BusinessWorld (Philippines) articles from February 2009, page 12

BusinessWorld (Philippines) archives from February 2009

Labor dep't belittles proposal to scrap special US work visa, cites.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Emilia Narni J. David A United States Senate proposal to ban companies availing of a federal government bailout from hiring highly skilled foreign workers would not have a major impact on the Philippines insofar as the Department...

Poll automation bid reference to be released.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Emilia Narni J. David With its supplemental budget still to be approved by Congress, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will make public today portions of the terms of reference (ToR) for poll automation. Comelec Chairman...

Right dose of PPA acceptable - regulator.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Emilia Narni J. David The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) has released a public notice that clarified a drug substance banned in the United States found in cold medicine and some appetite suppressant. Following a report on...

Senate may settle with FG deposition on scandal.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Bernard U. Allauigan Even if it would take a deposition, the Senate economic affairs committee will insist on having the testimony of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband, First Gentleman (FG) Jose Miguel "Mike" T. Arroyo,...

House body OK's establishment of RP trade representative office.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Jhoanna Frances S. Valdez THE HOUSE of Representatives committee on government reorganization has approved a bill forming the Philippine Trade Representative Office, which will represent the country in all talks on international...

Gov't sets negotiated sale for Limay plant.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Ava Kashima K. Austria THE GOVERNMENT is now resorting to a negotiated sale of the 620- megawatt Limay Combined Cycle plant within the first half of the year. Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM)...

Mindanao Dev't Authority Pushed
February 9, 2009... A JOINT hearing of two committees of the House of Representatives is scheduled to hear tomorrow four legislative proposals seeking to form Mindanao-focused institutions, including the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) which is...

Bill Filed to Make Rent Control Permanent
February 9, 2009... Byline: Jhoanna Frances S. Valdez ANOTHER VERSION of the rent control bill, this one seeking a permanent cap on rent increases, has been filed at the House of Representatives by militant party-list groups. Bayan Muna party-list Reps....

Jobs focus in investments plan (Annual IPP could offer perks to.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Jessica Anne D. Hermosa Tax perks to save and generate jobs on top of luring companies to spend will be considered by the government for the annual Investment Promotion Plan (IPP). Under a portion of the proposed list of...

Gov't seeks answers at labor summit.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Emilia Narni J. David Another multisectoral labor summit will be held today, this time at the request of the President, to determine policy responses aimed at addressing job losses. The gathering, to be held in Malacanang,...

High-end property prices may ease amid downturn.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Don Gil K. Carreon PRICES of high-end residential property units in the country's capital may go down this year with demand expected to soften due to the economic slump, industry analysts said. Prince Christian R. Cruz,...

Outsourcing firms in a hiring mood.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Jessica Anne D. Hermosa with Jose Bimbo F. Santos The business process outsourcing (BPO) sector remains upbeat even as some firms have had to delay expansion plans and order workers go on extended leave, industry officials said....

Supply concerns prompt curbs on sugar shipments.
February 9, 2009... Byline: Neil Jerome C. Morales THE GOVERNMENT is setting curbs on raw sugar exports to markets other than the US pending a review of this year's production, which may fall short of target amid expectations of unfavorable weather. A...

WEEKENDER.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Johanna D. Poblete In times of crisis, gold and jewelry have always had a place. We've heard of deposed royals and presidents stuffing their baggage with gold bullion and antique jewels. Filipinos, during the Japanese Occupation,...

WEEKENDER: going out.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jeffrey O. Valisno CONCERT Missing You Feb. 6, 8 p.m. Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, QC When promotions for an upcoming concert get caught up in the long- standing battle between the country's two giant TV networks, a...

WEEKENDER: going out.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Sam L. Marcelo CONCERT A Man and His Music Feb. 8, 6 p.m. Philam Life Theater, UN Ave., Ermita, Manila. The music we listen to reflects the tempo of our times. Before World War II struck, when horse-drawn...

WEEKENDER: going out.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Sam L. Marcelo THEATER Saan Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre Presented by PETA Feb. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-28; March 1, 6-8, 13-15 Fridays, 2:30, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m., 3 p.m. PETA Theater Center,...

