The gross domestic product (GDP) of the Philippines grew 7.9 percent in the second quarter of this year, the highest since 1988, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said today.

The NSCB attributed the high GDP growth from the 1.2-percent in the same period last year to peaceful national elections, improved investors confidence especially among local investors, the global economic recovery and increased capital expenditure of government.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone yesterday asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to reduce its programs so it could save money and focus on “the basics to improve the quality of education.”

Evardone, member of the House committee on basic education, said at present DepEd has 54 different programs grouped under the categories of access to basic education, quality and relevance to basic education, teacher competence, school-based management, alternative learning system, health and nutrition, and other programs and projects.

Members of the different foreign chambers of commerce in the Philippines plan to offer at least 3,000 jobs and some 500 internship slots in an employment expo this October.

THE PHILIPPINES would see its adult population slashed by almost a quarter if everyone who wanted to leave their homeland was allowed to do so, a global survey showed.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. is urging the government to put up a research and development facility that will enable the country to attract the billions of dollars in investments that are now being poured into neighboring economies.

CHIKKA Philippines, Inc. launched yesterday a new version of its Chikka Text Messenger service allowing more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to send instant messages from computers or phones in “budget packages.”

The firm is confident the public will continue to use the software despite the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook.

 THE PHILIPPINES will do well to increase its presence in the global supply chain for solar electronics, an industry group said yesterday.

This fast-growing segment will be among the new niches to be recommended for government support in an industry road map slated for completion by October, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) officials said.

AT A TIME when the world’s top billionaires have begun to seriously invest in charity, a new form of philanthropy is being cooked up as a tool to uplift the Philippines’ quality of education and create a domestic high-value technology industry.

OVERSEAS WORK has positive effects on society too, with returning Filipinos reportedly gaining more cosmopolitan tastes and a heightened sense of discipline which they pass on to their families, a survey commissioned by money transfer firm Western Union showed.

President Benigno Aquino III's first official trip to the U.S. next month will focus on attracting investors who can create jobs in the Philippines.

"Job generation is first priority," Aquino said on Monday.

Aquino is scheduled to visit the US for 4 days in September, his first trip to the US after assuming the presidency.