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New SM mall in Cebu to rise in 2012

Roy — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:25:52 +0000

The country’s largest operator of mall chains, SM Prime Holdings Inc., is yet on another expansion as it announced its plan to start the construction of its new shopping mall located within the 240-hectare South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu 2010.

According to SM Prime chief financial officer Jeffrey Lim, the proposed shopping center will be having a gross floor area of 250,000 square meters, which make it the biggest the retail complex in Visayas and Mindanao. He said that the proposed shopping mall would be a smaller version of the 60-hectare Mall of Asia complex along Roxas Boulevard.

For the proposed mall in Cebu, the company has earmarked at least P20 billion in investment over the next 15-year period for a mixed-used development project at SRP which will also house a convention center, hotels, high-rise residential condominiums, school and a hospital. SM Prime offered to acquire the 28-hectare property within the SRP for P11,000 per square meter, or approximately P3 billion. The said property is a land reclamation project by the Cebu City government.

For this year, SM Prime will be opening five new malls in the country and one in China, where it will be spending P12.1 in total investments. Scheduled to be open this year are Calamba, Laguna; Masinag, Antipolo; Tarlac; Novaliches and San Pablo, Laguna.

The company also plans to open three new malls in Chonggqing, Suzhou, and Zibo, China, which are targeted to be opened between 2010 and 2012. Presently, it has three existing malls in China – SM Xiamen, Jinjiang and Chengdu.

SM Prime is targeting to have a total of 41 malls before the end of 2010, with a total gross floor area of 4.5 to 4.8 million square meters. Its malls are presently enjoying foot traffic of over 2.5 million per day.

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US BPO firm opens office in the Philippines

Roy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:54:31 +0000

A new business process outsourcing (BPO) firm has chosen the Philippines as the location of its latest service center. US-based Cybernet-Slash Support (CSS) recently opened its 1,000-seat facility in Taguig, its first Philippine site and currently has 400 employees. CSS said the new facility will be used for the company’s outbound sales, technology and other integrated BPO services for clients in North America. It plans to increase the number of employees in Philippines to around 2,000 people by the end of 2010. The company said it is in line with the company’s aspiration to emerge as a strong player in the country’s BPO space.

CSS’s chief executive Nick Sharma said they choose the Philippines as the site of its newest facility because of the “highly conducive” business atmosphere and talent pool of experienced BPO professionals. “The Philippines has emerged as one of the key global hubs for the BPO industry,” Sharma said. And thus, they felt that now is the most opportune time to expand their capabilities in the Philippines and extend their “portfolio of superior, effective support services to customers.”

Sharma said that CSS have committed $15 million in its budget to develop their business in the Philippines, and see it as their biggest facility in three to four years time.

They would be planning to hire mostly computer-related or engineering graduates who will be expected to provide their clients with both technical and customer support. Most of their clients are in the information technology, retail and healthcare sectors.

With its based located in San Jose, California, the company employs around 4,000 people working out of its global operations centers in India, the US, Poland and now, the Philippines. American telecommunications giant Alcatel-Lucent and tech firm Sun Microsystems & Blackboard Inc. are just two of the big-ticket clients of CSS.

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10 MW biomass power plant to be put up in Quezon

Roy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:50:14 +0000

A local firm engaged in the production of renewable energy is planning to put up a biomass plant in Quezon. A 10 megawatt (MW) biomass plant in Quezon is one of the upcoming projects of Ecoenerhiya. Company director for business development, Antonio Lopez, was quoted as saying that the project would cost about $36 million (P1.7 billion).

The P1.2 billion of the P1.7 billion would be financed through borrowing and the remaining cost will be coming from the company’s equity. According to Lopez, Ecoenerhiya is currently negotiating with Banco De Oro as possible provider of financing for the project, which is expected to be sealed by April this year.

The company hopes to start the construction of the Quezon plant in May this year and finish it by June next year. The 10 MW biomass project is a part of the total 24 projects which the company is eyeing. They expect to carry out half of the projects within a five-year time. The company is also open to accepting investors who would like to take part in their projects, said Lopez. “We are talking with investors, but we are not yet sure whether we will tie up with PNOC-RC. We are looking at all possibilities,” he said.

