Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 395829
                    [Title] => Cement imports eyed to keep local prices down
                    [Summary] => 



Cement prices in the country are considered more expensive when compared to neighboring countries, prompting Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila to encourage cement users to buy overseas given that those are cheaper than the ones produced here.


"I told BOI (Board of Investments) to find out from contractors what’s keeping them from importing. They are complaining about the cost of cement. What we are saying is you can import on your own," he explained.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-04-23 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 392705
                    [Title] => WB to lend $250M to RP
                    [Summary] => 



The World Bank (WB) has committed to an annual budget support of at least $250 million for the Philippines provided the government could sustain its macroeconomic policy and reforms.


The initial commitment, however, came with a warning that while revenues from privatization have strengthened the government’s fiscal position, these non-recurring gains should not substitute for a steady and sustained tax collection.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-04-02 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096655
                    [AuthorName] =>  Des  Ferriols
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 389286
                    [Title] => 2 cement firms agree to hold off price increases until June
                    [Summary] => 



Two cement firms have agreed to hold off any price increase until June, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) disclosed yesterday.


In a press conference, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya said two of the three major players in the cement industry, Holcim and LaFarge, have already committed to not increase their prices until after summer.


The remaining firm, Cemex, has yet to make a similar commitment. However, Maglaya said Cemex will likely follow the example of the other two after DTI has spoken to the company.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-03-13 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 374939
                    [Title] => Gov’t saves P2.63 B in textbook procurement
                    [Summary] => 




The Philippine government has saved some P2.63 billion due to a new system of textbook procurement, the World Bank said yesterday.


World Bank country director Joachim Von Amsberg said the government was able to generate savings after it implemented the new procurement policy.


Amsberg said the cost of textbooks this year is only about half of the cost of textbooks in 2000.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-12-14 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1735838
                    [AuthorName] => Sandy Araneta
                    [SectionName] => Headlines
                    [SectionUrl] => headlines
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 367450
                    [Title] => Human resources key to RP’s rapid eco development — WB
                    [Summary] => 



The Philippines’ abundant supply of educated, English-speaking workers is the country’s ticket to rapid development, the World Bank (WB) said.


WB country director Joachim Von Amsberg said the Philippines can join the ranks of developed East Asian countries by developing its human resources.


According to Von Amsberg, the country has great assets and potential, citing that Filipino workers are strong in the electronics and business services industry. 


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-11-07 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 363783
                    [Title] => PCCI airs optimism RP is on verge of economic takeoff
                    [Summary] => 



The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) remains optimistic that the country is on the verge of an economic takeoff in spite of a budget deficit posted in September and some political turmoil.  


At the opening of the  32nd Philippine Business Conference  yesterday at the Manila Hotel, PCCI president Donald Dee expressed optimism and confidence that the country remains on track for an economic takeoff in spite of a budget deficit posted for September this year.  


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-10-19 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1805266
                    [AuthorName] => Marianne V. Go
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 270112
                    [Title] => Senado hinimok ipasa ang VAT
                    [Summary] => Hinimok kahapon ng Kilosan para sa Serbisyo ng Masa (KilosMasa) ang Senado na yumuko sa panawagan ng World Bank (WB) na para mapabilis ang fiscal reform ay ipasa na agad ang Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).


Ayon kay Jose Moreno Jr., spokesman ng Kilos Masa, lalong dadagsa ang mga foreign donors at investors sa bansa tulad ng WB kung nakikita ng mga ito na gumagawa ng hakbang ang lehislatura para matugunan ang fiscal crisis.


                    [DatePublished] => 2005-03-12 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Bansa
                    [SectionUrl] => bansa
                    [URL] => 
                )

        )

)

JOACHIM VON AMSBERG

Array
(
    [results] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 395829
                    [Title] => Cement imports eyed to keep local prices down
                    [Summary] => 



Cement prices in the country are considered more expensive when compared to neighboring countries, prompting Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila to encourage cement users to buy overseas given that those are cheaper than the ones produced here.


