Philippine Nickle Industry Rakes International Award Recognition from Local and International Giving Bodies

 Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) members recently gained recognition for excellence in operations from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

This was revealed during the Pandesal forum held at the Max’s restaurant in Scout Tuazon street in Diliman, Quezon City. The forum moderator was Mr. Wilson Lee Flores.

Local and International Award Recognition

Agata Mining Venture Inc. (AMVI) will be representing the Philippines at the 2^nd ASEAN Mineral Awards in Thailand this December. AMVI is nominated for the Best Practices in Metallic Mineral Distribution award which recognizes impact on community development, implications on ASEAN mineral supply, human resource development, productivity and resource efficiency, and measures to address health, safety, and environmental performance.

On the other hand, the Nickel Initiative 2019 Conference held last March 18 and 19 was shortlisted in Public Affairs Asia’s Gold Standard Award for Stakeholder Engagement and Gold Standard Award for Country and Trade Promotion.

The premiere business conference, which is a milestone event for the country’s nickel industry, was selected over 250 entries submitted by various industries across Asia. PNIA will represent the Philippine’s nickel industry in the awarding ceremony to be held on February 2020 in Singapore.

PNIA members were also awarded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) as they took home a total of eleven (11) awards for excellence of their mining operations at the 66^th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC).

During the event, C.T.P. Construction and Mining Corporation (CTPCMC) and Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) got the Platinum Award for Surface Mining operations.

CTPCMC was awarded two Platinum Achievement Awards for their surface mining operations in the Barangays of Dahican and Adlay, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, and PGMC received a Platinum Achievement Award for their surface mining operation in Barangay Cagdianao in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

In addition, AMVI was awarded their second Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for their Surface Mining operations. PMIEA is the country’s highest award for mining companies that are demonstrating excellence in environmental, safety, and health management, and community development in the conduct of its mining operations.

AMVI also placed 2^nd Runner – Up in the Best Mining Forest Award and was Runner-Up for the Safest Surface Mining Operation Award.

On top of being recognized and awarded for excellence in their mining operations, PNIA members raked in awards during the Mine Safety Field Demonstration and Competition ceremonies.

PGMC was 1^st Runner – Up in the Fire Extinguishing competition, Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation (MMDC) was 2^nd Runner – Up in the same competition, and CTPCMC was 2^nd Runner – Up in the Fire Brigade competition.

Recognizing the contribution of the mining industry to trade and exports, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also awarded PGMC as the country’s Top Exporter for the Minerals Sector.

Earlier this year, CTPCMC was titled the Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Champion for the CARAGA region by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for their commendable achievements of their initiatives benefiting safety and health of their workers and the community.

PNIA Chairman Isidro C. Alcantara Jr. underscored the importance of aiming for excellence in mining operation standards as well as creating an impact to uplift lives of people where mines are operating.

“The industry has significantly contributed to nation building by boosting regional economic growth in the countryside. Mining helped secure a sustainable future for their families through employment, livelihood, education and other social services like health and other socio-civic programs,” Alcantara said.

PNIA President Dante R. Bravo highly commends the achievement of PNIA member companies as these successes showcase concrete efforts for sustainable and responsible mining in the Philippines.

“There is integrity in what we do, and these awards are another confirmation of the fact that we are a responsible, responsive, and ethical industry. I could not be happier with what the industry has achieved this year,” said Bravo.

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Pandesal Forum on Duterte’s Politics and Foreign Policy

Pandesal Forum is a weekly press conference and small gathering of media, vloggers, bloggers at the historic bakery in Quezon City.

Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores ( columnist, businessman and facilitator of the pandesal forum) together with Atty. Harry Roque

The forum started with a late morning breakfast meal which consists of pandesal, peanut spread, jam and hot coffee from Kamuning Bakery.

Kamuning Bakery

The bakery is slowly rebuilding from the ashes of the fire which gutted the bakery last February 2018.

tasty bread

well loved pastries, cheese cake and pies

Duterte’s Politics and  Foreign Policy: Future prospects, Challenges and Opportunities Resource speaker Atty. Harry Roque.

Atty. Harry Roque was the former Presidential Spokesman and  Presidential Adviser for Human Rights; former Congressman; University of the Philippines (U.P) Diliman professor of public international law for 15 years; graduate of U.P. Diliman, University of Michigan and London School of Economics and Political Science.

