CLGCFI

invest digest The official newsletter of the

Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.

2021 2nd Semester Issue

Capital-Intensive Projects
Streaming in Bulacan
Infrastructure spending is believed to have a
very high multiplier effect and very critical in

NEWS INSIDE jumpstarting the economy. With infrastructure

• CLGCFI Holds Webinar Session for the
IPOs - p.3
• Bulacan Sees Bamboo as a Potential
Industry for Development - p.8
development taking place in Bulacan such as the
construction of North-South Commuter Railway
between Tutuban and Malolos, MRT 7 from Quezon
City to San Jose Del Monte, and Manila International
Airport, various big-ticket investments are starting
to pour in the province.

• Zambales' Export Performance Rises Among the capital-intensive projects which have
Amidst the Pandemic - p.12 been completed, are currently being constructed

• DTI-3 Launches 23 Negosyo Centers or about to be developed are United Pulp and

in 2021 - p.13 Paper Company’s (UPPC) New Paper Machine No.3

• Central Luzon LGUs Hailed as Among
The Most Competitive Nationwide -
p.15
in Calumpit, First Bulacan Business Park in the City
of Malolos, BulacanSol in San Miguel, Northwin
Global City Township in Marilao, Trinx Bicycle
Sport Technology Corporation in Santa Maria, and
Malolos-Clark Railway Project.

continued on page 4

Baler is now home to the Aurora Cable Landing

Aurora Cable Station (also called Baler Cable Landing

Landing Station Station). The Department of Information

and Communications Technology (DICT) and
Set to Operate the state-owned firm Bases Conversion and
in Baler Development Authority (BCDA) have partnered
continued on page 14
2
MEGAWORLD BRINGS
CAPITAL TOWN TO PAMPANGA
Megaworld Corporation, one of the country’s leading
real property developers of commercial leases and
residential spaces, is currently in Pampanga for its
first integrated urban township project, the Capital
Town. The township project sits on a 35-hectare
property right in the heart of the City of San Fernando
where the former Pampanga Sugar Development
Corporation (PASUDECO) used to operate and was
PAMPANGA HOSTS BIG-TICKET PROJECT
BY ROBINSONS LAND
The newest addition to the ever-growing real
estate development in the province of Pampanga
is the “Montclair Project” which is owned and being
developed by Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC).
RLC is currently developing a 216-hectare land
in Porac, Pampanga into a mixed-use estate,
anchored in the robust economic growth of
the province. It is an integrated township with
residential areas, commercial center, hotel, logistics
hub, retirement facility, hospitals and industrial
park components. Target date of completion of the
whole estate is by 2031.
built a century ago.
Capital Town is set to become the newest central
business district not only in Pampanga but in
Central Luzon. It is also envisioned to be a must-
visit tourist destination in the province. Fast-food
giant McDonald’s Philippines already opened its
biggest store in the country inside the Capital Town
Pampanga compound.
Soon to rise in the vicinity is the Capital Mall which
will take its design inspiration from the former
PASUDECO building. Worth some ₱1.8 billion with a
gross floor area of 33,000 square meters, the Capital
Mall is set to be completed in 2022. It is a fitting
tribute to the legacy of Pampanga’s oldest sugar
mill.
Capital Town Pampanga will also house BPOs,
offices, shophouses as well as residential units and is
expected to generate employment for the residents
of the City of San Fernando and nearby areas. -Rhia
Laxa, DTI-Pampanga
Montclair is just a few minutes away via the Porac
Exit of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
It will also have a trumpet interchange and access
bridge that will connect the estate development
directly to the SCTEX.
Strategically located near the Clark Freeport
Zone (CFZ), the project is RLC’s response to the
government’s call to establish CFZ as the next
business district outside of Metro Manila. -Rhia
Laxa, DTI-Pampanga
INVEST DIGEST

