Business

Consumer group Power Watch Negros has expressed its disappointment over Central Negros Electric Cooperative’s alleged lack of transparency.Wennie Sancho, secretary-general of Power Watch, in a letter to CENECO president Dwight Carbon today (November 18), said that they believe that the mutual understanding between CENECO and its member-consumers necessary for transparency was neglected.“The consumers suffer from the loss of representation. This atrophied system has left the consumers more vulnerable to domination by others. The decision-making process is now confined to the board room and they are difficult to discern amid all the bewildering technical facts and figures. They represent the real source of the consumers' general discontent, as to how and why some interests are allowe...

Residents of Bacolod City can settle their real property tax (RPT) for 2021 at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central.The Land Tax Division of the Bacolod City Treasurer’s Office recently opened a temporary satellite office on the first floor of Ayala Malls Capitol Central to accept advance payments for the RPT.Residents can avail of the 20 percent discount if the RPT due for the whole year of 2021 or the first and second quarters of 2021 are fully paid before December 31, 2020, assistant city treasurer Arlene Memoria said.While the City Treasurer’s Office at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) will continue receiving these RPT payments too, this service at the mall is to provide an additional venue for it so that payors need not all flock to the BCGC to pay for their RPT, she s...

Capitol photoNegros Occidental Gov.Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of P5.7 million in checks for barangay projects in Negros Occidental Tuesday, November 17.The beneficiaries were barangays Abo-abo, Murcia; Brgys. XXI, XVI, and XX of Victorias City; Brgy. Zone 1, Talisay City; Brgy. Patag, Silay City; Brgys. Pacol, Bayabas, Central Tabao, and Guintorilan of Valladolid; Brgy. Poblacion, San Enrique; Brgy. Camp Clark, Panaquiao, 9 – Poblacion, and 6 – Poblacion of Isabela; Brgy. Manalad, Ilog; Brgy. Caliling, Cauayan, and Brgys. Zone 1 and Luna of Cadiz City.Each of the 19 barangays received P300,000 for projects, for renovation of barangay halls, construction of perimeter fences, rehabilitation of drainage systems, acquisition of multipurpose vehicles, concreting of dou...

Owners of businesses can now start processing their business permits for 2021 at malls in Bacolod City.The mall campaign schedule of the Business Permit and Licensing Office dubbed “on-the-go” starts Tuesday, November 18, until November 30.From November 18 to 20, they will be at SM City, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, and Robinsons Place.Their next schedule will be from November 23 to 25 at Gaisano City, 888 Premiere Mall, and City Mall-Singcang, and on November 26, 27, and 30, they will be at City Mall-Mandalagan, Lopue’s Mandalagan, and Lopue’s East.Those interested may contact the Business Permit and Licensing Office at bcdbplo@gmail.com, Bacolod Permits Facebook page, or call 4352606.Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Treasurer’s Office-Land Tax Division is also accepting pa...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will waive the imposition of fines and other monetary penalties for the non-filing and late submission of reportorial requirements of corporations during the community quarantine.On November 5, the Commission issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 31 providing for the waiver of fines and other penalties for corporations who failed to file or were late in the filing of their General Information Sheet, Audited Financial Statement, and other reportorial requirements, as well as non-compliance with compulsory notification from September to December 2020.“We recognize how the pandemic and the ensuing community quarantine have put a strain on Filipinos and their livelihoods,” SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino said. “We will continue to take all opport...

The Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road in Silay City.*The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recently completed the P45.94-million widening of the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road (BSAAR) in Silay City, Negros Occidental, a press release from the DPWH said.The project involves the widening of the access road from two lanes to four lanes with the width of three meters.Although hampered by the erratic weather experienced towards its scheduled end date, the DPWH Negros Occidental 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) was able to complete the widening of BSAAR in less than six months since it started construction last February 2020, the press release said.DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the improved access road aims to provide ease of travel among motorists and ...

Capitol photosNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over P22.32 million worth of farm machineries and equipment to the members of the Federation of Irrigators' Association Central Negros–Bago River Irrigation System (FIACN-BRIS) at the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)–Bago City compound Friday, November 13.The agricultural projects that include tractors with rotavator/tiller and combine harvesters aim to help the farmers lower their production cost increase their income.The FIACN-BRIS is headed by its president, Rosemary Caunca, who facilitated the release of the projects.Also present at the activity were Bago City Councilors Victor Michael Javellana and Andrew Martin Torres, Engr. Isaias Melendez, Division Manager of NIA - Negros Occidental Irrigati...

Occupancy of Megaworld Premier Offices in Iloilo Business Park increased to 97% during the pandemic.The rental income of property giant Megaworld grew 13 percent at P3.4 billion during the third quarter from P3 billion in the previous quarter, as quarantine restrictions have been eased.The company’s office rental business, under the Megaworld Premier Offices brand, grew 6 percent to P2.96 billion from P2.80 billion in the previous quarter. Year-on-year, it grew 11% in this year’s third quarter from P2.68 billion during the same period last year, while during the first nine months of the year, it also grew 11% to P8.57-billion compared to P7.75-billion in the same period last year, a press release from the company said.In Iloilo, Megaworld Premier Offices has increased its occup...

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is calling the public to join the fight against investment scams, as it spearheaded the first Investor Protection Week from November 9 to 13.This is to promote investor education amid the rising number of unauthorized investment-taking activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.This year, the SEC has issued advisories against more than 100 groups and individuals soliciting investments without the necessary license, almost double the total number for the whole of 2019.The commission has also issued cease and desist orders and revocation orders against entities engaging in fraudulent investment schemes, including Boss Network, Forsage, and Fast Track Worldwide Inc.The SEC has charged 32 individuals in seven cases for viola...

Capitol photoNegros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Association of Negros Producers president Arlene Infante led the groundbreaking for the construction of the ANP Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) Hub along South Capitol Road in Bacolod City, Wednesday, November 4.Joining them were Provincial Administrator, Rayfrando Diaz, ANP Chairperson Christine Marie Gaston, Paul Lizares of Talarak Foundation, and other ANP officers.The provincial government and ANP entered into an usufruct agreement for ANP to use the property for 25 years.Lacson said that he hopes the hub will serve as a place where the ANP can help SMEs in the province to showcase their products.ANP President Arlene Infante said that the ANP SME Hub will house a showroom, office and Bug...