WEEKENDER: going out.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jeffrey O. Valisno CONCERT SERIES The Great Balladeers * February 7, 28 and 29, 8 p.m. Music Museum, Greenhills Shopping Complex, San Juan * Feb. 14, 8 p.m. CAP Auditorium, Davao City * Feb. 21, 8 p.m., ...

WEEKENDER: movies.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Noel Vera MOVIE REVIEW Milk Directed by Gus Van Sant Gus Van Sant's Milk is hands down the single best mainstream narrative film of 2008. Forget the various critic's circles, forget them Golden Globes, and I could...

WEEKENDER: staying in.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Sam L. Marcelo Geek forum chatter smacked of philosophy when news of Jason Nelson's creation, "I Made This. You Play This. We are Enemies.," hit the grapevine towards the end of 2008. His latest foray into Internet gaming as a...

WEEKENDER: staying in.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jeffrey O. Valisno Jose "Joey" D. Lina, Jr. has been in the public spotlight for a very long time. The bar topnotcher from the University of the Philippines has been Metro Manila governor, a two-term senator, governor of Laguna,...

WEEKENDER: staying in.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Raoul J. Chee Kee BOOK REVIEW Outliers: The Story of Success By Malcolm Gladwell For the longest time, most people thought that those Cinderella stories of hard-up entrepreneurs who turned their fates around were...

WEEKENDER: health.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Johanna D. Poblete Since the "alternative lifestyle" with its odd working hours has become more common, there has been a recent emphasis on "natural, healthy living." Among the believers, EchoStore Sustainable Lifestyle is...

WEEKENDER: environment.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Romer S. Sarmiento MAASIM, SARANGANI - A group of local divers here have been diving for several years now but this group activity is done not just for pleasure. They also do it to help enhance the breathtaking underwater views...

WEEKENDER: marketing.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Raoul J. Chee Kee The first things to go in a time of want are luxuries such as travel, a new wardrobe or the latest car. However, it has also been noted that we tend to cling to certain things - a favorite new scent, a...

WEEKENDER: marketing.
February 6, 2009... Ballroom dancing enthusiasts still have until next week to buy tickets to this year's Philippine Star Ball. The dance competition to be held at the Makati Shangri-La on Feb. 15 will include performances by American Smooth Champions, Jonathan...

WEEKENDER: marketing.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Nanette Franco-Diyco There is unspeakable drama like no other in life and death situations in a hospital, most especially when the one involved is someone you yourself would exchange your life for. Here, you take in everything...

WEEKENDER: marketing.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Terence A. Hockenhull A couple of months ago, I received a call from a client who told me that the sales training programs I run had been highly recommended by another of my clients. Since he was in a similar line of business, he...

WEEKENDER: travel.
February 6, 2009... Discovery Shores Boracay Discovery Shores Boracay has an ongoing Escape package available until the end of the month that includes three-day, two-night accommodations, airfare via SEAir (Manila-Caticlan-Manila), roundtrip boat and land...

SPECIAL FEATURE: Custom Cars.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Anton Javier B. Dizon For the choosiest car enthusiasts, a stock car just doesn't cut it. Because whatever the make or model, an unmodified car will look exactly the same as any of its siblings bearing the same name, save perhaps...

SPECIAL FEATURE: Custom Cars.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Anton Javier B. Dizon Despite the continuous rollback in fuel prices, the ongoing global economic crisis that is bound to hit the country harder this year means that being a penny-pincher is still not passe. Along with the wise...

SPECIAL FEATURE: Custom Cars.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Anton Javier B. Dizon Traditionally, the term "custom car" used to be restricted to passenger vehicles whose engine and transmission has been altered or replaced to increase the car's performance. Gradually, the idea spread to...

Inflation data, bargain hunting lift stocks.
February 6, 2009... Byline: AFP with Kristine Jane R. Liu Share prices closed 2.4% higher yesterday due to favorable news on inflation and positive sentiment on key stocks, dealers said. The Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 44.52 points to 1,892.07...