CLGCFI HOLDS WEBINAR SESSIONS FOR THE IPOS
Staying true to its commitment of promoting
Central Luzon as a logical destination for business,
the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.
(CLGCFI), headed by Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap,
continues to organize webinar sessions to capacitate
the region’s network of Investment Promotion
Officers (IPOs) even amidst the pandemic.
On September 9, the foundation held the Webinar
on Investment Promotion in the New Normal to
keep the IPOs abreast on the emerging trends
and challenges that have transformed investment
promotion in the new normal.
The foundation tapped Ms. Maria
Dominguez, Director for the Domestic Investments
Promotion Service of the Board of Investments (BOI),
as the resource speaker of the webinar. Director
Dominguez shared the experiences of BOI on how
they navigate thru the pandemic and presented the
emerging trends in investment promotion that the
economic frontliners in the region can replicate in
their respective LGUs.
To assess the economic impact of the COVID-19
pandemic to Central Luzon in particular and to
the Philippines in general, another webinar was
REGIONAL MSMED COUNCIL APPROVES ENDORSEMENT OF RIIC TO RDC-3
During the third quarter meeting of the Regional
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Development Council held on September 30, the
proposed endorsement of the establishment of
the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) and
its adoption in the region was approved through
Resolution No. 02, Series of 2021.
Said resolution will be endorsed to the Regional
Development Council (RDC) Sectoral Committee
on Economic Development for deliberation and
adoption of the RDC-3.
Region 3 is advocating inclusive innovation as
2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
3
conducted on
November 19
entitled The
Central Luzon
Economy in
the Better
Normal.
Engr. Susana S. Santiago, OIC-Assistant Regional
Director of the National Economic and Development
Authority-Region 3 (NEDA-3) presented and
discussed the Central Luzon’s Regional Economic
Situation and Development Outlook. On the other
hand, Dr. Alvin P. Belarmino, Regional Governor of
Rosario J. the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-
Region 3 (PCCI-3) shared how the pandemic has
affected the business community and how they
adapted to the new normal.
Both webinar sessions, which were conducted
via Zoom and streamed via Facebook Live, were
participated in by the Central Luzon IPOs, Business
Permit and Licensing Officers (BPLOs), Local
Economic and Investment Promotions Officers
(LEIPOs), Negosyo Center Business Counsellors and
the industry stakeholders. -Rona O. Dizon, CLGCFI
an approach to regional and local economic
development. The RIIC is seen as a driving tool to
involve and engage relevant actors and stakeholders
to help achieve inclusive and sustainable economic
growth in Central Luzon.
Through the RIICs, there will be sharing of
information, expertise and resources between and
among the government, academe and industry
stakeholders as well as access to shared facilities
such as research and development laboratories,
co-working spaces, fabrication laboratories and,
in the case of regional startups, access to capital
investments. -Edna D. Dizon, DTI-Bulacan
4
CAPITAL-INTENSIVE PROJECTS STREAMING IN BULACAN
Aside from these, three big medical facilities are also
being erected, such as the ALLIED CARE Experts
(ACE) Malolos Doctors Hospital and Paramount
Medical Center, both in Malolos, and Luzon Alliance
Medical Center in Guiguinto.
All these projects faced delay due to quarantine
restrictions that limited movements of manpower,
construction supplies and materials.
United Pulp and Paper Company
UPPC’s new investment on paper machine, waste
plant, power boiler and effluent treatment plant will
increase the company’s capacity by an additional
220,000 metric tons of high-quality industrial grade
paper (testliner board and corrugated medium)
which come from recovered and recycled paper. The
company, which is part of Siam Group of Companies
from Thailand, spent ₱8.49 billion to complete the
project that started in 2019.
First Bulacan Business Park
First Bulacan Business Park (FBBP) will be the
country’s first medical research and development
(R&D) and pharmaceutical park located at Malolos
City with a project cost of ₱570 million. It is envisioned
to be a premier ecozone that would house medical
R&D through partnerships with the academe and
research institutions, as well as the manufacture
of innovative over-the-counter and generic drug
products, medical instruments/equipment and
pharma cold chain.
from page 1
FBBP is the first pharmaceutical ecozone registered
under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
(PEZA) through a proclamation issued by President
Rodrigo Duterte on January 27.
BulacanSol
BulacanSol is a 50-megawatt solar power plant
developed by First Source Bulacan Solar Inc. in San
Miguel, Bulacan. This ₱4.25 billion project is a joint
undertaking of MGen Renewable Energy Inc. and
Powersource Energy Holdings Corporation with the
aim of providing clean and renewable power to the
Luzon grid amid the high demand during dry period.
Northwin Global City
Property giant Megaworld, on the other hand, will
develop Northwin Global City on 85 hectares of
land located in Marilao and Bocaue along the North
Luzon Expressway. It is set to become Bulacan’s first-
ever metropolitan hub for business and lifestyle,
characterized by its own themed commercial district,
high-rise residential condominiums, hotels, malls,
mixed-used commercial buildings, educational
institutions, and state-of-the-art office towers.
This ₱98 billion project will integrate its iTownship
with features such as installation of solar-powered
and LED streetlights, underground cabling system,
fiber optic cabling, bike lanes, storm water detention
facility for flood prevention, intermodal transport
terminal, and other sustainable infrastructure
mobility and connectivity.
INVEST DIGEST

