MANILA — State-owned National Power Corp. (NPC) has laid down an eight-point workplan for 2012 to 2014, which includes improvements in NPC’s financial systems and collection efficiency.

MANILA — The Department of Energy has sought advise from the Joint Congressional Power Commission whether there is a legal impediment for the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. as the registration and billing agent for open access and retail competition.

MANILA — The board of Semirara Mining Corp. has authorized the execution of several conditions in favor of its bank lenders in connection with the syndicated term loan of up to P14 billion to be secured by its wholly-owned subsidiary Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. (SLGC).

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The local government has so far recorded an increase of P15.97 million in its collection in the renewal of business permits this year compared with the same period of last year.

MANILA — Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) president Koichi Muto said the shipping lines will decommission five double-hull tankers by March.

MANILA — Smart Communications Inc. said its network is capable of providing up to 200 percent additional capacity on a "push-button" approach or when needed to meet the demands of subscribers.

MANILA — The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) successfully concluded on Friday, a three-day international road show in Hong Kong dubbed "Philippine Corporate Day".

MANILA — The Philippine peso rose against the US dollar Friday alongside other Asian currencies Friday due to among others the large investment flows and expectation of credit rating upgrade on the Philippines.

MANILA — PLDT Alpha Enterprise on Friday said that it has beefed up its services portfolio by converging with VITRO Data Center.

MANILA — Philippine shares ended the week dipping by 1.32 percent or 63.51 points to close at 4,758.57 while broader all-share index dropping by 0.95 percent or 30.69 points to 3,210.69.

MANILA — A sub-committee of the House ways and means committee recommended the adoption of a draft law that aims to retain the current excise tax structure on alcohol and tobacco products.

MANILA — The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) is set to turn over dividends amounting to P100 million to the Bureau of Treasury (BOT).

Manila — With the theme “Blooming at 2”, the Hospitality and Wellness Industries Furnishers and Services Providers Association (HW Pilipinas) is upbeat about the prospects of the industry in 2012 citing the strong business confidence in the country.

MANILA — Globe Telecom lauds government in its drive to increase the use of text messaging in its drive to speed-up the dissemination of information to the general public.

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — A P30-million restaurant complex is set to open in Clark, an added tourism-related venture in this Freeport.