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DTI intensifies awareness campaign on benefits of FTAs

Roy — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:24:19 +0000

The Department of Trade and Industry said that many among our exporters are not really aware of the trade opportunities under the country’s free trade agreements (FTA). That is why it is intensifying its information awareness campaign focusing on the government’s priority exports.

Gregory L. Domingo, DTI Secretary, said that the basic information awareness campaigns from March to November this year will focus on sectors such as motor vehicle parts and vehicles, food, garments and textiles, minerals, coconut products, construction and related materials, wearable, home style and IT/BPO. “More targeted information sessions will enlighten our businessmen to engage or expand their business according to what is viable in our FTA markets,” he said.

The trade secretary stressed that by understanding emerging and new markets, as well as instruments such as the FTA, will help exporters address new challenges in the global business environment. For 2010, the Philippines achieved a record of over $51 billion in export revenues.

At present, the country has FTAs with ASEA, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. An FTA with India is already in the work and due for implementation on the last part of the year. On March 31, a second round of information sessions targeting specific sectors will be launched at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

Domingo said export companies have not yet fully utilized the FTAs “because businessmen are not properly informed of the business opportunities that the country has gained from our FTA.” Last year, the agency was able to conduct information campaigns in 11 cities, benefitting some 2,000 businessmen.

International Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. said, “Exploring the FTA markets is one of our core strategies to increase our exports over the next six years and sustain its steady growth. He said that this year’s sectoral sessions will include presentations on market opportunities, including non-tariff measures, in the country’s FTA markets; tariff rates on top exports for each sector under the FTAs, rules of origin, open forum, as well as business testimonials from those who have benefitted from FTAs.

“The FTAs are strategic tools or pathways for growth and competitiveness. Not only do these open markets for our goods and services, but they also compel us, as a people to take a hard look at our economic structures and implement the much needed reforms to put our economy in step with the global environment,” he added.

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Online gaming business plans to diversify

Roy — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:05:17 +0000

The Premier Entertainment Philippines Inc. (PEP) just got the nod of its shareholders to diversify from its main business of online gaming and into the mining, real estate and information technology. However, the company said it remains in search of its next venture as it assesses “feelers” from potential partners in its new businesses.

Anastacio P. Diaz of PEP said they want to move into a new venture that is not as tightly regulated as gaming business, which is overseen by the state-help Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. He stressed that whatever business they will go into, with any possible business partner, should have “synergy with company’s intentions.”

He said the search for a new business remains in the scouting stage. The final decision may be reached in 18 months.

PEP operates seven online casinos in Metro Manila that provide much of its cash. Each online casino carries an average of 50 terminals, said Diaz. PEP operates the online casino through its unit Digiwave Solutions Inc.

The gaming company hopes to improve its returns from its business. As of its last financial report, it stood at P47.7 million, which should have been P318,000 higher than the previous year’s had it not been for the recognition of a one-time gain from the sale of software by PEP in 2009 that dwarfed its 2010 revenues and more than covered all its cost for that year.

The company remains in the red. As of September, it financial report showed a nine-month loss of P41.25 million compared with an income of P7.65 million in the previous year. For the quarter, PEP’s loss of P6.67 million was lower than the P15.25 million loss in the previous year.

Diaz said they expect a 10 percent growth in revenue in its existing seven sites, even as the company intends to further increase the presence of online casinos. They are eyeing expansion in Manila, Quezon City, Las Piñas and Bulacan province, among others.

“We are able to dramatically reduce our operating expenses, and our e-games have been upgraded. We have a better management group. So we expect revenues to rise and operating expenses to drop,” said Diaz.

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Filing of AIR for 2010 is optional – BIR

Roy — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:10:50 +0000

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) earlier issued Revenue Regulation 2-2011 requiring individuals, estates and trusts to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) “together with the AIR (annual information returns) or BIR Form No. 1705, which shall include income subject to final withholding tax and those exclusions from gross income.”

