Econ strategies for exporters up in Philexport-Davao meet

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc in Davao Region (Philexport 11-Davao) will be holding its 1st General Membership Meeting for the year 2013 on April 19, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Lanang, Davao City.

The assembly will serve as a venue to directly address the current major economic and industrial development strategies plotted for exporters from the entire region.

SSS hikes education loans, eases eligibility terms

MORE college and vocational-technical (voc-tech) course students can expect to meet their financial requirements for enrollment as the Social Security System (SSS) further liberalized the guidelines of its educational loan facility called the SSS Educational Assistance Loan Program or "Educ-Assist".

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said members earning P25,000 and below per month are now eligible for Educ-Assist loans, replacing SSS' former limit of P15,000 on the monthly income needed to qualify under previous guidelines.

Modern township unveiled

A TWO-DAY event, dubbed as "A Showcase of Camella Lifestyle" at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier, marked the official launch of Camella Davao, the new township development of Camella in Communal, Buhangin.

A joint-venture between Camella and the family of Compostela Governor Arturo Uy, this modern residential development project, spanning close to 30 hectares, is the latest addition to Camella's roster of master-planned communities in South Mindanao area, including Solariega, Toscana, Camella Cerritos, Camella Northpoint -- all in Davao City -- and Camella Tagum, Camella General Santos and its upcoming development in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

200MW will soon be added to Mindanao grid: DOE exec

SOME 200 megawatts (MW) will be added to Mindanao grid once the modular generator sets come into play as another measure to ease power deficiency.

Irma Exconde, assistant secretary for electricity power industry management of Department of Energy (DOE), made the announcement during the public consultation on Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) Friday at the Grand Regal Hotel.

Therma Marine rates lowest in 24 months

POWER rates of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Marine last month was one of the lowest in 24 months owing to the continued dip in world oil prices.

For March 2013, Therma Marine's power cost to customers was at P7.13 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) based on 100-percent utilization. This was on the back of an average fuel purchase of P29.13 per liter on the same month.

Philippine Prudential remains stable, says exec

THE top executive of Filipino-owned insurance company, the Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company Inc. (Philippine Prudential), assured Friday that the firm has remained "financially sound," and will continue to protect the interest of its 1.8 million policyholders and their families.

"Philippine Prudential is financially sound, as it remains to be a stable and strongly capitalized company, duly-licensed by our government regulator, the Insurance Commission," Philippine Prudential president and CEO Gregorio D. Mercado said in a statement.

Cebuana Lhuillier launches insurance product in Davao

THE Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (Clis), the insurance arm of pawnshop chain Cebuana Lhuillier, launched on Thursday its latest product to offer a more affordable compulsory third party liability (CTPL) insurance to vehicle owners.

This developed as Cebuana Lhuillier is also bent to become a total microfinance solution center other than being a pawning and remittance outlet.

Asean climate change, tourism workshop in Davao

A TWO-DAY Asean climate change and tourism workshop was conducted in Davao City on April 8 to 9 at Park Inn by Radisson Davao in a bid to thresh out measures on how tourism industry can take part in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Jason Magnaye, in a text message, said around 25 participants, from the 10 country members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), including the Philippines, attended the workshop.

SPMC to adapt HP technology

THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), one of the biggest medical centers in the country, is on its way of employing a fully-digitalized system as part of the modernization initiative that the state-run hospital has to implement to improve public service.

SPMC will be utilizing the latest technology HP Converged Infrastructure of Hewlett-Packard (HP), the largest solutions provider in healthcare industry, to aid the medical operation of SPMC and keep pace with the growing number of patients.

DTI sets business seminar, April 16

THE Department of Trade and Industry-Davao City Field Office (DTI-DCFO) will conduct a one-day seminar to equip those who want to start their own business.

Dubbed as "Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset," the seminar is set on April 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the DTI Conference Room, 2/F Mintrade Building, corner Monteverde and Sales Streets, Davao City.

Sid: Ratings upgrade acknowledges PNoy's inroads in good governance

THE investment grade status granted by Fitch Ratings to the Philippines is a landmark achievement of the Aquino administration in its continuing effort to improve the economy of the country and win the fight against poverty.

This was the assessment of Rep. Isidro T. Ungab of Davao City's Third Congressional District, main author in the House of the Sin Tax Law and a leading sponsor of the just signed law granting reciprocal tax exemptions to international air and sea carriers whose country of origins give Filipino airlines and shipping companies the same privileges.

UCPB backs call for greener environment

WITH almost 50 years of providing topnotch financial services to its clients, the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) continues to exceed industry-standards and ventures into another project focused on preserving and protecting the environment to create a better society.

Dubbed as the UCPB Corporate Office Power Conservation Project, the initiative is the bank's way of supporting the call for a "greener environment" in the modern workplace.

Consumers urged to use CFLs

THE Department of Energy (DOE) urged power consumers Wednesday to make use of the energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances at homes and offices to save up on energy consumption and cut emission of carbon dioxide.

In a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, DOE undersecretary Loreta Ayson said the use of compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) can reduce the consumption of energy compared to incandescent bulbs (IBs).

Damosa eyes massive expansion

DAMOSA Land Inc. (DLI) will embark on a massive expansion for its residential projects starting in the last quarter of 2013.

