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Filinvest Invests P16B in Ciudad BTO Project
The development of Ciudad will finally be realized after the Province of Cebu turned over Friday a parcel of the property to homegrown developer Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI) through a build-transfer-operate (BTO) engagement. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Tristan Las Marias, FLI president and CEO, formally kicked off the project in simple ceremonies onsite on […].....»»
EAM Jaishankar, Singapore PM exchange views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, green economy
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong exchanged views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, the green economy, skills development and food security. EAM Jaishankar concluded his visit to Singapore on March 25. He was on an official visit to Singapore from March 23-25, the first leg of his visit to Singapore, Philippines and Mala.....»»
Philippines, EU resume free trade agreement talks
MANILA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines and the European Union (EU) resumed negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, the Philippines' Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced Tuesday. "Strengthening economic engagement with the EU remains a priority for the Philippines," said Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, adding that the Philippines aims for an ambitious, b.....»»
Sari-sari stores post P8 billion in sales in 2023
Small neighborhood variety (sari-sari) stores in the Philippines recorded sales of more than P8 billion in 2023, more than 21 percent higher than the previous year’s tally of P6.6 billion, according to a study conducted by analytics startup Packworks......»»
‘Volatile inflation to keep rates steady’
Commodity prices in the country will remain volatile for the first semester, prompting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to keep rates steady and start easing only by June, according to Moody’s Analytics......»»
PAL secures spot among top 10 most punctual airlines in 2023
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines secured the second spot for punctuality among Asia-Pacific airlines in December 2023, according to London-based aviation analytics Cirium......»»
UP offers 24 free online courses with training certificates
The University of the Philippines Open University is offering 24 free online courses on a diverse range of topics — from business analytics to graphic design — that will grant its completers training certificates they can add to their resume......»»
Moody’s Analytics sees below 5 percent GDP in Q4
Philippine economic growth likely slowed to below five percent in the final quarter of 2023 on the back of softer global economic growth, according to Moody’s Analytics......»»
Dover Corporation opens career opportunities; Hiring Blitz now launched
Dover Business Services (DBS), an independent business-to-business service provider within Dover Corporation, launched a job fair dubbed “Hiring Blitz” for their expansion plans in Cebu at Seda Ayala Center Cebu on January 25 to 26, 2024. The 2-day fair offers a wide range of career opportunities, from senior leadership to data analytics and project management,.....»»
More Pinoys do buy now, pay later transactions
Nearly 50 percent of respondents in the Philippines are likely to adopt buy now, pay later services for future transactions, according to a survey from consumer research and data analytics company Milieu Insight......»»
Inflation seen to fall within target in December
Inflation is expected to finally ease within the central bank’s two to four percent target range this month after staying above the upper end of the range for 20 consecutive months, according to Moody’s Analytics......»»
For 45 percent of Pinoys, Christmas gift budget same as last year
About 45 percent of consumers in the Philippines are sticking to last year’s gift budget for their Christmas shopping this year, according to a study from market research and data analytics firm Milieu Insight......»»
Moody’s raises Philippines 2023 growth target to 5.4 percent
Moody’s Analytics upgraded its 2023 economic growth forecast for the Philippines after a stronger-than-expected expansion in the third quarter, fueled by higher government spending......»»
MOHS Analytics expands health, wellness offerings
MOHS Analytics, a fast-growing company that provides quality health and wellness solutions through technology, is expanding its line of test kits for various diseases, with over 2,500 drugstores all over the country already offering its affordable kits to test for COVID-19, urinary tract infection, dengue and malaria......»»
