Business

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is ramping up enforcement operations targeting both emerging and long-standing sources of tax evasion, particularly within the vape and tobacco industries. In a news release on Thursday, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. emphasized that this initiative is part of the Marcos administration’s comprehensive effort to tackle illicit trade, prevent revenue loss, and address public …

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday spearheaded the inspection of 14 seized 20-foot container vans loaded with misdeclared refined sugar from Vietnam, with an estimated market value of P28.72 million. Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio led the inspection of the intercepted agricultural shipment, which was flagged for violating customs regulations and other applicable laws, according to a BOC press release. …

By Tracy Cabrera In an effort to boost the Philippines’ competitiveness as an investment hub, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has forged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) to help accelerate foreign direct investments and drive national economic progress. The agreement was formalized by PEZA Director General Tereso Panga and BDO Executive Vice …

The Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) resumed its easing cycle on Thursday, cutting interest rates by another 25 basis points amid decelerating inflation. The latest cut brings the BSP’s target reverse repurchase (RRP) rate to 5.50 percent, a reduction of 25 basis points. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were also adjusted …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has retained its 2025 economic growth forecast for the Philippines at 6 percent for gross domestic product (GDP) while lowering its inflation projection. In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2025, the ADB kept its GDP forecast unchanged from the December 2024 report, which was higher than the 5.6 percent growth recorded in 2024. However, …

GUAGUA, Pampanga –  The Philippine   Amusement  and Gaming  Corporation   (PAGCOR)  joined the Provincial Government of Pampanga last Friday,   April 11, for the inauguration  of the   new   Pampanga   Provincial  Dialysis Center in a major boost for accessible healthcare in the province. PAGCOR  donated  over P90-million   for the project to procure 40 dialysis   machines …

MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija – LandBank is partnering with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) to provide a more secure, efficient, and convenient way to manage daily financial transactions through a cash-lite campus ecosystem. The state-run bank launched the Cash-Lite Campus initiative last April   8, which aims to transform CLSU into a tech-savvy campus by integrating digital payment solutions for …

Mr. Marc Tomas, former President, Ikebana International Manila Chapter 108 and member of Sogetsu Potential Manila Chapter will once again share his expertise on the Ikebana-Sogetsu Japanese flower arrangement in a four-session workshop for beginners at Sunshine Place. He has been teaching Ikebana classes at Sunshine Place since 2017 and his students have participated in several exhibits that showcase their …

The SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) Farming Program was established in line with SM Group founder Henry Sy,  Sr.’s mission to help Filipino farmers become more self-sufficient and productive while contributing to local food security. Rooted in his core values, the program has since empowered over 30,000 Filipino farmers, transforming small plots of land into sustainable sources of income. One …

The HMM Daon has a capacity of 16,010 TEUs, a beam of 51 meters, a length overall of 365.16 meters, and a gross tonnage of 152,003. The vessel is part of the Premiere Alliance consortium by HMM, Yang Ming, and Ocean Network Express, which facilitates imports from China and the Far East. Basra Gateway Terminal (BGT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) …