THE free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and European Free Trade Association (Efta) member states—Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland has been working well with no critical implementation issues since the FTA’s implementation five years ago. Both are currently enjoying preferential utilization rates of 31 percent for the Philippines and 30 percent for Efta member […]
Tag: philippines
Philippines still not free of H5N1 bird flu
THE Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said the Philippines is still subject to outbreaks of type H5N1 avian influenza, first detected in February 2022. The BAI said it has detected six cases overall since the first outbreak. The cases were reported in Candaba and Masantol, Pampanga; Sta. Maria, Bulacan; the Cagayan Valley; Sultan Kudarat, and […]
Retired generals call on gov’t to curb corruption
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter FORMER senior military and police officers and government officials on Tuesday urged the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to boost its anti-corruption efforts. In a Philippine Star ad, the retired officials who called their group the Advocates for National Interest said they support the president’s call to […]
PHL, EFTA partners working to improve trade deal utilization
THE Philippines said it and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) are working to improve utilization of their free trade agreement (FTA), which were 31% for the Philippines and 30% for the four-member EFTA bloc in 2020. In a statement on Monday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the decision to tap […]
US investments in semiconductors, electronics seen rising with IPEF
THE Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is expected to boost US investments in the Philippine semiconductor and electronics industries, according to the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI). “The IPEF will allow for the expansion and diversification of US foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations […]
AirAsia to expand fleet; Philippine passengers seen to double this year
AIRASIA Philippines will be adding 10 planes this year to its existing 14, its top official said, as he expects the expanded fleet to double the low-cost carrier’s Filipino passengers. “The biggest job for me as chief executive officer has been to bring back planes, to make sure the schedule is the right schedule and […]
Taiwan wants visa-free travel to PH
TAIWAN’S Ambassador to the Philippines urged the national government to grant tourists from Taiwan with visa-free travel to the country as this will bolster economic and tourism activities between two nations. Currently, the Taiwanese government allows Filipinos to visit their country for 14 days as a tourist and without requiring them for a visa, said […]
Firm ramping up operations in PH, hiring Cebuano talents
EY GLOBAL Delivery Services (EY GDS) Philippines, a member of a growing integrated network of service delivery centers, is ramping up capabilities to support global EY stakeholders and strengthen the services to EY member firms around the world. The company announced that it is actively recruiting talents in Cebu and nearby provinces in the Visayas, […]
Philippines places 16th in 26-country Asia Power Index
The Philippines ranked 16th out of 26 countries in the 2023 Asia Power Index, unchanged from the previous edition. However, its overall score slightly dipped to 12.8 out of 100 (where 100 indicates the country has reached the highest ability to shape and influence the behavior of other states) from 13.1 in 2021.
Palace: Datagro to help boost Philippine sugar industry
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has secured project commitments from Brazilian company Datagro to boost the Philippines sugar industry, the presidential palace said on Monday night. Datagro had proposed during a meeting between its officials and the Philippine leader to start its technology transfer project on the islands of Negros and Panay, the Presidential Communications […]
Philippine-China economic ties may persist amid US presence
By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter THE PHILIPPINES under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. would probably keep close economic ties with China despite a security partnership with the United States, according to political analysts. But increasing tensions in the South China Sea and Manila’s involvement in the China-Taiwan conflict pose threats to their relationship, they […]
Marcos talks to Grab CEO on transportation upgrade
THE PHILIPPINES could generate about 500,000 jobs after getting an investment commitment from Grab Holdings, Inc., according to the presidential palace. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. met with Grab officials on Thursday to discuss the company’s recommendations on how to modernize Philippine transportation, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement. During the meeting, […]
Russian House returns after 2-year hiatus
THE Russian Filipino Combat Systems (RFCS) in the Philippines returned to Cebu this year for the 11th International Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) and Silat Training Camp after two years of shelving due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Russian House 2023 was in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Central Visayas, geared towards gaining a better […]
Philippines urged to hold joint patrols to keep China at bay
By Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, Reporter A SECURITY expert on Monday accused China of trying to co-opt top Philippine politicians and business leaders to boost its maritime interests, calling for increased cooperation with the US and Australia to deflect the strategy. Chinese operation is all about propaganda and influencing leadership, Rommel Jude G. Ong, a […]
Smart Digital Retail Philippines Moving to Another Date
MANILA, Jan 31, 2023 – (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) – Smart Digital Retail Philippines would like to extend the opportunity for sponsors, attendees and partners to join the biggest event in the Philippine retail ecosystem. Hence, we made a decision to move the event to April 13, 2023. The event will take place at the […]
Editorial: ‘Unpatriotic’ Filipino nurses
The Philippines had a shortage of 106,000 nurses and other healthcare workers as of October 2022, according to the Department of Health’s report. This lack of manpower in the health sector cannot be solved by pleading to the Filipino nurses not to go abroad right away and serve their home country first. Filipino nurses have […]
ECCP: PHL to attract ‘billions’ after easing investment caps
THE European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is expecting the Philippines to attract “billions” worth of investments after various industries were cleared to receive up to 100% foreign ownership. ECCP President Lars Wittig said at a launch of event in Makati City on Thursday that the group is expecting “billions of dollars” worth of […]
Slain labor activist’s wife appeals dismissal of murder raps vs cops
THE WIFE of slain labor activist Emmanuel Asuncion has asked the Department of Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision clearing 17 cops linked to the murder of her husband during a series of police raids in March 2021 where nine activists died. In her appeal filed on Thursday, Liezel Asuncion said the police officers involved […]
Journalists still in danger of being killed, harassed under Marcos gov’t, says CPJ
By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter FILIPINO journalists remained at risk of getting killed and harassed under the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “All four of the murders in the Philippines were of radio journalists covering local politics, highlighting the dangers faced by […]
Landbank, Israel Embassy explore partnership to boost PH development
TO FURTHER strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel, the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and the Israel Embassy explored possible areas of collaboration to advance economic development in the country. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss and Landbank president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo in a meeting discussed Israel’s modern […]