Come hell, high water,Christmas comes
Despite challenges from inflation and other difficulties because of the geopolitical shifts, Filipinos still look forward to celebrating Christmas on expectations of bonuses and the observance of family traditions. Based on historical data, Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company, expects households to increase their spendings on food and beverage during the holidays compared to ordinary months. “The Christmas spirit is felt as early as September. Spending in the fast-moving consumer goods typically starts in December when Filipinos receive additional disposable income through their 13th month pay and other incentives,” Nino Nierva, account director, Worldpanel Division, Kantar Philippines, said. “What we’ve observed, based on our analyses of the spending habits of over 5,000 households’ year-on-year, is that Filipinos spend mostly on food and beverage items from December to January versus the rest of the year.” There is a spending uplift of 7 percent in the total FMCG segment during the height of the Christmas season last year, or from December 2022 to January 2023, compared to other months, or from February to November. This translates to approximately P6 billion more spent every month within the holiday period. Specifically, Filipinos spent 11 percent more on food and 9 percent more on beverage categories during the holidays. This trend also extends to dairy products (6 percent higher), which include all-purpose cream and condensed milk that are key ingredients of fruit salad, a staple Christmas dessert in the country. In contrast, the health and beauty category takes a back seat during this same period based on a 4 percent decline in growth last year, according to Kantar’s study. Season of eating, shopping Data from Kantar further showed that holiday feasts must-haves will continue to take-over the shopping baskets of Filipinos in the remaining months of the year. These items, which registered significant growth in December 2022, are expected to remain a priority for households. These are spreads (up 34 percent), canned fruits (up 25 percent), alcoholic beverages (up 24 percent), noodles and pasta sauces (up 21 percent), lechon sauce (up 17 percent), condensed milk (up 9 percent), mayonnaise (up 8 percent), and all-purpose cream (up 6 percent). However, Kantar notes that inflation continues to impact FMCG in terms of pack size and brand choices. In particular, households, strapped for cash, may buy less holiday meal staples like pasta sauces or cheese, and may choose to purchase more affordable brands of canned fruits, all-purpose cream and noodles. Tight budget not a problem While Filipinos continue to patronize sari-sari stores, they will still visit hypermarkets, supermarkets and groceries to check their options during the holiday season. According to Kantar, Filipinos still buy from sari-sari stores and they spend an average of P1,309 per month during the holidays. This is followed by hyper and supermarkets where 7 out of 10 homes visit the channel with an average monthly spend of P1,559. Aside from their own purchases, households will likewise make extra room in their pantry for FMCG products that they receive as gifts. The post Come hell, high water,Christmas comes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crypto crackdown intensifies on Hamas finance
Cryptocurrency has become the latest front in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, analysts say. Israeli and US authorities have intensified their financial hunt into Hamas in recent days as they track illicit funds via digital currencies. Ari Redbord, global policy head at crypto tracking specialist TRM Labs, said there is now less crypto transfer activity on pro-Hamas support networks as a result. "We are seeing a lot less activity in some respects since the war began," Redbord told AFP. This is "primarily because Israel has been very aggressive and successful in taking down these fundraising efforts", he added. Israel has bombed Gaza in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas militants who, while firing a massive rocket barrage, killed more than 1,400 people and took 222 hostages on 7 October, according to Israeli authorities. Israeli strikes have now killed more than 6,500 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Shadowy world Cryptocurrency is regarded as a speedy way to move cash that is unregulated by any central bank and is less traceable than a traditional bank transfer. The shadowy world of digital units, based on decentralized blockchain technology, has gained notoriety for illicit transactions due to its under-the-radar appeal. Two weeks ago, Israeli police revealed they had located and frozen accounts linked to Hamas that sought "to solicit donations on social networks" via Binance, the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange. A Binance spokeswoman said it "follows internationally recognized sanctions rules, blocking the small number of accounts linked to illicit funds". Redbord, formerly a senior US government adviser, said Hamas had adopted crypto from 2019 at the latest, to seek funding via the Telegram messaging network and even on its own website. Hamas decided in April that it would no longer accept cash via Bitcoin due to increased global surveillance of the world's biggest digital unit. Crypto fundraising is now operated via a network of Hamas-linked support groups. TRM Labs has closely monitored virtual crypto wallets linked to such support groups since the start of the war. And it has concluded that much smaller amounts of cash than usual are being moved. Two weeks after the attacks, support group Gaza Now received less than $6,000 in one of its crypto wallets, Redbord noted. That compared with $800,000 in total since the wallet's creation in August 2021. Meanwhile, authorities are well aware that digital assets are a minor part of a complex funding picture. The US State Department estimates that Iran funnels $100 million per year to Palestinian groups including Hamas. 