Saturday, November 18, 2017

MPIC plans to spend P653B over next 5 yrs

SYDNEY, Australia: Conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) on Thursday said it is planning to spend P653 billion over the next five years to fund the projects of all its subsidiaries.

In a news briefing, MPIC Chief Finance Officer David Nicol said that the planned capital expenditure was based on committed projects of the conglomerate’s units in the next five years.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has a total of P125 billion committed projects that need funding, not to mention unsolicited proposals that could be worth another P145 billion, he said.

On the other hand, Light Rail Manila Corp. will need about P70 billion to upgrade LRT-1. This will include station upgrades, new light rail vehicles, reduced journey time, track replacement, and additional beep cards.

The company also seeks to finance substantial operational and infrastructure upgrade requirements of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3).

Meanwhile, water projects, including those outside Maynilad Water Services, Inc., will need P45 billion for the increase of water supply and waste and sewerage services coverage.

Energy from waste, MPIC’s new planned investment, will need P20 billion for the construction of an integrated solid waste management facility in Payatas, Quezon City where the old landfill is located.

Its power unit, meanwhile, will require P380 billion as the company continues to look to expand renewable energy sources in its portfolio.

Hospital arm Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. will need P13 billion to fund expansion, alongside putting up primary care clinics and specialty treatment centers.

“So for us, P653 billion—that’s committed … that’s over a five- to six-year period,” Nicol said.

Of the total amount, P100 billion will be allocated for 2018, a huge chunk of which will be taken by MPTC. MPIC’s tollroad unit will have P38 billion, Manila Electric Co. gets P21 billion, LRMC will get P17 billion, Maynilad will get P12 billion, and hospital and logistics units will get P6 billion each.

“Some of that will come from equity partners. Approximately P90 billion of it comes from MPIC. Some of it comes from project financing,” Nicol said, when asked how MPIC intends to source the funds for the spending program.

MPIC is the conglomerate led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Smart Dishwashing Detergent "Birthday ko!"

Smart Dishwashing Detergent "Birthday ko!"

Trader Mitsubishi wins $260m-plus rail car order in Philippines

Project costs to be covered by Japanese development assistance loan

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Corp. will supply 120 train cars for a light rail transit system in Manila, in a roughly 30 billion yen ($267 million) order that marks the Japanese trading house's first contract to provide rolling stock in the Philippines.

The train cars will be built by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, Spain's leading railroad car manufacturer known widely as CAF, using Japanese-made parts in the motors, brake systems and other components. Delivery is expected to begin in late 2020.

The cars will run on an elevated railroad running north-to-south through the Philippine capital. The 20km-long Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1 is currently undergoing construction to extend its reach 12km to the south. The new cars will boost the system's passenger-carrying capacity.

Amazing multi-talented Fil-Am

She may be a late bloomer but this doesn’t stop us from marveling at Lourdes “Lou” Duque Baron’s various talents that have propelled her to achieve fame in the US, her second homeland.

Lou wrote two books, “I Called Myself Cassandra” and “Scripted In Heaven,” now available on Amazon.

The first is autobiographical and it catches the reader as something candid, engaging and fearless. While many wives, especially Filipinas, tend to hide marital issues, Lou was honest in telling her life story with husband, Dr. Robinson V. Baron.

The second book will be used as the basis of a movie now in pre-production. Lou, is also a movie producer and actress. When she comes back in January, she’s going to re-release her maiden production “Butanding,” now re-mastered. In the movie, Lou plays mother to former beauty queen Lara Quigaman.

“Scripted In Heaven” was nominated for the Sidney Hillman Foundation Award in 2013 and in the same year received the Eastern Ontario Regional Network in the category of Outstanding Literary Award (Inspirational, True Story Biography). It was also awarded at the MoneyCytec Achiever Awards New York also in 2013.

Impressively, Lou is also a singer, songwriter and recording artist. When she was 67 years old, she released the album “Me And Mr. Jones” which won as Breakthrough Album Of The Year in the 2014 LA Music Awards. Other songs she has recorded are “I Just Wanna Be Your Everything,” “La Vie En Rose,” “My Spring In Paris,” and “Table For Two.”

A holder of BA in Psychology (Far Eastern University) and dual masters degree (Master in Health Administration and Master of Science in Gerontology) from University of La Verne, Lou is a civic and community leader in the San Gabriel Valley Area in California where her family resides. She was founder of the World Medical Missions and the Gregg Robinson Baron Foundation for Autism.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 18, go to Sarsi Emmanuelle, Glecy Cuazon, Elizabeth Maglipon, Baby Go, Romy Reyes, and Cathy DC AlegreNov. 19: Composer Gines Tan, Fr. Bel San Luis, Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera, Dr. Belittle Vital-Gozon, Nini Licaros, Atty. Vince Carlos, Robbie Layos, Christine Sempio, Neogin Evangelista, Bayani San Diego, Emma Suarez, Norma Tanwangco, Janus del Prado, Tito MinahChristine Sempio, Mrs. Belen Lim, Robbie Layos, Cecile Aquias, Roy M. Seneres Jr., Jun Alano, Manuel El Subastahero Alleje, Dr. Belit Vital-Gozon, Manny Torres, Neogin A. Evangelista, commercial director of Stiefel, and Priscilla AlmedaNov. 20: National Artist Arturo Luz, Lynn Sunico of Makati Skyline, Lyn Curtain, Marimil Ballesteros, Purita Soliven, Dr. Victor Serrano, Wilma Natividad, Fely Reyes, Dr. Angie Monteiro Mauricio, Maan Ilustre, Aisha Escolada, Bong Espinosa, Jovalyn Jose of PCSO PR Dept., LA Cabrestante, Apple Shi Pili, Phloxy Palma and Nemesio Dagang of California, Bum TenorioAngel Celestial, "TWBA" associate producer Jenny Ingalia, Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Peachy Cruz-Alviar of St. Luke's Medical Center, Claire Carlos, Dr. Luz Lacuna Tamayo, and Yen Santos of ABS-CBN… Happy wedding anniversary to Dyan Castillejo and Anton Garcia; Roger & Cynthia dela Cruz; Wally & Aida dela Cruz…The Child Protection Network Foundation invites to attend AKO PARA SA BATA: The International Conference in Manila on November 30 to December 1, 2017 at SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia for details call 404-3954 or send it to the facebook at Ako Para sa Bata Conference…