Over the past couple of decades, no one can deny that the Asia and Pacific region has represented a remarkable success story. Absolute poverty levels have fallen significantly and the region is on course to achieve a number of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Business Process Outsourcing industry has contributed much to the Philippine economy, growing by 46 percent since 2006. To date, the industry has the most number of employees in the country, accounting for around 400,000 jobs.

Year-to-date, cash sent in by workers totaled $11.4B Growth in cash from migrant workers continued its streak, rising in June to its highest level since last December as Filipino labor remained in demand overseas.

More than half the world’s young people live in Asia and the Pacific. This huge population of young people will be critical in shaping the future of the region. The quality of the healthcare, education, jobs and environment these young people experience will determine the region’s prosperity. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), working closely with…

I quote portions of an article written by Jochelle Mendonca of The Economic Times (ET): “Last year, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India estimated that the country had lost over 50 percent of the international voice centre business to the Philippines. “But that may be changing as the Philippines grapples with rising…

MANILA, Philippines – The worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila can be attributed to too many public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the metropolis, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Winston Ginez said in a roundtable discussion with STAR editors and reporters Wednesday night.

Injury comes 2 weeks after another lineman was electrocuted OAS, Albay, Philippines—A volunteer lineman from Dagupan City was seriously burned while helping restore power lines in Albay downed by Typhoon “Glenda” (Rammasun).

Edwin Lacierda is confident there’s nothing to worry about. That is his reaction to the latest SWS survey that shows the steepest fall in P-Noy’s approval ratings thus far. Released last Monday, the survey gave government a +29 net satisfaction rating, down from +45 last March.

MANILA – The country’s organization of tax consultants and advisers is pushing for legislation that will index income tax brackets to inflation and reduce tax rates.

Last Saturday (which providentially was also World Indigenous People’s Day), an interesting round table discussion was held at the University of Asia and the Pacific on indigenous people’s rights. It was led by Ambassador Jose Romero, and done under the auspices of the Center for Research and Communication and UA&P’s School of Law and Governance.…

“Every Filipino, regardless of status in life, should have equal access to healthcare. This is the essence of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan,” Secretary of Health Enrique Ona said.

TORONTO, Canada – While there is considerable upward mobility among children of immigrants in Canada some groups, including Filipino youth, are less likely to be among them, a study reported.

RECENT hints from Philippines President Benigno Aquino about running for a second term are clearly a political trial balloon. It needs to be popped, fast.

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino workers pay the highest income tax in the entire Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, according to the Tax Management Association of the Philippines.

Energy saving initiatives to alleviate the power supply situation in the summer of 2015 must be a coordinated effort of the government, consumers and private sector, instead of approaching the impending crisis to each his own, a government official said Tuesday.

“Taxation is the rule and exemption is the exception.” This basic principle in taxation law has been sustained in a number of decided cases by no less than our Supreme Court. The highest tribunal has consistently held that the law does not look with favor on tax exemptions and that he who would seek to…

MANILA, Philippines — Theft, mugging, and rape were the most common crimes committed by minors in the first half of the year, data from the Philippine National Police showed. Figures from the PNP’s Directorate for Investigative and Detective and Management recorded 7,764 offenses by minors, a slight dip from the 7,825 cases over the same…

STA. CRUZ, Zambales—Thousands of mine workers staged a protest caravan here during the weekend to press their demand to re-open four mining companies ordered closed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), organizers said on Sunday.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Agrarian reform continues to divide groups calling for equitable land distribution but can’t agree on how it should be done.

LAGUNA, Philippines – Sex for food? “Before, clients from Calauan came here with a motorcycle. Then they pick up somebody with just one kilo of rice and a can of sardines. But now, they’d do it even with just a packet of noodles,” narrated Fr Salvador Pablo, head of the Salesian community in Bayan ni…

PUBLIC SATISFACTION with the general performance of the national government fell last quarter to a fresh all-time low for this administration, with declines recorded across all indicators, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said in its latest report.

MANILA, Philippines — The most number of complaints over violence against women in the first half of the year were filed in Western Visayas, statistics from the Philippine National Police showed.

During the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (1995-2004), the United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed August 9 every year as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In 2004, the UN proclaimed a Second International Decade (2005-2014), as “A Decade for Action and Dignity” for indigenous peoples (IPs). The decade strengthens international…

Not all sectors of the economy will come out as winners once the single ASEAN market in enforced next year, according business executives of highly successful Philippine companies, who say there are obvious differences that will weigh on how a particular sector will fare under an integrated region of more than 600 million people.

Nana lives in a remote village. She is married with three children. Both she and her husband are farmers. Nana went to school up to grade 3. Every now and then, the households in her community are asked to attend a meeting. One day, the village leader requested her to attend a meeting the next…

As International Youth Day approaches next week, I’ve found myself wondering what are the primary issues affecting young people throughout the world. One topic that seems to be a common thread across regions and income groups is youth unemployment, which remains more than double the rate of unemployment for the general population.

STEVE Jobs was quoted as saying: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.” Was his death a hazard of occupation? Your opinion will be as good as mine.

MANILA, Philippines – A non-government organization identified with at least two Cabinet officials has apparently cornered the bulk of projects to be funded by a multibillion-peso lump sum provision in the proposed P2.606-trillion national budget for 2015, an opposition lawmaker said yesterday.

Taxpayers, specifically condominium corporations and unit owners rejoiced when the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) came up with the recent decision in the case of Officemetro Philippines, Inc. (Formerly Regus Centres, Inc.) vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, CTA Case No. 8382 (Officemetro case).

MANILA, Philippines – In Caraga (Region 13), one out of four workers in palm oil plantations are children who spend their day hauling oil palm fruit bunches that weigh 15 to 45 kilograms each, according to the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR).