THE PHILIPPINE economy remains headed for rapid growth this year and beyond although risks and challenges remain in making the country’s expansion inclusive and sustainable, economists said at a forum on Thursday.
Jan 292015
Jan 292015
DAVAO CITY — A long-proposed bridge, repeatedly shelved, linking this city and the Island Garden City of Samal is getting another chance with the Davao Regional Development Council (RDC) recently giving its approval for a feasibility study.
Jan 292015
CEBU CITY — Mactan-Cebu International Airport terminal operator GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. is facing delay not only in the construction of a second facility but also in undertaking the physical improvements that it promised at the existing structure.
Jan 292015
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-owned wellness brand Big Apple Express Spa is gearing up for more expansion this year through franchising following a successful launch in 2005. Now on its 10th year, the company aims to continue registering a growth rate of 500 percent ever year as it targets to open 10 new branches this year, Roselin Pagunsan, one of the company’s owners, said in an interview. She said the company has presence in growing business hubs such as Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City and Eastwood City, among others. It has launched a wide array of new services catering mostly to businessmen and entrepreneurs, Pagunsan said. She said Big Apple has introduced its Balinese massage service, targeting mostly businessmen who may be stressed out from running their respective companies. “Big Apple’s Balinese massage is one of the best-selling service especially among yuppies who have a fast paced and hectic work life. The service concentrates on one’s back and adds to the relaxation of the senses and soothes tired muscles. A one-hour service would rejuvenate the busy businessman and will let them get back to work in no time,” Pagunsan said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The service is part of the company’s corporate social responsibilty program. As a CSR project which started in 2009, the company provides skills training to potential therapists. “We started with the training in 2009. We have a head trainor who does the skills training. A trainee has to undergo two parts Read More …
Jan 292015
MANILA, Philippines – 8990 Holdings Inc. said it expects profits to continue growing double digits this year after it outperformed its 2014 profit guidance. In a briefing yesterday, 8990 Holdings president and chief executive officer Januario Jesus Atencio said the company was able to surpass last year’s profit guidance of P3 billion as net income grew 52 percent year-on-year to P3.3 billion. Atencio said the housing developer likewise met its sales guidance for 2014, with gross sales increasing 48 percent to P7.9 billion and net margin improving to 43 percent from the previous year’s 40 percent. “These are still unaudited figures, but audited figures should not be far once it comes out,” he said. Atencio attributed last year’s strong performance to the country’s strong economy supported by the increase in OFW remittances and growth in the BPO sector. With last year’s impressive performance, Atencio said 8990 Holdings is now gearing up for an even more profitable year. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The firm is targeting to further grow its net income between 15 percent to 21 percent this year to about P3.8 billion to P4 billion. Revenue growth, meanwhile, is eyed at 22 percent to 27 percent at P9.6 billion to P10 billion. This year, Atencio said the company is looking to bolster its presence in Luzon through more projects. “Luzon is the new area for us. We are already strong in the Visayas and Mindanao region and we are already stable there. I want Read More …
Jan 282015
THE call and contact center industry has asked the government to “re-think” a proposal to eliminate an income tax holiday as this would erode the country’s standing as the world’s call center capital.
Jan 282015
PALO, LEYTE — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is likely to hit its P6.45-billion collection target for the Eastern Visayas region this year as post-Yolanda rehabilitation projects helped spur a recovery, an official said.
Jan 282015
AS THE title implies, this week’s article is all about the reminders for the upcoming filing deadlines which culminate in the corporate income tax filing deadline on April 15 (at least for taxpayers operating on a calendar year basis).
Jan 272015
RAISING excise taxes on fuel is one measure being studied to compensate for any lost revenue that will result from proposals to trim income taxes, a Finance undersecretary said.
Jan 272015
THE CIVIL Service Commission (CSC) said 258 government offices were rated “excellent” while 39 others received failing marks in a 2014 frontline services survey meant to gauge the progress made by state agencies in doing away with red tape.