'Small piece of puzzle' "Cryptocurrency is a very small piece of a larger financing puzzle for Hamas," said Redbord. "They are looking to Iran; they're... imposing taxes on the Palestinians; they have a network of charities and a diaspora of supporters who are sending donations not in cryptocurrencies." "But crypto does play a role," he said. Digital currencies still represent a significant revenue stream for Hamas and other allied groups. Crypto addresses identified by Israel as being linked to Hamas received about $41 million between August 2020 and July 2023, according to Israeli analytics and software firm BitOK. Other crypto addresses linked to Islamic Jihad received in excess of $154 million between October 2022 and September 2023, with some still active, it adds. Some players in the sector simply turn a blind eye. "Some cryptoasset businesses are intentionally or unwittingly allowing misuse of the crypto ecosystem," said Joby Carpenter, an expert on the industry. "This trend is magnified where exchanges are based in lightly or unregulated jurisdictions," he told AFP. The post Crypto crackdown intensifies on Hamas finance appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
A model urban community
As a young boy, I loved drawing a “roadmap” of livable communities where family and industry were central to this unadulterated fun design. I would put skyscrapers and blend these with old trees, brilliant lights, and flowers along walkways and entertainment centers. The distance between neighborhoods was enough to give space and privacy. In this universe, people of different economic classes are resilient to the challenges and complexities of modern living. I grew up in a small town with inadequate potable water and transportation. There was a thin line between regression and progression where one cannot differentiate silt from clay particles when wading through the flooded, muddy streets of Barangay Busugon in San Remigio municipality. Life then was simple but joyous because of my family and the neighborhood. This was my unsophisticated urban planning, where things that matter most to me can be found in one place. Although I did not become a city or urban planner, my interest in “designing” communities is as strong as my entrepreneurial consciousness. It has become an advocacy. Be that as it may, urban planning, a form of spatial planning, requires strategic innovations and thorough study to develop equitable habitats and sustainable human settlements and development. A strategic plan, or a development plan, considers population growth, zoning, geographic mapping, structural and people’s safety analysis, water supply, and essential social services. Urban planning, says the United Nations Human Settlements Programme or UN-HABITAT, should “improve policies, plans, and designs for more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated, and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development and are resilient to climate change at the city, regional, and national levels.” The world’s best-planned urban cities include Singapore City in Singapore, Brazilia in Brazil, Chandigarh in India, Seoul in South Korea, and Copenhagen in Denmark. In the Philippines, five regions that surpassed the national level of urbanization in 2020 are Calabarzon (70.5 percent), Davao (66.8 percent), Central Luzon (66.3 percent), and Soccsksargen (55.5 percent), according to the 2022 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the 2020 population census. The cities of Angeles in Pampanga and Mandaue in Cebu had the highest level of urbanization, with 100 percent each. Of the country’s 81 provinces, 11 provinces registered a level of urbanization higher than the national level in 2020. On a sad note, Eastern Visayas (14.7 percent), Cagayan Valley (19.5 percent), Bicol (23.8 percent), Ilocos (25.5 percent), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (27.6 percent) posted the lowest level of urbanization, the same PSA report showed. Overseas, towns and villages have adapted to technological innovations and big data for urban analytics. Urban planners now consider including countryside localities in developing sustainable and resilient communities despite needing more resources, strategies, and expertise. Many urban planners find harmony in geometry and numbers, taking a leaf from the ancient works of Greek architect and mathematician Hippodamus of Miletus, considered the father of urban planning. Today’s towns and cities incorporate functional innovations where everything gets “smart,” from people to intelligent traffic lighting and drones, better infrastructures, facilities, and communications systems, and a strategic blueprint for mitigating the impact of climate change and other environmental problems. With the booming population nationwide, it would be wise to create more growth areas outside the center of progress to improve service and operational efficiency. Local executives and councils must do much work to empower those who must catch up and provide leadership in a highly competitive environment. After all, greater economic inclusion should benefit people with low or no incomes and vulnerable sectors. The beauty of inclusive urban planning lies in ensuring that all can partake of its benefits. As Greek philosopher Socrates once said: “By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.” Ultimately, any strategic urban design should not only be a mixture of arts and humanities, but also a fusion of science and numbers. (You may send comments and reactions to feedback032020@gmail.com or text 0931-1057135.) The post A model urban community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Beyond the box score: Ateneo’s data-driven approach to success
Defending UAAP champion Ateneo goes all-in on basketball's modern analytics revolution, all but shunning traditional numbers as it attempts to get out of an early Season 86 slump.....»»
Inflation unlikely to hit target range
Inflation is unlikely to ease to the two to four percent target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas within the year, as consumer prices further accelerated for the second straight month in September, according to Moody’s Analytics......»»
7 of 10 Filipinos back reinstatement of ROTC – survey
More than 70 percent of the population, or seven out of 10 people, support the move to reinstate the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, a nationwide online survey conducted by research and analytics firm Capstone-Intel Corp. found......»»