindanao.
Tourism is one of Mindanao’s key drivers and so there is a need to maximize the potential of Mindanao tourism industry through implementation of needed infrastructure and encourage stronger community engagement in the promotion of tourism.
In one unified voice, we are all calling for a renewed focus on peace and order as key to Mindanao development. The GRP-MILF negotiations must be continued towards achieving lasting peace in the island.
*************
I arrived in the Davao International airport yesterday straight from Nagoya from attending the APEC Women Entrepreneurship Summit and I was confronted with the arrogance of one of the Customs people. There was this lady customs officer without a name plate and was not wearing any uniform who was so rude and kept on asking irrelevant and intimidationg questions as if everyone was a suspect of mis-declaring what was inside their luggages. I really pity the overseas workers and the Japanese tourists who were ahead of me. This came as a surprise to me because this was the first time that I had my baggages cleared in the Davao Custom. I am used to getting down in Manila everytime I am out of the country which is almost every month. The Custom personnel in Manila whether at the PAL terminal or at the Terminal 1 NAIA old airport are all so very courteous. This is a great stumbling block to our efforts to develop tourism here in our city and I hope the the Customs Directors will look into this.
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
The recently concluded Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) held last Sept. 12-14, 2010 at Cagayan de Oro City had a huge turn-out of businessmen and women from all over Mindanao. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Board headed by President Francis Chua, Atty Mike Varela, Sergio Ortiz Luis, Donald Dee and Ed Lacson; together with the new Cabinet Secretaries came in full force to support Mindanao. Edwin Capili, the current Vice President for PCCI Mindanao ably chaired the whole event showcasing his own brand of leadership in enabling Mindanao to sustain its vibrant economy. My congratulations to Edwin together with the current Regional Governors of PCCI Mindanao.
This is an indication that PCCI Mindanao is still the only business organization that can truly boast of a real business constituency representing all the regions of Mindanao and thus is the only real voice of business.
At the end of every MinBizCon; it has been a tradition to present a set of Mindanao resolutions which was a result of a series of round table discussions and consultations all over Mindanao. These are the important points which we think government must prioritize in order to boost businesses in Mindanao.
The success of businesses and investments is largely dependent on the policy environment of both the national and local government. Businessmen may have the capital to invest but if the environment is not conducive for doing so; then you will have very little economic movement.
The most important resolution that was brought forward was the immediate formulation of a comprehensive energy plan for Mindanao to address the energy crisis. This will call for various measures that will not only provide alternative sources of power; but also address the growing concerns on the rising cost of electricity and reforms in the energy sector.
In hindsight, I am glad to know that the new Mindanao Authority Chair Lou Antonino had made this her priority agenda. This will really affect our desire in Davao to be the call center and Business Process Outsourcing center (BPO) in Mindanao. The lifeblood of BPO is a steady supply of power and skilled manpower.
Our Mindanao will always remain an agriculture based economy and so there is a need to prioritize this sector by addressing the perennial concerns on lack of access to financing and technical support and more investments in post harvest facilities. It seems that the support given to the agriculture has not been sufficient enough despite the huge budget allocation. With all the talks about the re-alignment of budget in agriculture for other purposes; it is not a wonder why we always have the same concerns year in and year out. I hope that the new leadership will be able to fill in this glut the soonest.
Mining has always been a controversial issue that will always spark a debate. But the Mindanao business community is fully supportive of responsible mining and this can only be attained through the strengthening of multi sectoral partnerships in the area where there is an investment in mining. There is a call to clarify the role of government in the protection of environment and management of natural resources and also to streamline the processes and procedures in getting permits and other needed clearances.
A resolution to further develop an integrated transport logistics from shipping to road network for the efficient movement of the Mindanao’s product from one island to the other was also presented.
We continue our advocacy for the capacity building of the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSME’s) since they are still the backbone of the economic momentum of businesses in the countryside. There are many smaller provinces and cities in Mindanao that do not have a single multi- national or big corporations doing business in their areas; so economy is really locally funded from the small businesses. The Magna Carta for MSME’s has not yet been fully implemented until today, particularly on its provisions of credit allocations by lending institutions.
Education has always been a significant part of the Mindanao business agenda, The call is for the development of a comprehensive approach to human resource through quality literacy and cognitive and practical skills integrated with ethical and social resources for a competitive workforce. The technical vocational sector is also asked to integrate Information, communication technology (ICT) and English courses in their curriculum to meet the current and future demands of the BPO businesses in Mindanao.
