Philippines to save P16 billion annually from higher ethanol blend
Increasing the ethanol blend in gasoline products from 10 percent to 20 percent could cut fuel prices by as much as four percent, resulting in as much as P16 billion in annual savings for Filipino vehicle owners, according to the United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service......»»
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......»»
BIR eyes P325 billion from excise taxes
The Bureau of Internal Revenue targets to collect higher excise taxes of up to P325 billion this year as the government moves to improve the regulatory environment and address the still rampant illicit trade......»»
Philippine remittances hit all-time high in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached an "all-time high" of 37.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, 3 percent higher than the 36.1 billion dollars recorded in 2022, the Philippine central bank said on Thursday. "The robust inward remittances reflected the rise in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers due to the continuous increase in demand for foreign workers in host.....»»
Philippine remittances hit all-time high in 2023
MANILA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached an "all-time high" of 37.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, 3 percent higher than the 36.1 billion dollars recorded in 2022, the Philippine central bank said on Thursday. "The robust inward remittances reflected the rise in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers due to the continuous increase in demand for foreign workers in host.....»»
Rice tariff collections hit P30 billion in 2023
Tariff collections from 3.6 million metric tons of rice imports likely reached a record P30 billion in 2023 on the back of a weaker peso and higher global grain prices......»»
UnionDigital Bank revenue grows to over P5 billion
UnionDigital Bank, the digital banking arm of Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines, saw its revenue grow to over P5 billion in 2023 mainly driven by higher deposits and loans......»»
VP Sara ready to face ICC charges only before a Filipino court
Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her readiness to confront any allegations against her but insisted that she would only do so in front of a Filipino judge and within the jurisdiction of a Filipino court. In a statement on her Facebook page, she emphasized her refusal to participate in any process that could tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Philippine judiciary system. Duterte adamantly opposed the involvement of foreign entities in the country's legal affairs, citing it as a dishonor to the sacrifices made by Filipino heroes for the nation's freedom. Duterte, who previously served as vice mayor and mayor of Davao City, vehemently denied any involvement in the Davao Death Squad during her terms in office. She expressed dismay over the sudden appearance of a witness against her in the International Criminal Court (ICC) after assuming the vice presidency. Duterte dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives behind the allegations, asserting her capability to accomplish tasks without resorting to unlawful means. In a related development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced his refusal to acknowledge the ICC's jurisdiction in the Philippines, considering it a threat to the country's sovereignty. He issued a directive for all government agencies to refrain from cooperating with the ICC, emphasizing the nation's non-recognition of the court's authority. Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed that ICC investigators had gathered substantial evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding his administration's war on drugs. He anticipated an imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against the former president. Former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the ICC's decision to initiate a preliminary investigation into the war on drugs, labeling it an insult to the Philippines and challenging the court's jurisdiction within the country. During his presidency, he initiated the withdrawal of the Philippines' membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. The ICC appeals chamber recently granted a request to resume the investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to the Philippines' controversial drug campaign, spanning from November 2011 to March 2019. The developments surrounding the ICC's probe into the Philippines' internal affairs have sparked a contentious debate, with key political figures and rights groups expressing divergent views on the matter. The ongoing tensions between the Philippines and the ICC underscore the complex intersection of international law, national sovereignty, and human rights issues......»»
Online booking fare slightly higher: Dcott
DURING the AFP-PNP-ISpeak press conference on Wednesday morning, March 20, 2024, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Aisa Usop, the manager of Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott), said that the fare for online booking is slightly higher than traditional fares, prompting inquiries from passengers......»»
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......»»
Higher shipping costs loom as Red Sea route suspended
The suspension of Red Sea routes by major shipping lines because of the continued attacks of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen is expected to result in higher shipping rates and delay the trade of goods which may affect exporters from ecozones, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said yesterday......»»
USAID to launch $30 million initiative to boost higher education in Philippines
The US Agency for International Development is set to launch this year a $30-million initiative to help strengthen the country’s higher education system, according to the National Economic and Development Authority......»»
Alliance Global injects P2.6-B into Megaworld
Megaworld clarified the recent subscription of its parent company, Alliance Global, to 1.375 billion common shares at P1.90/share to say that it is part of a plan to increase MEG’s outstanding authorized capital stock by P5.5 billion (from P40.2 billion to P45.7 billion)......»»
Approved foreign investments into Philippines fall 63.6 pct in Q1
MANILA, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The approved foreign investments into the Philippines in the first quarter of 2024 reached 148.43 billion pesos (roughly 2.59 billion U.S. dollars), marking a 63.6 percent decrease year over year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday. The statistics agency said Singapore posted the highest investment commitment, amounting to 70.06 billion pesos (1.22 billion dolla.....»»
Filinvest cleared to sell P10 billion fixed bonds
Gotianun-led Filinvest Development Corp. received yesterday its permit to sell up to P10 billion in fixed bonds consisting of a base offer of P7 billion and an oversubscription option of P3 billion......»»
Milk tariff collections rise by 31% to P2.4 billion
Revenues raised by the government from various imported milk products jumped by 31 percent to P2.36 billion in 2023, the highest in at least eight years, from P1.8 billion in 2022......»»
First Gen income up 4 percent to P15.4 billion in 2023
Lopez-led power firm First Gen Corp. grew its income by four percent to P15.4 billion in 2023, from the previous year’s profit of P14.3 billion, mainly due to contributions from its geothermal subsidiary Energy Development Corp......»»
GSIS income surges to P113 billion in 2023
The earnings of state-run Government Service Insurance System jumped by 70 percent to P113.3 billion in 2023 from P66.4 billion in 2022 on the back of strong revenues from financial assets and investments......»»
USD3.32-B Loan Approved by BSP
On Monday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that the Monetary Board approved USD 3.32 billion in medium-to-long-term (MLT) foreign borrowings for Q4 2023. From October to December 2023, the public sector’s foreign borrowings rose by 65.8%, reaching USD3.32 billion, up from USD2 billion in the same period in 2022. This brought the total […].....»»
Approved foreign investments into Philippines up 127.2 pct in Q4 of 2023
MANILA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The approved foreign investments into the Philippines in the fourth quarter of 2023 reached 394.45 billion pesos (roughly 7 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 127.2 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday. Of the total, the statistics agency said the Netherlands posted the highest investment commitment, amounting to 345.76 billion pes.....»»
Approved foreign investments into Philippines up 127.2 pct in Q4 of 2023
MANILA, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- The approved foreign investments into the Philippines in the fourth quarter of 2023 reached 394.45 billion pesos (roughly 7 billion U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 127.2 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Thursday. Of the total, the statistics agency said the Netherlands posted the highest investment commitment, amounting to 345.76 billion pes.....»»