PNOC-Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC), is one the companies being eyed to be one of the company’s partner in some of the proposed biomass facilities.

The biomass project in Quezon province will be undertaken through a special purpose vehicle company, Unisan Biogen, of which, Lopez is the president.

Ecoenerhiya, through Unisan, will develop the plants, take minority stake and sell equity to other investors, according to Lopez. The 10 MW project in Quezon will be used as a test by the company to determine if they will pursue their plan to put up more biomass projects.

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China and India look into RP’s mining industry

Roy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:53:40 +0000

Foreign companies are looking at the Philippines as possible investment target in their search raw materials for infrastructure projects. Investors from India and China want to prepare for the global economic recovery and thus are exploring the possibility of investing in the mining industry in the country.

The first one, Indian company SK Resources & SK Transnational Pte Ltd., was said to be looking for potential supplier of iron ore and manganese in the Philippines, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). SK resources is into metals trading and mine operations. M.L. Sarawagi, director of SK Resources who is based in Singapore said he is scouting for potential suppliers of iron and manganese.

Meanwhile, delegates from China composed of 14 business people and government officials will be flying in to the country. According to MGB, the delegation will be visiting the Philippines to look into the local mining industry.

Members of the delegation include officials of Hunan Chenghe Mining Investment Development Co. Ltd., Wuxi First Construction Engineering Co., Ltd. and Wuxi Longda Metal Sheet Factory.

Another delegation who would be visiting the Philippines soon, includes the Whahaha Group Co. Ltd. The Whahaha is based in Hangzhou, China and is the leading drink maker in China. Company chair Zong Qinghou has been briefed by the MGB regarding the Philippines’ mineral landscape.

According to the report of the MGB, Zong is interested and would like “to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Philippines’ mining sector,” more specifically on possible sources and locations of different mineral deposits in the country.

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Schwarzenegger to lead business delegation who’ll visit the country next year

Roy — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 10:09:17 +0000

The Terminator will visit the Philippines next year, but he won’t be here to promote nor shoot any film. Instead, the California Governor will be leading a group of US business delegation who will visit the country in February as part of the government’s marketing efforts to expand the market of Philippine exports and industries.

The announcement was made by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who said that Schwarzenegger will be tagging along about 150 to 200 businessmen from San Francisco to discuss possible partnership deals with local industries. The main agenda of the delegation here would be green-energy technology.

The San Francisco delegation would be the first of a series of inbound business-matching sessions to be hosted by the Philippines next year for foreign trade and investment missions, according to DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP).

Aside from the Schwarzenegger-led delegates from San Francisco, visitors from Canada will also be flying in next year to discuss possible partnership with local firms. They would be looking on companies in the fields of education, medical tourism, import/export, banking and finance, and information technology (IT).

Likewise, delegates from Seattle and Silicon Valley would also come here for IT, Taiwan for diagnostic, Northern China for coco oil, and Portland for food products.

Meanwhile, local exporters would be brought by the government to about 20 countries next year too, for a similar pre-arranged business-matching sessions with foreign buyers.

The DTI said, “For 2010, BETP intends to conduct 23 Outbound Business Matchings (OBMs) to cover processed food, auto parts, fine jewelry, furniture houseware, wellness services, construction services, content for film and television, natural and organic products, and personal care products.”

Among the scheduled destination countries for Filipino exporters are Macau for processed food/marine products, India for snack food, Korea for marine products and natural and organic products, China for furniture, and Malaysia for Halal food.

Interested exporters who want to participate in these business-matching programs next year may contact BETP through (02)890-1200.

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Opportunities in macapuno production

Roy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:55:36 +0000

There is a big demand for the macapuno or the “mutant nut” in the Philippines as well as in other countries. This offers a big opportunity for Filipino entrepreneurs as they can venture into the business of producing planting or the nut itself.

The Philippine Coconut Authority Albay Research Center scientists were able to develop the Embryo-Cultured Macapuno in 2008, which made the production of “true-to-type” macapuno easy.

Cristeta Cueto, one of those scientists said that because of the big demand for the product, technology was able to offer big opportunity to prospective investors into tissue culture laboratory and nursery operations. Or, they might also be interested to produce the nut itself for domestic and foreign consumption.

