WB cites DA's efforts in Mindanao development

THE World Bank (WB) cited recently the Department of Agriculture (DA) in its efforts to build up the agricultural potential of Mindanao.

Voice, Internet use up during Holiday season

GLOBE Telecom revealed that its subscribers called and logged on the Internet more during Christmas and New Year to send their holiday greetings, on the back of innovative offers on voice calls and broadband services for both postpaid and prepaid.

Comforts of home at D'Leonor Hotel

A GUEST from Manila wrote it quite accurately. Despite being located right in the heart of Davao City, you will not hear any noise from the outside when you stay at the D' Leonor Hotel.

Intel reveals technologies to watch in 2011

TECHNOLOGY giant Intel released the various devices and technologies that are expected to reach consumer hands this year.

Cebu Pacific targets 12M passengers

CEBU Pacific aims to solidify its position as the top-notch domestic carrier in the Philippines this year through new plane acquisitions and massive advertising efforts.

Increase in revenues eyed from Cordillera small-scale mining

NEWLY appointed Bureau of Internal Revenue-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Eduardo Bajador is eyeing increased revenues from small-scale mining this year.

Young Mindanao leaders complete Congress internship

UNITED States Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and members of Congress participated recently in the completion ceremony for the Congressional Internship Program for Young Mindanao Leaders (CIPYML).

DOT, airport brace for growth

DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Rowena Montecillo is optimistic the government’s target of getting six million foreign tourists before the end of this administration will be met.

Last year, the government’s target was to reach 3.3 million and she believes this target has been met.

Cebu GTH exporters project 5-7% sales increase in 2011

THE Cebu Gift, Toys and Houseware (GTH) sector expects to report a five to seven percent increase in export sales this year, amid challenges in the industry.

Project employment

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

RESPONDENT Jorge R. Trinindad was a driver for 16 years of the service vehicle, dump truck and transit mixer of petitioner William Uy Construction Corp. He signed several employment contracts that identified him as a project employee, although he had always been assigned to work on one project after another with some intervals.

BTC to hold supervisory training on Jan. 20-21

PROPERLY leading people, knowing the real role of a supervisor, motivating employees, managing work conflict, enhancing communication skills, building work teams, delivering results, and effectively working with bosses. These are the challenges facing today's supervisor, manager and company owner.

Government urged to keep excise tax system

A LEGISLATOR calls on the government to retain the current excise tax system and hike it on January 2012 to preserve and increase the stable flow of revenues from tobacco and its related industries.

No wage increase for Metro workers

THE National Capital Region (NCR) wage board junked the call for increase in the minimum wage of workers here amid looming hikes in transportation fares in the metropolis.

Raymundo Agravante, chairman of the NCR-Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), said there is no plan yet to hike the P404 minimum wage rate in Metro Manila.

Unfair labor practices at Isetann store bared

A PARTY-LIST legislator seeks the assistance of the Labor Secretary on the case of a female worker that was illegally dismissed by Isetann Department Store.

In a letter addressed to Labor Secretary Rosalindo Baldoz, Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino sought the intervention of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to help a 46-year-old worker who was terminated on November 2010.

Power Balance insists wristbands work

ALTHOUGH it has been forced to admit that there is no scientific basis for its therapeutic claims, Power Balance LLC maintains that its wristbands work.

Hanjin to build another shipyard here

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Thursday revealed that another giant shipyard will be built by Korean shipbuilding giant, Hanjin Heavy Industries, in the country.

World Bank urges government to go for big projects

MOVE with movers and go for big-ticket projects.

Excessive hotel room rates not a problem in Cebu: DOT official

WITH most of the hotel rooms booked this time of year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 assures that excessive rates will not be a problem for tourists.

Bread prices to go up if cost of sugar, flour stays high

THE local bakeries in the country will constantly monitor the prices of raw materials this year before it will implement the increase on bread prices, a former official of an industry association said.

Philippine Baking Group (Philbaking) past president Simplicio Umali Jr. said that if there is continued increase in the prices of raw materials such as flour and sugar, bakeries are left with no choice but to increase bread prices.

I.Protect: Prefix as trademark

THERE is an interesting doctrine applied by US courts. If a company uses a common prefix, suffix, or syllable in all its trademarks, such as McDonalds Corporation which uses the “McDONALD’S,” “McMUFFIN,” “McCHICKEN,” “McPIZZA,” and “McCAFE” marks, the company may establish ownership of the entire “family” of marks using the same prefix, suffix, or syllable. Thus, in the case of McDonalds, it can appropriate the prefix “Mc” as it indeed it has, and in fact stopped other entities from using the prefix as part of their trademarks.

Norkis unveils sales center for Haojue units

THE Norkis Group of Companies inaugurated on Tuesday its first sales and display center for Haojue motorcycles on A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue City.

The company said the facility will serve as a model center that will be adopted in its planned 100 branches nationwide.

'Accessorize' opens at SM City Pampanga

THE fashion forecast at SM City Pampanga? Crisp and cold air but it is bright and sunny where style is concerned with the latest Accessorize fashion trends - Fantasy World, Global Gypset, Vintage Boudoir, and British Grace.

Inflation stays at 3 percent

COMMODITY prices did not move last month despite the expected rush of consumers during the holiday break, the government reported Wednesday.

DTI hit over registration fee hike

BAYAN Muna Representative Teddy Casiño questioned an administrative order of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), raising business registration fees.

Cebu hotels, resorts expected to be full

THE Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) expects to report a 100 percent occupancy rate in hotels and pension houses with the onset of the Sinulog celebration.

Balik Cebu booth set up to assist tourists for Sinulog

TO WELCOME Filipinos returning to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival, the Balik Cebu booth was formally opened at the Ayala Center Cebu yesterday morning.

The booth is designed to help balikbayans who are in town for the Sinulog to find activities and events that they could join.

Gardenia to invest up to P100M in Cebu

ASIDE from the initial investment of P25 million poured in for the company’s manufacturing plant in Lapu-Lapu City, Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc. said it would pour in up to P100 million by the end of the year for improved logistics and capacity expansion in Cebu.

But Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc. president and general manager Simplicio Umali Jr. stressed that this will depend on the performance of the company’s operations in Cebu.

Diccep bags national award

THE Davao Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (Diccep) ended 2010 with a bang as it received the 2010 Official Donor Agency (ODA) Good Practice Award - Strategies for Achieving Outcomes category.

Cobonpue banks on Globe to run business

FAMED Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue continues to capture the US and Europe markets today with his furniture manufacturing business based in Cebu. Having made it internationally, Kenneth inspires entrepreneurs all over the country to think big, pursue their dreams and grow their businesses.

Ng: E-readers, tablets and smartphones

LAST Christmas, I ended up buying again for myself another e-book reader and the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet. I must coax myself into not indulging too much.

But it did look ridiculous when airport security asked me to take out my notebook computer and I ended up taking out one notebook, one Kindle e-book reader, one Hanvon e-book reader, one Apple Ipad tablet and one Galaxy Tab. Luckily, they only gave me a questioning look and did not give me any problems.