The Governor’s visit: An affirmation of Quota plans for 2012

THE recent visit of Quota International District 41 Gov. Emilie Simon at the City Heights Hotel in the City of San Fernando was attended by a strong membership of the beautiful and grand ladies from Quota International of Pampanga.

The visit, a regular pep talk , centered on the new trends and innovations that Quota International is going to implement for 2012 and 2013, with Quota members and clubs in the Philippines playing key roles in chartering new clubs and increasing club membership.

San Pedro: Business Continuity Plan

DURING the monsoons, most of the businesses in the country closed shop in the face of rising floodwaters, rendering crucial operations of global outsourcing off-line.

The United States and other European countries have been relying on the availability of high-skilled and educated Filipino workforce plus the lower costs of doing business in the country.

TRC launches project to create jobs

MABALACAT CITY -- To create job opportunities at the Mabalacat TechnoCenter (TC), the Technology Resource Center (TRC) launched Friday a business matching between the Technology Business Incubators and the TechnoCenter.

TRC Director General Dennis L. Cunanan said the TBI-TechnoCenter Business Matching 2012 is a business match-making opportunity designed to expedite adaption of innovative technologies by businesses within the technology center.

San Pedro: Act Now

THE Aquino government should now rush the construction of three flood-control projects in Valenzuela, Marikina and Laguna de Bay in a bid to provide a long-term solution to the flooding in Metro Manila and the provinces such as Bulacan and Pampanga.

San Pedro: ‘3rd Best Airport Zone’

TRUTH: The Clark International Airport is “3rd Best Airport Zone” in the world. Fallacies: The government was delaying the development of the Clark airport. That the government took out an P8-billion loan on top of the P1-billion existing loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines. That there was a conspiracy to delay the development of Clark airport.

Subic woos call centers, trumpets excellent facilities

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is enticing call centers to locate in this free port, trumpeting its excellent facilities for business process outsourcing (BPO) operations.

In an assembly meeting of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia expressed optimism that Subic Bay will become the next place to be for information and communication technology (ICT) businesses in the country.

San Pedro: The Shaker Revisited

UP in the Cordilleras, the pines tress heaved, jolting up and down as the earth ruptures beneath pulsating from the shaker’s epicenter in Rizal, Nueva Ecija all the way to Dagupan and Baguio City. In a matter of seconds, more than 1,000 were dead and more people trapped in rubbles will die in a matter of days.

San Pedro: Feasibility Study

THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has reportedly set aside P100 million for the conduct of a feasibility study of the ever-growing Clark International Airport.

AirAsia announces Clark flights to Australia, Japan

CLARK FREEPORT – Philippines’ AirAsia, the country’s newest low cost carrier, has announced that it is now offering Fly-Thru service from Clark International Airport to Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia and to Osaka-Kansai in Japan starting today.

AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service offers guests seamless transit, hassle free luggage check-in and other connecting convenience.

San Pedro: Listless FDI

FOREIGN Direct Investments (FDI) may flatten out this year among developing countries in Asia including the Philippines due to an alleged “dysfunctional investment policy” prevailing among emerging developing countries.

The government should change tack in its investment policy framework in order to maximize the positive impact of foreign direct investments. What drives the foreign investors away? Is it the bureaucratic red tape, high cost of electricity and tax regime, etc?

Airline offers low fares to local destinations

CLARK FREEPORT -- Philippines’ AirAsia, the country’s newest low cost carrier, announced today an all-in promo fare of only P799 one-way for Clark-Kalibo (Boracay) and Clark-Puerto Princesa (Palawan).

The budget airline also offers an all-in low fare of only P999 one-way for Clark-Davao.

San Pedro: Clark ‘Best Bet’

“CLARK is the best bet.”

For the nth time, business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan has reiterated his backing for the development of the Clark International Airport, the future premier international gateway of the country: “The country needs a new international airport and Clark is the best bet.”

San Pedro: Bullish Economic Growth

THE National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) has it that economic growth was robust in the second quarter and will sustain its momentum. In the first quarter, economic growth reached 6.4 percent anchored on benign inflation and good performance of the services and manufacturing sectors.

The NSCB noted that the leading economic indicator (LEI) increased in the second quarter, posting 0.125 from a revised 0.064 in the first quarter.

Passengers’ Protection

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has reportedly fine-tuned provisions on rebooking and ticket refund among low-cost carriers (LCCs).