Northwin Global City is just 20 minutes away from
the proposed New Manila International Airport and
just 5 minutes away from the Philippine Arena and
will be hosting one of the stations of Manila-Clark
International Airport.
TRINX Bicycle Sport Technology Corporation
Bike exporter TRINX Bicycle Sport Technology
Corporation, a joint venture of Filipino and Chinese
companies, will put up its manufacturing plant
in Santa Maria, Bulacan. This ₱356-million bike
manufacturing facility will have a capacity of
producing 200,000 units of road and mountain
bikes, foldable electric bikes and other bike variants
where 75% of the production will be exported to the
United States and Europe, and the rest will be sold in
the booming local market.
Infrastructure Projects
Another project in the pipeline will be the Malolos-
Clark Railway Project that will not only spur economic
growth in Central Luzon but will also increase
connectivity and unlock commercial opportunities
between Metro Manila and Clark.
Megawide Construction Corporation, together with
its partner which bagged the project, will spend
2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
5
₱28 billion as part of the 163-kilometer North South
Commuter Railway Project.
Influx of big-ticket investments, both foreign
and local, is expected once the airport starts its
operations. The airport is quietly clearing, dredging
and developing the land after project proponent San
Miguel Corporation (SMC) missed a groundbreaking
target in the 1st quarter of 2021. Initial operations
like prefabrication of key components for the
project have already been contracted to overseas
manufacturers.
With the above-reported billions of investments and
thousands of jobs generated, economic activities
and livelihood opportunities are created, benefitting
not only the province of Bulacan and nearby
provinces and cities, but the whole country as well.
-Jerry C. Caguingin, PCEDO-Bulacan
6
BULACAN SEES BAMBOO AS A POTENTIAL INDUSTRY FOR DEVELOPMENT
Seeing the potential of bamboo in addressing
climate change and its commercial value in creating
more economic opportunities and employment, the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bulacan
enrolled the province in DTI’s Industry Cluster
Enhancement (ICE) program.
DTI’s ICE program aims to develop more globally
integrated, highly sustainable and productive priority
industry clusters, where bamboo was identified as
among the eight (8) clusters for micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be involved in.
On July 30, the Provincial MSME Development
Council convened a meeting and approved through
a resolution its support to the development of the
bamboo industry in the province. An Executive
Order from the Provincial Governor of Bulacan will be
issued to effect the creation of the Bulacan Bamboo
Industry Council and the Technical Working Group
that will oversee the projects of the Council.
Initial activities such as the identification of the
youth sector that will be engaged in the advocacy
promotion campaigns and development of
innovative products out of bamboo materials are
being undertaken.
DTI has initially identified the Doña Remedios
Trinidad (DRT) area as a possible pilot area for
bamboo, noting the promotion of the area as a tourist
destination site in Bulacan. The Local Government
Unit of DRT, through its Municipal Environment and
Protection Office (MENRO) and the youth sector,
have undertaken campaign initiatives to promote
bamboo propagation.
DTI has also entered into a partnership with Bulacan
State University (BulSU) in the area of skills and
technology development to support the promotion
and revitalization of the handicraft industry in the
province. With BulSU's research and extension
services, DTI is hopeful for the development of skills
related to bamboo.
The province is expected to attract more local MSMEs
to utilize bamboo in their production processes for
the development of more innovative products with
the institutionalization of the Bulacan Bamboo
Industry Council. Also, the industry will benefit the
province in terms of climate change mitigation
and environmental protection as more bamboo
plantations will spur in areas where bamboo is suited
to be planted. Bamboo-related stakeholders and
environmentalist non-government organizations
(NGOs) are expected to support the endeavors of the
council. -Mary Grace S.A. Reyes, DTI-Bulacan
INVEST DIGEST

