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June 16, 2005 |
Various projects for the SME and environment sectors were launched last June 10 at the Bulwagan ng Diwang Pilipino as part of the Bank’s traditional Independence Day celebration.
President David said the initiatives demonstrate the Bank’s continuing commitment to be more relevant in its developmental role. “These hallmark programs are just some of our activities in a total package of lending and technical assistance that DBP has developed in pursuit of its mandate to be a catalyst for the country’s development,” he noted.
New Forest Partners
The Bank signed separate agreements with the Cagayan State University and the Provincial Government of Sarangani for its DBP Forest program. The DBP Forest is a reforestation program that seeks to support and to encourage the forestation of open and denuded areas through the planting of relatively high value fruit trees and other useful plant species.
Under the agreement, DBP will provide funding support for the forestation of a 151-hectare project site located inside the CSU campus in Sta Maria, Lal-lo, Cagayan.
On the other hand, the Bank is partnering with the Sarangani Provincial Government for the development/reforestation and rehabilitation of a 100-hectare upland area located within the area of the Calminda Watershed at Barangay Paraiso, Alabel, Sarangani province. The project is expected to help regain the vegetative cover of the identified upland forest site while sustaining livelihood activities of farmers in the area.
DBP shall provide funding for the reforestation project, while its forest partners shall prepare and implement Bank-approved planting and maintenance plan. They shall also regularly monitor and report to DBP the progress and improvements in site preparation and project implementation activities.
Meanwhile, a certificate of recognition was presented to the Bataan Polytechnic State College, the first DBP borrower to contribute to the DBP Forest Fund. Through its contribution, BPSC is helping fund the reforestation of an estimated four hectares of mangrove forest or the cultivation of three to nine hectares of upland forest.
CNG Buses
The Bank also signed loan agreements with three bus companies — RRCG Transport, H.M. Transport and Biñan Bus Lines — for the acquisition of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The project will be financed under the Bank’s Clean Alternative Fuel Financing Program in support of the Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT).
Launched by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2002, the NGVPPT is envisioned to enhance energy supply security in the transport sector through fuel diversification using indigenous natural gas, and to address environmental concerns by promoting the use of natural gas as an alternative transport fuel.
The bus companies likewise received certificates of accreditation from the Department of Energy for their natural gas vehicle projects. The firms will be granted several incentives such as income tax holiday for six years under the Investment Priorities Plan of the Board of Investments. Other incentives include zero duty on imported NGVs, preferential franchising for NGVs to ply newly opened routes, automatic issuance of a Certificate of Compliance with Emission Standards, and discounts on CNG fuel price.
Funding for SPEED Partners
As part of its assistance to the SME sector, the Bank also formally turned over funding support to jumpstart the operations of business assistance centers (BACs) in DBP partner educational institutions under the Sustainable Partnership for Energizing Entrepreneurship Development (SPEED) program. These educational institutions are: Aklan State University, Benguet State University, Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, Central Philippine University, Foundation University, Mariano Marcos State University, and Pampanga Agricultural College.
The SPEED program is designed to contribute to the development of micro, small and medium enterprises through a nationwide delivery system that will facilitate the sector’s access to technology, markets, credit and technical assistance, all under one roof through the BACs.
SMC Assembler Financing Program
DBP likewise inked an agreement with San Miguel Corporation for the SMC Assembler Financing Program that aims to generate economic activities in the countryside by promoting the “Big Brother-Small Brother” development strategy.
Planned for implementation under the SPEED program, this undertaking is envisioned to help SMC-accredited assemblers/consolidators and farmer-beneficiaries grow their businesses by facilitating their access to a range of support services from the Bank. Specifically, DBP shall extend technical assistance and loans to qualified program beneficiaries for their post-harvest facilities and working capital requirements.
 Department of Transportation and Communications Director Teresita Borra (seated, third from left) witnesses the signing of the loan agreement to three bus companies for the acquisition of CNG buses
 SEVP Edgardo Garcia, Cagayan State University President Roger Perez, President David, Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and EVP Beth Ong are shown signing the MOA for the DBP Forest program. Assisting are Mgr. Millet Gilbuena, Grace Punsalan and FVP Eufemia Mendoza.
 SMC Assemblers’ Program (l-r): DBP COO Edgardo Garcia, SMC Corporate Treasurer Eleanor Blomdahl, SMC Chief Finance Officer Ferdinand Constantino, SMC President & COO Ramon Ang, President David, San Miguel Foods President Arthur Juan, SMC Agribusiness Development and Operations Group Assistant Vice President Leopoldo Titular and EVP Ong. Assisting are Roderick Yap and SAVP Mario Pagaragan, Jr. |
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