Few businesses can operate without using a computer, and computers need software to operate. Does it still make sense to cut corners by using pirated software?

Consider the following figures:

1,962 – the number of raids made by the Philippine Anti-Piracy Team
3.3 million – optical disks seized in the raids
P876 million – estimated street value of optical disks seized
206 – computers seized as of November last year
15 – sacks of pirated CDs of software valued at P14.3 million seized

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In case you don’t know this yet, state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is offering forward foreign exchange rate protection under its hedging facility for exporters.

This is quite helpful of DBP president & chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David. At least, here is something concrete that affected sectors can do to mitigate the impact of the peso appreciation.

As of last week, handicraft manufacturers, aquaculture traders, those who are in the carageenan and garments businesses who sell to the United States, Europe, Japan, Chile and India are some of those who first applied for the facility.

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Some eye-popping figures came out of Cartoon Network’s latest study on Filipino children and their lifestyles.

P37 billion – spending power of kids in their “tweenies”, or kids seven to 14 years old

46% — of Filipino kids are now using the Internet versus 26% in the 2005 study

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Big businesses like Ayala Corp., Cinderella, PLDT, and Jollibee consume huge kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Just imagine how a 10 percent drop in their electricity bills can make their bottomline look prettier.

I discovered one of the well-kept secrets of big businesses in reducing electricity costs during a conference session on being kind to the environment organized by the League of Corporate Foundations.

A rogue businessman who looked more comfortable in jeans watching a rock concert was preaching about bulbs made in Europe that could reduce electricity consumption by as much as 80 percent. I was skeptical, of course.

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