CENTRAL LUZON CELEBRATES WORLD BAMBOO DAY
With the theme, “Alay ng Bayan sa Inang Kalikasan,
Kawayan!”, the seven provinces of Central Luzon
joined the rest of the world in celebrating the
World Bamboo Day on September 18. The World
Bamboo Day was first celebrated in 2009 and has
been observed every 18th of September to generate
awareness about conserving and promoting the
bamboo industry.
The month-long celebration involving government
agencies and organizations in Region 3 included
tree-planting activities, skills trainings & seminars,
product development programs, and expositions
and exhibits. Organizational development and
strengthening activities were also conducted by the
local bamboo councils within the region.
The simultaneous tree-planting activities that were
organized by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), through its National
Greening Program (NGP) offices in Aurora, Bataan,
Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, were
participated in by different agencies including the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Various skills trainings and seminars were initiated
OTOP PHILIPPINES HUB OPENS IN TARLAC PROVINCE
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Tarlac
Provincial Office, in partnership with CityMall and
Tarlac Henyo Entrepreneurs Marketing Cooperative,
officially launched the One Town, One Product
(OTOP) Hub at CityMall SCTEX, Concepcion, Tarlac
on December 23.
The launching was led by DTI-3 Regional Director
Leonila T. Baluyut. In her message, she said, “One
of the directives of DTI-Region 3 is harmonization of
OTOP Hubs and we really need to have impact in all
the things that we do.”
Partners and stakeholders from the Philippine
2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
7
by local bamboo councils that benefited farmers,
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),
indigenous people (IP), and other individuals all over
the region.
The Zambales Bamboo Industry Development
Council also took part in the celebration with
the launching of Bamboo Product Showcase on
September 24 at Harbor Point Mall, Subic Bay
Freeport Zone (SBFZ).
At present, bamboo is regarded as the green gold
because of its increasing popularity due to its uses
and benefits, not only for the environment, but
also economically. As of December, DTI reported
₱9.837M total amount of investments generated in
the bamboo industry in Region 3 for 2021. -Elmina
A. Cruz, DTI Regional Office 3
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
-Tarlac Chapter, Tarlac Micro Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME) Development Council, Provincial
Government of Tarlac, Tarlac Henyo Entrepreneurs
Marketing Cooperatives, and MSMEs attended the
event to show their support to the project.
OTOP Hub is a retail one-stop shop that showcases
OTOP products in the different regions of the
Philippines. It gives opportunity for MSMEs to sell and
promote their products in the different regions. The
Tarlac hub is the third one established in the region
and has 39 exhibitors, also called OTOPreneurs, from
continued on page 12
8
BULACAN STAGES D’FAIR:
“BAYANIHAN OF BULACAN MSMES, COOPERATIVES EXPO AND EXHIBIT”
Central Luzon’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) showcased their locally-made products at
D’Fair Bayanihan of Bulacan MSMEs, Cooperatives
Expo and Exhibit held from October 30 to November
2 at Robinson’s Place, City of Malolos, Bulacan.
This four-day promotional trade fair was organized
by the Provincial Government of Bulacan thru the
collaborative effort of the Provincial Cooperative
and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO),
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department
of Agriculture (DA) and Robinsons Land Corporation.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando in his message
said, “To relieve us from the effect of the pandemic,
we are continuously trying new and different ways
to [adapt to] the new normal like selling online thru
live streaming. This trade fair aims to bring back
the dynamism and strengthen our businesses
while ensuring the health and safety of every
stakeholder [and also] inspiring our entrepreneurs
through showcasing each province’s [proudly-
made] products. We are creating opportunities and
approaches to re-energize our trade and industry
while keeping at pace with the challenges of [the]
new normal. Naniniwala po tayo na magagawa
nating lampasan ang anumang pagsubok sa
pamamagitan ng ating pagkakaisa, pagsisikap
at tulong ng biyaya ng ating makapangyarihang
Diyos.”
DTI Bulacan Provincial Director Edna Dizon, who
graced the event, said that government agencies
are collaborating and synchronizing their activities
for the best outcome of the MSMEs’ programs. She
added, “Let’s Pasa Love this Christmas despite the
COVID. Pasa Love in terms of buying local, eating
local and supporting local SMEs. You are the heroes
of our economy in the province.”
A total sale of Php ₱870,953.00 was generated from
the featured products such as processed foods,
furniture and home furnishings, ceramics, jewelries,
handicrafts, fashion accessories, bags, footwears,
ornamental plants, gift items, holiday decors, and
other novelty products.
Based on the sales report, Tatak Bulakenyo products
sold ₱356,558.00, Galing Bataan products sold
₱138,990.00, while Vida Pampanga and Taas Noo
Novo Ecijano products had a combined sale of
₱375,405.00.
Addressing the 34 exhibitors, partners and local
shoppers, Mr. Jovito Saguinsin of PCEDO said
that despite the challenges everyone has been
experiencing for nearly 2 years now, the local and
national government agencies did not stop seeking
various ways to help the small entrepreneurs. “Even
if we are putting ourselves at risk, we are doing this
trade fair for businesses to recover,” Saguinsin said.
Marketing of local products is part of PCEDO’s
Integrated Applied Management for MSEs
Development Assistance Program (I AM MSE).
Micro and start-up beneficiaries of this program
are prioritized to join in this kind of event and are
provided subsidies for participation fee and booth
rental. They were trained on aspects of business
planning, production, product development,
marketing and promotion.
The Trade Fair has proven to be an effective venue to
promote and market the products of the region to
local buyers and exporters. Due to the positive sales
figures, PCEDO announced a repeat of the face-to-
face trade fair thru the upcoming Christmas Bazaar
to be held from the 4th to the 20th of December.
-Jamaica Isabel Gumafelix and Cristin Mendoza,
PCEDO-Bulacan
INVEST DIGEST
 9

DTI-BULACAN STRENGTHENS
INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION
EFFORTS AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
The Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) Bulacan Provincial Office continues
to collaborate and partner with various
institutional bodies, even exploring
creation of new and revitalizing non-
functional organizations, to provide
support interventions to Micro Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MSMEs’ engagement and participation

DTI BULACAN PARTNERS WITH BULSU FOR THE
in policy decisions is crucial to provide PROVINCE’S MSME DEVELOPMENT
better and effective responses to
the evolving needs of the business The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bulacan
environment. By strengthening the Provincial Office, as part of its move for inclusive innovation, is
role and presence of various organized strengthening its collaborative partnership with the Bulacan
institutions in the province, the MSMEs State University (BulSU) for Micro, Small and Medium
will be able to restart, rebuild and Enterprise (MSME) development and promotion. One of the
recover. areas of cooperation in the signed Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) between DTI Bulacan and BulSU is the creation of more
With the introduction of innovations MSMEs by building entrepreneurial mindset among the youth,
and new ways of doing business, especially graduating students.
MSMEs learned to explore alternative
opportunities to rise above the On September 2021, DTI started working on the conduct of
pandemic. They are now more resilient training programs on skills and technology development,
and empowered as they see things in focused on food processing and bread and pastry making.
a better perspective. -Mary Grace S.A. BulSU facilitates the training to utilize the expertise and
Reyes, DTI-Bulacan specialization of its faculty.

