Philippine Red Cross helps energize disaster-hit communities

 Economy
Dec 192015
 
Philippine Red Cross helps energize disaster-hit communities

MANILA, Philippines – Two years after the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Yolanda, more than 66,000 houses have been built through the help of the Philippine Red Cross, as it continues efforts to aid in the recovery and renewal in nine provinces and countless municipalities affected by the calamity. While the Philippine Red Cross embarked on massive rescue, rehabilitation and renewal operations that have been one of the most successful worldwide as attested by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), it said the Yolanda experience is not just about providing shelter, medical assistance and other basic services. With the assistance of French NGO Electricians Without Borders, the Philippine Red Cross provided energy through a 33-kilowatt photovoltaic solar power plant that allows households to access electricity at half the cost of traditional sources and powers several establishments including day care centers, barangay health stations and livelihood centers.  “The Yolanda experience has transformed the Philippine Red Cross into a full service Red Cross. No longer is the Philippine Red Cross just a provider of first aid and assistance in the midst of natural calamities and disasters; it has become a partner in providing basic services and continuing assistance in giving back not only what the people have lost but more importantly helping them get back their lives and dignity,” Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said.

For vice president no more

 Economy
Dec 192015
 
For vice president no more

President Aquino himself said during an interview at the APEC Summit not to expect fireworks from candidates until after the Christmas season. He said the season brings goodwill and the candidates will be feeling kind and magnanimous, but expect an all-out war among them as we usher in 2016. He may just be right about the Christmas mood despite the duel challenges that no one took seriously. The duel challenges started with a challenge against a candidate’s résumé. What I veer to however is not what candidates voluntarily disclose but what they do not, as they are considered not legally obliged to do so even by implementers of the law. What is the true state of health of an individual running for president? The current school of thought is that the Commission on Elections is only mandated to implement election laws and there is nothing in the law that requires aspirants for public office to submit validated information about their state of health. After all, individuals in general have a right to privacy and one’s medical circumstances is about as private as it could get. What election history has shown us is that, at least in the relatively recent past, two losing candidates succumbed to illness soon after the presidential election. Loneliness that a lost presidential bid can bring is a killer. One died of a stroke, but one died from the big C (God bless their souls). They could have won. The current presidential lineup, already unfortunately marred by Read More …

China commercial complex imports $500-M worth of Philippine snack food

 Economy
Dec 192015
 
China commercial complex imports $500-M worth of Philippine snack food

MANILA, Philippines – China is importing $500 million worth of various food snacks from the Philippines for the requirements of one commercial complex alone, according to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry. CITEM executive director Rosvi C. Gaetos said the order was made by China’s largest global importers association for the requirements of the Emporium City, a 71-hectare, high-end entertainment, residential and commercial complex in Pinghu, Zhejiang. “Headed by Chinese mogul Chen Jian, the association imports products from Europe, America, Australia and Asia,” Gaetos said. “The Filipino food products are very competitive and Filipino exporters are very good and friendly,” Chen told Gaetos after viewing the products at HallONE, the Philippines’ year-round sourcing facility for the global export market. Managed and operated by CITEM, HallONE drew the Chinese association’s interest during a recent business-to-business matching session participated in by 14 Filipino food manufacturers and exporters – Aisha-Fil Food, Inc., Mapagmahal Foods, Green Leaves Company, Gustazo-Alimentos Corp., Andy Albao Corp., Kwality Philfood, Inc., Grand Alphatech International Corp., Fenor Foods, RPM Pili Nuts, Philippine Moringa and More Corp., Magic Melt Foods, Inc., Monde Nissin, Nyogi Pure Coconut Water Philippines, and Big “E” Food Corp. With Chen at the meeting was Chinese businessman Jack Zhang, who also praised the Philippines’ food exports. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Each country has its own special products, and we want to bring those products to China. We are Read More …

Are you qualified for substituted tax filing?

 Economy
Dec 162015
 

If you’re one of the estimated 39.7 million employees in the Philippines, perhaps by now, you may have already received an e-mail or a memo from your employer asking or confirming whether you are qualified for substituted tax filing of your Annual Income Tax Return (BIR Form 1700) for calendar year 2015. Since the Philippines follows the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system for employee’s tax, and is carried out through the withholding tax mechanism, the local employer is constituted as the withholding agent of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). As such, it is responsible to withhold and remit taxes on the Philippine-source compensation income of its employees to the BIR, irrespective of the place of payment of the compensation.

How to own a Rolls-Royce and a helicopter

 Economy
Dec 152015
 
How to own a Rolls-Royce and a helicopter

Rolls-Royce Manila’s Willy Tee Ten, the author, her husband and Aerohub’s David Cook If you had to sit in traffic or travel great distances, wouldn’t you rather do that while sitting comfortably in a luxurious Rolls-Royce? Or why not skip the traffic and travel time by taking a helicopter? But let’s address the most important question first—how can you get a Rolls-Royce or a helicopter? The straightforward answer would be, earn millions of pesos and then go to a Rolls-Royce and a helicopter dealership. But an alternative solution is now available—one that is easier, more achievable and more practical. Last December 10, Aerohub Aviation Services together with Autohub Group of Companies, introduced their Fractional Ownership Program for Robinson’s helicopters and Rolls-Royce cars. Aerohub has an alliance with Lionair Inc., the exclusive distributor of California Corporation Robinson Helicopter Company. The Fractional Ownership Program (FOP) is the first of its kind in the Philippines. It offers the ability to acquire partial ownership of a Rolls-Royce car and/or a Robinson helicopter (R44s and, soon, R66s). A maximum of five individuals can share the ownership of one helicopter or a Rolls-Royce car, for personal or commercial use. Autohub Group president Willy Tee Ten explained that the FOP’s collective ownership arrangement enables owners to enjoy all the benefits of owning a helicopter or a Rolls-Royce, without the hassles that such type of ownership usually entail. Owners won’t have to worry about the pilots/drivers, hangar arrangements/parking, flight route, servicing and maintenance of the aircraft/vehicle. Aerohub and Read More …

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