Cueto, during her talk in the recent forum of investors at Nido Fortified Science Discover Center at the SM Mall of Asia last November 25, said that there is a wide gap between the supply and demand for macapuno nuts. The data from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) confirms this.

That is why in 1999, 134,000 Embryo-Cultured macapuno was required to plant 1,160 hectares and serve the eight million macapuno nuts required to serve the market’s demand. “Since then, massive planting of laboratory-raised seedlings had been encouraged to retain the status of being the largest macapuno nut-producing country among the coconut-growing regions,” Cueto added.

She cited the opportunities in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and industrial macapuno-based products waiting to be explored.

Cueto also mentioned the studies conducted by Dr. Ma. Judith B. Rodriguez of the PCA-ARC in the utilization of the nut’s highly viscous liquid endosperm that has high content of galactomannan, a polysaccharide, which can be used as alternative raw material for the production of hand and body lotion, hand sanitizers, hair cream, facial masks, hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, and even as biodegradable edible film.

This technology of producing embryo-cultured macapuno however is available only for commercial production of true-to-type macapuno planting materials. For investors interested in the mass production of embryo-cultured macapuno, seedling will be provided as well as complete technical training in the developed protocol, Cueto said.

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Google offers stimulus package to RP businesses

Roy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:18:17 +0000

Internet giant Google has come to the aid of Philippine business as it offers business stimulus package to local businesses. Google, together with STI Colleges has offered to build free websites for 200 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Aside from that, they will also be given P2,000 worth of free credits on Google AdWords.

This one-time offer, said Derek Callow, head of marketing for Google Southeast Asia, is meant to give local business a push and boost their online presence as they help them harness the power of the Web to grow their enterprise.

Callow said, “Any Philippine company that has a product to sell and a valid business permit can apply for the package.” The first 200 businesses who will sign up at the www.google.com.ph/stimulus until December 15, 2009 will have their company websites developed by STI College for free.

Subsequent participants, Callow added, will only have to pay a one-time free of P3,000 to STI College for the website development work.

There will be no hosting charges to the companies because the websites will be hosted on Blogger.com, which is owned by Google. The business stimulus package, Callow said, is “unique to this region.” It will enable local businesses to harness the cost-effectiveness and reach of the Internet to access a wider market and increase sales.

This project is being undertaken by Google in partnership with the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Go Negosyo and STI Colleges.

“We had to take a step back and show businesses how to build a website first. It’s the first step in communicating with your buyers in a cost-effective way and promoting your products on the Web,” Callow said.

CICT Cyberservices group head Monchito Ibrahim said the government fully supports the project, which aims to develop an ICT-enabled economy.

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North Philippines takes centerstage in tourism expo at Clark

Roy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:31:44 +0000

The North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo 2009 (NorthPhil) will be held at the Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga next month. The international event will showcase the best of North Philippines as it aims to highlight the best cultural, historical, environmental and natural attractions and destinations of Northern Luzon and the rest of the archipelago as an international showcase for the world to see.

Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Ace Durano said, â€œDirect flights to the international airports in North Philippines from some Asia-Pacific countries are available, facilitating easy connections for both inbound and outbound travelers. Thus, the event will gather not only the regionâ€™s major industry players, but also end-consumers and members of the global travel trade and other allied sectors.â€

The event is scheduled on November 13 to 15, and it is expected to bring in thousands of corporate, government, entrepreneurial, organizational and individual local and foreign visitors, as it does every year. Because of this, Durano said exhibitors were able to â€œmeet potential partners and clients and generate business and establish market linkages domestically and globally, especially since the NorthPhil Expo will be held in Clark, which is an international tourism hub itself.â€

Among those who have already signed up to participate in the Expo were Cebu Pacific Ar., Zest Air, Nayong Pilipino sa Clark, White Rock Waterpark and Beach Hotel, Holiday Inn Clark, The Legend Palawan, Microtel Hotels and Resorts, Red Coconut Beach Boracay, Hotel Vida, Lewis Grand Hotel, Oasis Hotel, Pampanga Association of Travel Agents, Pampanga Visitors Bureau, and the city governments of Calapan, Puerto Princesa and Tarlac, and many others.

The Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corporation (PETCO) is the event manager for the said exhibit and it will be held at the SM City Clark.

DOT organized NorthPhil through its regional offices in Ilocandia, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera Autonomous Region, and is supported by the Philippine Tourism Authority, Clark Development Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Manila North Tollways Corp. and the provinces of Aurora, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales as sponsors.

Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, Sun Star Pampanga, Punto Central Luzon, CLTV 36 and Bayan Productions will be their media partners.

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Trade exhibit for pint and labels

Roy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:57:49 +0000

The Philippine Center for Print Excellence Inc. (PCPE), together with the Philippine Printing Technical Foundation Inc. (PPTF) and Global-Link MP Events Intâ€™l Inc. will be holding the for the 6th year a print and label expo.

It will be the Print & Label Philippines 2009, the 6th International Printing & Label Machinery, Paper & Paper Products, Graphic Communications, Digital Imaging, Pre-Press Solutions, Accessories and Services Exhibition, which will be held on October 7 to 10 at the SMX Convention Center. The show will be open to trade buyers from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 7, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on October 8 and 9, and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 10.

The said exhibit has achieved record-breaking results last year, these include 17,176 registered buyers in four days. It attracted over 450 exhibiting companies that occupied 560 booths (9,100 sq. meters of exhibition space), coming from 26 countries and a reported on-site sales worth over $30 million. This year, the organizers expect at least to duplicate, if not exceed that feat.

Jing Lagandaon, COO of Global-Link MP, the organizer of the event, said to would-be participants, â€œAside from the members of PCPE and PPTF, as an exhibitor, you will also meet the members of our supporting organizations that include the Association of Paper Traders of the Philippines Inc., First Association of Self Adhesive Labels Industry of the Philippines, Packaging Institute of the Philippines, Philippine Plastics Industries Association Inc., Printing Industry Association of Davao, Screenprinting, Imaging, Design & Graphic Association of the Philippines and the Technological University of the Philippines. Exhibitors and service providers are guaranteed maximum exposure at Print & Label Philippines 2009.â€

For more information, contact Liza Mara of Global-Link MP at Tel: 750-8588 Fax 750-8585, email: liza.mara@-globallinkmp.com website: www.globallinkph.com www.globallinkmp.com

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Korean companies investing in renewable energy projects in the Philippines

Roy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:23:22 +0000

Recently, nine Korean companies went to the Philippines for the Philippine-Korea clean development mechanism/renewable energy (CDM/RE) projects forum which was organized by the Korea Trade (Kotra) Center. The Korean companies also scouted for renewable and alternative energy projects in country when they were here. They were also looking for local partners.

The nine firms was said to hold meetings with the government officials from the energy and environment department. They also had one-on-one meetings with local project developers and proponents.

These nine Korean companies were: Hanhwa Corp., Kepco subsidiary Korea Midland PowerCo Ltd., Unison Co. Ltd., Halla Energy and Environment, GS Caltex Corp. II, EcoFrontier, BIO-CDM Inc., KS Industry Co. Ltd., and Korea Water Resource Corp. (K Water). These companies, according to Kotra were exploring the possibilities in the country as they recognized the growth of the CDM and renewable energy sectors.

Unison, one of the two biggest wind power manufacturers and developers in Korea is considering wind power and wind tower projects in the Philippines, while K-Water, the leading water resources, treatment and power firm in Korea said that it plans to invest $200 million in a 65-megawatt (MW) hydropower project in Kapagang, Benguet.

Hanhwa and Korea Midland are looking at biomass, biogas power, other CDM projects, as well as wind power projects in the country. The two companies belong to the five biggest energy groups in Korea.

Halla Energy and GS Caltex are interested in biomass, mini hydropower, landfill gas and energy efficiency projects. Halla is one of the largest energy and environment engineering firm in Korea, while GS Caltex is the second largest petrochemical firm.

EcoFrontier, on the other hand, is the leading CDM full-cycle company in Korea and targets to invest in biomass and various CDM projects in the Philippines. BIO-CD and KS Industry are both interested to invest in renewable energy generation projects, which may include putting power plants. BIO-CD is a renewable energy developer, while KS Industry is a power, oil and gas firm.

