Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – Environmentalists welcomed Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) commitment to sustainable development in response to a petition at change.org against transport of shark fin. “The announcement of PAL is also a victory for all sharks species who are brutally murdered for their fins. PAL, being Asia’s first airline and our flag carrier, will be taking a bold step and leading in marine conservation by ceasing the transportation of shark fins,” said Anna Oposa, co-founder of Save Philippine Seas and founder of the Shark Shelter Project in Malapascua Island. She added: “This will also send a powerful message to the government and other airlines that the private sector can significantly contribute in sustainability efforts.” The statement by Oposa’s group and similar organizations also said online pressure has prompted PAL to publicly announce its commitment to sustainable development approximately 12 hours after a petition at change.org against shark fin transport was launched. According to the press release posted on the airline’s website and Facebook page on April 23, the country’s flag carrier will “formalize and strengthen a freight policy it has recently adopted to stop the shipment of shark fin in support of its overall commitment to sustainble development. The statement also mentioned circulating “a policy for immediate implementation and strict compliance across the organization.” Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “PAL takes the issue on protection and conservation of endangered marine life seriously, recognizing that the company’s long-term interest is and should be consistent with sustainable and responsible Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The peso barely changed against the dollar on Thursday, closing at 44.71 from the previous day’s 44.72. Total volume transacted at the Philippine Dealing System amounted to $542.6 million, lower than the $886.05 million posted on Wednesday. The peso opened Thursday at 44.73.

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bam Aquino said on Thursday that the the local telecommunications industry, the government and other stakeholders should hasten the improvement of the country’s Internet systems before next year. Aquino, who has called for a Senate investigation on the slow and expensive internet services in the country, pointed out that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration will already be in 2015. He said the ASEAN is pushing for the strengthening of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry since it is considered as one of the drivers in the economic and social transformation of the region. But with the slow Internet speed in the Philippines, Aquino doubts that the country will be able to compete with neighboring countries with far more advanced technology in terms of web connection. “With its slow and expensive Internet connection, the country may be left behind in the battle for the information and communications technology market,” the neophyte lawmaker said. “We should step up and shape up or we will be eating dust from the competition,” he added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The senator cited a study commissioned by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and released by Boston Consulting Group (BGC), saying the Philippines is trailing its ASEAN neighbors in terms of Internet infrastructure. According to the report, the Philippines ranked 47th among 65 countries covered by the so-called BGC “e-Friction Index”, or factors that can inhibit consumers, businesses and others Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The government has signed a $150-million loan agreement to partly fund this year’s general budget requirements particularly for fiscal centralization reform program.  In a statement, the Department of Finance said the loan was obtained from Agence Française de Développement (AFD), a French development finance institution. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima signed the agreement with French Ambassador Gilles Garachon and AFD Country Director Luc Le Cabellec in the presence of European Ambassador Guy Ledoux and National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon. The European Union is extending about P300 million (4.8 million euro) worth of loan to strengthen the national Disaster Preparedness Audit (DPA) framework to be implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government. This project aims to improve local government performance in institutionalizing disaster preparedness policies and monitoring disaster preparedness response, and strengthen the public finance management at the local level. Purisima expressed his appreciation to the French government and the European Union for their valuable and unwavering support to the Philippines, particularly in the achievement of the inclusive growth agenda of the Aquino Administration and in the relief and reconstruction efforts of the government in the areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Ambassador Ledoux said “the provisions of this technical assistance reflect, the timely and coordinated assistance that the EU and AFD can jointly provide to the Philippine government to implement disaster risk reduction and management policies. The EU grant will complement emergency contributions of the European Union and its member states for reconstruction in the Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The local unit of Japan’s Honda Motor Co. Ltd., which launched Tuesday night the fourth generation of the City, aims to beat last year’s total sales of the previous generation by 10 to 15 percent this year. “Well, last year we sold around 7,600 units of the previous generation City and we expect of course it (fourth generation) will exceed the 7,600 units (this year). We at least expect it can overcome by 10 to 15 percent,” Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) president and general manager Toshio Kuwahara told reporters during the launch on Tuesday night. HCPI has invested more than P200 million for new equipment at its plant in Sta. Rosa in Laguna for the assembly of the new City. “We expect a lot from this City because City is the only model we manufacture in our Sta. Rosa plant,” Kuwahara said. The new City which features fuel economy performance, spacious comfort and stylish design, is targeted for the young generation or those in the 20s to 40s age group. It is available in three variants and has a price range of P756,000 to P970,000. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The vehicle is expected to account for more than 50 percent of the firm’s total sales this year. HCPI aims to sell around 15,000 units this year, much higher than the 13,356 units it sold a year ago. The company is banking on new vehicle introductions to support higher sales. Aside from Read More …