Globe transitions network to IPv6

GLOBE has already set in motion the transition of its core IP network to IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, making sure it is fully prepared as the Internet runs out of IPv4 addresses. Currently, public IPv4 addresses are being used to connect to the Internet and with these facing exhaustion in the near future, there is a strong need to move toward IPv6, the company said in a press statement.

IPv6 supports a vastly larger amount of IP addresses than its predecessor. IPv6 will enable enterprise customers to have more public IP addresses to allocate within their organizations.

Tax notes: Last priority for audit

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has prescribed additional requirements before a taxpayer shall be accorded last priority status for income tax audit under taxable year (TY) 2009 and 2010 audit program. Thus, aside from the lone requirement under Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 4-2011 that the taxpayer should have effective income tax rate of 18 percent (gross income x 18 percent), the following conditions should likewise be met by the taxpayer to be entitled to the last priority for audit status, as further clarified in RMO No. 22-2011:

Security Bank to open 10 VisMin branches

SECURITY Bank, one of the country’s top private domestic universal banks, will be opening 10 full-service branches in the Visayas and Mindanao this year.

‘Consumer spending to grow’

CONSUMER spending among Filipinos is projected to grow this year, buoyed by the steady flow of overseas remittances and growth in the business process outsoutcing (BPO) sector.

But a marketing research company said growth in the consumer durables market might be limited to a single-digit increase.

Limpag: Copyright? Try copyleft

STOP the “culture of copying” among Filipinos, Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Philippines Director General Ricardo Blancaflor said in his speech during the Cebu Creative Industries Summit on June 21.

Blancaflor pressed on the need to respect copyrights, saying creative industries rely on intellectual property.

Entrepreneurs honored

ICONS of entrepreneurship. This was how the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) recognized the nine awardees of the 16th Grand Chamber awards on Thursday, as it capped the Cebu Business Month.

Chester Cokaliong of Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. was named the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Batuhan: Bad news

SO MUCH has been said about the president’s love life.

Of course, being the country’s first ever bachelor president (and in fact, one of the very few bachelor presidents ever to hold office in any country), his romantic dalliances have been the subject of much speculation and rumor.

Rising demand for seafarers compels center’s expansion

ADMINISTRATORS of the University of Cebu-Maritime Education and Training Center (UC-METC) hope to attract more students to ensure a continuous supply of quality seafarers in the global maritime industry.

UC Chancellor Candice Gotianuy said they are looking at increasing the number of enrollees every year especially that the global demand for Filipino seafarers keeps rising.

Almirante: Liability of corporate officer

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

IN A case for illegal dismissal, petitioner Nelson A. Culili was awarded nominal damages in addition to his separation pay. He asserts that an officer of respondent Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (ETPI) should be held personally liable for the acts of ETPI that were tainted with bad faith and arbitrariness. Did this claim prevail?

Gokongweis to build mall, Go Hotel in uptown area

GOKONGWEI-led Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) hopes to begin construction of a five-hectare mixed-used development along Gen. Maxilom Ave. in Cebu City before the year ends.

RLC president and chief operations officer Frederick Go said the company is finalizing the plan for the development, which will house a shopping mall, residential condominium and Go hotel.

Australia seeks stronger trade ties

THE Australian government wants to strengthen its partnership with local business chambers. Top officials are encouraging Cebuano exporters to take advantage of free trade agreements (FTA) to boost trade between the two countries.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said they have been considering Cebu as one of their potential business partners because of its thriving economy, which is buoyed by the growth of the city’s manufacturing and outsourcing sectors.

Cebu Pacific to add more flights

AS IT expects the delivery of four more planes by the end of the year, Cebu Pacific will be adding more domestic flights this October.

Vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said they want to base more flights outside of Manila, noting the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. She said Cebu is being considered as an alternative in planning the addition of more flights and more destinations.

I.Protect: Trademark protection is territorial

Clint Fabiosa & Ana Liza Villamor

BUSINESSMEN who have started to export their products abroad or plan to open outlets outside the country usually ask if they need a separate registration in each of the foreign countries where they are doing business.

Ng: Winner takes all

IN THE information and communications technology (ICT) industry, as with most industries for that matter, being the industry leader makes the company so much more valuable.

It’s a winner-takes-all culture as the industry leader can easily more enjoy the benefits of setting the standard.

Retail group to help owners of small businesses

BESIDES catering to sari-sari store owners, a retailing group also wants to educate small proprietors to help them grow their businesses.

