BIZ BUZZ: NGCP: Aligned with BBM

If the critics of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) were hoping that President Marcos would parrot their full-frontal attacks against the country’s energy network operator, then the Chief Executive’s State of the Nation Address would have left them disappointed.

The President touted in his speech that the country now has a unified grid that links Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, which will allow consumers to eventually enjoy lower electricity costs—an NGCP achievement that was unveiled last May when it powered up the P52-billion Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project.

Of course, what Mr. Marcos’ subordinates probably didn’t tell him is that many of the delays being ascribed to NGCP happened because the regulators themselves took their time in approving the projects or have yet to approve them.

Biz Buzz hears that the regulatory environment against NGCP is so hostile that, in a few cases, the firm actually had to risk proceeding with the projects even without the approval of regulators because the needs were imminent.

The good thing is that it seems NGCP and the President are completely aligned in their vision to improve the energy situation in the country. But don’t expect the company’s critics in government and the private sector to stop their attacks. Abangan!

—Daxim L. Lucas

New Mega Sardines museum

Something fishy is going on in Batangas, but definitely of the welcome kind as Mega Sardines, one of the country’s largest producers of canned sardines, is opening its own museum.

To be launched in August, the Mega Sardines Museum that will showcase Mega’s “catching to canning” process will be housed within the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, which is one of Mega Global Corp.’s largest investments to date.

The Mega Sardines Museum promises an immersive experience that will take visitors on a journey through the high-tech Batangas facility, where they can see for themselves the steps involved in producing the ubiquitous canned sardines.

From the sourcing of the finest sardines to the cutting-edge canning techniques, the museum seeks to highlight Mega Sardines’ commitment to excellence and sustainability.

—Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Honors for standout entrepreneurs

A new generation of young entrepreneurs were recognized during the Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards for their role in building sustainable businesses.

The honorees were Ralph Ray Chua, chair of Immuni Global Inc., which makes herbal drinks using ingredients from Filipino farmers, and Stephen Co, the founder of Nipa Brew Craft Beers and cofounder of Worth The Health Foods. Also recognized was Anya Lim, founder of Anthill Fabric Gallery.

The awards were launched in 2018 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Del Rosario, founder of the Phinma Group. There were over 100 entries this year with the three entrepreneurs chosen as “standout winners”.

“Our hope with the RVR Siklab Awards is that the efforts of these young businessmen and women are given their due credit, allowing them to take pride in what they do and earn the confidence they will need to transform our society for the better,” Phinma chair and CEO Ramon del Rosario Jr. said.

—Miguel R. Camus