EXPORTS

   Export sales was recorded at $3.19 M , a 161.50 percent increase from the previous quarter.

Export Sales (In million dollars) by Province,  Bicol Region
4th Quarter 2008 and 3rd   Quarter 2008

         Source:  DTI Region 5

   Handicrafts continue to be a major traditional export product though demand for these has been reduced.   Organic, natural products, frozen marine products, pili products have become major export products.  Indirect exporters of frozen marine products in Sorsogon province sell their products to a direct exporter in Cebu . There are two indirect pili product exporters in Camarines Sur who participated in the F.A.M.E., an exhibit of exporters that is conducted twice a year, in April and in October. This provided them the venue for introducing their products and for negotiating for business partners and customers.

 

   A major event  that was conducted for the promotion of Bicol products was the Orgullo kan (OK) Bikol.  The 12th Orgullo Kan Bikol Regional Trade Fair  was held at   the SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on October 2 to 5.   It generated sales of P 9.9 million. 

 

   OK Bikol had several features.  First was the Raw Materials Showcase which is a new feature.  The Bicol Designers Association (BIDEAS) set up the Special Setting which showcased the different raw materials that had been transformed into novelty artworks.  Second was the launching of the OK Bikol and chosen Pili trademarks.  The OK Bikol trademark is now the official trademark of the OK Bikol Association while the Chosen Pili trademark is a quality mark.  Both trademarks are registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) by the OK Bikol Association.  Third was the  oathtaking of the new set of officers of the OK Bikol Association.  Fourth was the participation of 35 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries/entrepreneurs to the fair.  Fifth was a culinary product presentation featuring food products from Gubat, Sorsogon and product presentation of Misibis Discovery Bay .  And sixth,  was the Gayon Bikol Fiesta. Local government units (LGUs), hotels and resorts had their own booths to showcase their tourist destinations. 

 

   A total of 143 Bicolano entrepreneurs sold their wares ranging from home furnishings, giftware, holiday décor, wearables, fresh & processed food products, organic & natural products, cutlery, and furniture.  Among the six provinces, Albay had the biggest number of exhibitors with 38 MSMEs, followed by Catanduanes and Sorsogon with 16 MSMEs each.  Camarines Sur had 15 MSMEs while Camarines Norte and Masbate had 13 and 10 MSMEs, respectively.  Forty new entrepreneurs participated. 

 

   To provide a ready venue for buyers and for them to see the raw materials and other products available in the Bicol region, the Orgullo Kan (OK) Bikol Showroom was opened December 5 at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office, 3rd Floor, Albay Capitol Annex, Legazpi City . The raw materials that were featured in this showroom were “tikiw”, “sorghum”, “salago” and “pagokpok”.  These are raw materials abundant in Bicol that can be transformed into handicrafts and other novelty items. 

 

   In the banking industry, two rural banks in the region prohibited by the Monetary Board from doing business in the country were placed under PDIC receivership in December 2008. These banks were: a) BDD Bank, Inc. in Legazpi City (Monetary Board Resolution No. 1693 dated December 19, 2008); and b) Rural Bank of Nueva Caceres in Naga City (Monetary Board Resolution No. 1636 dated December 11, 2008).

 

   The closure of rural banks in December 2008 was monitored and engaged by the BSP in accordance with rigorous due process requirements mandated by law.  These banks were found to have insufficient assets to cover their liabilities, severe liquidity problems, and performed unsafe and unsound banking practices.

 

   In spite of these incidents, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is firm in their statement that the Philippine banking system remains stable, highly capitalized and highly liquid. The BSP further stressed that the number of closed rural banks represent a tiny fraction of the banking system.

 

   Power is a vital factor in promoting investments in the region. The power situation was relatively unstable since the occurrence of typhoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006 that toppled 171 transmission towers. The 43 towers toppled by typhoon Milenyo were restored in 2007 while 88 of those toppled by typhoon Reming were restored in November 2008.  Ten toppled towers along the Naga-Tayabas 5000 KV line is 71.23 percent complete. 

 

   The following Bicol Restoration Projects were completed during the quarter:

 

   Naga-Labo 230 kV (Package A). The project covered the restoration of 56 toppled towers brought down by typhoon Reming in the towns of Libmanan, Pamplona , San Fernando , Minalabac and Milaor.  The project was completed and energized on November 20, 2008.

 

   Naga-Tiwi Plant C (Package B).  The project covered the restoration of 32 toppled towers brought down by Typhoon Reming.  The restored towers are located in the town of Pili , Bula to Iriga and in the mountainous area of Buhi to Tiwi in the province of Camarines Sur. The project was completed and energized on September 18, 2008. 

back to top