"I told BOI (Board of Investments) to find out from contractors what’s keeping them from importing. They are complaining about the cost of cement. What we are saying is you can import on your own," he explained.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-04-23 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 392705
                    [Title] => WB to lend $250M to RP
                    [Summary] => 



The World Bank (WB) has committed to an annual budget support of at least $250 million for the Philippines provided the government could sustain its macroeconomic policy and reforms.


The initial commitment, however, came with a warning that while revenues from privatization have strengthened the government’s fiscal position, these non-recurring gains should not substitute for a steady and sustained tax collection.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-04-02 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1096655
                    [AuthorName] =>  Des  Ferriols
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 389286
                    [Title] => 2 cement firms agree to hold off price increases until June
                    [Summary] => 



Two cement firms have agreed to hold off any price increase until June, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) disclosed yesterday.


In a press conference, DTI Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Cuison-Maglaya said two of the three major players in the cement industry, Holcim and LaFarge, have already committed to not increase their prices until after summer.


The remaining firm, Cemex, has yet to make a similar commitment. However, Maglaya said Cemex will likely follow the example of the other two after DTI has spoken to the company.


                    [DatePublished] => 2007-03-13 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 374939
                    [Title] => Gov’t saves P2.63 B in textbook procurement
                    [Summary] => 




The Philippine government has saved some P2.63 billion due to a new system of textbook procurement, the World Bank said yesterday.


World Bank country director Joachim Von Amsberg said the government was able to generate savings after it implemented the new procurement policy.


Amsberg said the cost of textbooks this year is only about half of the cost of textbooks in 2000.


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-12-14 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1735838
                    [AuthorName] => Sandy Araneta
                    [SectionName] => Headlines
                    [SectionUrl] => headlines
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 367450
                    [Title] => Human resources key to RP’s rapid eco development — WB
                    [Summary] => 



The Philippines’ abundant supply of educated, English-speaking workers is the country’s ticket to rapid development, the World Bank (WB) said.


WB country director Joachim Von Amsberg said the Philippines can join the ranks of developed East Asian countries by developing its human resources.


According to Von Amsberg, the country has great assets and potential, citing that Filipino workers are strong in the electronics and business services industry. 


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-11-07 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1480108
                    [AuthorName] => Ma. Elisa Osorio 
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 363783
                    [Title] => PCCI airs optimism RP is on verge of economic takeoff
                    [Summary] => 



The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) remains optimistic that the country is on the verge of an economic takeoff in spite of a budget deficit posted in September and some political turmoil.  


At the opening of the  32nd Philippine Business Conference  yesterday at the Manila Hotel, PCCI president Donald Dee expressed optimism and confidence that the country remains on track for an economic takeoff in spite of a budget deficit posted for September this year.  


                    [DatePublished] => 2006-10-19 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 1805266
                    [AuthorName] => Marianne V. Go
                    [SectionName] => Business
                    [SectionUrl] => business
                    [URL] => 
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [ArticleID] => 270112
                    [Title] => Senado hinimok ipasa ang VAT
                    [Summary] => Hinimok kahapon ng Kilosan para sa Serbisyo ng Masa (KilosMasa) ang Senado na yumuko sa panawagan ng World Bank (WB) na para mapabilis ang fiscal reform ay ipasa na agad ang Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).


Ayon kay Jose Moreno Jr., spokesman ng Kilos Masa, lalong dadagsa ang mga foreign donors at investors sa bansa tulad ng WB kung nakikita ng mga ito na gumagawa ng hakbang ang lehislatura para matugunan ang fiscal crisis.


                    [DatePublished] => 2005-03-12 00:00:00
                    [ColumnID] => 133272
                    [Focus] => 0
                    [AuthorID] => 
                    [AuthorName] => 
                    [SectionName] => Bansa
                    [SectionUrl] => bansa
                    [URL] => 
                )

        )

)

abtest