The target participants of the training are the province’s Youth

Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) beneficiaries—Polytechnic
University in Pulilan and BulSU. A total of one hundred twenty
students will be trained and supported on their entrepreneurial
journeys.

DTI Bulacan sees the MOA with BulSU as a strategy that will
allow more students to appreciate entrepreneurship and
take interest in business undertakings. This will result to the
establishment of new MSMEs, expansion of existing ones
and will thereby contribute to the overall MSME development
agenda of the province. -Edna D. Dizon, DTI-Bulacan

2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
10
ZAMBALES’ EXPORT PERFORMANCE RISES AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
DTI-Zambales organized an Exporters’ Forum for
exporters and allied support services on September
24 via Zoom with the theme “Trends and Policy
Directions in the New Normal”. With around 50
participants, the activity was graced by Ms. Anna
Quito, Department Head of the Trade Facilitation and
Compliance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA), Assistant Director Bea Pearl Sykimte of the
Export Marketing Bureau and Mr. Benjamin Antonio
III, President of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of
Commerce Inc. (SBFCCI).
Ms. Quito reported that exports in the zone posted
an increase from 2019 to 2021 amidst the pandemic.
Year 2021 is considered a banner year with an 86%
increase from 2020 exports.
In 2020, 69 new investment projects worth ₱1.22
billion were launched in Subic, mostly in the sectors
of construction, health and wellness, logistics, and
ICT, creating 682 new jobs. For existing locators
and investors, 16 projects were expanded in the
areas of construction, leisure, petroleum, and
logistics amounting to a total of ₱163 million and
264 additional jobs. Revenues increased from ₱153
billion in the 1st semester of 2020 to ₱166 billion in
the 1st semester of this year.
AD Sykimte presented the new export trends
and opportunities on the national scenario. Her
report showed how 2021 exceeded the export
OTOP PHILIPPINES HUB OPENS IN TARLAC PROVINCE
Tarlac and other provinces.
Director Baluyut congratulated the MSMEs for their
determination despite the pandemic. “DTI is always
here to assist you whether it be for packaging, new
products, marketing, and linkage,” she said.
OTOP Philippines is a priority stimulus program for
MSMEs as government’s customized intervention to
performance both of 2019 and 2020. The increase
in export performance was due to products such
as electronics, gold and banana being exported to
the US, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.
One of the factors identified in having a stronger
export performance is the trade preferences and
agreements. AD Sykimte also talked about the
perfect storm like the US-China Trade War, the
strain on the supply of chips where there was a big
demand on electronics due to the lockdowns and
some environmental factors such as the drought in
Taiwan and cold front in Texas. She also reported
the expected increase on semi-conductor and
electronics by 7% up to year 2026, with China seen to
lead the electronics manufacturing.
On export potentials, AD Sykimte disclosed the
products which have the most potential to world
trade, namely, smartcards, LED lamps, and office
machines. She presented the total product
potentials vis-a-vis actual exports and the remaining
untapped exports.
Further, AD Sykimte revealed the key measures to
address the current challenges such as the adoption
of robust sourcing strategies, building of robust
predictive supply chain planning and decision-
making processes, and the significant role of the
semi-conductor manufacturers across all industries.
-Cynthia V. Jaravata, DTI-Zambales
from page 9
drive inclusive local economic growth. The program
enables localities and communities to determine,
develop, support, and promote products or services
that are rooted in their respective local cultures,
community resources, creativity, connection,
and competitive advantage. It also endeavors
to capacitate the ‘OTOPreneurs’ to innovate and
produce market-ready products and services. -Zaida
F. Garibay, DTI-Tarlac
INVEST DIGEST
 11

DTI-3 LAUNCHES 23 NEGOSYO CENTERS IN 2021

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the Department of advisory services, and

Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 continues to fulfill business information
its mandate to provide various assistance to micro, and advocacies. Other
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its services include product
network of Negosyo Centers (NCs) in the region. In development, trade
2021, despite the mobility restrictions imposed in promotion, financing
several municipalities in the region, DTI-3 was still facilitation and
able to launch additional twenty-three (23) NCs in investment promotion.
the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and
Pampanga, bringing the total number of established Existing and potential
NCs in Central Luzon to one hundred thirty-five (135). entrepreneurs may
avail the services of NC
The establishment of NCs is in line with R.A. 10644, free of charge, except
otherwise known as the Go Negosyo Act, which for Business Name
was signed into Registration which has
law by the late corresponding fee.
former President
Benigno Aquino From January to November 2021, a total of 117,733
on July 15, clients were assisted by the NCs in the region. The
2014. Thru the accomplishment is 15.04% higher compared to the
enactment of the same period last year. In addition, 3,616 Barangay
law, the national Business Micro Enterprise (BMBE) and 58,164
government Business Name Registration applications were
aims to bring processed, approved and released by Business
the services of Counselors within the prescribed time frame also
the government from the same period.
closer to MSMEs,
promote ease DTI-3 will be establishing additional NCs in the
of doing business, provide business development municipalities of Hagonoy, Bulakan and Balagtas
services and further intensify the promotion of in the province of Bulacan and an additional NC in
entrepreneurship in the country to generate more Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija to realize the agency’s
jobs and ensure inclusive growth. goal of having at least one NC for every city and
municipality in Central Luzon. -Aaron S. Galang, DTI
The MSME Development Council, thru DTI, is the Regional Office 3
coordinating and supervising body for all agencies
involved in the establishment and operation of
NCs which are strategically located in areas that
can be easily accessed by existing and potential
entrepreneurs such as in DTI provincial offices, local
government units, non-government organizations,
malls and even in the academe.