Said RR 2-2011 was implemented in order to address two issues. First is the non-inclusion of famous and wealthy personalities in the list of top individual taxpayers; and second is the impending government requirement of ITRs as basis for the granting of loans and licenses, among others.

Required to file an AIR are the following:

Pure compensation income earners whose annual taxable income derived from within the Philippines exceeds P500,000 tax and on which income the correct income tax has been correctly withheld;

Individuals, estates and trusts whose sole income has been subjected to final withholding tax in excess of P125,000, whether remitted or not to the BIR; and

Individuals whose sole income is exempt where the aggregate amount exceeds P500,000 annually.

But the said order was immediately met with objections by some taxpayers, with the deadline for filing near, they said they will not be able to comply with the additional requirement, adding that it would be difficult to report income they did not know they had to record.

In line with this, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the agency decided to give taxpayers leeway by making the filing of AIR for 2010 optional. She said, by making it optional, affected taxpayers will have the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the new requirement and see how best they can effectively comply. At the same, BIR will be able to monitor its implementation and make the necessary adjustments.

Henares reiterated that the optional filing of AIR will be for this year only and it will be mandatory next year. The deadline for filing is April 15 each year for those filing the ITR and AIR, and May 15 for those filing just the AIR.

The commissioner also denied reports that they are requiring private citizens to file a “personal” Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net worth (SALN). She said, the report is required only of government employees.

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QC council formalizes business registry portal with an ordinance

Roy — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:15:55 +0000

Quezon City council formalizes online business registry with a city ordinance last week. The ordinance also allows the public to research valuable business information in the city. Both domestic and international traders would benefit from it because they can identify their prospective markets in Quezon City with just a click on their mouse.

Aside from that, Quezon City fourth district councilor Edcel “Grex” Lagman, Jr. said that the system would also allow for verifying the legitimacy of a business firms, as well as getting tips and pointers about starting a particular business in the locality. He said the project will use information and communications technology in imparting knowledge to international traders regarding the local business climate.

The online business data registry portal aims to make the Quezon City government the most business-friendly local government unit (LGU) in the country. It also protects both business sector and the consumers as it allows access information that would verify if a particular business entity is duly registered with the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Lagman, who is also the chairman of the city council’s committee on education and science and technology, said the portal will also make it easy for the Quezon City government to monitor and update business registration. He added that the P25 million of the annual collection from business operators in Quezon City since 2002, which currently is being held in trust, will be used to develop the software and hardware to run the online business data registry portal, which is a joint endeavor of the Quezon City government through its BPLO and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.

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Online gaming firm prepares for IPO

Roy — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:19:10 +0000

The IP E-Game Ventures, Inc., the online gaming unit of listed information technology firm IPVG Corp., is getting ready to go public after fulfilling the requirement of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to be listed by way of introduction last February of this year.

In its disclosure to PSE, the firm said, “In preparation for the mandated initial public offering of IP E-Game Ventures, Inc. through PSE, the company’s board had resolved to amend Article Seven of the Amended Articles of Incorporation, increasing the company’s authorized capital stock to up to 350 million shares from 100 million.”

“The board has authorized company president Jaime Enrique Y. Gonzales to negotiate with and engage the services of a financial advisor and/or underwriter to assist the corporation in its initial public offering (IPO).” However, the company did not provide other details, but last February, it said it would go public during the second half of the year.

IP E-Game Ventures got listed in the local stock exchange last February by way of introduction. This allows trading of stocks using the PSE’s facilities without raising money from the sale of new shares. However, it also required that the firm must be widely held and should conduct an IPO within 12 months. IP E-Game Ventures listed 33,545,554 common shares.

As of Friday’s trading, shares of IP E-Games closed at P40.50 apiece, down from P44.00 on last Thursday’s closing.

