Monthly Archives: February 2011

Growth is recovering across the globe from the Great Recession. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook projects global growth of 4-1/2% this year (available at http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/update/01/index.htm). However, as pointed out in a recent speech by IMF Managing Director Strauss-Kahn, while the recovery is underway, it is not the recovery we wanted (see http://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2011/020111.htm for the…

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine economy will likely fall short of the government’s 7%-8% growth target this year and will expand at an even slower pace towards 2015, an analysis of International Market Assessment (IMA) Asia showed.

The Philippine jeepney, a basic mode of transportation in the country and the largest market for diesel fuel, may likely shift to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) after a study launched Monday, called “Love the Air, Save the Planet,” is completed.

CEBU, Philippines – At least 72 managers of Public Employment Service Office (PESO) renewed commitment to support the employment program of Department of Labor and Employment-7.

CEBU, Philippines – Newly hired employees of private establishments should inform their new employers if they have pending loans with the Social Security System (SSS) so as not to cause problems to their fellow workers in the future.

President Aquino yesterday said his Responsible Parenthood (RP) bill is basically a “reorientation” of the current debates with respect to the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill that is currently pending at the 15th Congress.

A LOOMING interest rate hike brought on by higher inflation is threatening to cut short the bull run in the Philippine property sector.

MANILA, Philippines – The government is expected to save about P118 million or about 47percent of total compensation that board members of of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs). have been receiving annually with the issuance of Executive Order No. 24.

MANILA, Philippines – The Aquino administration reiterated that it has no plans to push new tax measures despite pressures from economists as the governmment intends to focus on further improving its collection efficiency.

MANILA, Philippines – The military and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) have declared a ceasefire in preparation for the peace talks, which resume today in Oslo, Norway.

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday launched a regular effort to improve data collection and dissemination for countryside development, this time with third-party users like the private sector in mind.

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is reinstalling a subsidy scheme for rice seeds in an aim to sustain agricultural production amid renewed optimism arising from new private sector collaboration.

BRUSSELS/BERLIN — The euro zone economy ended last year with stable growth, missing expectations as expansion rates in the region’s three largest nations fell short of forecasts and Greece and Portugal contracted.

With help from Philippine officials there, a Filipino seafarer managed to claim his insurance and back wages from a Sri Lankan shipping firm.

TUCP WORKERS’ COLLEGE FREE (TUCP/TUCP PARTY LIST/TESDA) TRAINING PROGRAM The NTUC Phl program is on hold until further notice.  

NUCLEAR power is not an option for the Visayas and Mindanao because the power plants producing it would be too large for the two markets, Aboitiz Power Corp. said over the weekend.

Despite appeals from the Catholic Church, Cebu City health officials are distributing some 10,000 condoms reportedly to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

MANILA, Philippines—Civil society groups in Europe are calling for an European Union international investment policy that promotes sustainable development and decent work, INQUIRER.net learned Monday.

MANILA, Philippines—The country “will be guided by national interest” during this year’s general review of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

‘Brain drain worsening at a fast pace’ MANILA, Philippines — The country’s “brain drain” has worsened with the number of Filipino science and technology (S&T) workers leaving the country to work abroad jumping by 148 percent from 1998 to 2009, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.

The container shipping market represents about 16 per cent of the world’s goods loaded in tonnes. With its growing market share, the risk of accidents also increases, says a report prepared for an ILO Global Dialogue Forum on Safety in the Supply Chain in Relation to Packing of Containers, to be held in Geneva on…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sees Philippine domestic air travel taking off with one of the highest growth rates in the world over the next three years.

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos wanted to show their love for their special someone this Valentine’s day, and most of them turned to the Internet to find the right words.

MINING FIRMS and workers in Mindanao’s Caraga region have agreed on a protocol to follow when disputes arise between them, a recent statement of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) read.

The congressional inquiry into the allegedly excessive and unfair water rates imposed by Metro Manila water service providers has prompted two administration lawmakers to seek the creation of an independent body that would protect consumers.

Dear PAO, I am a retired schoolteacher. I am living with my daughter who is married with three children since my husband passed away in 2009. I have been hearing about the new senior citizen law. Please apprise me of the benefits I can get from it being a senior citizen.

CONTRARY to the claims of reproductive health (RH) advocates that it is only the Catholic Church that is against the bill, thousands of pro-life advocates joined the interfaith rally Sunday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City to show their support for life.

MANILA, Philippines –  Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said Malacañang’s recent order for a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests will not affect the country’s wood supply.

MANILA, Philippines –  Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) has no plans to engage in nuclear energy development, a top company official said.