Some of the basic services provided by NCs

are business registration assistance, business

2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
12
TARLAC MSMES SEEK MARKET ACCESS VIA TRADE FAIRS
In the second half of 2021, Tarlac micro, small
and medium enterprises (MSMEs) actively and
successfully participated in four (4) trade fairs with
the aim of tapping into potential market, in addition
to serving their existing clients.
The MSMEs participated in the One Town One
Product (OTOP) Next Gen Trade Fair, Likha ng Central
Luzon (LCL) Hybrid Trade Fair, Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Trade Fair, and the
Provincial Trade Fair.
The participants of the OTOP Next Gen Trade
Fair were the MSMEs that underwent product
development sessions, while the CARP Trade Fair
participants were the agrarian reform communities
with income-generating projects. The LCL Hybrid
Trade Fair and Tarlac Provincial trade fair had the
most participants with 22 and 56 MSME exhibitors,
DTI-TARLAC LAUNCHES SSF ON FOOD TESTING LABORATORY
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Tarlac
Provincial Office launched a Shared Service Facility
(SSF) for Food Testing at the Lucinda Campus, Tarlac
State University (TSU) on December 23.
As cooperator, TSU, through its Food Technology
and Research Center (FTRC), will manage the ₱4.5
million Food Testing Facility. The facility includes
protein analyzer with complete set up digestion
system, water distiller, Brix refractometer, Honey Brix
Refractometer, Saline Refractometer, Consistometer,
Portable Waterproof pH Meter, Digital Wired Probe
Thermomoter, Digital Thermo-Gun, ATP Testing
Meter with Consumables, Water Purification
System, Meat Fat Meter, Fish Freshness Meter, and
Density Meter. These equipment and tools will be
used to measure and analyze the components of
food products and their nutritional value to ensure
quality and safety.
With this newly-launched facility, the food MSMEs
in the region will no longer need to go to other
regions and wait for a long queue in distant
respectively.
In its third year, the Tarlac Provincial Trade Fair
once again featured a wide variety of food,
fashion accessories, wearable items, holiday
decors, gift items, furniture, and home furnishing
manufactured by more than 70 Tarlac MSMEs.
The fair also showcased the MSMEs under the
Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Bamboo
Development Program, OTOP Next Generation
Product Development Project, and MSMEs that
have conquered the international market.
With the MSMEs considered as major economic
contributors, the government, specifically the
Department of Trade and Industry and the Provincial
Government of Tarlac, are doing their best to help
the local businesses recover amidst the pandemic.
-Lunabelle A. Sison, DTI-Tarlac
laboratories for their food testing requirements.
Likewise, the project is expected to contribute to the
advancement of the food industry sector by making
food testing accessible to MSMEs, thereby ensuring
that their food products are of quality and up to
industry standards.
Starting in 2022, food MSMEs from Tarlac and
neighboring provinces in the region can access the
services of this facility at a minimal cost. In Tarlac
alone, more than 400 food manufacturers are
targeted to benefit from this project. Entrepreneurs
who are interested in utilizing the facilities can
coordinate with DTI-Tarlac, Negosyo Centers, or
directly to the SSF Cooperators.
The awarding of the facility was led by DTI-3 Regional
Director Leonila T. Baluyut, DTI-Tarlac Provincial
Director Agnes B. Ramirez, TSU Vice President for
Research and Extension Services Dr. Armee N.
Rosel, FTRC Director Dr. Lea Milan, and the MSMEs
assisted by DTI and TSU on their Food and Drug
continued on page 15
INVEST DIGEST

