Maniolas

Mining companies, whom President Rodrigo Duterte and his environment chief Gina Lopez castigated over irresponsible practices, say they welcome the government’s recent statements. Philstar.com/stock MANILA, Philippines — The mining industry has taken President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent warning as a challenge to continue keeping up with the standards of responsible mining in the country. “We continue to take the President’s statements as a challenge for us to step up our efforts and practices in adhering to the tenets of responsible mining,” the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said. On Monday, Duterte issued a stern warning to mining firms as he vowed to be tough on businesses that are destroying the environment and violating government standards. “If you refuse to obey, I will place you inside the mining pit and cover it. You want to try it, fine. Let’s do it. You say mining is a critical component of the Philippine economy, of course it is, it’s income. But you are also making a critical damage,” he said. Non-government organization Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) also welcomed Duterte’s announcement to forego the P40-billion mining investments. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We believe the statistical data that mining is not a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product of less than one percent and 0.04 percent of the total jobs,” ATM national coordinator Jaybee Garganera told The STAR. “Mining directly threatens our agriculture, water and tourism economic activities, so it must be effectively regulated. If not, we Read More …

THE Philippines is guaranteed of securing preferential trade arrangements with the United Kingdom (UK) even after the latter’s June 23 vote to leave the European Union (EU), the British envoy said on Tuesday.

DTI SECRETARY MEETS FRENCH AMBASSADOR: Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (left) recently meet with French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou to discuss future plans and programs in strengthening the two countries’ economic ties. France, as the third largest economy in the European Union is among the countries which support the Philippines’ advocacy on developing small and medium enterprises especially in the creative services and startup sector. MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is seeking ways to boost bilateral ties with France, a country seen to help strengthen the government’s thrust towards the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez met last week with French Ambassador Thierry Mathou to discuss programs in strengthening the two countries’ economic ties. “France, as the third largest economy in the European Union, is among the countries which support the Philippines’ advocacy on developing small and medium enterprises especially in the creative services and startup sector,” the DTI chief said. Philippine exports to France last year increased 25.41 percent to $415.89 million from $331.64 million in 2014. Top exported products include parts of electronic integrated circuits and micro assemblies. Bilateral trade between the two countries, meanwhile, was expected to finish lower last year from the $2.3 billion recorded in 2014. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 France, however, has consistently been one of the country’s biggest markets for import and export merchandise trade and has risen to become the Philippines’ second largest trading Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (PCPC) plans to start up the first unit of its 2×135-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo within the week after getting clearance from the power regulator. In a statement, PCPC said it was granted a provisional Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the operation of its 135-MW power plant, which will eventually be replaced by a final COC as advised by the ERC. Securing a COC is necessary before any generation company can commence commercial operations. PCPC said the construction of the power plant is already 99.5 percent completed as of end-July, while commissioning is expected to be completed this week. The firm said the issuance of the provisional certificate signifies PCPC’s compliance with the requirements under the 2014 Revised Rules for the Issuance of Certificate of Compliance for Generation Companies/Entities with Self-Generation Facilities. “PCPC was granted the provisional COC after careful determination by ERC of the company’s compliance with the financial, technical, and environmental requirements,” PCPC senior vice president Winifredo Pangilinan said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The power plant will be supplying its power generation capacities to the Visayas grid, covered by an ERC-approved power supply agreement with distribution utilities in Negros, Cebu, Leyte and Panay. PCPC is seen as a critical addition to the power generation industry especially in Panay,  Negros and Cebu Islands since it will augment the growing power requirements in Iloilo, Aklan, Negros and Cebu Read More …

Photo shows Nestle Philippines officials (from left) Peter Douglas Winter, technical director; Ernie Mascenon, corporate affairs director; Jacques Reber, chairman and CEO; and Sherilla Bayona, business executive manager, beverages. JOEY MENDOZA      MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos’ continued patronage of its chocolate drinks, coupled with the country’s sustained economic growth have prompted Swiss consumer goods giant Nestle to invest P2 billion to build a new Milo beverage factory in the Philippines – only the fourth of its kind in the world. Nestle Philippines chairman and CEO Jacques Reber announced yesterday the group’s latest expansion project which would be on top of the P14 billion investments it had poured into the country over the last five years. The Milo malt plant, which is being constructed on a 5,400 square meter property in Lipa, Batangas, will be Nestle’s sixth factory in the Philippines. Nestle currently has three existing malt plants globally which are located in Singapore, Nigeria and Australia. Reber said the Philippines has been selected as the site of the new malt plant because of the huge domestic demand for Milo products and the group’s strong confidence in the continued growth of the country’s  economy. The Philippines is currently Nestle’s biggest market in Southeast Asia, second biggest in Asia next to China, and eighth largest worldwide. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1  “The Philippines is a key market for us at Nestle. For over a century, we have continually affirmed our confidence in, and commitment to the Philippines through our Read More …