The company plans to strengthen its “massive multi-player online game” business, but said it will focus on “casual internet games.” In the early part of the year, the company said it has a total of 11 million subscribers, of which 3.5 million are active players or those who play the games two to three times a month.

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Website security testing

Roy — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:45:03 +0000

Website Security Testing and the Importance of a Daily Website Security Audit

Living in a bad neighborhood, it’s important to know where you can safely get a nice meal and a drink, as well as the back alley places you should avoid because gunshot wounds tend to be unhealthy. Websites are the same way. You don’t want to shop someplace that’s not safe. You’re laying down your banking information in plain sight. If the website doesn’t undergo website security testing, you might as well be waving $20 bills in some dirty back alley and asking to be robbed.

Website security makes your website secure, not only for yourself, but the safety of your customers and their information. When you undergo a website security audit, all your systems are checked thoroughly so that you and your customers can rely on a safe and secure website.

Most companies typically report nearly 2/3 improvement in sales after undergoing website security testing. If they pass their Website security audit, they can display their website security seal to instill consumer confidence. If a hole should be found in the security system, they are given details on how to fix it and time to get it done. Assuming they fix it in a certain amount of time, the business can still display the security seal so there’s no lag in consumer confidence.

It’s is critical to hire a company that will perform a website security audit daily. You need to be absolutely sure your system is secure. If it’s not, you need to know right away so you don’t compromise your customers’ information. A website security seal earns your customers trust, but only if you’ve undergone sufficient Website security testing.

You wouldn’t shop in a blind alley, nor should you shop at a website that doesn’t undergo website security testing. Your customers know the importance of website security. Show them they can trust you by undergoing a daily website security audit. Don’t put the financial futures of your customers at risk. Prove to your customers that it’s safe to shop at your website.

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Foreign business chamber opposed BIR plan to disclose top tax payers’ names

Roy — Mon, 17 May 2010 05:12:30 +0000

The plan of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of naming the top taxpayers in the country makes foreign business leaders worried that it could threaten people’s safety and privacy. The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) is urging the BIR to nix the said plan.

JFC said that publishing the names of the top taxpayers may also be in violation of the Tax Code which prohibits the revenue agency from divulging information “regarding the business, income or estate of any taxpayer.”

The JFC said to BIR Commissioner Joel L. Tan-Torres in a letter dated May 5, “We express deep concern over the personal safety and security issues that it can cause to the numerous individuals who will be included in the list.”

It continued, “As it is, security and safety are major concerns of many expatriates working in the Philippines. The disclosure of their otherwise private tax information will unnecessarily put the said individuals at risk and make them target of criminal activities. This holds true even for the many Filipinos who will be included in the said list.”

The JFC is opposing the listing of the value of tax payment alongside the tax payer’s names, saying it would allow people to compute tax payers’ salaries and could violate non-disclosure agreements companies broker to “safeguard delicate relations between and among their employees.”

The group also noted that the BIR itself has stated in its rulings that disclosure of any tax information is prohibited under Section 270 of the Tax Code.

Unfortunately, the BIR seems to be adamant in its plan and maintained that it would push through to make models out of these taxpayers.

Memorandum Order 38-2010 dated April 8, issued by the BIR, seeks to recognize upstanding taxpayers by having each revenue district office publish names of the top 300 contributors. Likewise, another national list of the top 2,000 taxpayers will be made public.

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Davao tops list of Next Wave Cities of BPO

Roy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:41:23 +0000

Davao City is being considered to be the next big investment for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, as well the information and technology sector.

According to Oscar R. Sañez, CEO of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), Davao was ranked number 1 in their list of Top 10 Next Wave Cities 2010 because of the city’s abundance of graduates and workers, and also the low cost of doing business there as well as in the outlying areas. Other factors that were considered by the BPAP were the city’s infrastructure and business environment.

Sañez said that in their selection of the next wave cities, they scored the quality of roads, access to international and domestic flights, presence of providers of fiber optic networks, reliability of power supply, availability of property sites, and cost of labor office space, among others.

