Today's Issue
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Editor's Take: Power Shortages Poses Threat To SMEs
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SME News: Steady power supply seen more important
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Tax Calendar
SME News
Steady power supply seen more important
While competition among power generators is expected to result in lowering of power rates, still the steady supply of power depends on having ample supply of fuel to be used to generate electricity, Lasse Matti A. Holopainen, president of the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC), told reporters Tuesday.
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Tax Calendar
August 6 Last day of e-Filing/Filing & e-Payment/Payment for 2000 DST for July 2007
August 10 Last day of e-Filing/Filing & e-Payment/Payment/Remmitance for:
- 1600 of withholding VAT/PT for July 2007
- Filing & Payment/Remittance of 1601C, 1601E, 1601F, & 1602 for withholding return on compensation, EWT, & FWT for July 2007 (non-EFPS taxpayers); 1606 for withholding on transfer of real property other than capital assets for July 2007
Source: Punongbayan & Araullo
Editor's Take
Power Shortages Poses Threat To SMEs
If there is one thing that should cause us concern, it is reports of a looming power shortage. Just when the rolling power outages of the nineties seemed like a bad dream, we are now being told of hydro-electric plants shutting down because of low water levels and coal-fired plants threatened by scarce fuel supplies.
As China's own economy demands greater amounts of energy, our source of cheap fuel is increasingly constrained. Our dependence on expensive oil and coal demands that the Philippines take a serious look at our energy future. With climate change posing a real threat to our "green" hydropower alternative, we can either take a reactive approach by cutting back on consumption while improving grid management or looking ahead and investing in new, softer and renewable alternatives and transmission infrastructure.
If the SME Community is expected to contribute to economic growth, entrepreneurs need all the assurance that the lights won't go out at anytime. Some quarters are skeptical that talk of an energy crunch is just a cover up for poor service and inadequate management of the power generation sector.
Whatever the case, one thing is certain. The energy sector must shape up. This country badly needs to expand hydro-electric, geothermal and wind-power infrastructure. And the sooner that gets done the better.
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Russelle S. Trinidad
SME BizLink Editor