Tourism is one of Mindanao’s key drivers and so there is a need to maximize the potential of Mindanao tourism industry through implementation of needed infrastructure and encourage stronger community engagement in the promotion of tourism.
In one unified voice, we are all calling for a renewed focus on peace and order as key to Mindanao development. The GRP-MILF negotiations must be continued towards achieving lasting peace in the island.
*************
I arrived in the Davao International airport yesterday straight from Nagoya from attending the APEC Women Entrepreneurship Summit and I was confronted with the arrogance of one of the Customs people. There was this lady customs officer without a name plate and was not wearing any uniform who was so rude and kept on asking irrelevant and intimidationg questions as if everyone was a suspect of mis-declaring what was inside their luggages. I really pity the overseas workers and the Japanese tourists who were ahead of me. This came as a surprise to me because this was the first time that I had my baggages cleared in the Davao Custom. I am used to getting down in Manila everytime I am out of the country which is almost every month. The Custom personnel in Manila whether at the PAL terminal or at the Terminal 1 NAIA old airport are all so very courteous. This is a great stumbling block to our efforts to develop tourism here in our city and I hope the the Customs Directors will look into this.
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Different Kind of Invasion
My husband and I took the time off to visit Paris after we were sure that my daughter, Nikkie was perfectly adjusted in her new school in Switzerland. It would also be a good time to do the usual R & R/ rest and recreation and take time off from my busy schedule.
While in Paris we were invited to dinner by a classmate of mine from the University of the Philippines (UP) who now works in the Sales Department of the plush Four Seasons Hotel in France. Dinner was a get together of former classmates from UP who are now staying in Paris happily married or enjoying a successful management career in the big hotels there. Seeing my classmates in such high management positions was indeed over whelming. Our conversations ranged from where our classmates now and what are they doing; the government of P-Noy and the UP people we knew who are now members of his government team and to Mindanao affairs. One of my friend who works in a food distribution company in Paris said that Halal food is very popular now in Europe. That really caught me off guard!
What Halal? Popular in France? Halal is not even so popular here in Mindanao. How many of us look for halal food in restaurants or in groceries or in the markets?
In my advocacy with our Muslim businessmen especially those in agriculture and food; I would always encourage them to look into the opportunities of halal food and I would cite that our neighbors with big Muslim population is a huge market. Never did I think that halal food would be popular also in France.
Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines. According to these guidelines gathered from the Qu'ran, Muslim followers cannot consume the following: pork or pork by products animals that were dead prior to slaughtering animals not slaughtered properly or not slaughtered in the name of Allah blood and blood by products alcohol carnivorous animals birds of prey land animals without external ears these prohibited foods and ingredients are called haram, meaning forbidden in Arabic. Halal is One of the Most Humane Methods of Animal Slaughter Muslims are taught through the Qu'ran that all animals should be treated with respect and well cared for. The goal is to slaughter the animal, limiting the amount of pain the animal will endure. When an animal is slaughtered, the jugular vein is cut and the blood is allowed to drain from the animal. Remember, Muslims are prohibited from consuming animal.
France has the largest population of Muslims in Europe, about six million and the market for halal is twice the volume of the market for organic food which is also a hit in Europe. Halal market is growing nearly 10 percent a year and is estimated to reach about $ 5 .7 billion this year.
Halal foods are not only found in the usual small neighborhood stores but are now already found in french food industries, supermarkets and even restaurants. There are a good number of restaurants that serve Halal in traditional French dishes like boeuf carottes and cervelas de volaille; cans of foie gras; and bottles of Night Orient, an alcohol-free champagne made from grape pressings.
This is a far cry from the situation here in Mindanao where we seldom could halal food in our groceries or even halal good in fine restaurants
I visited a major French supermarket and I found an entire aisle devoted to halal food products, including chicken sausage, paella and lasagna. My friend told me that one supermarket chain called Auchan, carries a total of over 100 certified-halal cured meat products, along halal frozen goods and precooked halal meals.
Évian (the bottled water) has even placed a halal stamp on some of its bottles to reassure its Muslim clientele that the bottles had never been in close contact with alcohol, which would render the water haram, or unclean.