The only thing going against Davao City is its proximity to areas of conflict in Mindanao. Many foreigners tend to associate the island with war and kidnappings. That is why in spite of being top in the BPAP list, it still ranked low in terms of risk management and travel advisories.

Joining Davao in the list of Top 10 Next Wave Cities 2010 were Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Bacolod-Iloilo; Metro Cavite; Lipa, Batangas; Cagayan de Oro; Malolos, Bulacan; Baguio and Dumaguete. These cities are expected to contribute $1.2 billion in additional revenue over the next two years, and at the same time, increase the employment of the BPO sector by 60 percent.

Sañez said that the Next Wave Cities would provide a “great avenue for local empowerment” as the cities are able to redefine themselves and create fresh business opportunities as those in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

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We should invest on a weather software

Roy — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:24:05 +0000

We all know that it is very common for our weather bureau to miss on their prediction about our weather. Sometimes, when the forecast was a sunny day, it would rain. And then, it’s hot when the forecast was otherwise. I am sure they already have a Weather Software that can help them predict, or rather give a more reliable forecast, but maybe they should invest on it more and try to get the most updated program.

Weather Software program should help the weatherman predict the weather and by doing so, would help save the lives of many people, including the livelihood of many, especially the farmer. But if it is not an updated one, it may spell chaos.

Another factor is the competence of the person working on the program. Garbage in, garbage out. While the program may be automatic, it cannot be help sometimes that there need to be an input from the user. If this information is wrong, so is the outcome.

So aside from investing in an updated and reliable weather software, it is also a good idea in investing in training and development program of the weather personnel because a lot of people rely on their job.

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Manila government intensified campaign against use of magic sugar

Roy — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:47:06 +0000

A substance called “magic sugar” which is being widely used as an artificial sweetener is not safe for consumption. Because of this, the government of the City of Manila is taking measures to prohibit the use of this substance.

Dr. Loraine Sanchez of the city health office said that the authorities are closely coordinating with police and barangay officials in monitoring vendors selling or using “magic sugar” in the food or drinks they sell. Aside from the monitoring, they are also conducting an information drive on the substance and the risk it poses to a person’s health.

Sanchez also said that the sanitary officers are conducting lectures in schools as part of their information drive to inform the students in a bid to stop them from patronizing vendors who are suspected of using the illegal substance. “We also encourage parents to just prepare homemade nutritious snacks for their kids to prevent them from buying foods outside the schools,” she said.

In line with their campaign, the city government also intensified its monitoring of sanitary and environmental sanitation permits among hawkers in Manila, added Sanchez.

The police and city officials issued warning to the vendors that whoever is caught using or selling magic sugar may be charged with violation of Republic Act 3720 or the Foods, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act.

A warning had been issued earlier by health secretary Esperanza Cabral cautioning the public against the use of magic sugar which is allegedly being smuggled into the country. According Cabral, the substance known as magic sugar or artificial sugar is also called sodium cyclamate that could cause dizziness, vomiting and stomach ache.

She said it is banned in the United States “because of some studies that show that it increases the incidence of cancer, such as urinary bladder cancer.”

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Boncodin passed away at 55

Roy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:23:55 +0000

Emilia Boncodin, the former budget Secretary, was reported to dead on Monday due to cardiac arrest at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. NKTI executive director Enrique Ona signed on the medical bulleting that Boncodin, 55, passed away at 2:05 p.m. “She was admitted on March 10 for difficulty of breathing and anemia and was diagnosed to be on end-stage renal disease,” the bulletin read.

Leah Navarro, convenor of the Black and White Movement, said in a radio interview that Boncodin had been undergoing dialysis for months. In February 2005, Boncodin underwent kidney transplant. Unfortunately her body rejected the kidney from her sister that is why it failed to function.