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Mushroom production seminar

Roy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:58:58 +0000

On Saturday, October 3, 2009, there would be a whole day seminar on mushroom production to be given by Teddy Laurie, an expert in producing spawns as well as growing the crop. He will conduct the seminar right at the AANI Urban Farm at Kingsville Court, Antipolo City where he has put a facility to produce planting materials, particularly fruiting bags of oyster mushroom.

Laurie said that the fruiting bags he produced can remain productive for as long as eight months. He said fruiting bags sourced from others usually remain productive only for a few weeks or months.

The beauty of mushroom growing is that it can be done by urban dwellers as well as those living in the countryside. It can be undertaken as a commercial venture, or even just as a hobby for producing oneâ€™s own home requirements.

Mushroom growing does not require a big space for one to be able to undertake the project, also its gestation period is very short. A mushroom grower who starts with purchased fruiting bags will be able to harvest his first mushroom after only several days. By staggering the schedule of planting, it could result into a daily schedule of harvesting, or some other frequency as desired by the grower or the demand of the market, and the most important thing is that mushroom growing requires only a minimal capital.

To those living in the urban area, growing mushroom is an advantage because there are already where the market for the product is. These markets include institutional buyers like restaurant, subdivision homeowners, weekend markets and the like.

And mushroom is so versatile, so much so that when there is an excess harvest and buyers could not absorb all of them, it can be made into powder or dried mushroom. Laurie will also be teaching this process during the one day seminar. For directions to the seminar site, interested parties can check www.aaniphil.net.

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Ayala, Megaworld, SM eyes investment in mall, call center facility in Albay

Roy — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:30:09 +0000

Bicolano businessman Elizaldy S. Co, with his real estate arm, Misibis Land Inc., is investing P1.6 billion to develop the 51,000 square meters Embarcadero fronting Albay Bay and with a commanding view of the famous Mayon Volcano.

As he announced his plan, Co received offers of partnership from real estate and mall developers Ayala Land, Megaworld and the SM Group, for the development of the Embarcadero retail and ICT complex in Legazpi, Albay.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALLI) chairman Fernando Zobel himself, together with ALI president Antonino Aquino visited Legazpi recently for an ocular inspection of the Embarcadero and the Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa on Cagraray Islands which is a 20-minute ferry ride across the bay, according to Co. He said the ALI is eyeing a comprehensive joint venture development deal.

Megaworld, on the other hand, has informally expressed interest in talks regarding a possible joint venture development of the Embarcadero. While officials of the SM Group are interested in leasing a portion of the Embarcadero, possibly to put up a SaveMore supermarket.

Co said he has not yet signed any deal with of the three companies and that talks are still ongoing.

The ICT mall of Co in Legazpi City has been tagged as the Embarcadero, with a total of 51,000 square meters. The 31,000 square meters was said to be reserved for the first ever call center operations in Legazpi, and the 20,000 square meters is for a shopping mall.

Co said that the plans of the come call centers to put up operations at the Embarcadero was put on hold due to the current global economic recession, but the retail investments are continuing with about 80% of the space already pledged under construction. The said location is also the take-off point of a ferry service to the upscale Misibis Resorts, Estates and Spa.

Co was also set to develop, through his Sunwest Water and Electric Co. Inc. (SUWECO), some $300 million worth of renewable energy projects in Antique and Catanduanes involving hydro-power, solar and wind power.

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SBMA gets 17 new investment projects worth $57 million

Roy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:56:58 +0000

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) seems to be getting a new leash to sustain its economic growth. Recently, the free port was able to get 17 new investment projects worth more than $57.74 million signed.

The SBMA officials formally approved the new projects in a mass contract signing ceremony held at the SBDMC Formosa Hall at the free port. Six of the newly approved projects are involved in the leisure industry whose total committed investments are $53.59 million, five projects are in logistics, three in maritime and manufacturing and three more in general business.

Kenneth Lemuel Rementilla, SBMA manager for business and investment for leisure said, the leisure industry in the free port continues to boom, in spite of the global economic crunch. Said sector has turned in the most number of new projects and the biggest value of investment pledges. â€œThis a sure sign that the leisure sector in Subic is becoming more attractive to investors,â€ he said.