DTI-3 GWP2 SUPPORTS CL WOMEN MICRO ENTREPRENEURS
Through the Supporting Women’s Economic
Empowerment (WEE) Project, also referred to as the
GREAT Women Project 2 (GWP2), the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region 3 continued to
provide assistance to women-led enterprises, with
focus on the 63 enrolled Women Micro-Enterprises
(WMEs) in Region 3, through various activities
carried out in 2021.
Among the activities that were implemented are
procurement matching between peanut processors
and farmers, technology assistance through
provision of small value tools, participation of women
entrepreneurs in the Integrated Marketing Training
Program under the WGDP as supported by the
USAID under the EPESO Agreement, participation
of WMEs to local trade fairs and diskwento caravans,
and monitoring and evaluation activities.
Under the technology assistance, a total of forty-
six (46) enrolled WMEs received their requested
small value tools and equipment to improve their
production capacity and quality. The procurement
of said equipment worth ₱14,500 each and below
from the first to third batch of WMEs from the seven
provinces was completed on December 10.
In collaboration with GWP2 partner agencies, DTI-
3 extended assistance, through vehicle rental,
to the WMEs’ participation in Provincial Rolling
Stores, Diskwento Caravans and Local Trade Fairs as
additional opportunities to market their products,
generate sales, and capture institutional buyers. On
July 22-28, ten (10) WMEs from Bataan, Pampanga
and Nueva Ecija were subsidized by the GWP2
that allowed them to participate in the Kadiwa ni
Ani at Kita Project cum GWP2 that was held at SM
Megacenter Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
DTI-3, through the GWP2, encouraged WMEs
to sustain their businesses and increase their
competitiveness and market reach, especially
on online marketing platforms. In the face of the
pandemic, DTI-3 provided online learning sessions
2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
13
on Lazada, Social Media Post/Page Boosting and
E-payment methods. On September 27, a workshop
on Wondershare Filmora: How to Create a Video
Advertisement was also conducted to train the
WMEs on the use of a video editing tool. This is also
to increase their online engagement in social media
platforms and market their products using video
advertisements.
The project also extended its assistance to non-
GWP2-enrolled women entrepreneurs of the
region. Assistance provided to them included the
participation to GWP2 partner agencies’ capacity
building activities, link to financial loans and other
relevant programs.
Monitoring and evaluation activities were conducted
to continually assess the WMEs' situation and
possibly address their needs especially during the
early period of the pandemic.
On December 14, a culmination activity was held
to formally end the GWP2 program and to give
recognition to the efforts of all project enablers.
WMEs of Central Luzon and project enablers from
DOST-3, DA-3 and PCW Project Management
Office attended the face-to-face program which
was simultaneously hosted via Zoom Video
Conferencing. -Roxanne S. Luis, DTI Regional Office
3
DTI-TARLAC LAUNCHES SSF ON FOOD
TESTING LABORATORY from page 14
Administration (FDA) registrations.
The SSF Project aims to improve the competitiveness
of MSMEs by providing them with machineries,
equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge
under a shared system. It is being implemented
nationwide with project partners termed as
cooperators. At present, there are 27 SSF projects
being maintained in the Province of Tarlac. -Zaida F.
Garibay, DTI-Tarlac
14
AURORA CABLE LANDING STATION SET TO OPERATE IN BALER
with Facebook for the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure
(LBI) project to build an “ultra high-speed
information highway” with the goal of improving the
speed, affordability, and accessibility of broadband
internet in the Philippines.
The LBI project is a government initiative for the
National Broadband Plan (NBP), the first of its kind
for the Philippine government to implement by
building and operating its own submarine cable
landing stations.
Under the agreement, BCDA builds the LBI made up
of two cable landing stations and a 250-kilometer
long cable network corridor connecting the two
cable landing stations, the Aurora Cable Landing
Station on the east of the Luzon Strait and the San
Fernando Cable Landing Station on the west of the
Luzon Strait. The DICT meanwhile complements by
operating the LBI, maintaining related facilities and
providing last mile connectivity in the Philippines for
a period of 25 years.
Facebook will be the first to make use of the LBI.
Facebook will construct and operate the submarine
cable system that will land in the said cable stations
providing the company with direct connections
from Luzon to internet hubs in the United States
and Asia. This will be made possible thru the Pacific
Light Cable Network (PLCN).
“ The project is a
government initiative
for the National
Broadband Plan, the
first of its kind for the
Philippines.
from page 1
The PLCN is a 12900-kilometer submarine cable
connecting Hong Kong and Los Angeles, consisting
of 6 fiber pairs. PLCN is designed with Open
Cable structure and the state-of-the-air C+L band
technology, with a capacity of 24 tbps per fiber
pair. Facebook, Google and Pacific Light Data
Communication (PLDC) are the co-builders of the
PLCN cable system. Facebook owns one dedicated
fiber pair in the PLCN cable system and this is
extended to the Philippines.
In exchange for utilizing the LBI, Facebook will
provide the Philippines with a spectrum equivalent
to at least 2 tbps, which is almost equal to the
current combined capacity of Globe and Smart
PLDT, the two telco giants which currently dominate
the telecom industry in the Philippines.
The LBI takes advantage of the Philippine geography,
providing a bypass route for international submarine
cable owners seeking diversity from the Luzon
Strait which has a history of multiple simultaneous
submarine cable breakdowns.
The LBI project was expected to go online in 2019
but plans were derailed because of the pandemic.
To date, the cable landing station is waiting for
the proper time to be fully operational. -Cecilia B.
Marino, Provincial Government of Aurora
INVEST DIGEST

