MV Iris Paoay’s second voyage to cross the Pacific in mid-December 2021 

MV IRIS Paoay, the first PH flag ship to cross the Pacific in 30 years in September 2021, will once again sail to the US in December this year. Similar to its maiden voyage, it will also be a direct, non-stop service between the Philippines (MNL-CEB-DVO) and the US at Pier A, Long Beach Port (LGB) Port in Los Angeles.  Continue reading MV Iris Paoay’s second voyage to cross the Pacific in mid-December 2021 

Senate concurs Convention on Temporary Admission ‘ATA Carnet System’

The Senate concurred the ratification of the Convention on Temporary Admission (CTA), also known as the ATA Carnet System, on 08 November 2021.  Resolution no. 128 was adopted, having 22 out of the 24 Senators voted in favorably for its concurrence.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will deposit the Instrument of Accession to the  ATA and Istanbul Convention. This will then make the Philippines, the 88th member-state of the Carnet family.  Continue reading Senate concurs Convention on Temporary Admission ‘ATA Carnet System’

SBCorp continues financial assistance to affected businesses amid the ongoing pandemic

The Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), the lending arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), continues to provide financial assistance to affected micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, hospitals, tourism business, and repatriated or displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by the COVID-19 pandemic under the Bayanihan CARES (COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises).

Bayanihan CARES was launched in October 2020 with PhP 8.08 billion funds thru equity infusion was allocated to SBCorp under the Bayanihan 2 Act. This is an interest-free and collateral-free financing program wherein the borrower MSMEs will only need to pay a one-time service fee, which is set at a maximum of eight (8) percent for a 4-year loan term. Continue reading SBCorp continues financial assistance to affected businesses amid the ongoing pandemic