Ocean Nike Philkor Inc., a South Korean resort developer, has the biggest proposal among the 17 new projects. The company has set aside P2.5 billion for the operation of hotels, casinos and other leisure facilities at the free port.

Charles Kim, manager of Ocean Nine who represented the company during the contract-signing, said that they will be renovating a hotel complex at the Subicâ€™s Cubi Point to start a hotel and casino operations by January of next year.

Ocean Nice also plans to develop a beach resort, casino-hotel, convention center, shopping mall and a theme park as part of its mid-term and long-term plans.

The next two biggest investments also came from the leisure sector. These are, Innasia Corp., operator of the Courtyard Inn at the free port who will construct a P70-million four-story hotel and expansion of a dining facility, and duty-free shop operator Puregold Duty Free (Subic) Corp., who will have an expansion worth P50 million.

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Chinese firms plan to invest in the Philippines

Roy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:22:49 +0000

The Philippines still looks as a good country to invest in, and proof of these is that three big Chinese companies who are engaged in shipping and ship repair, beverage and real estate developments, are seriously considering going the country for their next investment destination.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Elmer C. Hernandez was in China recently for an investments mission and had discussions with the CEOs of different Chinese business conglomerates. Hernandez identified the companies who replied positively to his invitations as Hangzhou Wahaha Group Ltd., Chipolbrok and Shanghai Hodoor Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

The Wahaha Group, according to Hernandez, is looking to forge a joint venture with a Filipino group or company for a fruit juice processing plant in the Philippines. They would be utilizing the local fruits for puree and juice production for re-exports to China. â€œThey want to produce fruit purees and juices here because they are running out of fruits in Chinaâ€ Hernandez said. He added that they (BOI) are helping the Wahaha Group find a local partner.

The Wahaha Group, whose name signifies â€œlaughing childâ€ originated as a sales department of the Shangcheng District School in Hangzhou in 1987. In 1989 the company â€œHangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Foods Factoryâ€ was created specifically to tap a niche market which is the â€œchildrenâ€™s liquid nutrient.â€

With its headquarter located in Hangzhou, Zhengjian province, Wahaha has roughly 70 subsidiary companies and 40 manufacturing centers all over China, and the company employs approximately 20,000 workers. Wahaha is 46% owned by Shangcheng District Government.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Hodoor Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., is interested in putting up hotel and tourist accommodation facilities in the Philippines. Shanghai Hodoor is one of Chinaâ€™s major property developers.

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Consider poultry contract breeding as a sound investment

Roy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:06:54 +0000

One sound investment that entrepreneurs might want to look into these days is joining the San Miguel Food Inc.â€™s (SMFI) roster of Poultry Contract Breeders and Growers. Being in the company of an elite team delivering the Magnolia Fresh Chicken to Filipinos is definitely a good option.

Take Ofel Datorâ€™s word for it. Dator, owner of the Ofelâ€™s Poultry Farm and a contract grower for SMFI said, â€œIâ€™d definitely encourage any would-be investor to strongly consider becoming an SMFI Poultry breeder. It has turned out to be a very good venture for us.

Ofel began his business in 2005 with minimal capital outlay, together with her husband Serafin Dator. Four years later, Ofelâ€™s Poultry Farm is doing great business earning well over P2.5 million a year. They were recently adjudged Luzonâ€™s Top Contract Breeder for SMFI.

One of the main reasons why the couple chooses to be an SMFI poultry breeder is that it carries the brand Magnolia Fresh Chicken and therefore believed that it is a sure-fire investment. They also believe that in spite of the condition of the economy, food businesses will continue to stand firm. They are confident that there will be no end to the need for chicken meat products, and therefore, no end to the need for their products.

Another reason the couple choose to be an entrepreneur is that they see it as one way of helping their community by providing jobs. Their workers were mostly their neighbors and friends. Ofel said, â€œThese are the people who care for the farm. May malasakit because they are our friends, and because they see how much we care for them as well since we treat them as family members already.â€

Ofel also assured that being a contract breeder for SMFI is a sound investment because the company will take good care you â€“ from the layers to the feeds, to the purchasing of your products and the ready assistance given by their Broiler Production Representatives and their Breeder Technicians. â€œSMFI really takes care of their breeders and growers,â€ she said.

