PROPERTY research and consultancy firm Colliers Philippines reported healthy office bookings in 2022 in areas outside of Metro Manila, which means more outsourcing firms and local-based enterprises are growing their footprint in the post-pandemic era. Colliers Philippines’ recorded 221,100 square meters (sq.m.) of office deals outside Metro Manila last year, nearly double the 113,100 sq.m. […]
Tag: firms
China shadow banks pivot away from property to survive
SHANGHAI/HONG KONG — For more than a decade, Chinese developers’ debt-fueled construction boom enriched the country’s shadow banks, who were eager to capitalize on the needs of an industry desperate for credit and too risky for traditional lenders. Now, in the wake of a government clampdown on real estate firms’ debt binge, that credit demand […]
All SIM card users must register soon
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday signed into law a measure mandating the registration of all subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in the Philippines — a move welcomed by the country’s telecommunication players. In a speech after signing the law, which critics say could lead to data breaches and privacy violations, Mr. Marcos reiterated […]
‘Strive and Rise’: Deloitte Foundation Hong Kong uplifts youth for brighter futures
HONG KONG, Sep 23, 2022 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Deloitte Foundation Hong Kong has donated HKD1 million to support the Hong Kong SAR government’s Strive and Rise Programme, launched timely to address intergenerational poverty by helping underprivileged children, particularly those living in subdivided accommodation, realize their potential. In addition to a financial contribution, […]
Outsourcing firms may continue WFH scheme if they register with BoI
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING firms can continue work-from-home (WFH) arrangements and receive fiscal incentives if their registration is transferred to the Board of Investments (BoI), Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said on Thursday. “The FIRB (Fiscal Incentives Review Board) met (on Wednesday) and we decided there will be a smooth transfer of benefits from the PEZA […]
Starfish Partners Acquires Direct Recruiters Inc (DRI)
PLANO, Texas, September 14, 2022 – (SEAPRWire) – Starfish Partners, an international investment and ownership platform for niched professional and mid-to-upper management search specialists, is proud to announce the acquisition of Direct Recruiters Inc. (DRI). Current Starfish Partners organizations include search firms Kaye/Bassman International Corporation (KBIC), Full Spectrum Search Group, the Sanford Rose Associates International (SRAI) network, and […]
SC denies KAPA-owned truck firm’s appeal to lift freeze order on assets
THE Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a ruling by the Court of Appeals (CA), which denied Hawkson’s Truck and Parts Center Corp.’s motion to lift the freeze order on its bank accounts. The firm is owned by Joel A. Apolinario, the founder of Kabus Padatoon-Community Ministry International (KAPA), which the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) […]
Trade dep’t offers support for creative industries’ recovery, digitalization
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will support the recovery and digitalization of the creative industries, which were severely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said in a speech at the Creative Futures 2022 conference on Thursday that the pandemic cost the industry the […]
COA: Cebu City’s P383M garbage collection deal ‘irregular’
SOME Cebu City officials may face a disallowance for the payment of P81 million to two contractors for the hauling of the city’s garbage, which state auditors said was an “irregular” deal.The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the P383.5 million contract between the Cebu City Government and Docast Construction and JJ & J Construction and […]
Globe, property firms push for wider adoption of built-in broadband in developments
GLOBE Telecom, Inc. and several property firms are pushing for wider adoption of built-in broadband connections in developments. “Connectivity is a basic requirement of buyers that can be a differentiator for the property business. What we envision is when a customer steps into a property, he is ready to connect just like electricity and water […]
IC to examine PCIC, audit gov’t social insurance firms
PHILIPPINE Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) is now under the Insurance Commission (IC), which will give the regulator the power to examine the state-run agricultural insurer’s operations. “In view of the foregoing, the PCIC is hereby placed under the supervision of the IC. The IC is hereby directed to conduct an examination into the affairs, financial […]
DOF: Concentrix gives up tax perks to continue WFH setup
THE Department of Finance (DOF) on Friday said outsourcing firm Concentrix has decided to give up its tax perks in exchange for a continued hybrid work setup for its employees.“We support the decision of Concentrix to carry on with its flexible work arrangements. We respect that they are supportive of their employees who want such […]
Australian firms looking to invest in mining, logistics — ambassador
Australian mining and logistics firms are interested in doing business in the Philippines according to Australian ambassador Steven J. Robinson, who cited policy reforms that have eased the barrier to entry. “I think the future’s looking very, very good,” he said on May 20, the first day of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Festival in SM Megamall’s […]
Insurance firms to assist wooden boat operators
OWNERS of wooden boats used for tourism-related activities can now have a better chance of starting over whenever disasters strike, after the Capitol persuaded insurance firms to cover wooden boats.Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced this development in a meeting attended by tourism stakeholders at the Provincial Capitol on Friday, April 8, 2022, according to Sugbo […]
UK firms expect pay rises in record numbers as inflation starts to bite
A RECORD number of UK companies expect to increase wages over the next year as the war in Ukraine deepens the cost of living crisis, a survey showed. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer found that a quarter intended to boost average wages by at least 2% in the next 12 months. A fifth of businesses […]
Appeal of IT-BPM sector to extend WFH setup denied
EMPLOYEES in information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) enterprises will now have to return to their offices after the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) turned down the industry’s request to extend the work-from-home (WFH) setup after March 2022.FIRB said denying the sector’s request is meant to stimulate the economic activities of the country which have been […]
BPOs allowed to continue WFH scheme until March
Outsourcing firms operating in economic zones are allowed to implement remote work arrangements until March 2022 as the pandemic continues, the Finance department said in a statement. The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has issued Resolution No. 19-21 which allows Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) firms in ecozones to adopt up to 90% […]
Philippine BPO firms eye long-term remote work strategy
Outsourcing firms in Philippine economic zones will need a long-term remote work considerations to remain competitive against other major outsourcing economies, an official from the industry group said. Louie Benedict C. Hernandez, chair of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), said that outsourcing firms located in economic zones that receive government incentives were given […]
SEC reminds lending, financing firms register online platforms
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could penalize or even revoke the licenses of financing and lending companies that fail to register and disclose their online lending platforms (OLP), such as mobile applications and websites. A notice published by the commission on Wednesday said financing and lending firms must comply with SEC Memorandum Circular No. […]
Local sourcing can lower carbon footprint, boost supply chain — RS Components
By Angelica Y. Yang SOUTHEAST Asian firms can lower their carbon emissions by locally sourcing their products and ensuring a logistics supply chain that allows for flexibility, according to the Philippine-based industrial and electronics distributor. “If you’re buying within the region, that means you’re reducing the carbon footprint by reducing freight from buying from different […]