Our businessmen in the ARMM should pursue now with greater aggressiveness their capacity to produce Halal products that are internationally accepted . There should also be a move to introduce halal menus in our restaurants all over Mindanao not only as a support to our Muslim brothers but as well as for its health benefits.
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
While in Paris we were invited to dinner by a classmate of mine from the University of the Philippines (UP) who now works in the Sales Department of the plush Four Seasons Hotel in France. Dinner was a get together of former classmates from UP who are now staying in Paris happily married or enjoying a successful management career in the big hotels there. Seeing my classmates in such high management positions was indeed over whelming. Our conversations ranged from where our classmates now and what are they doing; the government of P-Noy and the UP people we knew who are now members of his government team and to Mindanao affairs. One of my friend who works in a food distribution company in Paris said that Halal food is very popular now in Europe. That really caught me off guard!
What Halal? Popular in France? Halal is not even so popular here in Mindanao. How many of us look for halal food in restaurants or in groceries or in the markets?
In my advocacy with our Muslim businessmen especially those in agriculture and food; I would always encourage them to look into the opportunities of halal food and I would cite that our neighbors with big Muslim population is a huge market. Never did I think that halal food would be popular also in France.
Halal foods are foods that are allowed under Islamic dietary guidelines. According to these guidelines gathered from the Qu'ran, Muslim followers cannot consume the following: pork or pork by products animals that were dead prior to slaughtering animals not slaughtered properly or not slaughtered in the name of Allah blood and blood by products alcohol carnivorous animals birds of prey land animals without external ears these prohibited foods and ingredients are called haram, meaning forbidden in Arabic. Halal is One of the Most Humane Methods of Animal Slaughter Muslims are taught through the Qu'ran that all animals should be treated with respect and well cared for. The goal is to slaughter the animal, limiting the amount of pain the animal will endure. When an animal is slaughtered, the jugular vein is cut and the blood is allowed to drain from the animal. Remember, Muslims are prohibited from consuming animal.
France has the largest population of Muslims in Europe, about six million and the market for halal is twice the volume of the market for organic food which is also a hit in Europe. Halal market is growing nearly 10 percent a year and is estimated to reach about $ 5 .7 billion this year.
Halal foods are not only found in the usual small neighborhood stores but are now already found in french food industries, supermarkets and even restaurants. There are a good number of restaurants that serve Halal in traditional French dishes like boeuf carottes and cervelas de volaille; cans of foie gras; and bottles of Night Orient, an alcohol-free champagne made from grape pressings.
This is a far cry from the situation here in Mindanao where we seldom could halal food in our groceries or even halal good in fine restaurants
I visited a major French supermarket and I found an entire aisle devoted to halal food products, including chicken sausage, paella and lasagna. My friend told me that one supermarket chain called Auchan, carries a total of over 100 certified-halal cured meat products, along halal frozen goods and precooked halal meals.
Évian (the bottled water) has even placed a halal stamp on some of its bottles to reassure its Muslim clientele that the bottles had never been in close contact with alcohol, which would render the water haram, or unclean.
Our businessmen in the ARMM should pursue now with greater aggressiveness their capacity to produce Halal products that are internationally accepted . There should also be a move to introduce halal menus in our restaurants all over Mindanao not only as a support to our Muslim brothers but as well as for its health benefits.
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
Sunday, September 05, 2010
The Business of Hospitality
In the Philippines, the term hospitality courses has not really gained wide acceptance as compared to the term hotel and restaurant management courses. Many of us still wonder why in the world are people now start using hospitality as a term closely related to tourism.
For one whose main business is focused in the delivery of many levels of hospitality education; there are times that I laugh because people would always relate the term to hospitality girls (a word which has a rather not-so-good connotation in Filipino culture since it means women whose occupation is to entertain the opposite sex) or even at times to the hospital /health business.
I take time to tell people; most especially our students and their parents to use hospitality course instead of the usual Hotel and Restaurant Management / terminology since this is a more acceptable term in the international and global arena .
Hospitality management studies provides focus on management and operations of hotels, restaurants, food establishments and service institutions, cruise ships, resorts, amusement parks, conventions and events , country clubs and may also include travel and tourism. The now growing Culinary Course or Chefs’ education is also part of the Hospitality program.
There are hotels and restaurants of all classes and standards all over the world and so you can just imagine the need for highly skilled hospitality managers and workers. In fact in the Philippines alone; you can see many hospitality schools and training centers sprouting left and right all over the metropolis.