To aid sari-sari store owners, the Prince Warehouse Group will hold a whole-day event called the “Sari-Sari Store Fest,” a day filled with lectures on basic accounting, merchandising and inventory.

‘Use tech to market products’

TO GROW in the local retail industry, Cebuano retailers should innovate and make use of technology in marketing their products, speakers said in yesterday’s 5th Regional Retailers Conference.

Make it easy, safe for tourists to explore Cebu, gov’t asked

WARNING tourists that dangers lurk outside of hotels may backfire on the industry’s goal to increase arrivals.

“Tourists want to explore. But that’s almost impossible to do in Cebu,” said honorary British Consul Moya Jackson.

Commission unveils country’s digital plan

AS THE country began the celebration of National ICT Month, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) also unveiled the Philippine Digital Strategy (PDS), the country’s digital plan for 2011-2016.

Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim of the CICT’s cyber services group, said the PDS highlights the urgent need for legislative action on ICT policies and regulatory functions.

Smaller firms told: outsource

SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) should outsource some functions to save costs and focus on core and strategic areas in their businesses.

Speaking before Cebuano entrepreneurs during last Saturday’s financial literacy forum, Punongbayan and Araullo Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Division partner and division head Jessie Carpio said SMEs should maximize the growing outsourcing trend in business in order to become more efficient and stay ahead of competition.

Merger won’t create monopoly: PLDT

EVEN if they see the joining of two telecommuncations companies as advantageous, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co. does not believe their merging with Digitel Philippines Inc. will result in a monopoly.

Toral: Be careful with group buying sites

YESTERDAY, someone shared with me an article where a group buying site became the subject of a blogger over bad customer service. The blogger bought a hotel coupon and was unsuccessful in using it. After email exchanges with no clear resolution, the blogger decided to share his story online.

Business warns against frequent wage increases

BUSINESS leaders of Cebu gathered yesterday at the Norkis Social Center to discuss what they described as ill effects of frequent increase in the minimum wage.

The group also discussed pending bills in the Senate and House of Representatives that they consider potentially harmful to the economy.

Firm offers to turn waste to power

A COMPANY has expressed willingness to invest in Cebu to turn municipal waste into energy.

Quantum International chief executive officer and director for operations Al Johnson told reporters on Saturday that they presented to the Cebu Provincial Government their plan to invest in a plasma facility here to convert municipal waste into electricity and commercial by-products.

Group calls on government to look into consumer welfare in PLDT-Digitel deal

RIVAL telcos are not the only ones speaking out against the merger of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Co. and Digitel Telecommunications Philippines Inc.

A newly-organized group that is against monopolies is touring the country to urge the government to make sure the welfare of consumers is not compromised in the deal.

Reeves: Oral arguments scheduled on Child Status Protection Act

ON July 19, 2009, the US District Court for the Central District of California named Reeves & Associates the class counsel for all children and families affected by the government’s restrictive interpretation of the Child Status Protection Act. Since that time, our federal litigation team has devoted countless hours to researching and preparing arguments supporting our position that the Child Status Protection Act was designed to help all children of immigrants who “age-out,” thereby becoming ineligible to secure permanent resident status.

Tax notes: DST on enterprises registered with Peza

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has recently ruled in BIR Ruling No. 050-2011 that enterprises registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) that is engaged in leasing activities and enjoys five percent preferential tax regime is exempt from the documentary stamp tax (DST) on its lease agreements. The five percent income tax on its gross income is in lieu of all national and local taxes, and the activity of leasing is its registered activity.

PH ‘expensive’ for airlines

WHILE many in the tourism industry welcome the government’s adoption of a liberalized air policy, stakeholders believe it is just the first step in bringing tourists to Cebu.

Cathay Pacific Airways country manager Camilla Taylor pointed out that the Philippines is one of the most expensive destinations for international airlines.

DTI to hold info drive on free trade deals

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be holding an information campaign on free trade agreements (FTA) among specific sectors to encourage exporters to maximize trade opportunities in these markets.

“(The) FTA is the game plan now, everybody is doing it,” DTI 7 Director Asteria Caberte said in a press briefing on Friday.

Wipro, DepEd work to improve English skills

BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) company Wipro BPO Philippines Ltd. has partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve English skills of local graduates.

Limpag: In the cloud? What if it goes up in smoke?

Max T. Limpag Tech notes

I WROTE this column in Google Docs, the Internet search giant’s free online office suite. I thumb-typed a rough outline on an Android device---a Samsung Galaxy Tab---before I finished the first draft on my favorite desktop, which runs Ubuntu Linux, and edited the final piece in my office PC, which runs Windows XP.