Workers peddle goods for extra money.
February 6, 2009... GENERAL SANTOS - Across Central Mindanao, 770 workers have been affected by companies' cost-cutting measures, 215 of them permanently displaced, government officials have said. Some of them are now engaged in selling stuff such as...

IN THE WORKPLACE.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Reylito A.H Elbo It appears that every organization that is on the verge of losing money due to the much-anticipated global crisis is bracing for some restructuring, if not outright retrenchment of workers. What are the things...

Anti-terror drive gains support.
February 6, 2009... The Australian government has provided law enforcement agencies in Mindanao with new facilities including a bomb data center and forensic explosives laboratory to further assist the Philippines combat terrorism and improve security. ...

Coffee quality through R&D.
February 6, 2009... THE instant coffee you drink today has come a long way since it was first created several decades back. That's because today's coffee is the result of a combination of solid science and hard work to continuously improve good coffee crops...

Mapfre Insular holds annual sales kickoff.
February 6, 2009... In preparation for its 75th anniversary, Mapfre Insular highlighted the company's 2008 business performance, new product innovations, and exclusive partner offerings for its 2009 Sales Kickoff held at the Insular Life auditorium on Jan. 16....

PEOPLE.
February 6, 2009... First Life Financial's Lorna Lao is new LUAP president Lorna Lao, agency leader of First Life, has been named president of the Life Underwriters Association of the Philippines (LUAP) for 2009-2010. LUAP is a professional association...

BRIEFS.
February 6, 2009... Workshop set The Foundation for Asian Management Development-sponsored workshop on "Mechatronics" will be offered from Feb. 24-28 at the training center of Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corp. (PMPC) in Taytay, Rizal. Organized by...

GIVE AND GO.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Michael Angelo S. Murillo Based on what has transpired in the first four games of the ongoing KFC PBA Philippine Cup finals, the Alaska Aces and Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters appear to be on course for a Game Seven encounter. It...

CHESS PIECE.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Bobby Ang Last Feb. 2 we wrote about the training methods of the Russian school of chess. Once a child goes through the chess basics he will be required to study the games and methods of four players: First, quick development...

TAKE TEN.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Behn Cervantes One of my pet peeves is sitting in a nearly empty banquet hall or auditorium before an event. Since I come on time and most events do not begin, repeat do NOT begin, on time I suffer by my lonesome. As a rule, even...

Defense prepares bill pushing for the deactivation of RSBS.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Louella D. Desiderio The Defense department is proposing the dissolution of the Retirement and Separation Benefits System (RSBS) of the armed forces through a law after a presidential directive for the same purpose failed to do...

P53:$1 seen by end-'09.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena The peso is expected to weaken further against the dollar by yearend as difficult economic conditions in countries hosting Filipino workers translate to less remittances this year, HSBC said. HSBC Senior...

Landbank income up by 19%.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena State-run Land Bank of the Philippines escaped an industry malaise by posting a 19% profit growth in 2008. In a statement, it said that net income for 2008 reached P5.02 billion, up from P4.21 billion in...

SEC blames lack of independence for pre-need's impending collapse.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking fiscal and administrative autonomy so it can address its supposed inadequacies and help prevent another pre-need industry crisis. SEC...

China Banking Corp.: Upholding the highest standards in banking (6th.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Alria M. Ventanilla China Banking Corp. (Chinabank) has remained true to its reputation, staying strong despite financial crises in the past. But even in the midst of the biggest global financial crisis ever, the bank continues...

SGV confirms leadership shake-up at accounting firm.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Don Gil K. Carreon David L. Balangue has been ousted as managing partner of accounting firm SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV) & Co. and has been replaced by his deputy, the company said yesterday. In a statement, SGV claimed...

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.: Giving shareholders the total picture.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Ma. Aizl Camille B. Cabarles Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank), a second time finalist in the 6th MAP Best Annual Report Awards, has always demonstrated to shareholders its reliability, trustworthiness and dependability...