Teresita Deles, former presidential adviser on the peace process, said that Boncodin had been confined in the NKI since last week. Deles described Boncodin as an “outstanding” public servant and a brilliant professor. “She was an outstanding public servant, someone who grew up in public service. She showed us that it is about serving the country and not for personal gain or prestige,” she said. Deles added that Boncodin entered the Department of Budget and Management at the young age of 18.

The late budget secretary served the DBM’s office as Direct, Assistant Director, Chief Fiscal Planning Specialist, Senior Fiscal Planning Specialist, and Fiscal Planning Specialist prior to becoming the budget secretary. She was also a professor at the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines.

Boncodin was one of the public officials who resigned from their post at the height of the Hello Garci scandal over charges over charges of electoral fraud against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Together with six other cabinet official and three government executives, the group were collectively known as the “Hyatt 10.”

There is still no announcement on the burial plans. The hospital’s public information office said the family asked for private time and that the P10 has no information as to the family’s plans for Boncodin’s remains.

Meanwhile, Malacañang sent its condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Boncodin.

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Online mapping service launched by CREBA

Roy — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:26:05 +0000

Now, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and even foreign investors outside the country can check a real estate property they are interested in, without necessarily being in the Philippines. That is because the Philippine Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association (CREBA) have deployed in the Internet the Philippines’ first fully-automated Web GIS parcellary mapping service. Accurately locating a piece of land in the Philippines will no longer be a problem.

The program, which was painstakingly designed and built by CREBALAND, is called MapSys.Ph, and it can be checked at www.mapsys.ph. CREBALAND is the technical arm of CREBA.

CREBA founder and chairman, Atty. Manuel M. Serrano, said that the new mapping facility can accurately generate lot plan and information-packed vicinity map for any given parcel of land, anywhere n the Philippines. Users can access all these information right in front of their computer.

Since the service is available on the web, anybody, anywhere, can just log in to MapSys.Ph and get an accurate map the property they are interested in, with the comprehensive information needed.

The system provides a colorful and professionally laid-out output, displaying the parcel polygon overlaid on a vicinity map which contains multi-layers of spatial information, such as major and minor road networks, rivers and waterways networks, railroad network, LGU-approved land use, SAFDZ, land cover, Ecozones, administrative boundaries from the provincial down to barangay level, elevation and slope, fault lines, banks, schools, churches, hospitals, commercial/industrial establishments, tourist establishments, utilities and many others.

Serrano added that the map generated is immediately downloadable after the use enters the parcel’s technical descriptions from either a title or a survey plan or any other source document.

The site (MapSys.Ph), according to Serrano, is very user-friendly and does not require any orientation for its use.

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More jobs from UST Global

Roy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:43:24 +0000

UST Global inaugurated recently its new offshore development center in McKinley Hills, Taguig City. The new center is part of the company’s aggressive expansion plans in Asia, and is targeting to haul in $32 million revenues in its first year and catering to 2,000 clients in North America and Europe.

California-based UST Global is one of the world leader in information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO). Recognizing that the Philippines is an emerging destination for IT outsourcing, the company is hiring around 1,000 IT Filipino professionals at their new office in the next 12 months. That is just the first part of their expansion. The company plans to increase its local workforce to more than 5,000 IT professional in the next few years.

President Arroyo, who was there to grace the inauguration said in her speech, “We believe that we need to focus on three areas to develop IT in Philippines; connectivity infrastructure, policies and good business environment, and human resource development. We have half a million jobs created in the BPO space and it our time to move to the next level of value-added services, that’s IT. We thank UST Global for investing in the Philippines and providing opportunities for Filipino nationals both experiences as well as fresh graduates thereby increasing our competitiveness.”

UST Global president Joe Nalkara said, “We zeroed in on the Philippines because of the highly skilled and refined work culture we’ve observed here. This is a perfect match with the style of functioning we follow elsewhere in our centers.” Nalkara predicts that the Philippines center will be a strategically significant geographical and business locations for the growing Asian presence of UST Global.

