Sep 112016
 
SEC streamlines documentary requirements

MANILA, Philippines – Business registration for financing and lending companies has just been made easier by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in line with the Duterte administration’s anti-red tape thrust. “This would speed up the processing for the issuance of the certificates since there would be lesser documents for inspection and evaluation,” SEC chair Teresita Herbosa said. From 23 documents, those registering to operate need now only to submit 15 to the SEC’s registration and monitoring department’s (CRMD). This was after the agency consolidated requirements and dropped ones deemed redundant. Dropped documents were local police clearance; certificate of good moral character for Filipino directors and officers; work permit from the Department of Labor and Employment for foreign directors and officers and location map and copy of the lease contract or title of the building where the company is located. For financing companies applying to operate a branch office, requirements had been reduced to eight from 13 previously. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 As part of the streamlining of processes, CRMD has also modified its application form, company’s information and personal information sheets and made them easier to be filled out. Monitoring of existing players were also made easier through less requirements needed to be submitted to the agency’s corporate governance and finance department (CGFD). The department will no longer require the submission of the following documents: SEC form Q-EPS or quarterly report; certification of corporate secretary on the attendance of directors on board meetings if Read More …

Sep 112016
 
Nomura sees weak exports, growth in imports

Euben Paracuelles, economist at Nomura, said in its latest insight titled “Philippines: stable trade deficit in July” that imports would continue to grow despite a 1.7 percent drop in July. MANILA, Philippines – Nomura Securities Co. Ltd. sees sustained growth in imports but expects exports to remain weak this year amid soft global demand. Euben Paracuelles, economist at Nomura, said in its latest insight titled “Philippines: stable trade deficit in July” that imports would continue to grow despite a 1.7 percent drop in July. He pointed out the contraction in July was due to a post-election normalization of demand. “Notwithstanding monthly fluctuations, we still expect import growth to remain strong, underpinned by a solid domestic demand outlook, particularly in light of the Duterte administration’s focus on boosting infrastructure spending,” he said. The Duterte administration raised the budget deficit ceiling to three percent of gross domestic product (GDP) instead of two percent of GDP under the leadership of former president Benigno Aquino III. On the other hand, exports fell by a larger-than-expected 13 percent in July after contracting 11.4 percent in June, led by weaker exports of manufactured goods and petroleum products. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We still expect exports to remain weak over the remainder of the year given the external backdrop and as electronics demand is likely to soften,” Paracuelles said. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the country’s trade in goods deficit widened to $14 billion from January to July Read More …

Sep 102016
 
EDC powers up Central Luzon State University

MANILA, Philippines – Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC), is now supplying power to the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), the oldest and largest state university in Region 3, with green energy under the retail competition and open access (RCOA) regime. EDC said it supplies CLSU with up to 2.9 megawatts (MW) of power following a retail supply contract with EDC affiliate First Gen Energy Solutions Inc., a retail electricity supplier (RES). Under the contract, EDC provides CLSU’s 658-hectare campus with green power from its geothermal power station in Bicol, which started on June 26, 2016.  “The entire CLSU campus will benefit from environment-friendly power all year round and not rely on imported and carbon-emitting fossil fuel energy sources or stopgap supply measures that could not guarantee reliable and uninterruptible power,” EDC vice president for corporate affairs Ricky Carandang said.  “In addition, we are committed to provide CLSU with customized energy solutions, fair pricing, competent technical assistance and responsive customer support at all times,” he said. Under the RCOA scheme, contestable customers are given the choice to choose their power supplier, a scheme aimed to foster competition in the generation and supply sector. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 EDC is the country’s leading producer of geothermal energy with total installed capacity of 1,169 MW in Leyte, Negros Islands, Bicol and North Cotabato. It also owns and operates the 150-MW wind farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte and has 60 percent equity in the 132-MW Pantabangan-Masiway hydropower plants in Nueva Ecija.

