Maniolas

MANILA, Philippines – The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is working on another settlement with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) after the power distributor asked a local court to stop the new rules on the retail competition and open access (RCOA). “We’re preparing our defense. Meralco’s doing the same. In the meantime, we’re trying to talk to them,” ERC commissioner Alfredo Non told reporters. “I have talked to (Meralco president and CEO) Oscar Reyes, (Meralco senior vice-president) Al Panlilio to see how we can manage the earlier settlement,” he added. In May, Meralco sought court relief after the government issued new RCOA rules that it claimed were not in accordance with Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations. The company secured a temporary restraining order from the Pasig regional trial court, but ERC said it has no jurisdiction over the case. Currently, other qualified RES are continuing under the RCOA scheme. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The injunction on the new RCOA rules only brings disadvantage to distribution utilities (DUs) like Meralco because this prevents them from participating in the open market, the ERC commissioner said. “I cannot understand why DUs like Meralco and VECO would oppose the change. The longer they are in injunction, the longer they cannot participate in the CREM (Competitive Retail Electricity Market),” Non said. Under the RCOA regime, end-users who are part of the contestable market, or contestable customers, are given the choice to Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – From its humble beginnings 27 years ago supplying products and services to golf courses in the country, The Turf Company has grown into a one-stop shop that provides total solutions to the management and maintenance of golf courses and sports-themed estates, resorts and recreation facilities, hospitals, commercial landscapes like retail developments, and private and residential projects. Today, it is considered a leading force in the industry with an extensive roster of prestigious clients who have remained loyal to the company through the years. “As we mark our 27th year, we express our appreciation and gratitude to our customers who believe in us and continue to patronize us. The journey of our company has been exciting and fulfilling, to say the least. We have gained milestones in our history, beating the ups and downs of the local market,” said Mario Lopez, president and COO of The Turf Company. “We owe our growth through the dedication and commitment of our team and the support of our principals. They are our valuable partners.” The Turf Company enjoys some of the most established relationships in the industry, including partnerships with world-class brands which it distributes in the country. These include the Toro brand of golf course maintenance equipment and irrigation systems which accounts for about 80 percent of the company’s turf management business. Other flagship brands that The Turf Company proudly distributes are Orec precision mowing equipment, Club Car & Texas Eagle golf cars and allied products. As The Turf Company Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines, being a center of marine biodiversity, wants to position itself as a top diving destination in Southeast Asia and eventually the whole world, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. On the sidelines of the Diving and Resort Travel (DRT) Philippines Show, Tourism Undersecretary for Advocacy and Public Affairs Katherine De Castro said the agency is continuing efforts to promote the country as a major diving destination. “We want to be the number one in Southeast Asia and then make people realize that there’s more to be seen in the Philippines as compared to the rest of the world,” De Castro said. Diving is seen as a key driver of growth in the tourism sector due to the country’s diverse marine life and vast coral resources, she added. To achieve its goal, the DOT expanded this year’s DRT Philippines Show and accommodated more local and international experts and stakeholders in the diving industry. “We have DRT shows like this because it creates awareness. We invited a lot of well known and well respected underwater cinematographer and photographers,” De Castro said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We get all their work out there so when (people) find out the (photos and videos are) from the Philippines, believe me, the scuba divers from all over the world, when they see something like that, it will be in their bucket list,” she added. These photographers, cinematographers and diving experts are set to conduct a series Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte’s formal acceptance to host next year’s ASEAN Summit bodes well for the country’s tourism sector, an official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday. “It offers yet another great opportunity for the Filipino people to extend their genuine hospitality, as well as showcase the country’s world-class travel destinations,” DOT media director Ina Zara said. The arrival of the guests, representatives and foreign dignitaries will also move the sector and the economy as they will book hotels, dine, shop and go around the country, she added. “We share the President’s optimism and enthusiasm for the country’s hosting of the 2017 Summit, with the theme ‘Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,’ to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said. “We cannot overemphasize that the Philippines played an instrumental role in the founding of the regional bloc. We at DOT, therefore, stand alongside President Duterte, ready and willing to steer ASEAN toward realization of its goals of cooperation and regional stability,” she added. Meanwhile, Teo also expressed optimism the “strong friendly” relations between the Philippines and the US will remain. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The Philippines has always had strong ties with the US and that is not going to change any time soon,” Teo said. She added the encounter between President Duterte and US President Barack Obama during the gala dinner at the ASEAN Summit has increased the chances of a more substantive meeting in Read More …

OUTBOUND shipments of crude coconut oil (CNO) exports dipped more than a fifth year-on-year in July as the sector reeled from one of the worst dry spells to hit the country in decades, according to industry data released on Friday.