UST Global is part of the $6-billion Comcraft group. The company, who’s now 10 years old, employs 7,000 employees in Asia, Europe and North America. It focuses on the Fortune 500/Global 1000 market, specifically catering to Healthcare, Retail and Consumer Goods, Utilities, Entertainment and Media, Manufacturing, Banking and Financial Services, and transportation and logistics.

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PBR provides computers for NERBAC Caraga

Roy — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:13:01 +0000

The Philippine Business Registry (PBR) recently gave a set of information technology (IT) equipment to the National Economic Business Assistance Research Assistance Center in Caraga (NERBAC Caraga). The IT equipments were the contribution of PBR to help strengthen the one-stop business assistance centers in all regions.

IT package includes five (5) workstations or desktop computers, one (1) servers with uninterrupted power supply (UPS), one (1) network switch, one (1) wireless router, one (1) colored printer and network cables.

The PBR is an initiative of the government who takes care of web-based IT system that will primarily allow the filing of applications for business registration, business permits and licenses, and business dissolutions online, by using a single data entry facility.

The facility links the systems of national government agencies and local government units which will facilitate business registration-related transactions. The system will be providing agencies and local government units (LGUs) the information they need in near real-time.

In line with this, PBR is beefing up facilities of NERBACs all over the country because these centers can serve as access stations for applicants of business registration, especially for areas where the LGUs are still having a difficulty connecting to the internet or are not yet fully computerized.

The Asian Development Bank – Japan Fund for Information and Communication Technology (ADB-JFICT) provides the funding for the procurement of the computers and other IT units.

NERBAC Caraga, for its part, has been advocating among LGUs connectivity to the PBR. At present, the LGU of Bislig City has signified already their intention to connect and is now working on the technical requirements. LGUs of Butuan City and Surigao City, meanwhile, are still evaluating their LGUs readiness as against the needed technical specifications.

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Local IT companies acquire European IT company

Roy — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:49:24 +0000

The Philippine’s PhilWeb Corporation, together with the ISM Communications Corp., will be acquiring a controlling stake in Acentic, a European information technology company. The two companies, in their disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), said that they made a deal with a private equity firm based in United Kingdom to acquire 65% stake in Acentic. The companies said the shares would be bought for P1.3 billion or 19.5 million Euros. Both PhilWeb and ISM Communications expected the deal to be closed on January 11.

The two local companies, ISM Communications and Acentic, will be having equal shares in the acquisition of Acentic, while the remaining shares will be held by Niantic Holdings.

Acentic is an established international provider of information technology services to known hotels and hospitals. It provides digital television services and high-speed Internet access to hotel chains like the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Hilton, Hyatt, Accor and Marriot.

The companies’ disclosure to PSE reads, “Acentic is the perfect fit to the information technology and telecommunications business of ISM as well as the gaming expertise of PhilWeb. The entry of PhilWeb and ISM in Acentic will enable Acentic to grow its predominantly European market to include the Asia-Pacific region, the fastest-growing hotel market in the world. For this purpose, it is the intention of PhilWeb and ISM to organize and launch Acentic Asia to take advantage of the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market.”

With PhilWeb participating in the acquisition of Acentic, the company would increase its business prospects beyond the Philippine market.

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HR and Marketing presentations

Roy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:31:37 +0000

These are two of the most important aspects of an organization – marketing and human resource. They deal with the company’s customers, one for the external and the other, the internal.

Companies really spend a lot of money (and effort) just to be able to come up with an effective marketing presentation to show its prospective clients. The presentation can make or break the company.

That’s why emphasis should be given to the planning stage of the presentation – who are your audience? how many minutes were you allotted? the personality of the crowd you’re going to show the presentation to? Gather all these useful information, and more, to help you prepare an effective presentation that will capture your target audience.

