ADB approves 655,000 USD to help Philippine rural banks digitization
MANILA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday said it will provide grants totaling 655,000 U.S. dollars for the digitization of nine rural banks and a bank consortium in the Philippines. The grants are part of ADB's Fintech for Inclusion Transformation (FIT) program. The grant awardees were chosen from among rural banks nationwide serving women, farmers, fisherfolk, and micro, sma.....»»
Marcos approves adoption of 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan
Marcos approves adoption of 10-year Maritime Industry Development Plan.....»»
House committee approves measure seeking to ban Pogo in PH
House committee approves measure seeking to ban Pogo in PH.....»»
Japan’s government approves new foreign trainee program
Japan’s government approves new foreign trainee program.....»»
Agribank now on LazMall
Agribusiness Rural Bank Inc., one of the most established and trusted rural banks in the Philippines, has announced the official launch of its official flagship store on Lazada Philippines’ LazMall, the country’s biggest online shopping mall......»»
This Pinoy company is making an impact through financial technology
“We started by looking at transforming and [digitizing] rural banks. Along the way we discovered a number of pain points, one of which is how to improve their credit process.” Tapiador said......»»
Philippines FDI net inflows drop by 29.6 pct in October
MANILA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the Philippines declined year-on-year by 29.6 percent in October 2023 to 655 million U.S. dollars, the country's central bank said Wednesday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the latest figure brought the country's FDI net inflows from January to October 2023 to 6.5 billion dollars, a 17.5 percent decline from the same period.....»»
Moody’s outlook: Philippine banks remain on stable footing
Moody’s Investors Service has maintained a stable outlook for Philippine banks as interest rate cuts from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this year are seen to support economic recovery......»»
‘Philippine banks to ride wave of robust economic growth’
The projected robust economic growth this year could shape up into a better year for Philippine banks, S&P Global Ratings said......»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
BSP approves more changes to forex rules
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has approved more amendments to its regulations to further facilitate the access of authorized agent banks to foreign exchange resources and streamline documentary requirements, procedures as well as reporting......»»
PhlPost partners with USAID on e-commerce initiatives
Recognizing the potential of the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhlPost) as an important partner in expanding e-commerce, even in rural areas, the United States Agency for International Development Philippines is extending its technical assistance through its Strengthening Private Enterprises for the Digital Economy Activity. The initiative aims to help PhlPost develop its digitalization roadmap as part of its modernization program. .....»»
Fitch keeps credit rating of 5 Philippine banks
Fitch Ratings has affirmed the credit rating of five of the country’s biggest banks and kept its stable outlook, on the back of a likely robust economic growth over the next two years......»»
Banks’ bad loans rise in February
The soured loans of Philippine banks picked up for the 14th straight month in February, bringing the gross non-performing loan ratio to a steady 3.44 percent, amid high interest rates......»»
Banks’ bad loans swell in 2023
The soured loans of Philippine banks picked up to 3.23 percent in 2023 from the almost two-year low in 2022, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas......»»
Banks expect higher consumer, corporate loan demand in Q1
Despite the higher for longer interest rate scenario, Philippine banks still expect a stronger loan demand from companies and households in the first quarter of the year, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas......»»
BSP pursues reforms to modernize banks
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is pursuing policy reforms to modernize Philippine banks and ensure a sustainable, digital and inclusive banking future......»»
CCS approves Rs 19,000 cr mega Indian Navy deal for BrahMos missiles
By Ajit DubeyNew Delhi [India], February 22 (ANI): In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships. The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, top government sources told ANI. The contract is set to be signed in the first week of Marc.....»»
CCS approves Rs 19,000 cr mega Indian Navy deal for BrahMos missiles
By Ajit DubeyNew Delhi [India], February 22 (ANI): In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships. The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, top government sources told ANI. The contract is set to be signed in the first week of Marc.....»»
Diving tourism contributes 1.3 bln USD to Philippine economy in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Diving tourism contributed more than 73 billion pesos (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) to the Philippine economy in 2023, nearly twice the revenue the industry earned in 2022, the country's Department of Tourism said Friday. Diving tourism raked 37 billion pesos (661 million dollars) in revenue in 2022, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said at the Philippine International Dive Expo.....»»
Diving tourism contributes 1.3 bln USD to Philippine economy in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Diving tourism contributed more than 73 billion pesos (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) to the Philippine economy in 2023, nearly twice the revenue the industry earned in 2022, the country's Department of Tourism said Friday. Diving tourism raked 37 billion pesos (661 million dollars) in revenue in 2022, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said at the Philippine International Dive Expo.....»»