Trading firm pitches LED lights to bring down electricity bills

HOMEGROWN business Ynoc International Trading officially launched yesterday the fourth generation of LED lights, its latest product for distribution in Central Visayas.

These lights, manufactured by Green Energy Savings (GES) in China, reportedly allow users to save as much as 70 percent on electricity bills.

French vehicles on Cebu roads? Oui, says dealer

AS the Philippine economy continues to improve, so do the demands of car owners.

‘Build in Cebu, Davao’

AMID “little frosts” seen in some specific locations in Metro Manila, the Philippine property market, according to a real estate expert, will continue to experience robust growth anchored on the country’s broadening middle class, strong inflow of remittances and overall optimism and business confidence in the market.

Construction sector bullish on Asia, Middle East growth

WITH Asia Pacific becoming a catalyst of global recovery, the region is now a prospective destination for construction investments, according to a recent discussion of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI).

Wilcon opens Mandaue branch

WILCON Depot opened its newest outlet in Mandaue City, its second branch in Cebu, last March 8.

Wilcon Mandaue is the company’s 29th outlet to date, and offers Cebu residents a hassle-free shopping experience with its clutter-free environment.

‘Help end food insecurity, resource overuse’

SPEAKERS at the 27th Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) identified resource exploitation and food insecurity as ongoing threats to Asia’s economic condition.

In his presentation last Friday, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Chairman Ramon Alikpala said climate change, population growth and increasing urbanization would exacerbate water issues in Asia.

Young businessman sustains class project, now franchising

WHEN his college teammates decided to give up their stake in their start-up business after graduation three years ago, Jeryl Tio promised himself he would grow Wild Rice, even if it meant growing the start-up business alone.

Social media ‘can boost’ business

IF MAXIMIZED, social media can help businesses thrive, speakers of a recent social media summit said.

Asia remains bright spot in faltering global economy

WHILE the lingering effects of the euro debt crisis continue to hurt Asia’s trade exports, an official from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Asia remains in a “brighter spot” and will continue to fuel growth in the global economy.

Binay asks CACCI: focus on challenges

VICE President Jejomar Binay urged members of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) to focus on current economical challenges and opportunities to sustain the region’s competitiveness and stability in the global market.

Asia remains bright spot in faltering global economy

WHILE the lingering effects of the euro debt crisis continue to hurt Asia’s trade exports, an official from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Asia remains in a “brighter spot” and will continue to fuel growth in the global economy.

Ma.Cyd Tuano-Amador, assistant governor, Monetary Policy Sub-sector of BSP said emerging market economies in Asia are “not immune” to the euro-debt crisis but “can be insulated.”

Tax notes: Mandatory attachment to BIR Form 1702

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has posted in its website a one-page mandatory attachment to the year 2012 annual corporate income tax return (BIR Form No. 1702), requiring a breakdown of the regular Itemized Deductions claimed in the annual income tax return.

However, the said attachment is not required for corporations which chose the Optional Standard Deductions (OSD) as their method of deduction.

UCPB auto loan promo extended

OWNING a car and taking care of it need not be an expensive dream. With the United Coconut Planters Bank’s (UCPB) ‘Drive Your Worries Away’ auto loan promo, extended until this March 31, you can now get to ride your dream car complete with a free one-year comprehensive motor insurance with Acts of Nature coverage.

Smart launches services app for iPhone

SMART Communications, Inc. (Smart) has launched an iOS version of its Smart Services mobile application - the app that allows its subscribers to buy call, text and Internet packages, get information and content and perform transactions with just a few taps on their smartphones.

Toyota invests P350M in facility

CALLING it a “necessary expansion” Toyota Cebu, with the support of Toyota Motors Philippines, invested in a P350 million facility to meet the growing demand for after-sales service.

SMEs still face crucial challenges

ALTHOUGH recognized as the backbone of every economy, the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector faces crucial challenges that hold them back from attaining their full potential, officials said.

Capital ‘key challenge’ for women entrepreneurs

LIKE young entrepreneurs, women who run their own businesses need access to capital, too. A party-list group is urging the government to come up with strong and solid policies in micro-financing to boost entrepreneurship among women.

Private sector ‘still hesitates to invest’

DESPITE a “very liquid market” in the Philippines, the country’s socio-economic planning secretary admits that the private sector still hesitates to put their money in investments.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Economic and Investment Forum, National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Acting Director General Arsenio Balisacan told those present that the government can only do so much to create the jobs needed to pull up the unemployed. He said it is the private sector that should be providing these much needed jobs.

Cebu ‘showcases PH’s growth’

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III considers the holding of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference in Cebu “a good sign”, saying it means the international community recognizes Filipino talent and ingenuity.

Worried about disputes

EVEN with rosy forecasts for Asia-Pacific economies, the president of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) warns that territorial disputes could be stumbling blocks to the region’s growth.

CACCI president Benjamin Yujuico warned that “small fires could turn into conflagrations” and that tensions between countries can have its unintended consequences.

Cebu ‘showcases PH’s growth’

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III considers the holding of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Conference in Cebu “a good sign”, saying it means the international community recognizes Filipino talent and ingenuity.

Monday briefing on real estate boom

WORLDWIDE Central Properties will host an economic briefing titled “Growth opportunities in the property sector: How long will the boom last?” on Monday, March 18.

Batuhan: Habemus Papam

WHEN companies are in some sort of difficulty, the usual solution is a change of leadership.

Almirante: Evidence on appeal

Dominador Almirante Labor case digest

Cebu’s BPO grew to 100 firms

FROM having just four companies at the start of the decade, Cebu City has become one of the top places to go for outsourcing, with over 100 companies and 95,000 workers at the end of 2012.

Entrepreneur recalls challenges in starting coffee chain venture

CEBUANO entrepreneur Steve Benitez urged aspiring young entrepreneurs to pursue their passion.

This, he said, is one of the best business practices he adopted.

Asus eyes bigger market in Cebu

ASUS Philippines introduced its latest products in Cebu last week to expand its market in the country.

Asus launched Asus MeMO Pad, Asus FonePad, Asus Transformer AiO and Asus ZENBOOK Touch during the “In Search of Incredible” event at the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Lapu-Lapu City on March 7.

Ng: A week of great happenings

IT HAS been a great week.

First, there was the enormous success of the musical “You’ve Been Facebooked,” which attracted an audience of about 600 on March 8. The reviews were overwhelming.

I.Protect: The Harvard Case

Clint Fabiosa & Ana Liza Villamor

CAN a Philippine company register “Harvard” as a trademark? In the case of Fredco vs. Harvard University, GR 185917, June 1, 2011, Fredco obtained a registration over the name “Harvard” for t-shirts, polo shirts, sandos, jackets, and slacks.

‘Great time to turn green’

CITING the country’s sustained economic growth, a GIZ (German International Cooperation) official yesterday said now is the time for the country to shift to green economic development.