A career in hospitality is very promising all over the global market. People think that graduates of this course can only work in hotels and restaurants. Industries such as casinos, theme parks, airlines, entertainment businesses, travel and tour agencies. Airlines, canteens, institutional food service centers may also be a good source of employment. This course is also ideal for those who wants to put up their own hotel. restaurant and catering businesses.
All these and more are included in the category of hospitality. As you can see, most of these are what you may call the “essentials” in the realm of tourism. And for sure, you know how important tourism is in whatever place or country you may be. Thus, you can expect that an industry like this could definitely bloom even in the coming years.
However, it is not only tourists that these jobs serve. Even locals alike are served too. For sure locals also dine in restaurants and go to casinos and even stay in hotel during the holidays and the week ends. This factor makes the whole industry more stable. Even if it’s not the peak season of tourists, locals are still there to keep the industry alive and kicking!
I am now writing this article sipping cappuccino and enjoying the view of Lake Geneva here in Montreux Switzerland which is the home of the two best hospitality schools in the world – Glion and Hotel Institute de Montreux (HIM) which is a subsidiary of the Swiss International Hotel School of Management .My youngest daughter Nicole will be starting her Post Graduate Course in Hospitality Management in HIM and will stay here for the next six(6) months. I took time out from my busy business schedule to bring my daughter here and help her get settled in her new school. I feel as if I am again brining my daughter to her first pre school where just like any mother – you take the time to check the school; talk to the teachers; get a look at the classrooms and the facilities making sure that you made the right choice.
I also took it as an opportunity to network and forge possible linkages with HIM and work for a cross accreditation of my schools; the Joji Ilagan College of Business and Tourism (JIB) and the Institute of International Culinary and Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) in Davao City and the International School of Hotel and Tourism Mgt (IS-HTM) which will soon open in the bustling city of Gen Santos next year. Today, students in all of my school are given the opportunity to gain Australian qualifications, credentials and diploma through our partnership with TAFE New Southwales Southwestern Sydney Institute (TAFE NSW SWSI) and the Australian Trade College North Brisbane in Australia. The Australia qualification is recognized all over the world and so our students have better access to international careers and employment. It would be great to bring the Swiss qualifications to the students of Davao City, This may seemed to be an ambitious endeavor; but I am crossing my fingers that it can be done. It took me two(2) years and four (4) visits to the TAFE Australia before the educational agreement between our schools was signed. Nothing is impossible with perseverance and patience.
************************
I am saddened by the sudden death of Mindanao Times Foodie Columnist, Noel Castro whom I had the pleasure of meeting a month ago. He interviewed me for a feature of ICHEF and we immediately found a common ground which is food. I personally took him for a tour around ICHEF where he met our students and Chef Mike Oberle in one of our kitchens. We even tasted the wonderful pasta that they made with the different sauces and he was all praises for our students. I invited Noel again to visit our Chefs’ Kitchen Student Training Restaurant where I ask his comments/recommendations about the menu that our students prepared. In an email from him that I received here in Switzerland, he shared with me so many ideas and I emailed him back that I am so excited to be back in Davao already and have coffee with him. I opened my email last night when I came back in my hotel room and there I got the message from my office that Noel had passed away. My prayers and condolences to his family. I thank God for the joy of knowing Noel even for just a brief moment!
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
For one whose main business is focused in the delivery of many levels of hospitality education; there are times that I laugh because people would always relate the term to hospitality girls (a word which has a rather not-so-good connotation in Filipino culture since it means women whose occupation is to entertain the opposite sex) or even at times to the hospital /health business.
I take time to tell people; most especially our students and their parents to use hospitality course instead of the usual Hotel and Restaurant Management / terminology since this is a more acceptable term in the international and global arena .
Hospitality management studies provides focus on management and operations of hotels, restaurants, food establishments and service institutions, cruise ships, resorts, amusement parks, conventions and events , country clubs and may also include travel and tourism. The now growing Culinary Course or Chefs’ education is also part of the Hospitality program.
There are hotels and restaurants of all classes and standards all over the world and so you can just imagine the need for highly skilled hospitality managers and workers. In fact in the Philippines alone; you can see many hospitality schools and training centers sprouting left and right all over the metropolis.