He is also distant nephew of former Senate President Jovito Salonga. Some of the topics discussed were th  United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)  following the adoption of a resolution that called for an inquiry into the Philippines’ human rights situation. Another one was the statement made by Justice Carpio with regard to the territorial dispute with China.

World Poetry Day 2017 at Kamuning Bakery

World Poetry Day 2017 was celebrated yesterday at the historic Kamuning Bakery . Mr. Jose Maria Flores Lacaba or Pete and his wife Marra Pl. Lanot  was invited to share their thoughts and insights about Poetry .

Poetry reaffirms our common humanity by revealing to us that individuals, everywhere in the world, share the same questions and feelings. Poetry is the mainstay of oral tradition and, over centuries, can communicate the innermost values of diverse cultures.

Lacaba is currently the executive editor of Summit Media’s YES! magazine, the sister publication of PEP.

Mr. Wilson Lee-Flores and Her Excellency Kok Li Peng of Singapore Embassy

The press conference started at about 9:30 am. Singapore ambassador Koh Li Peng shared some insights about Singapore role at the ASEAN . Ambassador Koh Li Peng in her two year stay in the country also shared some of her impression about Filipinos: among which are the Sense of Humor,  Sincerity and Love for Foods.

During the free-wheeling Pandesal Forum with local and international media, Ambassador Kok extolled the warm diplomatic and economic ties between the Philippines and Singapore, as well as the general optimism of the Asean region as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a high-level summit hosted by chairman the Philippines. She said that there are high hopes on the RCEP economic agreement being worked out between the 10-member nations of Asean region and China, that she thinks both this RCEP and even the TPP are all good initiatives to promote freer global trade.

             Ambassador Kok declined to comment to media’s questions on controversies like some Western criticisms of the draconian war on illegal drugs and the new death penalty bill, she reiterated that Singapore respects the sovereignty of its nation to govern itself and solve its own problems. She said Singapore has a very strong policy against illegal drugs. Kok also declined to comment on territorial dispute issues, since Singapore isn’t a claimant state but expressed hopes that Asian regional peace and stability shall be maintained by all Asian countries in order to sustain the region’s strong economic growth.

After the press conference, There were groups of students who joined the affair , for Poetry reading and appreciation.

The “Pandesal Forum”: The non-partisan, liberal, pro-people and informal Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Cafe was started on September 15, 2015 by writer Wilson Lee Flores as convenor and moderator. It welcomes all speakers, not just limited to political leaders. It is inspired by the centuries-old tradition of the “tertulia”—the informal and learned salon discussions of the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America; it is also inspired by ancient China’s “li lun” or intellectual discourses. The “Pandesal Forum” hopes to help elevate the quality of public discourse in the Philippines on current affairs, politics and other topics, also focusing on economic, gut or “pandesal” issues. It also advocates genuine reforms and new ideas.

Website: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/manila.htmlhttps://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/manila.html

Philippine Veterans Bank Lauds WWII Heroes and Set Schedule on Bataan Freedom Run

 Philippine Veterans Bank together with its partners once again revisits history by organizing some events to be held in honor of the country’s heroes . This was revealed during the Pandesal Forum at the historic Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City .

Kamuning bakery display shelf 

The pandesal forum serves as a venue for press briefing about what is the latest happenings in the country . The big event is also supported by Bataan provincial government and tourism.

organizers 

World War 2 heroes , the 4th installment of the marathon entitled ” Bataan Freedom Run ” and a new event for running and biking enthusiasts dubbed the Mariveles -San Fernando Capas Freedom Trail .

This will also coincide with the 75th Year Anniversary of the Bataan Death March . There will be increased participation by marathon runners from Japan and international delegates .

The marathon will be held on April 2, The Bataan Freedom Run will feature a 42 -kilometer full marathon , a 21 kilometer half marathon as well as 10-kilometers, 5-kilometers and 1 kilometer courses for running enthusiasts , kids and even pets !

As in the previous years , the BFR follows the route of the Bataan Death March and will start at the Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan.

Registration Fees : Ultra Race

The good news to international participants of the marathon and relay events is that the local organizer had just converted the fees into dollars without extra cost . 160 kilometer would cost around $ 63.00 or Php 3,000 , 160 kilometer ( 8 man relay team ) Php 1,500 or $31.00 and 160 kilometer (16 man team ) cost Php 1,500 or $31.00

The proceeds of the marathon and other events will be for the upkeep of the death march markers and other projects.

