Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Revenues of the country’s key industries grew by 10.8 percent in the second quarter of 2014, led by the double-digit growth rates in the transportation, communications, and real estate sector. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)Interim Deputy National Statistician Officer-in-Charge Romeo S. Recide said the total gross revenue index of key industries grew by 10.8 percent in the April to June period, higher than the 9.6 percent expansion a year ago. Among industries, revenues in the transportation and communication grew the fastest at a rate of 21.1 percent in the period, compared to a growth rate of only 2.7 percent growth in the same period in 2013. With a strong and sustained 15.8 percent, the real estate sector improved its gross revenue gain from 11.9 percent last year. Earnings from manufacturing grew by 13.8 percent from three percent last year. The private services contracted this quarter, while finance and trade slowed down, with revenues falling by 10.3 percent and 9.6 percent from 12.0 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Recide said that total employment index improved from a 1.1 percent growth rate in 2013 to 4.7 percent this year. Except for electricity and water, which declined by 0.3 percent, all sectors registered gains. Based on the October 2014 issue of the Quarterly Economic Indices (QEI), growth of the total employment index was largely caused by the upturn of transportation and communication with a growth rate of 5.9 percent, and manufacturing with Read More …

MANILA, Philippines — Cameraphone users who are interested in keeping up with the latest news now have the chance to earn money and be a part of the news gathering process with a revolutionary app that is shaping up to be a trailblazer in user-generated content production. Philstar.com and The Philippine Star take photo crowdsourcing in the Philippines to a whole new level as they team with Finland-based P2S Media Group, Inc. in bringing Scoopshot, a smartphone application that allows citizens to contribute photos and videos from the day’s hot news events. Scoopshot provides news agencies like Philstar access to hundreds and thousands of crowdsourced photos and videos from around the world. Photos deemed fit for a news article can be used by buying it from the contributor. Through this setup, Scoopshot users can sell their photos to news agencies and at the same time get recognized for their contribution. The app is available in the App Store and Play Store, and once installed, it allows users to shoot and sell their photos and videos for publication. Likewise, new agencies can also set up a task to call for various submissions, where chosen entries get monetary compensation. Currently, the app is being used in 170 countries and about 60 publications worldwide use the service. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We are shaping user-generated content in the Philippines as our readers will soon join others from around the world in this endeavor. User-generated content will have a Read More …

Consumer products conglomerate looking to set up cosmetics line MANILA, Philippines – Thailand’s largest consumer products conglomerate, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Co. Ltd. (Saha Group), has expressed its intention to set up manufacturing facilities in the Philippines given the country’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination. In a recent visit to the country, Saha Group president Chantra Purnariksha said the company is eyeing investments in factories for its consumer products as it plans to expand its footprint in one of the world’s best performing economies. “We are looking (to set up factories) for the cosmetics first. And then we will diversify to other products,” Purnariksha said. At present, the Saha Group operates three industrial parks in Thailand covering about 2,500 acres of land. These are the Kabinburi, Sriracha and Lamphun industrial parks. Purnariksha said the Saha Group is initially seeking a local joint venture partner to distribute its consumer products. She said the Thai conglomerate is currently in talks with four to five local companies to be distributor of its cosmetics line in the Philippines. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Philippines is one of the most interesting markets in terms of consumer products especially cosmetics because we notice there are a lot of cosmetic products in Philippines that are imported from overseas,”  Purnariksha said. “So first, we have sent out some of our companies to negotiate with Philippine companies. First we will try retailing then afterwards, we can set up in the near future some factories Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine real estate industry is expected to grow further next year as the looming Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Integration continue to attract foreign investors and with the region’s increasing role in global economy. According to Noel Cariño, president of Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, the country’s largest organization of key players in the domestic real estate industry, the Asean integration in 2015 will change the economic landscape of the whole region, particularly the real estate market. The elimination of tariffs on goods and services by a single Asean economy would drive consumer spending higher. “The demand for residential spaces adjacent to malls, retail complexes and other recreational spaces would go up and will likely increase the already healthy real estate market,” Cariño said. The influx of investment and elimination of trade barriers will allow each country in Asean to enjoy unimpeded and free flow of goods, services, labor and capital. The potential impact of the integration would require more commercial and residential infrastructure for highly urbanized cities within the region including key cities of the Philippines. “Residential, commercial and retail developers, which will be exposed to international market will expand their operations and acquire properties inside and outside the country. While foreign investors and corporate executives with local operations in the country will look for residential spaces for a place to stay,” Cariño added. CREBA however, reiterated the country must continue to pursue relevant market reforms in order to remain Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Member of the OceanaGold emergency response team demonstrated their expertise in disaster response by emerging as the overall champion in the regional Fire Olympics conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection in Paguiran Stadium Ilagan Isabela recently. “I commend our emergency response team who are continuously improving and evolving in their disaster rescue skills. From Bohol earthquake to Yolanda disaster rescue operation, they have showed exemplary courage and dedication to serve others“ said OceanaGold country director Bradley Norman. The Annual Fire Olympics competition is attended by various local government units and industrial companies located in Region II. The competition aims to test the capabilities of the emergency responders during disasters such as fire preventions. OceanaGoldERT will be representing the whole region of Cagayan Valley to the National Fire Olympics on Dec. 19-20 in Metro Manila. According to Bradley Norman, this kind of competition enables OceanaGold to test the judgment, knowledge and abilities of their emergency response team in rescue situations while developing a network of emergency responders who are likewise competent in handling any kind of disasters.