MANILA – Moody's Analytics sees a weaker growth of 4.2 percent for the Philippine economy in the second quarter this year from the higher-than-expected 6.4 percent expansion in the first quarter but it forecast a 4.7 percent full-year growth for the country.

In its Asia Pacific Preview for Aug. 27-31, 2012, the Moody's subsidiary which provides economic research and analysis, said imports had “strengthened, reflecting resilience in domestic demand despite global headwinds.”

“The services sector continued its steady and resilient expansion, and government spending remained strong,” it said.

Veterans Bank inaugurates
renovated branch in Bacolod

The Philippine Veterans Bank inaugurated its recently-renovated Bacolod City branch at Lacson and Cottage Road, Bacolod, recently.

Despite enjoying brisk business from both private and government clients since it first opened its doors in 1994, the management of the bank decided it was time for PVB-Bacolod to undergo a makeover to uplift its physical look and its professional image, its press release said.

With the renovation, PVB is confident it has made itself more convenient and comfortable for its clients in the province, especially the hundreds of World War II Filipino veterans who depend on the branch for the management of their finances, the press release said.

Farm experts to undergo
training in New Zealand

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Renante Decena yesterday named the five veterinary and dairy experts from the Negros Occidental who will be trained in New Zealand for six weeks for the Dairy Development Project of the province.

They are Jesus Villanueva, dairy farm manager at the Provincial Livestock and Breeding Center in La Granja, La Carlota; Jevi Ganancial, farm manager at the Negros First Ranch in Sta. Rosa, Murcia; Juanito Abello, dairy farm worker, Sagay Animal Breeding Center; Ronaldo Luage, agriculturist and project-in-charge of San Carlos Dairy Project; and Jesus Roberto Combate, agriculture specialist.