If you are looking for a sound investment for your hard-earned money, check out www.magnoliachicken.com and see the opportunities waiting for you as SMFIâ€™s contract breeder and grower.

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Watch out for SMEC’s IPO

Roy — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:53:38 +0000

The energy investment arm of food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp., the San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC), will be conducting an initial public offering (IPO) within the next three years. This has been confirmed by San Miguel president Ramon S. Ang who said that they will definitely keep a 51% interest in SMEC in spite of the IPO. The proceeds of the IPO will be used to fund the activities and work programs of the energy company, Ang said.

SMEC has just recently acquired an independent power producer administrator (IPPA) contract â€“ the 620-megawatt combined cycle power plant in Limay, Bataan, through a negotiated sale from Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corp.

Currently in the thick of expansion and conversion plans for its recently acquired power generation asset, Ang said SMEC will invest at least $350 million in converting the plant into a compressed natural gas (CNG)-fired facility. Currently, the company is in talk with several CNG suppliers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and Middle East.

In the same week in acquired the Bataan plant, SMEC also bagged the contract to manage the independent power producer (IPP) contract for the 1,000-MW Sual coal-fired power plant in Pangasinan, through a bidding conducted by PSALM.

Ang said the company is focusing on its energy and power business. It aims to increase the contribution of its power and energy investments to 25 percent of the parent firmâ€™s annual earning. Earnings from its food business should now be about 10 to 20 percent of the total, while telecom should be 30 percent. â€œWe want to be the top conglomerate, the most diversified with the biggest sales revenue,â€ he said.

â€œFor our power business, as much as possible, we want it to run on renewable energy. However, for the Sual (facility) which is a coal-fired plant, the question is how to make it environmentally friendly,â€ Ang added.

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Soap-making seminar on September 5, 2009

Roy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:46:45 +0000

Do you want to embark on a new business? How about making different kind of soaps? Just like food, soaps and detergents are an indispensible part of your grocery list. Why not learn to how make them so you wonâ€™t have to pay for them, and have business on the side?

Itâ€™s easy to learn how to make different kinds of soap, and start your own soap business. The Golden Treasure Skills Development Program will be conducting a one-day seminar on soap making on September 5, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the College of Social Work and Community Development Magsaysay Avenue corner Ylanan St., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

By participating in the said seminar, you will be able to learn different kinds of soaps, households and body products through lectures and hands-on training on how to make liquid dishwashing soap, liquid hand soap, liquid all-purpose soap, bar detergent soap, powder soap, dishwashing paste soap, herbal bath soap, and glycerin (transparent bath soap), liquid bleach, fabric softener, tile and bowl cleaner, glass cleaner, air freshener, car shampoo and tire black.

Participants will also be taught where to source materials and costing of their products. A new bonus course has been to added which include how to make body scrub, foot spa soap, foot spray, foot powder, hair shampoo and hand and body lotion.

Certificates of training will be given to the participants after the seminar. All the materials for the seminar will be provided.

For more information and inquiries, just call 436-78-26; 913-65-51 and 421-15-77 or log on to ww.GoldenTreasureSkills.com.

This is a good opportunity for all who wants to become an entrepreneur yet still donâ€™t know what specific type of business they could get into.

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SBMA grants P4M fund to Subic fisherfolks

Roy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:06:27 +0000

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has given the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (SB-IFARMC) a P4 million fund for its various activities which are meant to balance the industrial thrust of Subic Bay port. SB-IFARMC is a group formed to promote the sustainable development of the bay of Subic.

SBMA head Armand Arreza said, the fund also form as assistance to jumpstart livelihood and marine resources conservation programs by local fishers. The amount will be sourced from the environmental guarantee fund, a fund created as a condition under the environmental compliance certificate issued for two huge maritime projects in Subic, namely, the Subic port-modernization program and the Hanjin shipbuilding venture.

Arreza said, â€œFisherfolk who have been dependent on Subic Bayâ€™s bounty even before the creation of the Subic Bay Free Port will be the beneficiaries of this grant. They may have been affected by restrictions imposed on Subic as the maritime sector boomed, but this grant proves that the SBMA also champions the interest of the fishing sector.â€

SB-IFARMC chairman Laureano Artagame thanked SBMA for providing the assistance and said that the funds would be used mostly on building artificial reefs, and provide scholarships and livelihood programs for the families of fisherfolks in Subic.