CENTRAL LUZON LGUS HAILED AS AMONG THE MOST COMPETITIVE NATIONWIDE
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
through its Competitiveness Bureau, held the 9th
Regional Competitiveness Summit on December
14 via Facebook Live to present the results of the
2021 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness
Index (CMCI) Data Gathering and Validation. This is
the second time that the summit was conducted
virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and
municipalities based on an overall competitiveness
score in the pillars of Economic Dynamism,
Government Efficiency, Infrastructure,
Resiliency. Administered by the DTI, in cooperation
with the Regional Competitiveness Committees,
the index serves as a diagnostic tool for the local
government officials to assess the competitiveness
of their city or municipality and identify areas for
improvement and collaboration. It may also be a
significant guide for the business community in
their investment decisions, and as take-off point for
further research.
The 2021 summit highlighted the recognition and
awarding of local government units from all over
the Philippines with exemplary performance and
ranking in the top three in the four pillars of the index
categorized into the following classifications: 5
6th Class Municipalities, 3rd to 4th Class Municipalities,
1 to 2
st nd
Class Municipalities, Component Cities, and
2 0 2 1 2 n d S e m e s te r
15
Highly Urbanized Cities. Special awards were also
given to the Most Competitive Province and Most
Improved Cities and Municipalities.
Central Luzon has been participating in the CMCI
Data Gathering and Validation since 2013. Through
the years, Central Luzon has consistently positioned
a number of LGUs in the top ranks. This year,
due recognition was given to the following local
government units:
BALIWAG, Bulacan: Most Competitive Municipality
and [1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category]
Rank 2, Overall Competitiveness
Rank 1, Infrastructure
Rank 2, Resiliency
Rank 3, Government Efficiency
BALER, Aurora: Most Competitive Municipality [3rd
to 6th Class Municipality Category]
Rank 3, Overall Competitiveness
Rank 3, Economic Dynamism
The following LGUs also placed in the top 10 of the
2021 CMCI:
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga
Component Cities Category
th
to Rank 6, Overall Competitiveness
Rank 5, Infrastructure
Rank 8, Government Efficiency
BALER, Aurora
3rd to 4th Class Municipalities Category
Rank 4, Infrastructure
BALIWAG, Bulacan
1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category
Rank 5, Economic Dynamism
SAMAL, Bataan
3rd to 4th Class Municipalities Category
Rank 8, Government Efficiency
continued on page 16
16

invest digest
CLGCFI

2021 2nd Semester

The official newsletter of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc.

EDITORIAL TEAM
Raquel R. Malig
Editor-in-Chief

Rona O. Dizon
Managing Editor

Rya Bianca G. Artates

Content Editor

Barry J. Pangilinan
Layout
9th Regional Competitiveness Summit streamed live over the CMCI Facebook Page with Ms.
Phoemela Baranda hosting the event. Contributors
Jerry C. Caguingin
Elmina A. Cruz

CENTRAL LUZON LGUS HAILED AS AMONG Edna D. Dizon

Rona O. Dizon

THE MOST COMPETITIVE NATIONWIDE

Aaron S. Galang
Zaida F. Garibay
from page 15 Jamaica Isabel Gumafelix
Cynthia V. Jaravata
Rhia C. Laxa
MARILAO, Bulacan Roxanne S. Luis
Cecilia B. Marino
1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category Cristin Mendoza
Barry J. Pangilinan
Rank 8, Economic Dynamism Mary Grace S.A. Reyes
Lunabelle A. Sison

SANTA MARIA, Bulacan

ADVISORY BOARD
1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category
Hon. Susan A. Yap
Rank 7, Economic Dynamism Governor, Tarlac
CLGCFI President

Hon. Gerardo A. Noveras

Governor, Aurora
SAN ANTONIO, Nueva Ecija
Hon. Albert Raymond S. Garcia
3rd to 4th Class Municipalities Category Governor, Bataan

Rank 9, Most Improved Hon. Daniel R. Fernando

Governor, Bulacan

Hon. Aurelio M. Umali

Governor, Nueva Ecija
TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija
Hon. Dennis G. Pineda
1st to 2nd Class Municipalities Category Governor, Pampanga

Rank 10, infrastructure Hon. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.

Govenor, Zambales

Dir. Leonila T. Baluyut

Regional Director, DTI-3
ANGELES CITY
Highly Urbanized City Category
Rank 5, Most Improved SECRETARIAT
Industry Development Division
Department of Trade & Industry - Regional Office 3
Malikhain cor. Maagap Streets,
Diosdado Macapagal Government Center,
Most Competitive Province Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga
2000 Philippines
Rank 7, PAMPANGA Tel: (+6345) 6259291 | Fax: (+6345) 6259607
https://www.facebook.com/DTI.CentralLuzon.IDD

Rank 10, BULACAN

Credit goes to the owners of the photos used in this newsletter

All 130 cities and municipalities from Central Luzon participated in

the 2021 CMCI through the submission and encoding of their data
in the CMCI online portal (cmci.dti.gov.ph). Provincial rankings are
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation, Inc. (CLGCFI) is
based on the data submission of the cities and municipalities under composed of the seven governors of Central Luzon,
DTI Undersecretary for Industry and Investments
a province. - Barry Bernabe J. Pangilinan, DTI-Regional Office and DTI-3 Regional Director.

INVEST DIGEST