On the other hand , the Freedom Trail will feature , a  punishing 160-kilometer run with individual and team relay categories for marathoners as well as similar -distanced bike run . The new event will be held from April 10 to 11 and will cover the death March route from Mariveles , Bataan to Capas.

” Once again , Philippines Veterans Bank , together with our partners , is putting a segment of our nation’s history into the forefront of our national consciousness with the Bataan Freedom Run and the Freedom Trail , ” said PVB Chairman Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo , OBE . ” These events are not only challenging physically but also mentally to the runners and bikers , but they are doing this to honor the World War II veterans who endured and made the ultimate sacrifice during the Death March seventy- five years ago”.

For more updates , please visit the Bataan Freedom Run Facebook

 

 

 

Meralco Advisory at Pandesal Forum : Consumers Enjoy Lower Power Rates in May

Kamuning Bakery , Quezon City -Philippines

Meralco announced earlier this month that the rate for its residential customers in May would go down by 41 -centavos per kWk, thereby bringing it down to Php 8.44 per kWh.  There was a press conference earlier today held at the iconic Kamuning Bakery in Quezon City .

For a typical household consuming 200kWh , this translate to a reduction of around Php 82.00 in their electricity bill.

L-R    Mr. Wilson Lee -Flores ,Mr. Joe Zaldarriaga ( Meralco spokesperson)  ,  Mr. Jose Antonio -Valdez ( Vice President and Head -Marketing Consumer Solutions and Product Development ) MERALCO, Little Joe and Little Miss Maita

monthly changes in April and May

This month ‘s overall rate is lower by Php 1.54 per kWh compared to May 2015’s Php 9.98 per kWh. It is also the lowest since January 2010, or over a period of six years.

The decrease in the overall rates was primarily due to the generation charge , which decreased by Php 0.21 per kWh from last month . May’s generation charge is the lowest since October 2004.

The current repricing covers months when crude oil spot prices in the world market fell to as low as US$31 per barrel.  The three natural gas plants supplied more than half, or 54%, of Meralco’s requirements.

egg pie  chart – based on 2015 overall average cost of power

We were grouped into 5 members per team ( 3 teams ) . The one who finish the first with correct answers wins.

54% goes to generation companies , 18% Meralco , 11% transmission , 12%taxes aand 5% others.

Based on 2015 overall average rates – taxes=value added tax +universal charg +local franchise tax

others=system loss charge +subsidies +feed-in Tariff Allowance ( FiT-All)

winning team

Transmission charge likewise registered a decrease of PhP0.10 per kWh due to the reduction in NGCP’s ancillary charges and slight decrease in Power Delivery Service (PDS) charge.

Taxes and Other Charges also decreased by PhP0.10 per kWh following the reduction in generation and transmission charges.
Meralco’s distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 10 months, after they registered a reduction in July 2015.

customer engagement 

The company is expanding the coverage areas for pre-paid electricity system to about 140,000 homes across different areas of Metro Manila and nearby municipalities like Cainta, Angono , Taytay and Rizal.

Mr. Jose Antonio T. Valdez -head Marketing , Customer Solutions and Product Development ( Meralco)

The Meralco Orange Tags are easy-to-understand labels that indicate estimated energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) and estimated cost per hour to inform consumers on how much electricity a household product consumes.

Meralco has started putting Orange Tags on different models of refrigerators, air-conditioning units and washing machines found in leading appliance stores in Metro Manila. The appliance units have undergone testing at the Meralco Power Lab to determine their electric consumption and equivalent power cost.

Orange Tags also indicate the appliances’ brand, type, model, power rating, Meralco average rate used and testing date. Information found in the Meralco Orange Tags and other Power Lab test results can also be viewed at the Meralco Power Lab website at http://www.meralco.com.ph/powerlab.

 

bloggers and media enjoyed the hearty lunch

 The bloggers had a great time at the Pandesal Forum and we learned a lot about energy saving tips, the advocacies and project of MERALCO .

Website: http://www.meralco.com.ph/

Note: The group won Philip’s -induction cooker as winners of the game ( group 1)