Arreza and Artagame signed the memorandum of agreement governing the terms and conditions of the P4-million grant last week. Artagame said, â€œWith this fund, the SB-IFARMC will immediately implement project proposals from fishing communities. A lot of projects have lain dormant for the most part due to lack of funding.â€

The SBMA will be assisting the SB-IFARMC in the implementation of its projects. Other government agencies, like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, will be working with the group too.

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Business Opportunities in the 2012 London Olympics

annie — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:28:22 +0000

Every four years, an Olympic is being held. Different countries are hosting this much awaited event in sports. As athletes are preparing to be able to participate in this prestigious event, business minded people are also looking forward to this event as this serves as an opportunity to earn.

In 2012, London will be the host of the Olympics. If you are looking forward to supply the upcoming 2012 London Olympics with the product or service that your business offer, www.competefor.com is the site to visit. Thousands of British businesses that require suppliers for over the 50, 000 contracts that will be acquired through the London 2012 supply chain and related network can be accessed through the said website. What is good about it is that is being offered for free.

â€œCompeteforâ€ bridges the gap between buyers and suppliers. It is a pure brokerage service and not a tendering system. Buyers can post their contract opportunities in the site and look for qualified suppliers to be included in the shortlist. Suppliers who will be included in the shortlist will be invited by the buyer to participate in their tendering process. The tendering process is already outside the â€œcompeteforâ€ and usually will require submission further details and documents.

For Philippine exporters, the services offered by â€œcompeteforâ€™ means:

1. An effective tool in searching for business opportunities for the 2012 London Olympics without hardships and without spending any.

2. Since the London Olympics has the â€œcompeteforâ€ as the official and sponsored site in the upcoming event, suppliers can be assured of the reliability and accuracy of the different business opportunities that are posted on the site. Competefor also provide a room both for buyers and suppliers to have easier and faster negotiations.

3. With competefor, timely information can also be accessed in regards with the different opportunities in business and processes in procurement together with real time faster communication.

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New solar fish dryer cabinet developed by a Davao firm

Roy — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:48:51 +0000

A new method of drying fresh fish has been developed with the help of the new cabinet solar dryer created by Macondray Plastics, Inc. (Macplas), a local firm in Davao City who has been supplying the plastic bag requirements of banana plantations in Davao since the 1990s.

The cabinet solar dryer known as Helichaus was developed by Macplas with the assistance of the Los BaÃ±os-based Department of Science and Technology â€“ Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (DOST-PCAMRD). Selected housewives in Barangay Masili, Calamba City, Laguna.

The Helichaus wasÂ field-tested in fish drying and its quality of dried products using cabinet solar drying and sun drying, determinedÂ the moisture content if the dried products were subjected to two drying methods. Likewise, sensory evaluation of the dried products was also conducted, as well determination of the production cost.

The results of the research was reported by Vicente de Jesus of Macplas at the â€œFirst National Summit on Mechanization in Aquacultureâ€ which was held recently at the Department of Agriculture â€“ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources â€“ National Fisheries Research and Development Institute â€“ Asia Fisheries Academy in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

In the test conducted, siganid (rabbit fish or danggit), shrimps, tilapia and ayungin were subjected to sun drying and cabinet solar-drying methods. De Jesus notedÂ â€œit was observed that the heat from the sun was trapped inside the cabinet solar dryer, thereby increasing its temperature which facilitated the drying process of the fish samples.â€

In both drying methods, the temperature readings increased as the weather changed and drying time progressed. However, the Macplas dryer had higher temperature readings than the sun drying method at the same weather condition.

Employing the assistance of the trained students at the Laguna State Polytechnic University in Los BaÃ±os, sensory evaluation was done, while at the DOST-Los BaÃ±os, chemical analysis was done on the dried products. Results showed that the cabinet solar-dried fish samples had better quality attributes and moisture contents than the sun dried and commercially dried fish species.

The Helichaus also prolongs the keeping storage, safety of the dried fish samples and it reduces the drying period from two to three days to one or one and a half days, depending on the sunâ€™s heat.