Gov’t advised to prepare pandemic exit plan, including travel opening
THE Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) needs to begin planning for the end of the pandemic, according to a Palace adviser and an OCTA Research /biologist.
BoC ‘internal’ collection target set at nearly P700B
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has set itself an internal target to collect nearly P700 billion this year, after being assigned to collect P679 billion by its supervising agencies.
ERC to hear microgrid application for San Vicente, Palawan in Feb.
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said is due to hear next month an application by PowerSource Philippines, Inc. to establish a microgrid for Port Barton, San Vicente, an emerging beach destination on the west coast of Palawan.
Minority House member bats for passage of night differential pay measure before June
A MINORITY leader at the House of Representatives said he hopes a bill seeking to provide night differential pay to government workers will pass before the close of the 18th Congress.
World Bank blames overseas lockdowns for PHL trade decline
THE DECLINE of international trade in the Philippines in the early months of the pandemic was attributed to lockdowns in its export markets rather than domestic restrictions, the World Bank said in a report.
Furniture executive calls for industry deregulation
THE GOVERNMENT needs to reduce the permit requirements for furniture companies, an industry executive told legislators.
NGCP needs about 1,800 MW in firm contracts for full coverage
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it currently has firm contracts amounting to 809.3 megawatts (MW), and needs 1,776.7 MW more to fully cover the grid’s reserve requirements, though it considers itself adequately covered if non-firm contracts are counted.
Maynilad expects water service interruptions to continue into February
MAYNILAD WATER Services, Inc. said that the ongoing water service interruptions in its concession area will last until Feb. 15, citing unusual levels of sediment being taken in by a processing plant on Laguna de Bay.
Congress approves bicameral committee report on vaping regulation
THE bicameral conference committee report on a bill seeking to regulate vaporized nicotine products was approved by the Senate late Tuesday and by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Slow internet, caps on foreign equity seen deterring FDI
POOR INTERNET connectivity is keeping foreign investors away, as are restrictions on foreign equity and the high cost of doing business, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
‘Green’ business growth to ultimately depend on economic motives as awareness broadens — DTI
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said participation in the green economy will ultimately depend on the viability of such businesses, though opportunities are growing because of growing public awareness of sustainability issues.
Financial cybercrime consumer protection bill sponsored out to Senate plenary
A BILL seeking to protect consumers against financial cybercrimes was sponsored out to the Senate plenary late Tuesday, giving regulators more power to deal with such offenses.