DLI vice president Edgardo O. Villavey, speaking in Wednesday's regular Club 88 Forum at the Marco Polo Davao, said the capitalization for the expansion would be around P1 billion or more depending on the reception they get from the market.

Pablo victims trained on growing veggies

NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley -- A non-government organization has joined the government and other groups in helping those affected by Typhoon Pablo by providing seeds to these people.

Jojo Almasan, community development organizer of Operation Compassion, said his group is helping families grow vegetables for their tables.

Damosa Land turns 65

DAMOSA Land Inc. will embark on a series of exciting events as it celebrates its 65th Anniversary this month.

For this year's celebration, a showcase of the long fruitful years of Damosa as an automotive dealership business until it shifted to real estate company that is Damosa Land Inc. today, will be available for the public through an exhibit at the Abreeza of Ayala Malls, at the headquarters of Anflocor Group of Companies at Damosa, and at the Damosa Market Basket from April 12 to 13.

P500M initial investment to develop Camella township

AN INITIAL investment of P500 million has been poured in to develop a 30-hectare property in Communal, Buhangin into a township, a first of its kind in Davao City.

A joint-venture between Camella Communities and the family of Compostela Governor Arturo Uy, the residential development project called Camella Davao is the latest addition to Camella's roster of masterplanned communities in Davao Region.

Villar bats for creation of Department of OFWs

TO ADDRESS concerns and other issues affecting migrant workers, former Las Pinas representative Cynthia Villar, who is running for senator under the NP-Team PNoy, has vowed to pursue the creation of the department of overseas Filipino workers.

"We believe it is important that we have a separate department for OFWs to centralize all services and functions of OFW-related government agencies or bureaus,” she said in a statement.

Banana fiber augments Davao del Norte farmers’ income

STO. TOMAS, Davao del Norte -- What is commonly regarded as farm waste is yielding huge income for banana farmers in this town.

Banana stalk, or in particular the psuedostem is a good source of silk grade fiber, which currently has a huge demand in Japan as high as five tons per month.

Goat farming is profitable

GOAT farming is gaining ground in the Philippines.

"Goats are very popular among Filipinos because they require low initial capital investment, fit the smallhold farm conditions, and multiply fast," explained the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd) in its investment briefer.

Air pollution, air travel woes

I'M glad to be back! The last time this column came out before I took a temporary writing leave due to an overload of consulting engagements in and out of the country was in December 10, 2012. Boy, how time flies, I can't imagine I missed 4 months of writing. Apologies to my regular readers who have been looking for my Monday columns.

Firms urged to promote Pinoy brands in China

PHILIPPINE companies exporting to China are encouraged to participate in a project meant to promote the country's famous brands in a market with 1.3 billion consumers.

Exporters who are eyeing to penetrate the huge market can use the recently launched "Asean's Famous Brands Marketing in China" as an initial platform to introduce products and services in China.

PH targets safety system for Indonesia food exports

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is aiming to obtain country recognition for the Philippine Import and Export of Fresh Food of Plant Origin (FFPO) system in Indonesia to help boost food exports to this country.

Relevant documents have been submitted by the DA to align and make our FFPO acceptable to Indonesia. The move also hopes to avert any possible negative impacts of the implementation of Indonesia's horticultural import regulations that started in 2009 through Regulation No. 27/2009, now superseded by Regulation No. 88/Permentan/PP.340/2011.

DTI-Davao monitors helmet stores

TO ENSURE the safety of consumers, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao region is monitoring around 370 establishments selling helmets a month in Davao Region after the implementation of Helmet Law early January this year.

Republic Act (RA) 10054 or the Helmet Law, "an act mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmets while driving," was fully implemented last January 3, 2013.

2 summer events seen to boost Davao tourism

TOURISM players in Davao Region are confident the scheduled 3rd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge and the Visit Samal 2013 campaign during the summer season will further boost the tourism industry in the region.

The staging of both events were announced in Friday's edition of Kapihan sa PIA.

Mobile app to help patients manage medications

TAKING stock of one's medications can be tedious especially for those who are taking medicines for maintenance.

New landmark development to rise in Communal

CAMELLA'S newest project in Davao City will be unveiled in a grand launch on Saturday at SMX Convention Center Hall 3, SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.

A self-contained masterplanned subdivision, this development will be named Camella Davao, located in Communal, Buhangin across the Davao International Airport along the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway or Diversion Road.

3-day Indocraft show slated at SM Lanang

ART and craft lovers are expected to enjoy a trip down to SM Lanang Premier as the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia holds its two-day Batik Workshop and Indocraft Exhibit 2013 starting today, Friday.

Organized in partnership with the Batik House Indonesia, the three-day program will showcase the quality design of Indonesian handicraft.

Fight vs corruption helped Philippines achieve credit upgrade

HOUSE assistant majority leader Karlo Nograles said government transparency and the unrelenting fight against graft and corruption boosted investor confidence towards the Philippines, leading to an upgrade of the country's international credit ratings.

Davao Light to open customer service center at SM Lanang

THE Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) has announced it is set to open its first full service center at SM Lanang Premier on April 6.

Ross Luga, DLPC corporate communications officer, said in Wednesday’s edition of Club 888 at Marco Polo Davao that the service center will be located at the lower ground floor of the mall and open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.