Sep 102016
 
Philippines aims to be top diving destination in SE Asia

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines, being a center of marine biodiversity, wants to position itself as a top diving destination in Southeast Asia and eventually the whole world, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. On the sidelines of the Diving and Resort Travel (DRT) Philippines Show, Tourism Undersecretary for Advocacy and Public Affairs Katherine De Castro said the agency is continuing efforts to promote the country as a major diving destination. “We want to be the number one in Southeast Asia and then make people realize that there’s more to be seen in the Philippines as compared to the rest of the world,” De Castro said. Diving is seen as a key driver of growth in the tourism sector due to the country’s diverse marine life and vast coral resources, she added. To achieve its goal, the DOT expanded this year’s DRT Philippines Show and accommodated more local and international experts and stakeholders in the diving industry. “We have DRT shows like this because it creates awareness. We invited a lot of well known and well respected underwater cinematographer and photographers,” De Castro said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We get all their work out there so when (people) find out the (photos and videos are) from the Philippines, believe me, the scuba divers from all over the world, when they see something like that, it will be in their bucket list,” she added. These photographers, cinematographers and diving experts are set to conduct a series Read More …

Sep 102016
 
Internet users group hit PCC probe on P70-B telco deal

MANILA, Philippines – An internet advocacy group has criticized ongoing efforts of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to probe the P70-billion buyout of the telecommunication assets of San Miguel Corp. as anti-consumer since it prevents the use of the idle 700-MHz frequency. Ramon Jose, lead convenor of the Internet Surfers Guild of the Philippines, said the 16-page preliminary statement of concerns released by the PCC’s Mergers & Acquisitions Office (MAO) distracts from the real consumer issue which is the immediate improvement of the state of the internet in the country. He said both PLDT and Globe were given a deadline by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to improve their internet services as a condition for the approval of the deal and co-use of the 700-MHz and 2600-MHz frequencies.  “The government and the public will hold these telcos accountable if they fail to deliver within the given time frame. However, seeing that the PCC is hampering the telcos from using these frequencies, all the more the dream of having high speed internet will remain just a dream,” Jose said. ISGP said the role of PCC to look into the welfare of consumers and businesses must be recognized but they must not treat the SMC deal as an ordinary anti-competition case because of a bigger underlying concern which impacts consumers – that of the frustratingly slow internet speeds in the country. Jose stressed that the telecommunications sector should not be treated as an ordinary consumer industry like many of the anti-competition cases because Read More …

Sep 102016
 
Asean Summit hosting augurs well for Philippine tourism

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte’s formal acceptance to host next year’s ASEAN Summit bodes well for the country’s tourism sector, an official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday. “It offers yet another great opportunity for the Filipino people to extend their genuine hospitality, as well as showcase the country’s world-class travel destinations,” DOT media director Ina Zara said. The arrival of the guests, representatives and foreign dignitaries will also move the sector and the economy as they will book hotels, dine, shop and go around the country, she added. “We share the President’s optimism and enthusiasm for the country’s hosting of the 2017 Summit, with the theme ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,’ to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said. “We cannot overemphasize that the Philippines played an instrumental role in the founding of the regional bloc. We at DOT, therefore, stand alongside President Duterte, ready and willing to steer ASEAN toward realization of its goals of cooperation and regional stability,” she added. Meanwhile, Teo also expressed optimism the “strong friendly” relations between the Philippines and the US will remain. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The Philippines has always had strong ties with the US and that is not going to change any time soon,” Teo said. She added the encounter between President Duterte and US President Barack Obama during the gala dinner at the ASEAN Summit has increased the chances of a more substantive meeting in Read More …

Sep 102016
 
The Turf Company marks 27th year

MANILA, Philippines – From its humble beginnings 27 years ago supplying products and services to golf courses in the country, The Turf Company has grown into a one-stop shop that provides total solutions to the management and maintenance of golf courses and sports-themed estates, resorts and recreation facilities, hospitals, commercial landscapes like retail developments, and private and residential projects. Today, it is considered a leading force in the industry with an extensive roster of prestigious clients who have remained loyal to the company through the years. “As we mark our 27th year, we express our appreciation and gratitude to our customers who believe in us and continue to patronize us. The journey of our company has been exciting and fulfilling, to say the least. We have gained milestones in our history, beating the ups and downs of the local market,” said Mario Lopez, president and COO of The Turf Company. “We owe our growth through the dedication and commitment of our team and the support of our principals. They are our valuable partners.” The Turf Company enjoys some of the most established relationships in the industry, including partnerships with world-class brands which it distributes in the country. These include the Toro brand of golf course maintenance equipment and irrigation systems which accounts for about 80 percent of the company’s turf management business. Other flagship brands that The Turf Company proudly distributes are Orec precision mowing equipment, Club Car & Texas Eagle golf cars and allied products. As The Turf Company Read More …

Sep 092016
 

THE TIMETABLE for a railway project aimed at meeting growing commuter needs in Cavite province risks being extended as the deadline for submission by interested parties of documents to qualify for bidding was on Thursday moved for a third time.