Business

2020 has been a year full of challenges, with the world still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 economically. In the Philippines, consumers have adjusted to the new normal by adopting, among others, fintech services to make their financial lifestyles more convenient and themselves safe against the pandemic.Dedicated in its commitment in democratizing payments, GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, shares how Filipinos have embraced digital finance through a snapshot of its performance this year.Over PHP 1 trillion in transactions have passed through the GCash app during 2020, peaking at a PHP 7.5 billion daily gross transaction value, and with more than 6 million transactions in a day. The mobile wallet company also grew its users to 33...

PVO photoProduction of genetically improved livestock and poultry in Negros Occidental continues to increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said today, January 14.He said the project under the Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program (PAGIP) is meeting the current breeding and production needs of various industry stakeholders.Through breed infusion under PAGIP, new bloodlines of cattle had been produced at PVO’s operated farms last year through artificial insemination, using imported semen, he said.The Negros First Ranch (NFR) and Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) are now starting to produce new variants of wagyu, angus and geirolando cattle known for having superior meat and dairying quality, he also said....

The farmers' assistance center established by local businessman Ramon Uy Sr. at their family-owned property in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, is offering cash and technical assistance, inputs, and equipment to organic farmers in Negros Occidental.Uy, who led the launching of the RU Farmers Assistance Center today, January 13, said the initiative was to assist organic farmers who need help in their farm inputs, as the government could not cover everyone.He said the focus of the center is to provide organic farmers with fertilizers, seeds, and cash assistance, which they could pay upon harvest.The farmers could avail of P15,000 cash assistance and rent-to-own equipment that could help them in their harvest, Uy said.The farmers will be given a guaranteed price for their har...

PVO photoThe Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) noted a decrease in veterinary fees and sales in 2020, its head, Dr. Renante Decena, said today, January 11.The pandemic has contributed to the decline in the revenue collection of the PVO from various animal health services, that dropped to half of the P7 million that was earned in 2019, he said.There is also a significant decline in the sales of gamefowl in the province, he said, as only 88,360 heads were shipped out in 2020, compared to the 343,621 heads in 2019.“The decrease was attributed to the prohibition of cockfighting activities throughout the country during the implementation of community quarantine and the cancellation of several gamefowl expos that are usually scheduled annually. The limited numb...

City PIO photoBusiness confidence in Bacolod City remains high despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a press release today, January 10.After only its first week of opening on January 8, the city government’s Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) has registered 7,531 businesses, the press release said.This figure – which includes those businesses that registered in advance beginning November 15, 2020 – is already equivalent to 31 percent of last year’s total registration of 23,545, it said.“The business registration of 23,545 for 2020 is way beyond our expectation considering we were in the midst of a pandemic last year. That means business confidence is still high and we can expect that after this crisis we can restore the vibrancy of the econ...

Capitol photoNegros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer distributed checks worth P11 million to Negrense farmers who are beneficiaries of the Quick Turn Around/Early Planting Incentives Project of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.The activity was held at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City today, January 8.A total of 5,413 farmers from the different towns and cities of the province were recipients of the project with a total coverage of 5,500 hectares, a press release from the Capitol said.The project aims to provide cash incentives to farmers engaged in early planting from April to May as support to rice requirements during the off season.Lacson thanked the farmers for their hard work that ensures food security in the province...

PVO photosThe Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinary Office dispersed 400 heads of free-range chicken to farmer associations in the towns of Toboso and Calatrava recently.This is in line with the agricultural productivity and food sufficiency program of the provincial government.The dispersed stocks were sourced from the nucleus farm at Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm (PLBCDF) in Brgy. La Granja, La Carlota City, which is budget-friendly to small-scale farmers.Engaging in free-range chicken production has become an alternative source of daily income among Negrenses as it does not require big financial investment and has become a suitable business venture for an emerging small-scale enterprise at this time.The availability of quality genetics of FRC ...

The Social Security System (SSS) on Monday, January 6, said that the scheduled increase in its contribution rate and minimum and maximum monthly salary credits (MSCs) is to ensure the continuous delivery of social security protection to its members and their beneficiaries.SSS President and CEO Aurora Ignacio said that the SSS has been listening to the clamor of various labor groups and members to defer the said mandated increases; however, the move is designed to protect the fund life of the SSS."We understand the plight of our covered employers and members, but, at the same time, it is our duty to secure the long-term viability of the SSS fund entrusted to us for the continuous delivery of SSS benefits to our current and future members, as well as their beneficiaries," Ignacio sai...

City PIO photoThe Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) of Bacolod City for 2021 is being held for the first time outside of the Government Center to ensure strict compliance with health protocols.It is now open at the 4th floor of the Ayala Malls Capitol Central from January 4 to March 31, a press release from the Bacolod City Public Information Office said.The BOSS caters to the application or renewal of Mayor’s Permits (Business Permits) for 2021, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the conduct of BOSS at the mall aims to have a wider space conducive to observing the basic health protocols against COVID-19.“Just as important as observing health protocols, we designed this system in line with our business-friendly policies which w...