PHILIPPINE STAR/ KRIZ JOHN ROSALES By Beatrice M. Laforga, Reporter THE Bureau of Internal and Revenue (BIR) missed its collection target by 13% in March, as the government began tightening lockdown restrictions to curb the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections. Arnel SD. Guballa, BIR deputy commissioner for operations, on Wednesday said the agency […]Read More

AN EMPLOYEE checks dollar bills at a money changer in Manila in this file photo. — REUTERS By Luz Wendy T. Noble, Reporter EASING the Bank Secrecy Law will strengthen the case for the Philippines to avoid being “gray-listed” by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), government officials said. “The country now needs to demonstrate […]Read More

Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado said last week that the agency is working on an executive order directing agencies to reduce nonessential expenses to free up more funds for the government’s pandemic response. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P3.514 trillion to state offices and local government […]Read More

Construction material prices surged in March, as public and private infrastructure projects got underway. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS WHOLESALE PRICES of construction materials in Metro Manila posted their fastest growth in 17 months in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Wednesday. These prices, as measured by the construction materials wholesale price index […]Read More

FACEBOOK.COM/ FOODPANDAPHILIPPINES By Jenina P. Ibanez, Reporter ONLINE delivery service foodpanda Philippines has reached an estimated 70% market share among food delivery mobile apps in the country after demand surged last year, a company official said. “Suddenly, everyone was locked down, and no one could go out. If you wanted food, you only only really […]Read More

GRAB Philippines continues to expand its delivery and cashless payment services across the Philippines as small businesses fight for survival amid the public health crisis. “Grab has been focusing on national expansion in the Philippines since January of 2021 when it introduced GrabFood, GrabExpress and GrabPay to Zamboanga,” the company said in an e-mailed statement […]Read More

MEGAWORLDCORP.COM ANDREW L. Tan’s Megaworld Corp. reported a net income of P9.9 billion to parent firm equity holders for 2020, down by nearly 45% despite the uptick in the company’s office leasing business. Revenues for the listed property developer slid to P43.5 billion, declining by 35% from P67.3 billion the previous year. Net income fell […]Read More

FACEBOOK.COM/INLANDCORPORATION AYALALAND Logistics Holdings, Corp. has acquired Technofreeze, Inc., a cold storage facility located in Laguna Technopark, the listed holding firm disclosed to the stock exchange on Wednesday. “Technofreeze is an established cold storage facility in Laguna with [a] proven track record of serving companies with diverse products such as processed meat products, dairy and […]Read More

ALTUSPROPERTYVENTURES.COM.PH ALTUS Property Ventures, Inc.’s net income last year declined by 66% to P21.95 million as its revenues were hit when the pandemic health protocols led to mall closures, the company disclosed to the exchange on Wednesday. Rental revenues went down to P69.98 million, decreasing by 47.8% from P133.97 million. “The decrease was due to […]Read More

LOUIS HANSEL/UNSPLASH PERHAPS it’s because they’re everywhere that they have become easy to ignore — yet coconut trees are an important part of Philippine foodways. A talk on the Filipino Food Month’s page called “Beyond Buko Pie” explains the intricacies behind the ubiquitous coconut tree, and how it serves as a pillar for both our […]Read More