Pag-IBIG offers assistance program

THE Home Mutual Development (Pag-IBIG) Fund is offering a special assistance package for repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya who are Pag-IBIG members.

Pag-IBIG chief executive officer Darlene Berberabe said the Fund recognizes that the repatriation of the OFW-members may result in their economic dislocation. “There is a need to address the immediate economic concerns and help them cope with their financial needs.”

BSP assures depositors would get their refund

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has assured the clients of Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank (Banco Filipino) that they would get back their deposits.

Smart helps kids voice water concerns to Aquino

LEADING wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) facilitated the real-time video conference between President Benigno Aquino and children from ‘waterless municipalities’.

The “meeting,” which highlighted the celebration of the country’s first ever World Water Day, was conducted between President Aquino at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City and children at the Bicol University Amphitheater in Legazpi City and at the SM Mall in Cagayan De Oro City via live video streaming using Smart’s broadband technology.

6 start-ups try Cebu tech incubator

SINCE it began operating last month, a technology business incubator in Cebu is currently serving six start-up companies.

Pauline Wade, manager of the Cebu Business Incubator for IT located at the University of the Philippines Cebu Campus, said they are training the six company owners to refine their business plans and concepts.

From souvenirs, island-hopping, company branches out to hotels

BANKING on a demand for “value chic,” Islands Stay Hotels intends to open five to six hotels in Cebu within the next three years, while expanding its accommodation service to Manila, Davao and Baguio.

The Islands Group chief executive officer Jay Aldeguer, in a recent press briefing, told reporters the expansion of its hotel chain is part of the company’s plan to tap the tourism market in some of the key locations in the country.

Labor Case Digest: Constructive Dismissal

RESPONDENT Virgilio E. Pulgar filed a complaint for constructive dismissal against the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM). He alleged that while he was on leave, he was not allowed to enter the office premises of PRRM on March 31, 1997. His personal things were taken from his office, placed in boxes and put in storage. Did the complaint prosper?

Ruling: No.

Batuhan: From a trip, food for thought

IT CERTAINLY has been a most interesting long weekend for us.

In years past, while still making our abode in the UK, we would usually travel to European or North American destinations. Places as exotic as Reykjavik, as scenic as Paris, as vivacious as Barcelona and as frivolous as Las Vegas have been favorite haunts, so much so that they had become a bit tiring, and hardly worth the effort anymore.

GM Bank, Globe promote growth of SME sector

AS IT continues to push its expansion this year, GM Bank is looking for ways to enhance the small and medium-sized enterprises' (SME) access to financing to support their growth.

SMEs eye savings from Globe

SMALL and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) all over the country will benefit largely from the Negostar deals for their business, as Globe Business recently launched a complete suite of wired, wireless and broadband solutions to SMEs nationwide.

BOC tightens safeguards against sugar smuggling

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) will no longer release all importations of pre-mixed sugar concentrates and pre-mix sugar products without a validating certification issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Data matching reveals erring traders

THE government’s top revenue agencies are intensifying the crackdown against tax evaders and smugglers and are now planning a new tack to prevent "dummies" from doing business in the country.

Green transport program to help fight rising fuel prices

THE new eco-jeepney program of the Department of Energy (DOE), which would complement the green transport initiative, would help ease the nation's dependence on oil.

Owwa offers scholarship assistance

DEPENDENTS of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) earning a monthly rate equivalent to $400 and below have the chance to avail of the scholarship assistance offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa).

Repatriated OFWs could still avail of PhilHealth benefits

REPATRIATED overseas Filipino workers from the Middle East could still avail of their health insurance coverage in case they or their legal dependents are hospitalized.

Veteran of start-ups encourages ‘global, entrepreneurial mindset’

WHILE he noted “promising” talent in the country, a man who has helped many start-up companies in Silicon Valley said locals need to have a “global mindset.”

DTI 7: Take advantage of green products market

CEBU retailers were told to explore further the manufacturing and selling of “green products” and take advantage of their good opportunity in the European market.

S&R announces sale for members

S&R, a membership-shopping club, is offering its first Cebu Members’ Treat, a sale exclusive for members at its Mandaue City branch on March 30 to April 3 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Members will enjoy exclusive deals, buy 1 take 1, 50 percent off and huge discounts on a wide selection of local and imported merchandise.

I-protect: The ‘PLANTERS’ case

Clint Fabiosa and Ana Liza Villamor

Camella to switch off for Earth Hour

CAMELLA Communities will join the global celebration of the Earth Hour, which will dovetail with their grand launching of Camella Northpoint's third tower Saturday.

City approves P330-M incentives to new investments

THE Davao City Investment and Incentive Board approved projects amounting to P330 million for the first quarter of 2011, including investments in tourism facilities and property development as endorsed by the Davao City Investments and Promotion Center.

Japan releases P36.3-M development aid to Mindanao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Japan's development works in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao will continue with the release of fresh grants worth around P36.3 million, the Japanese embassy assured Thursday.

Smart offers most diverse, convenient way to pay bills

SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) is using its wireless broadband technologies to offer the most diverse, convenient and cost-effective ways for its subscribers to pay their bills.

BIR amends exemptions to income, withholding taxes

MONETIZED unused vacation leave credits of private employees not exceeding 10 days during the year as well as monetized value of vacation and sick leave credits paid to government officials and employees are not subject to income tax and withholding tax on compensation income of both managerial and rank and file employees.

DBM releases P71.74-billion IRA shares of LGUs for 1st quarter

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of P71.74-billion Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of local government units (LGUs) in the first quarter this year, equivalent to 25 percent of the total 2011 appropriation of P286.94 billion.

Review center opens in Oro

GRADUATES of Nautical and Marine Engineering courses will no longer have to travel to other areas in the country to take reviews for licensure examinations as Cebu Gems Innovation and Career Development Center opened its new branch in Cagayan de Oro.

PDIC holds depositors fora, distributes claim forms

AS A service to depositors of the closed Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank (Banco Filipino), the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has started the conduct of a series of Depositors Fora nationwide.

P5B health, wellness complex soon to rise in Davao

A 10-HECTARE health and wellness complex that will bring more investors in Davao City will soon be constructed in the southern part of the city.

Camella to unveil Davao's first 10-storey condo

CAMELLA Communities will formally unveil the third tower of its landmark condo development in Davao called Camella Northpoint in a grand launching activity on Saturday at the condo clubhouse, Wakefield Mansion.

DOT braces for Japan fallout

CEBU’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) players were encouraged to venture into the yogurt business because of its smaller capital requirement and as a good alternative to the ice cream business.

Filipino-Cebuano Business Club Inc. (FCBI) president Rey Calooy said there is an opportunity in the yogurt business since it is not as capital-intensive as selling and making ice cream.

Selling yogurt ‘a healthy business’

CEBU’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) players were encouraged to venture into the yogurt business because of its smaller capital requirement and as a good alternative to the ice cream business.