MANILA, Philippines —President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that prohibits the issuance of gift checks with expiry dates and imposing an expiry date on the stored value, credit, or balance of the gift certificate. Republic Act 109621 or the Gift Check Act of 2017 was approved on December 19, saying consumers “must not be […]
Business
28 employees missing in the 14-hour Davao Mall fire
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — At least 28 people were reported missing when fire of still unknown origin gutted one of the city’ prime mall, the New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall at the corner of Maa and MacArthur Highway here. Some reports however indicated, there are 23 persons missing. The exact number of missing persons […]
Dominguez to BIR: Make tax-paying more convenient
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has directed the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to make the process of paying taxes more convenient as he lauded the agency for pursuing reforms that have improved its revenue collections by almost 12 percent thus far this year. At the same time, Dominguez said he […]
Duterte vetoes 5 items in 1st tax reform package
MANILA, Philippines — Five items in the first package of tax reform were vetoed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte after noting that if implemented these provisions will be detrimental to the government and would violate existing laws. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, in a briefing Friday, said Malacanang will release the copy of the Veto […]
PAL cancels flights due to ‘Vinta’
MANILA , Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) has suspended several flights as tropical storm “Vinta” lashes the Mindanao region. In its advisory Thursday afternoon, PAL said that the following flights scheduled on Friday, December 22 are cancelled: PR 2397-2398 Cebu – Surigao – Cebu PR 2929-2930 Cebu – Camiguin – Cebu PR 2893-2894 Cebu – Ozamiz […]
Davao APP to improve cab services
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — “HirNa,” a homegrown taxi booking application developed by Davao based developers and AVIS Philippines was launched in Davao City to help improve cab services. AVIS Philippines president Francisco Mauricio said the app is different from the existing Uber and Grab since it has unique features. The app has no booking fee […]
MinDA welcomes ADB’s P19-B road infra program
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mindanao Development Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto lauds the Asian Development Bank’s infrastructure assistance to spur connectivity projects in Mindanao, citing that it would significantly contribute in developing the economic corridors in the island. The ADB has approved 19 billion pesos worth of Mindanao-specific loan dedicated to improving national roads and […]
Duterte signs P3.767-trillion 2018 national budget
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 19, signed into law the General Appropriations Act (GAA) contaning the P3.767-trillion 2018 budget. In his speech during the ceremonial signing, Duterte described the bill as the “Biggest Christmas gifts for the Filipino people” as it contained the budgets for the administration’s infrastructure program, free tertiary […]
BIR files cases against 4 delinquent firms over P52-M tax
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed separate tax evasion complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against four delinquent companies for alleged failure to pay taxes amounting to PHP52 million. In a statement, the BIR said the four firms — Abatech Corporation, Amberbase Solutions Philippines, Corporation, Ira General and Security Services, […]
PAL’s 9th Boeing 777 delivered, 10th one coming in few days
MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to become a certified four-star airline by 2018, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been building up its fleet and adding new routes, especially for its Clark hub. In a statement on Friday, PAL said it just had its ninth Boeing 777-300ER delivered, to be used mainly for routes from […]
P521-M worth of fake shoes, apparel seized in Pasay City
MANILA, Philippines — Hundreds of boxes of fake apparel and shoes estimated to be worth PHP521.93 million were seized on Thursday by agents of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Pasay City. The operation conducted by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and Enforcement (CIIS) and Security Service (ESS) uncovered the counterfeit goods such as Lee, […]
PH pushes for inclusive globalization in WTO meet
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be pushing for three key agenda for inclusive globalization during the 11th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference from December 11 to 13 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez cited the country’s priorities in the WTO meeting which include eliminating trade-distorting domestic support […]
More LGUs now into PPP
MANILA, Philippines — More local government units (LGUs) are now engaging in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve their competitiveness and promote ease of doing business in their localities. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) noted and recognizedselect LGUs for what it considers exemplified efforts in implementing PPP projects, even prior to the launch […]