Singaporean shares skin care expertise to Kapampangans

ANGELES CITY -- Henry Goh, a Singaporean national, had suffered from a skin problem.

Dolefil, new workers' union gear up for CBA negotiation

POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato -- Giant fruit producer Dole Philippines Inc. (Dolefil) and the freshly certified workers’ union are gearing to negotiate and sign a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), officials said on Monday.

Gab tackles agrofuel issues in Minda today

ON THE occasion of the International Women's Day celebration today, the Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (Afrim) is holding a roundtable discussion on land deals and agro-investments in Mindanao at the Mindanao Training and Resource Center in Bajada, Davao City (MTRC).

New tourism promo to boost tourist arrivals in Igacos

TOURISM stakeholders in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) expect tourist arrivals to double and revenues to increase this summer season as it launches the "Visit Samal Island" tourism campaign.

P39.9-B claims, benefits paid to GSIS members, pensioners

CLOSE to P40 billion in claims and benefits had been paid to GSIS members and pensioners last year, covering life insurance, retirement and pension, which represented an increase of 4.23 percent from the P38.28B level the year before.

SSS okays installment payment scheme for delinquent employers

THE Social Security System (SSS) has approved the revised guidelines in the implementation of an installment payment scheme for delinquent employers or those who have not remitted all contributions and salary or calamity loan amortizations for at least six months, including penalties.

BSP issues guidelines in credit card debt collection

DISCLOSING the names of credit cardholders who allegedly refuse to pay debts is considered an unfair collection practice as per the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulation governing credit card debt collection practices.

“Credit card issuers and their collection agents should observe good faith and refrain from engaging in unscrupulous or untoward acts, to the extent of harassing and humiliating the credit card holder,” BSP said in its advisory.

P350M agri scholarship pushed

THE competency skills and knowledge of students, particularly on agricultural technologies and agribusiness, should be developed to improve the agricultural sector and curb the decreasing competitiveness of agri courses.

“But agriculture as a profession has lost its attraction because of the more lucrative job offers from other competing professions,” lamented Senator Manny Villar.

PH ‘harsh place’ for start-ups

UNLIKE in Silicon Valley or in countries where startups have succeeded, the Philippines is a “harsh environment” for startups, a Davao-based software developer said.

Japanese grant helps company expand plant

A TRADING and manufacturing company in Cebu can now process an average of 2,500 kilos of fresh mangoes daily.

Reeves: Immigration benefits for same-sex partners

IN a monumental executive decision, President Obama has instructed the US Justice Department to no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (Doma), the law prohibiting federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

Critical watersheds in Mindanao to be revived

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is rehabilitating major watersheds critical in enhancing food production in Mindanao.

Plastic industry revenues may fall 30%

LOCAL plastic manufacturers expect a 20 to 30 percent reduction in their revenues to P140 million in 2011 from last year's P200 million should the Middle East crisis that drives oil prices higher lingers.

Renewable energy: Protecting the Earth

THE heightened awareness about renewable energy resources and the growing passion to be actively involved in protecting Mother Earth came with the growing concern over climate change coupled with the rising cost of electricity.

LGC is Huper Optik country distributor

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Laus Group of Companies (LGC) marked another milestone in its history as it became the first and exclusive distributor of the revolutionary Huper Optik Nano Ceramic Window Films in the Philippines.

Baguio welcomes new call center firm

AN AMERICAN contact center company will put up its 14th facility in Baguio City as the business process outsourcing industry boom continues in the Philippines.

Baguio tourism back on its feet

Baguio City, the Philippines' summer capital, is back on its feet.

Aquino assures support to Negros Occidental priority sectors

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III reiterated his government’s support to the thrusts of Negros Occidental as he spoke before participants of the Philippine Economic Briefing at the L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City Friday.

He said the government is already working on the province’s priority sectors, which he enumerated as bio-fuel, tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO), aquaculture, micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), water and power.

Rice importation to be reduced

THE Department of Agriculture said rice importation will be reduced this year until food sufficiency is attained by end of 2013.

“We expect a good summer harvest,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. “We are no longer the world’s biggest importer.”

Aquino moves to ensure stable petroleum supply

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has formed an Inter-agency Energy Contingency Committee (IECC) “to ensure the continuous, adequate and stable supply of petroleum and other energy sources in the country.”

In Administrative Order (AO) 6, Aquino said that “although there is no imminent danger of any oil supply disruption, the government deems it prudent to issue this Order as a precautionary measure to ensure that necessary preparations are in place in the event the situation deteriorates.”

GSIS urges pensioners to renew active status

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reminding its old-age and survivorship pensioners to renew their active status once a year, preferably in their birth month, to ensure the continuous receipt of their monthly pension.

GSIS said pensioners must bring their eCard to the nearest GSIS servicing office or the nearest government office with a GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-W@PS) kiosk during their birth month.

Inflation hit highest level in February

PRICES of consumer goods surged to their highest level in nine months last February, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said on Friday.

AEV’s income up 163% in 2010

DESPITE losses incurred in the sale of its integrated transport and logistics business unit, Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) reported a consolidated net income of P21.9 billion, recording an increase of 163 percent year-on-year for 2010.

Common currency ‘a long way off’

WHILE studies are continuing on the adoption of a single currency among Asian regions, an official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) believes that the move will still take some time.

“It would be a long discussion. The formation may take 50 to 60 years,” said BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo.

New law places food exports to US under greater scrutiny

FILIPINO businesses and suppliers shipping food to the United States will have to brace themselves for the new food safety legislation, an exporters’ group advised.

Batuhan: The road less travelled

INTEGRITY is a lonely road to follow.

We know for a fact that in government, this path is a much disused one. For every Heidi Mendoza, we have hundreds of General Garcias and Ligots, who would much rather be in merrier company, than walk alone. Sometimes being squeaky clean in public service is considered a sign of insanity, a mark of weakness, or even a condemnation of being less-than-competent.

Rank demotion, diminution of salary

RESPONDENT Angel U. del Villar was the transportation services manager of petitioner Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. under the business logistics directorate, which was reorganized in 1996.

As a result of the reorganization, del Villar was appointed as staff assistant to the corporate purchasing and materials control manager. He continued to receive the same salary.

40 exhibitors join mega travel sale

MORE than 40 exhibitors are joining the 2nd Davao Mega Travel Sale at the Atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao, which formally opened Friday.

Guv proposes ferry system to make Igacos accessible

TO EASE traffic congestion in Davao City just to get to the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos), Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo has proposed to make use of the sea lanes.

In an interview Thursday, the governor floated the idea of fully developing a ferry system that would provide access to Igacos from all the provinces of the Davao Region.

Pacquiao, local execs hold forum on coal plant

ALABEL, Sarangani -- A legislative forum on Power Generation and Sustainability was held Thursday among local legislators to seek majority opinion on Conal Holdings' proposed 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Barangay Kamanga, Maasim.

"We want assurance from Conal on the environmental impact of the project," Representative Manny Pacquiao said.