The CAB has reviewed the arguments raised by the LCCs in their motions for reconsideration pertaining to the provisions on overbooking contained in Section 3 of the Economic Regulation (ER) 7.

San Pedro: TJ Will Win

LAST May 11, Vice President Jejomar Binay lauded Capas Mayor TJ Rodriguez for being an “outstanding local chief executive of Capas.”

San Pedro: Change in RP Tax Regime

BUREAUCRATIC red tape, high-tax regime and high cost of fuel compelled European carriers such as Air France and recently KLM to stop their direct flights to Manila. This inadvertently affected the entry of more European visitors to the Philippines and it does not bode well with the overall development of the aviation and tourism industry.

TGIF opens at Harbor Point Subic

SUBIC FREEPORT – The Bistro Group of Restaurants Concepts has opened its newest TGI Friday’s 13th branch in the Philippines at the Harbor Point inside this Freeport.

Jen Palacio, TGI Friday’s assistant brand manager, said they are now ready to serve their customers in this part of Central Luzon, which is fast becoming a tourist destination and investor’s haven.

GT Cosmetics unveils new plant in Bulacan

GT COSMETICS formally inaugurated its manufacturing plant in Luzon on Monday, May 21, with Bulacan Representative Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th district) gracing the event in Marilao, Bulacan.

Together with GT Cosmetics owner and national sales manager Engr. Leonora B. Salvane, Villarica ceremonially cut the ribbon signifying the official commencement of the Cebu-based company’s manufacturing operations in Luzon.

Veggie farmers get boost from officials

PORAC -- Some 70 vegetable farmers from Barangay Sta. Cruz here received two farm irrigation machines and are set to undergo development seminars through the initiative of Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayor Condralito dela Cruz and Vice Mayor Dexter David.

Investment Haven

NEW incoming investments will create more jobs, according to President Benigno Aquino III, noting that approved domestic and foreign investments in the country last year increased by 37.6 percent to P746.8 billion compared to P542.7 billion in 2010.

IBM continues expansion program in Central Luzon

CLARK FREEPORT -- The IBM Philippines Inc. has launched its geographic expansion in Pampanga to cover growth areas in Central Luzon, including Clark and Subic.

In line with this, IBM organized on Thursday a smarter solution workshop for local clients and business partners to spur transformation and growth in Central Luzon region.

San Pedro: P’noy Approves Mabalacat Cityhood

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has finally approved House Bill 2509/4735 or the Mabalacat Cityhood Bill, setting into motion the plebiscite that will pave way for the conversion of Mabalacat town into a component city.

Entrepreneurs urged to train, research for business dev’t

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- With more research and relevant information at hand, small entrepreneurs and workers in the informal sector can become bigger players in the local business sector.

Low-cost carriers grow domestic travel by 96%

CLARK FREEPORT -- Low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the Philippines contributed to approximately 96 percent of total domestic air travel growth from 2006 to 2011.

This was revealed during the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Summit held in Davao last week.  

Airphil Express offers P888 fare to HK, Singapore

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Airphil Express has offered P888 air fare (base fare only) for its Hong Kong and Singapore flights.

To avail of the promo, simply book a flight starting today, Tuesday, until April 25 and enjoy shopping for the latest name-brand baubles and threads in Hong Kong, or check out the latest designer goods made more affordable in the Lion City.

International hotel opens in Angeles City

THE Tune Hotel, an international chain of hotels, has opened its first five-star 160-room hotel in Angeles City on Friday.

Tune Hotels sets foot on Philippine shores with opening of Angeles Hotel

ANGELES CITY -- Global value hotel chain Tune Hotels has spread its wings to the Philippines with the official opening of Tune Hotel Angeles City here Friday.

Bizman: 2012 economy will be shaky, but not alarming

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Advocacy for the Development of Central Luzon chairman and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. vice chairman Rene Romero opined just before the onset of the New Year that the economy in 2012 will be “shaky but not alarming.”

Mrs. Best: The House of Pampanga’s Best Deli

ANGELES CITY -- For that unique and genuine gastronomic experience, there’s a spot to go at the ground floor restaurant strip of MarQuee Mall: Mrs. Best -- The House of Pampanga’s Best Deli.

SM City Pampanga launches My Cuisine campaign

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- To rediscover how Kapampangans cook native food, SM City Pampanga (SMCP) has launched My City, My SM, My Cuisine at the SM City Pampanga Event Center Saturday.

Lana Eroba, mall manager at SMCP, said the My Cuisine campaign took its cue from SM malls' effort of highlighting important aspect of provinces where they operate.