Court asked to stop circular lifting ownership cap on VAS providers.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jose Bimbo K. Santos The Court of Appeals has been asked to stop the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from enforcing a draft circular removing foreign ownership restrictions on value-added service (VAS) providers. ...

Beer unit's bond gets highest grade.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Kristine Jane R. Liu Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) has given its highest grade to San Miguel Brewery, Inc.'s proposed bond issue, citing the beer maker's ability to sustain its growth amidst the crisis. But...

Benpres cedes Bayan voting rights.
February 6, 2009... Lopez-led Benpres Holdings Corp. has ceded its voting rights in its telecommunication unit to the family's unlisted holding company, two months after the firm also transferred the same rights in its power and manufacturing arm to discourage a...

Energy firm gets tax incentives.
February 6, 2009... Filipino-owned Palawan Power Generation, Inc. is investing P140 million to rehabilitate and operate a diesel power plant in Puerto Princesa, Board of Investment (BoI) documents showed. The nine-megawatt plant, leased from state-run National...

Unioil to continue expansion.
February 6, 2009... Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc. is upbeat about expanding its business despite the financial crunch, having upgraded its service and retail stations in Metro Manila. In a statement, the oil company said it had upgraded the facilities of...

No rush on rules for accreditation of tax-exempt NGOs.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Alexis Douglas B. Romero THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) does not see an urgency to issue new rules to govern the accreditation of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) entitled to tax deduction on donations they get, noting...

W. Visayas tagged as RP's second biggest rice producer.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Nanette L. Guadalquiver BACOLOD - Western Visayas figured as the second highest rice-producing region in the Philippines last year, when it posted a 6.28% increase from its 2007 production level. Data from the Department of...

Subic sees slower rise in collections this year.
February 6, 2009... WHILE SUBIC FREEPORT collected more than a quarter more in taxes and fees from imports in 2008, it expects much slower growth in revenues amid a slowdown in business this year. For 2009, the freeport expects revenue to rise at a slower...

2nd phase of World Bank's rural dev't program expected to generate 1M.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Joel B. Escovilla DAVAO CITY - The second phase of the Department of Agriculture's Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), which will pump-prime the island's economy amid currently difficult conditions, is expected to generate...

Leyte presses EDC on realty tax due.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Gerard C. Reyes Jr. ORMOC CITY - The Leyte provincial government is pressing the Energy Development Corp. to pay its past due real property taxes. As of end-2008, the provincial treasurer's office said EDC owes P894.5 million...

Cash crops yield expected to grow slower.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Neil Jerome C. Morales THE GOVERNMENT expects production of high-value commercial crops (HVCC) to grow slower this year as mango output slowly recovers from the impact of high fertilizer prices and unfavorable weather last year....

N. Cotabato's pork sector targets Manila.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Romer S. Sarmiento GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Officials in North Cotabato are working out a way to market frozen pork products in Metro Manila to boost the income of local hog raisers. North Cotabato Vice-Govern-or Emmanuel F....

2003-2006 family income, spending increase slightly.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Ma. Camille Aizl B. Cabarles FAMILY INCOME AND SPENDING rose just slightly in 2003-2006, when adjusted for inflation, results of the latest Family Income and Expenditures Survey released yesterday by the National Statistics Office...

Japan study to improve logistics.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jose Bimbo F. Santos THE JAPAN External Trade Organization (JETRO) will conduct a two-year study in the country that aims to improve transport of goods towards other points in Southeast Asia, the Japanese trade organization said...

TRADE TRIPPER.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Jemy Gatdula "Question: what happens if you lose vast amounts of other people's money? Answer: you get a big gift from the federal government - but the president says some very harsh things about you before forking over the...

RULE OF LAW.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Augusto R. Bundang Every time I hear somebody trying to fix a problem by resorting first to form and not to substance, I cannot help but doubt the initiative. There is, of course, the never-ending move to change the Constitution...

VECTOR.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Sonny Coloma In quick succession, US President Barack Obama had to accept the withdrawal from nomination of former Senator Tom Daschle as his health and human services secretary, and Nancy Killefer as chief performance officer of...