A career in hospitality is very promising all over the global market. People think that graduates of this course can only work in hotels and restaurants. Industries such as casinos, theme parks, airlines, entertainment businesses, travel and tour agencies. Airlines, canteens, institutional food service centers may also be a good source of employment. This course is also ideal for those who wants to put up their own hotel. restaurant and catering businesses.
All these and more are included in the category of hospitality. As you can see, most of these are what you may call the “essentials” in the realm of tourism. And for sure, you know how important tourism is in whatever place or country you may be. Thus, you can expect that an industry like this could definitely bloom even in the coming years.
However, it is not only tourists that these jobs serve. Even locals alike are served too. For sure locals also dine in restaurants and go to casinos and even stay in hotel during the holidays and the week ends. This factor makes the whole industry more stable. Even if it’s not the peak season of tourists, locals are still there to keep the industry alive and kicking!
I am now writing this article sipping cappuccino and enjoying the view of Lake Geneva here in Montreux Switzerland which is the home of the two best hospitality schools in the world – Glion and Hotel Institute de Montreux (HIM) which is a subsidiary of the Swiss International Hotel School of Management .My youngest daughter Nicole will be starting her Post Graduate Course in Hospitality Management in HIM and will stay here for the next six(6) months. I took time out from my busy business schedule to bring my daughter here and help her get settled in her new school. I feel as if I am again brining my daughter to her first pre school where just like any mother – you take the time to check the school; talk to the teachers; get a look at the classrooms and the facilities making sure that you made the right choice.
I also took it as an opportunity to network and forge possible linkages with HIM and work for a cross accreditation of my schools; the Joji Ilagan College of Business and Tourism (JIB) and the Institute of International Culinary and Entrepreneurship (ICHEF) in Davao City and the International School of Hotel and Tourism Mgt (IS-HTM) which will soon open in the bustling city of Gen Santos next year. Today, students in all of my school are given the opportunity to gain Australian qualifications, credentials and diploma through our partnership with TAFE New Southwales Southwestern Sydney Institute (TAFE NSW SWSI) and the Australian Trade College North Brisbane in Australia. The Australia qualification is recognized all over the world and so our students have better access to international careers and employment. It would be great to bring the Swiss qualifications to the students of Davao City, This may seemed to be an ambitious endeavor; but I am crossing my fingers that it can be done. It took me two(2) years and four (4) visits to the TAFE Australia before the educational agreement between our schools was signed. Nothing is impossible with perseverance and patience.
************************
I am saddened by the sudden death of Mindanao Times Foodie Columnist, Noel Castro whom I had the pleasure of meeting a month ago. He interviewed me for a feature of ICHEF and we immediately found a common ground which is food. I personally took him for a tour around ICHEF where he met our students and Chef Mike Oberle in one of our kitchens. We even tasted the wonderful pasta that they made with the different sauces and he was all praises for our students. I invited Noel again to visit our Chefs’ Kitchen Student Training Restaurant where I ask his comments/recommendations about the menu that our students prepared. In an email from him that I received here in Switzerland, he shared with me so many ideas and I emailed him back that I am so excited to be back in Davao already and have coffee with him. I opened my email last night when I came back in my hotel room and there I got the message from my office that Noel had passed away. My prayers and condolences to his family. I thank God for the joy of knowing Noel even for just a brief moment!
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation ( www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
INVESTING WISELY AMIDST THE GLOBAL CRISIS
Rumors of an impending global crisis always makes businessmen jittery and uneasy. Earlier this year the markets were affected by the fears of a European crisis. I remembered at that time, my British friend urged us to pay our Tumble Tots (British Pre School Franchise) royalty earlier than the due date since the pound was weaker and that it would be advantageous for us to do this. We made some quick computations and paid the royalty earlier as what my friend suggested. True enough, we were able to saved a significant amount which we used to re paint our building.
This is what I call good timing – really good timing. Many of my friends in Manila who were well diversified in their trust portfolios also enjoyed positive returns.
A good number of financial experts says that these types of investments are more stable than shares of stocks. This is because your money or investment is being managed by professional fund managers who make it their business to make your money grow. And by consolidating your money with other investors; you now have greater access to a wide range of assets. This way you diversify your investments and you spread your risks.
