Today's Issue
- Editor's Take: Not by Bread Alone
- New Government Laws: Republic Act 9481
- SME.com.ph's Newest Members: Blessed Mary Academy, CNEX Cabinets, and Wash in the City
- Events: Cleaner Production (Wednesday 2 April); Lean Purchasing Essentials (Wednesday 2 April); W2W Women Mentoring (Thursday 3 April); Packaging as a Marketing Tool (Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April); Communicate With Confidence (Thursday 4 April); Basic Investments and Analysis of the Financial Markets (Thursday 4 April); Value Selling (Tuesday 8 April); and Basic MS Word (Tuesday 8 April)
- Tax Calendar
New Government Laws
Republic Act 9481 is an act strengthening the workers' constitutional right to self-organization, amending for the purpose Presidential Degree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
According to its ART. 234. A federation, national union or industry or trade union center or an independent union shall acquire legal personality and shall be entitled to the rights and privileges granted by law to legitimate labor organizations upon issuance of the certificate of registration based on the following requirements.
To know more learn more about it, click here!
Newest Members of SME.com.ph
- Blessed Mary Academy is a Catholic-oriented school and a co-educational institution that admit students from Kindergarten to 4th year high school As of S.Y. 2001-2002; its location is in Salitran II, Dasmariñas, Cavite. Blessed Mary Academy school joined SME.com.ph since November 2007. To know more, click here!
- One of the pioneering companies that introduced the concept of modular cabinetry manufacturing in the Philippines, CNEX ModuFurni Systems had its first operations in 1988. It also manufactures and installs toilet partitions. CNEX ModuFurni Systems joined the rosters of SME.com.ph members since November 2007. To know more, click here!
- In 1999, Wash in the City opened its firts shop along Pasay Road, which initial offered wash & fold as well as wash & press services. The business however, rapidly evolved and a full-service laundry shop was launched to include dry cleaning and free pick-up and delivery. In addition, a laundry pick-up station was established mid 2001 to cater to the changing needs of its growing customer-base. Wash in the City became part of SME.com.ph in December 2007. To know more, click here!
Tax Calendar
Tuesday 1 April - e-Filing/Filing & e-Payment/Payment of 2000 - Documentary Stamp Tax Declaration/Return for the Month of March 2008.
For more schedule, click here!
Source: Bureau of Internal RevenueEditor's Take
The Philippine agriculture has gone a long way since achieving self-sufficiency in rice production in 1976. From its place as a rice-exporting economy, the Philippines now is a major importer of the grain. It is both sad and ironic that despite the country playing host to the respected International Rice Research Institute, Filipinos have to contend with spiraling prices for this precious staple of which they consume 13.1 million tons annually.
Recently, a farmers group has accused government officials of covering up the looming rice shortage. It only further incensed the public when a video revealed traders state-subsidized rice being repacked for retail at commercial prices.
The National Rice Farmers Council (NRFC) mentioned the shortage could hurt the price of rice, which might rocket to P40.00 per kilo. A casual visit to the public market in Makati will show that a kilo of the cheapest quality rice is already selling at P30.00 while a kilo of top quality rice already retails for as much as P45!
This space certainly agrees with the NRFC chair who stated that “Traders will definitely take advantage of the limited supply, while the government will be dependent on the imported rice for its buffer stock.”
It is not escapable. It is not excusable to miss that reality.
Coupled with a shrinking domestic production, the practice of speculation, hoarding and diversion of rice stocks are bottlenecks in the supply chain. To date there is a 10 percent deficit in the rice supply, or 2.2 million tons that the government must import every year to ensure the populace is fed.
The prospect of a continuing spiral in rice prices, the tinder for social unrest is real. It is highly provocative for public officials to urge Filipinos to cut down on rice consumption when majority of the consumers can barely afford the prices.
In the short term, we strongly advocate that private sector bodies—producers, traders and consumers associations and cooperatives—to make the market work for the common good, foremost by ensuring that fair trade practices are observed in the grains sector. This can be a first step with the longer view of building a stable basis for food self-sufficiency in the country.
Not by bread alone. The sustenance of the people depends on affordable, quality rice. The small and medium enterprise (SMEs) is enjoined to use this space to share ideas for measures to help resolve stave the growing threat of a rice crisis.
What's your take on this? We want to hear from you! Click here and participate in the discussion.