Equally important, as I mentioned earlier are the internal customers. These are the company employees – the backbone of the organization. That is why human resource people really need to put an effort to in coming up with with an hr presentation that will keep the members of the organization motivated.

Starting with the presentations shown on new employees orientation program (to help newcomers grasp the culture of the company), to changes and improvements for the company.

To help you come up with great presentations, visit HR and Marketing Ideas at www.marketinghrdpresentation.com for some tips.

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Heroic shirt helps raise funds for Ondoy victims

Roy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:35:53 +0000

Mark Gosingtian was not really aware of the impact of the damage brought by Ondoy, until he started receiving text messages about friendsâ€™ houses being already submerged by flood. This 22-year old fresh BFA Information Design graduate from Ateneo de Manila University, together with his friends decided to help out in Ateneo for a few days.

There he saw and experienced the heroic act of volunteerism. He saw there were a lot of people willing to help, to the point that some areas were overmanned. He also learned about several heroic stories of some people, how relief operations received an awesome number of responses, and how some people who couldnâ€™t go out of their houses found ways to contribute.

These stories, and his personal experience, have made him believe that everyone was willing to help out, that everyone is a hero. He then created a graphic design with a catchy phrase, â€œWhere Iâ€™m from, everyoneâ€™s a hero,â€Â and posted it in his blog.

His design spread like wildfire. It was reblogged by 1,600 people on Tumblr, shown on newspaper and TV and was used as profile pictures in various websites such as Twitter and Facebook. Gosingtian said, â€œI never expected it to get as much attention as it did,â€ adding that he even deleted the original files.

He then receivedÂ comments on his website that he make shirts with the design printed on them. â€œThey e-mailed me if they could also use it for events as campaigns, which brought me to realize that it would be a good way to raise funds and help areas affected by Ondoy,â€ he said.

Now, his design has evolved into a shirt business, and at the same time, another channel for people to help victims of Ondoy since substantial amount from the profits would go to them.

The t-shirts will be available on October 17, at the Doortech System showrooms in the Ortigas, Alabang and Pampanga home depots, and at the Fort MC Home Depot. Those who wish to make bulk orders (10 or more) can email Mark at heroshirtorders@yahoo.com or visit his blog at http://markgosingtian.tumblr.com for updates.

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Bangus prices dropped because of typhoon Pepeng

Roy — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:13:50 +0000

Prices of milkfish (bangus) dropped to P30 a kilo from a previous P90 per kilo when floods triggered by Pepengâ€™s strong rains washed out Pangasinanâ€™s fishponds and cages.

Fishpond owners, who were trapped on the roofs of their houses because of the 20-foot-high floodwaters, can only watched helplessly while their neighbors swam and scooped up the bangus escaping from overflowing fishponds.Â Some were even bringing woven baskets or nets to catch the fish.

The fishpond operators in Pangasinan, and in nearby towns, Binmaley and Mangaldan, paid no attention to their fish stock and just waited for rescue boats.

Residents who caught the fishes in floodwaters were selling their catch to fellow calamity victims, said Mae Viray, a member of the city information office.

The owner of the biggest fishpond in Binmaley, Jess Aquino said they decided not to harvest their bangus stock early and watched the floodwaters carry away their harvest. â€œEven if we harvest the bangus before the floods, we wonâ€™t make a profit as we could only sell them at P30 a kilogram,â€ he said.

The flood have crippled the city and most of the eastern and central towns, hampering travel to Metro Manila, making the shipment of goods, like bangus, out of the province impossible.

Neighbors feasted on the bangus escaping from the fish ponds. The fishes sought out the rivers in Binmaley, Mangaldan and Dagupan.

A hectare of fishpond contains betweenÂ 5,000 to 10,000 bangus. Fish cages that culture bangus can hold as much as 50,000 fishes. Some operators, said Aquino, tried to save their harvest. They installed nets around fish cages and put as many fishes as possible.