But nothing in life is free. You have to pay a fee for the professional managers to invest your money in bonds, stocks and other instruments to get the returns consistent with the fund’s stated objectives. The minimum investment will depend on the requirement of the Fund Managers. I know that it can be as low as USD 1,000.00 or P 50,000.00. Your money may reach double digit figures. It would be good to know that (just like in any ordinary investments ) there are corresponding risks and capital may be lost also.
But their popularity had grown these past years. I know of many young businessmen who are putting their money in various trust portfolios. Personally, I think it is called “Trust” because it is really a question of trust. How much do you trust your chosen fund managers to handle your hard earned or extra money? Do you trust their promises that they can make your money earn higher than putting it in the bank?
We had often been confronted with nothing but depressing news for the Philippines. Yesterday, there was big fire in Quezon City and the firemen lamented that they could not do so much because there was no adequate supply of water. On the other hand, when I opened the TV to listen to the news; I saw people lining up for water. Today, on my way home from a meeting, I heard over the radio that there are more people who are hungry now than last year.
So it is really a refreshing news to know that single country funds like Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia performed very well in the trust market. For instance the JF Philippines and Indonesia USD funds achieved 23.5 % and 22.4 % respectively.
**********
MEETING FRIENDS. I was walking at Eastwood City to go to Citibank and I was surprised to see Jason Magnaye and Bert Barriga at Cybermall having coffee. Bert called me and it is always a pleasant surprise to see colleagues in Manila. I am glad to know that Jason is now the new Investment and Promotions Director for Davao. He is young and his dynamism would be good for the city. Bert who is now the top man of the ICT (information, communication, technology) has his hands full promoting Davao as an ICT hub for BPO‘s ( Business Process Outsourcing). Congratulations to Bert and to the ICT advocates because Davao is now the top city for BPO investments.
*******
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS DELEGATES. I received an invitation for a cocktail at the Traders Hotel in Manila hosted by the Philippine Australia Business Council (where I used to sit as a member of the board) for the CCIAP (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines) delegates last Tuesday, 20th of July 2010. Unfortunately I was not able to attend due to an important previous commitment which was on the same day and time. I would had wanted to attend that because I do business with Australia where two(2) of my schools; the Joji Ilagan Foundation and the International Culinary and Hospitality have educational cooperation agreement with Australian schools . There were ten (10) delegates from Queensland representing various businesses: Mrs. Connie da Cunha - President, CCIAP;Mrs. Adriana Shepard - Partner, Adna Living Water ;Mr. Allan Shepard - Senior Lecturer, Griffith University;Mrs. Gina Luck - Managing Director and Owner Luxe Care Collection Pty Ltd ‘;Mr. Jachin Navarro - Managing Director, Navarro Enterprises Pty Ltd; Mrs. Kay Ganley - CEO, Charlton Brown; Mrs. Luz Sheppard - Director and Owner, LD Sheppard & Associates Pty Ltd;Mr. Peter Shepard - Partner, Adna Living Water; Mr. Wayne Harrison - Managing Director, Australian Immigration Visas and Australian Trades; Mr. Manuel Paneda - Principal, Mell Accounting Plus . Let me know if you are interested to touch base with any of the delegates
*********
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will be holding a Chamber Management Workshop on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Apo View Hotel and these will be attended by the Officers of the Chambers of Commerce of Region 11; Davao del Norte (Tagum and Compostela) , Davao del Sur (Digos)and Davao Oriental (Mati). Mr. Cris Frianiza, the Executive Director of PCCC together with Mr. Edwin Capili- PCCI Vice President for Mindanao will be heading the team who will visit Davao.
*********
HUMAN RESOURCE SUMMIT.The Mindanao Technical Vocational Schools Association will be holding its annual Human Resource and Skills Development (HRSD) Summit in Butuan City on Aug. 11, 12, 13, 2010. The new TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva ( son of Eddie Villanueva and former member of Congress as party list representative) is expected to attend the event.
*********
“The key is not to prioritize what is on the schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” ~Stephen Covey
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation (www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
This is what I call good timing – really good timing. Many of my friends in Manila who were well diversified in their trust portfolios also enjoyed positive returns.
A good number of financial experts says that these types of investments are more stable than shares of stocks. This is because your money or investment is being managed by professional fund managers who make it their business to make your money grow. And by consolidating your money with other investors; you now have greater access to a wide range of assets. This way you diversify your investments and you spread your risks.