VANTAGE POINT.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Luis V. Teodoro The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has proposed the addition of one year to college courses, among other proposals from that body as well as from the Department of Education (which has supervision over...

FENCE SITTER.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Antonio R. Samson Those who design supermarkets understand the concept of impulse buying only too well. The gondolas, which are what they call the shelves, have ends (usually close to the checkout counters) which carry "impulse...

STREETWISE.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Carol Pagaduan-Araullo There is really something more sinister than meets the eye in Malacanang's determined push to place a notorious human rights violator, retired AFP General Jovito Palparan, in the Dangerous Drugs Board....

Drug testing every three years - DepEd (Anti-narcotics agency chief.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Emilia Narni J. David with Ira P. Pedrasa Random drug testing for secondary school students would be implemented every three years in an effort to crack down on narcotics use among the youth. Assistant Secretary Thelma G....

Bulk cooking gas seller raises prices by P2/kilogram.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Ava Kashima K. Austria A bulk cooking gas seller has raised its prices today as it tracked earlier adjustments by oil companies to reflect the higher-than-expected contract price for February. In a text message, Liquigaz...

Senate probe sought on low-yield hybrid seeds.
February 6, 2009... An investigation has been pushed in the Senate on the purportedly defective hybrid seeds from China, which farmers from Region 3 have complained of due to low yield. Senator Loren B. Legarda has filed Resolution 874 to probe the...

Palace wants WB report linking First Gentleman to anomaly.
February 6, 2009... Malacanang wants its economic managers to get a copy of a World Bank (WB) report allegedly implicating First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo on anomalous infrastructure projects funded by the agency. Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita...

Church bucks nuclear plant.
February 6, 2009... The Catholic Church will be reading statements of protests against the reopening of the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant for three Sundays. In three separate pastoral letters, the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan province, which hosts the...

Customs officials charged.
February 6, 2009... The Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DoF- RIPS) yesterday filed administrative charges against three Customs officials for allegedly allowing the illegal release of various vehicle parts. In a statement, the group...

Petition signed vs debt to Austria.
February 6, 2009... Forty-three lawmakers and some civil society groups have signed a petition to be sent to the Austrian government calling for a condonation of debt to Austria for unused incinerators. The group Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia and the...

Army beefs up presence in Basilan, Sulu.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Darwin T. Wee and Louella D. Desiderio ZAMBOANGA CITY - The military has dispatched thousands of troops to Basilan and Sulu provinces to exert pressure on outlaws currently holding 13 captives. Lt. Esteffani A. Cacho,...

Update on site rehab ordered.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Chrysee G. Samillano BACOLOD CITY - The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) has sent a final notice to the Bacolod City government on the latter's commitment to shut down and rehabilitate a dump site. Gerardo...

Border dispute up in meeting.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Sarwell Q. Meniano TACLOBAN CITY - The provincial government of Leyte would confer with local chief executives of two towns to resolve a long-standing border dispute that claimed two lives the other week. Leyte Governor...

Sites for interchange projects identified.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Chrysee G. Samillano BACOLOD CITY - A Palace body has identified two sites for planned interchange projects here. Emil K. Sadain, executive director of the Presidential Bridge Program, said Public Works and Highway Secretary...

Metro Manila has new military chief; two rebels dead in Bicol clash.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Louella D. Desiderio and AFP The Armed Forces of the Philippines has named Maj. Gen. Joggy Leo Fojas as the new chief for Metro Manila, replacing Maj. Gen. Arsenio Arugay who retires today. Mr. Fojas currently heads the 10th...

Another dim growth forecast (Standard & Poor's estimate: 2.2-2.7%.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Paolo Luis G. Montecillo International debt watcher Standard & Poor's yesterday added to below target growth projections for the Philippines, citing a hit to the country's exports as the main drag. In a report, S&P projected...

Manila Water, Maynilad to hike rates this month.
February 6, 2009... Byline: Ava Kashima K. Austria Consumers will have to deal with higher water bills as water concessionaires hike their rates due to inflation and exchange rate fluctuations. The rate increases, said Metropolitan Waterworks and...