Others, like Aquino, who canâ€™t do that chose to write off their losses. Aquino said they just let their neighbors feast on the fish, their main concern then was to wait for the rescue boat to save them.

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Back-to-back exhibits for the food and beverage industry

Roy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:40:31 +0000

Two back-to-back expos is expected to giveÂ the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), especially those in the food and beverage industry, a big boost this coming Christmas season.

The Food and Drinks Asia 2009 and Food Franchising 2009 will be held simultaneously on September 17 to September 20 at the World Trade Center (WTC).

The two back-to-back exhibits are actually a part of the four back-to-back events that would lead to the Asia Food Expo (AFEX) 2009, the most celebrated food and beverage event in the Philippines. All the events are aimed at providing the F&B trade buyers and visitors with superior exhibitors that will provide up-to-date technologies, supplies and business solutions.

Peter Favila, secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry said, â€œIt is heartening to note that this expo â€“ which incorporates Food and Drinks Asia and Food Franchising â€“ will be featuring not only food products and beverage but also tested ideas and opportunities in the food franchising business.â€

With the Food and Drinks Asia 2009 being an international exposition of finished food and beverage products, visitors will be treated to a wide variety of selection among Specialty food, Delicatessen, Dairy products, Chilled and Frozen food, Fresh produce, Confectionary, processed and convenience food, Health and organic food, beverages, wine and spirits, baked products, and RTE meals among others.

Aside from the food and drinks that will be exhibited, the event will also take an entrepreneurial role by introducing the business of finished food products and beverages to growing SMEs and potential entrepreneurs. â€œThe events give entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry opportunities to gain knowledge in business solutions and new technologies. This also gives them a chance to expand their network of suppliers and other business contacts,â€ says Josephine Miranda, Executive Vice President of Trade Information Marketing and Exhibitions Inc., organizer of AFEX 2009.

The Food Franchising 2009, on the other hand, will showcase the newest ideas and solutions in the food franchising business. It will serve as an informational venue for potential entrepreneurs who aim to go into franchising.

During the expo, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines will also feature a â€œChef Showdownâ€ where guests and participants will enjoy a culinary battle between the top chefs in the country.

Seminars to be conducted by organizations such as the Philippine Coffee Board and the Philippines Franchise Association will also take place during the expos.

For more information, visit www.foodanddrinksasia.com.ph.

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Adopt a school, earn tax credits, BPO urged

Roy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:07:39 +0000

The business process outsourcing (BPO) service providers in the Philippines are urged by the chairman of the House committee on information communications technology to donate computers under the Adopt-a-School Program and avail themselves of gainful tax benefits in return.

This was revealed by Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago, who said that under the Adopt-a-School program, BPO providers as well as other private firms that extend financial aid to â€œadoptedâ€ public schools are entitled to claim a taxable income deduction equal to 150 percent of their contribution.

Santiago even illustrated an example, when a private entity donated brand new computers worth P500,000, it may claim a P750,000-deduction from its taxable gross income.

The program was established through Republic Act 8525, in order to encourage private entities to help the government address the public school systemâ€™s severe resource shortages.

Aside from computers and other modern instructional technologies, Santiago said other qualified contributions may also be in the form of support for the development of the faculty, construction and upgrading of school facilities, and the provision of textbooks and other teaching materials.

In claiming for deductions, the contributions, aside from cash, would be valued based on the acquisition cost or purchase price of the property, equipment, materials, and services supplied. But for used properties such as donations of second-hand computers, their valuations would be subject to depreciation.

Santiago further added that members of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines and the Contact Center Association of the Philippines â€œshould contribute in big way to the advancement of computer literacy and school connectivity.â€ He also pointed out, â€œhighly computer-literate and Internet-savvy young people are needed to enable the future human resources required by BPO providers.â€

Meanwhile, a total of P1.1 billion has been allotted to provide Internet connectivity to 9,048 public elementary and high schools all over the country, according to Santiago.