Business

Public's need for more access to financial system stressed

Public's need for more access to financial system stressed

March 26, 2019, 7:37 pm

MANILA -- Strong tie-ups between the public and private sectors and better infrastructure would ensure the inclusion of more people into the formal banking system, increasing their access to finance, especially with the help of technology. This idea was stressed by regulators and market players… Read More

Korean Air to launch new routes this summer

Korean Air to launch new routes this summer

March 26, 2019, 5:51 pm

MANILA -- South Korean flag carrier, Korean Air (KE), on Tuesday announced new routes and additional flight frequencies beginning summer.  Increasing flight frequencies are also due to the resumption of flights that do not operate during winter, it added.  Starting March 31, KE's flights… Read More

Review PH credit history before ranting, China loan critics told

Review PH credit history before ranting, China loan critics told

March 26, 2019, 5:09 pm

MANILA -- Government critics must first look at the Philippines’ credit history and fiscal position before ranting about the perils of securing infrastructure loans from China. Department of Finance (DOF) Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino II on Monday insisted that worst-case… Read More

Manila Water to implement bill waiver scheme

Manila Water to implement bill waiver scheme

March 26, 2019, 1:58 pm

MANILA -- In a move to placate customers, who recently experienced water shortages, the Manila Water Company, Inc. (MWCI) on Tuesday announced a "voluntary and one-time waiver scheme" that would be reflected in the April bill. "We understand the profound frustration that our customers in the East… Read More

Hospital group, DAR partner to acquire farmers' produce

Hospital group, DAR partner to acquire farmers' produce

March 26, 2019, 12:17 pm

MANILA -- A health care cooperative foundation signed a deal with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Saturday to directly source food products for their partner-hospitals nationwide, and increase the income of agrarian reform farmers. The Medical Mission Group Hospitals and Health Services… Read More

Expanded maternity leave to cut SSS actuarial life by 1 year

Expanded maternity leave to cut SSS actuarial life by 1 year

March 25, 2019, 9:12 pm

MANILA -- The Expanded Maternity Leave law is estimated to shorten the Social Security System’s (SSS) fund life by one year if a contribution hike is not imposed to correct this situation. The law, which took effect this month, is projected to increase SSS’ maternity benefit disbursements from… Read More

Supermarkets to ensure availability of NFA rice

Supermarkets to ensure availability of NFA rice

March 25, 2019, 8:40 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association (PAGASA) vowed that it will ensure that subsidized rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) will be made more available in supermarkets across the country. This as PAGASA expressed confidence that the rice tariffication policy of the… Read More

Bottled water, juices to get more expensive this summer

Bottled water, juices to get more expensive this summer

March 25, 2019, 7:30 pm

MANILA -- Prices of bottled water drinks and fruit juices are expected to go up during the summer, according to the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association Inc. (PAGASA). PAGASA President Steven Cua explained that demand for liquid drinks is likely to increase as consumers buy these… Read More

Local markets sink on US growth jitters

Local markets sink on US growth jitters

March 25, 2019, 7:19 pm

MANILA -- Risk-off sentiments were high in the Philippines’ foreign exchange and equities markets Monday due to lingering concerns about the US economy. The peso ended the day at 52.52 from 52.32 Friday last week, which a trader said was in keeping with the trend in the region. This, as concerns… Read More

BTr partially awards 91-day T-bill

BTr partially awards 91-day T-bill

March 25, 2019, 7:05 pm

MANILA -- Demand for higher tenor Treasury bills (T-bills) resulted in the full award of both the 182-day and 364-day papers Monday but only a partial award of the 91- day securities. The Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) auction committee awarded PHP6 billion worth of 182-day T-bill and PHP8… Read More

SMC breaks ground on Quezon toll road

SMC breaks ground on Quezon toll road

March 25, 2019, 6:02 pm

MANILA -- San Miguel Corporation (SMC), through its South Luzon Tollway Corporation (SLTC), is breaking ground on the 66.74-kilometer South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 (TR-4) that will significantly reduce travel time to and from the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.  “Cavite and Laguna were… Read More

Another hike in pump prices set Tuesday

Another hike in pump prices set Tuesday

March 25, 2019, 6:01 pm

MANILA -- Local pump prices are set to rise again on Tuesday (March 26) as oil supply in the global market dips due to more production cuts. At least three oil companies have already announced that their gasoline products will increase by 65 centavos per liter and diesel by 10 centavos per liter… Read More

Smart cited for offering fastest download speed in PH

Smart cited for offering fastest download speed in PH

March 25, 2019, 5:32 pm

MANILA -- PLDT wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, has been recognized by a German technology consultancy firm to have the fastest download speed in the country today. In a statement on Monday, Smart said it was awarded by P3 Communications GmbH for gaining the highest download speed score… Read More

Inter-agency task force fast-tracks list of foreign POGO workers

Inter-agency task force fast-tracks list of foreign POGO workers

March 25, 2019, 2:28 pm

MANILA -- An inter-agency task force formed to monitor the number of foreign nationals employed in Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) is fast-tracking measures to finalize a complete list of these workers with the goal of collecting an estimated PHP22 billion or more yearly in income… Read More

SteelAsia exports to Canada

SteelAsia exports to Canada

March 24, 2019, 8:00 pm

MANILA — Philippine-made steel products have penetrated the Canadian market, with the country’s largest steelmaker SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp. shipping reinforcing bars or rebars to the North American country. In a statement on Sunday, SteelAsia said this is the first export of the company… Read More

PAL system upgrade successful

PAL system upgrade successful

March 24, 2019, 7:29 pm

MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said its system upgrade was successful as of 3 p.m. Sunday.  “We are very pleased with the successful transition to (PAL's) new passenger services system, Amadeus Althea Suite. All direct channels -- internet booking engine, ticketing offices,… Read More

PAL announces system upgrade this weekend

PAL announces system upgrade this weekend

March 23, 2019, 4:39 pm

MANILA -- Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced Saturday that it will undergo a system upgrade until Sunday.  Online check-in, booking, re-booking and redemption of "Mabuhay Miles" will be temporarily unavailable during this period.  Passengers are advised to bring an e-copy of their… Read More

Peso improves, PSEi rises to 8K-level

Peso improves, PSEi rises to 8K-level

March 22, 2019, 8:24 pm

MANILA -- Both the Philippine peso and main stocks gauge ended the week at better levels after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) decided to keep key rates steady. The local currency ended the day at 52.32 from 52.84 Thursday, which was traced to the BSP’s decision. The BSP’s policy-making… Read More

BSP exec explains TDF volume offer

BSP exec explains TDF volume offer

March 22, 2019, 7:51 pm

MANILA -- A ranking Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said the expected higher demand for cash during the Holy Week and the tax filing season made monetary officials decide not to offer the 28-day term facility on March 27. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo told reporters Thursday the… Read More

DA calls anew for temporary ban on palm oil imports

DA calls anew for temporary ban on palm oil imports

March 22, 2019, 7:07 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reiterated its earlier recommendation for a "temporary ban" on palm oil imports, as Filipino coconut and oil palm farmers complain of extremely low prices due to the dumping of the commodity by two major palm oil-producing countries in Southeast… Read More