Making sure Members of a Quezon City police special weapons and tactics unit augment the security detail of the malls in the city to make sure that terrorists and criminals are deterred from creating mayhem during the Yuletide rush. NONOY LACZA

THE series of earthquakes, including a 7.1-magnitude tremor which struck Taiwan Tuesday night and Wednesday, damaging undersea cables and seriously disrupting Internet flows in the region, affected most members of the country’s business process outsourcing industry, particularly call centers.

BUSINESS process outsourcing companies (BPO) in the Philippines will continue to expand next year, but the country will still be unable to dislodge India as the world’s leading BPO destination, according to a forecast report by consulting firm Tholons Inc.

TAIPEI—Internet and telephone services across Asia were disrupted, hampering financial transactions, after earthquakes near Taiwan damaged undersea cables.

THERE have been significant strides in this country’s efforts to improve its competitiveness, but there is also the need for a closer partnership between the public and private sectors in putting the Philippines among the top five competitive economies by 2010, according to Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila.

SEN. Joker Arroyo on Wednesday advised lawmakers reconciling the Senate and House versions of the 2007 budget bill to settle the stalemate over what amounts to “less than one-half of 1 percent” of the proposed P1.13- trillion annual appropriations so Congress can pass the money measure quickly as soon as the two chambers reconvene sessions on January 22.

MALOLOS—As New Year approaches there is an equivalent rise in the sale of pyrotechnic products. There is also a significant increase of activity in the fireworks industry.