Maniolas

I am currently out of the country for a short trip. This column will resume on Feb. 19 to tackle issues and concerns that affect the country. Facebook and Twitter We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us at www.facebook.com and follow us at www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa. Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.

Go Negosyo executive director Mon Lopez presents the books and DVDs to DTI Sec. Greg Domingo, Sen. Bam Aquino, re- gional director Wilhelm Malones and Iloilo MSMED chair Valerie Maravilla, to symbolically show the support being giv- en by Go Negosyo to the Negosyo centers, in terms of help- ing develop entrepreneurial mindset and competencies via seminars, trainings, mentorship network, product and market development. The other week, Unilever’s country chairman and CEO Rohit Jawa and I, together with my brother John, who is the managing director of our Selecta ice cream JV with Unilever, met Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla and his team to discuss the power situation.  Selecta is the market leader in ice cream with close to 80- percent share, with several thousands of freezers deployed in many sari-sari stores that are adding more income to small entrepreneurs. It is in the peak summer months that they benefit the most from selling ice cream. We wanted to get an assessment on how bad the power situation really is and whether or not we would be having brownouts that could affect the businesses of many micro entrepreneurs as well as the operations of all those in business.  Sec. Petilla had a very comprehensive and objective assessment of the situation. We believe he is on top of the situation and he is one of the best Energy secretaries that we ever had. In summary, he mentioned that while there is ample supply of power even during the summer months, there is still a Read More …

DAVAO CITY — Mindanao leaders and their Indonesian counterparts are pushing for the revival of flight links between Davao City and Manado in North Sulawesi, citing the need for connectivity to boost sub-regional trade.

MANILA, Philippines – The chief energy specialist of the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the private sector investiment arm of the World Bank, said the introduction of flexible liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Philippines would help reduce cost of power. “The physical characteristics and fuel supply constraints of the Philippines power system make necessary the introduction of flexible LNG to reduce price variability at the shoulder and peak,” said Tonci Bakovic in a paper disseminated to the media during an energy regulatory conference organized by the Norwegian Embassy. He said LNG supply that allows for the flexibility of spot purchases of LNG to avoid gas take or pay is a must.  “If gas with a large take or pay is re-introduced, we are back to square one and the sector will keep on having the physical must run problems that have nothing to do with the EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act),” Bakovic said. Furthermore, he said, authorities must “consider capacity payments to help with the financing of LNG import terminals. This, he said, is being done in other countries such as Colombia and Chile.  “The securitization of capacity payments from the electricity sector, in both Colombia and Chile, has facilitated the construction of importing LNG terminals in both countries,” the IFC official said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 For EPIRA, the landmark power reform law, Bakovic said there is no need to change this but noted that refinements can be made.  “Don’t change the EPIRA. Read More …

MANILA, Philippines – 9TV of Radio Philippines Network channel 9 (RPN9) would be rebranded as CNN Philippines this month exactly four months after a new group led by Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua took over the company and partnered with Time Warner Inc. Nine Media Corp. president Benjamin Ramos said the company’s 9TV would be rebranded as CNN Philippines within the month. “Yes the rebranding will take effect this month,” Ramos replied via text when asked if the rebranding would push through as scheduled this month. Last Aug. 23, Solar News Channel was renamed 9TV and Solar News organization became 9News marking the beginning of the channel’s thrust to reach wider audience and strengthen the presence on free TV RPN9. This after the group of Cabangon-Chua acquired the stake of businessman Wilson Tieng in Solar TV Network Inc. (STVN). STVN’s Solar Entertainment Corp. used to own 34 percent of RPN9 while the Benedicto family through Far Eastern Manages and Investors kept its 32 percent of RPN9 while the government has a 20- percent interest in the broadcast firm. Under the agreement between Cabangon Chua and Tieng’s Solar Group, STVN would have to forego the Solar name and change its corporate name before the end of last year. STVN would also stop using the Solar brand as well as logo. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Cabangon-Chua’s media empire includes Business Mirror and tabloid Pilipino Mirror as well as DwIZ 882 AM and 97.9 Natural FM through Aliw Broadcasting Corp. Read More …