But nothing in life is free. You have to pay a fee for the professional managers to invest your money in bonds, stocks and other instruments to get the returns consistent with the fund’s stated objectives. The minimum investment will depend on the requirement of the Fund Managers. I know that it can be as low as USD 1,000.00 or P 50,000.00. Your money may reach double digit figures. It would be good to know that (just like in any ordinary investments ) there are corresponding risks and capital may be lost also.
But their popularity had grown these past years. I know of many young businessmen who are putting their money in various trust portfolios. Personally, I think it is called “Trust” because it is really a question of trust. How much do you trust your chosen fund managers to handle your hard earned or extra money? Do you trust their promises that they can make your money earn higher than putting it in the bank?
We had often been confronted with nothing but depressing news for the Philippines. Yesterday, there was big fire in Quezon City and the firemen lamented that they could not do so much because there was no adequate supply of water. On the other hand, when I opened the TV to listen to the news; I saw people lining up for water. Today, on my way home from a meeting, I heard over the radio that there are more people who are hungry now than last year.
So it is really a refreshing news to know that single country funds like Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia performed very well in the trust market. For instance the JF Philippines and Indonesia USD funds achieved 23.5 % and 22.4 % respectively.
**********
MEETING FRIENDS. I was walking at Eastwood City to go to Citibank and I was surprised to see Jason Magnaye and Bert Barriga at Cybermall having coffee. Bert called me and it is always a pleasant surprise to see colleagues in Manila. I am glad to know that Jason is now the new Investment and Promotions Director for Davao. He is young and his dynamism would be good for the city. Bert who is now the top man of the ICT (information, communication, technology) has his hands full promoting Davao as an ICT hub for BPO‘s ( Business Process Outsourcing). Congratulations to Bert and to the ICT advocates because Davao is now the top city for BPO investments.
*******
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS DELEGATES. I received an invitation for a cocktail at the Traders Hotel in Manila hosted by the Philippine Australia Business Council (where I used to sit as a member of the board) for the CCIAP (Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines) delegates last Tuesday, 20th of July 2010. Unfortunately I was not able to attend due to an important previous commitment which was on the same day and time. I would had wanted to attend that because I do business with Australia where two(2) of my schools; the Joji Ilagan Foundation and the International Culinary and Hospitality have educational cooperation agreement with Australian schools . There were ten (10) delegates from Queensland representing various businesses: Mrs. Connie da Cunha - President, CCIAP;Mrs. Adriana Shepard - Partner, Adna Living Water ;Mr. Allan Shepard - Senior Lecturer, Griffith University;Mrs. Gina Luck - Managing Director and Owner Luxe Care Collection Pty Ltd ‘;Mr. Jachin Navarro - Managing Director, Navarro Enterprises Pty Ltd; Mrs. Kay Ganley - CEO, Charlton Brown; Mrs. Luz Sheppard - Director and Owner, LD Sheppard & Associates Pty Ltd;Mr. Peter Shepard - Partner, Adna Living Water; Mr. Wayne Harrison - Managing Director, Australian Immigration Visas and Australian Trades; Mr. Manuel Paneda - Principal, Mell Accounting Plus . Let me know if you are interested to touch base with any of the delegates
*********
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will be holding a Chamber Management Workshop on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Apo View Hotel and these will be attended by the Officers of the Chambers of Commerce of Region 11; Davao del Norte (Tagum and Compostela) , Davao del Sur (Digos)and Davao Oriental (Mati). Mr. Cris Frianiza, the Executive Director of PCCC together with Mr. Edwin Capili- PCCI Vice President for Mindanao will be heading the team who will visit Davao.
*********
HUMAN RESOURCE SUMMIT.The Mindanao Technical Vocational Schools Association will be holding its annual Human Resource and Skills Development (HRSD) Summit in Butuan City on Aug. 11, 12, 13, 2010. The new TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva ( son of Eddie Villanueva and former member of Congress as party list representative) is expected to attend the event.
*********
“The key is not to prioritize what is on the schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” ~Stephen Covey
(Joji Ilagan Bian is a strong and respected advocate for the development of the region. She is Chair of Joji Ilagan Foundation (www.jojiilagancareercenter.com) ; President , Phil. Call Centers Alliance and Mindanao Tech Voc Schools Association; Mindanao Rep, Export Development Council. Email comments jojibian2@yahoo.com)
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