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Suzuki rolls out the all-new Jimny


By Manny N. de los Reyes
SUZUKI has unveiled the much-awaited all-new Jimny. Suzuki’s new baby 4×4 boasts a simple, rugged design and promises the same legendary off-road capability that remains faithful to its iconic predecessors.
“Our determination to provide simple, straightforward, and functional vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny All-Grip Pro underscores our commitment to continuously provide innovation that Filipinos can rely on. Every detail of the fourth-generation Jimny — from the body to the engine — is designed to deliver the maximum performance and durability required by serious off-road travelers. With this newest addition to our lineup of vehicles, more Filipinos can now enjoy the Suzuki Way of Life as they explore more challenges and adventures,” said SPH Director and Automobile Division General Manager Keiichi Suzuki.
The Jimny uses a rugged yet lightweight ladder frame that is better suited for rough terrain. It uses a long-stroke 3-link suspension and rigid full wheel axles on both front and rear — the ideal setup for unstoppable off-roading.
It can climb over obstacles and steep hills without scraping its bumpers or underbody. The vehicle’s 37-degree approach angle, 28-degree ramp break-over angle, and 49-degree departure angle allow it to maneuver over ridges and verticals with ease.
With its part-time 4WD with low-range transfer gear, the Jimny can switch between 4WD and 2WD to achieve optimal off-road performance and better fuel economy and enhanced cornering on paved roads, respectively. It also has extra torque in the 4L mode for rough terrain.
To its formidable go-anywhere features, the new Jimny adds hill hold control, hill descent control and brake limited slip-differential (LSD) traction control. These systems allow both wheels to maintain speed and better control in rough road conditions.
The tiny SUV sports a square body for better situational awareness. The Jimny’s compact dimensions allow it to maneuver through narrow mountain trails and thick forests, a clear advantage over larger off-road vehicles. Its super light weight lets it conquer mud, sand and up steep slippery slopes where heavier vehicles tend to get stuck.
The Jimny’s design expresses off-road functionality in every detail, from the tough square form to the 15-inch alloy wheels painted in dark-metallic gray. The angled bumper is optimized for off-road terrain while the square wheel arches allow for easier tire changes. Molded black bumpers, wheel arch extensions and side sills help block pebbles from scratching the body panels. The iconic round headlamps inherited from past models are completely separated to allow independent replacement.
The interior mirrors the simple and straightforward exterior. Black is used to minimize distraction, with functional parts such as center switches and dials in metallic colors for easy use. The instrument panel and surrounding parts have scratch- and stain-resistant grained finish while the circular steering wheel has a leather cover to withstand rough handling.
The multimedia audio unit features a big 9-inch capacitive touchscreen with large icons and soft buttons for easy control. It features off-line GPS navigation system and off-road audio guide.
The new Jimny accommodates 53 liters more luggage than the previous model. Small items can be stored in a removable luggage box for easier organization.
The Jimny uses a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that delivers stronger torque at all engine speeds than the previous Jimny. It features a specially designed flywheel for engine flexibility and improved NVH and a lightweight resin belt cover and fuel tank. The optimized intake system and long nozzle injector enhance fuel efficiency.
The Jimny boasts Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), which scatters collision energy across the vehicle frame to minimize injury to the passengers.
To reduce driver stress and fatigue — one of the top design considerations for the new Jimny — the SUV’s ladder frame rigidity was increased and the body mounts redesigned for lower vibration. The front seat cushion frames are 70mm wider and 50mm taller for better shock absorption. Unpleasant noise inside the cabin was reduced through the strategic placement of sound-absorbing material throughout the body.
For greater dependability, the Jimny All-Grip Pro use zinc-coated steel more extensively and has a more effective floor undercoating and sealer coatings at panel edges to protect it against rust caused by salt from river crossings.
The Suzuki Jimny All-Grip Pro starts at P975,000 and comes in two variants, the GLX and GL. They come in Solid Kinetic Yellow, Metallic Brisk Blue, Metallic Chiffon Ivory, Pearl Bluish Black, Solid Medium Gray, Metallic Silky Silver, Superior White and Solid Jungle Green.

Volvo rolls out its new baby SUV, the XC40


By Manny N. de los Reyes
RESURGENT Volvo, enjoying unprecedented growth in both the local and global automotive markets, has yet another surefire hit on its hands. It’s the Swedish car maker’s smallest-ever SUV, and it’s called the XC40.
The premium car maker from Goteborg brings a new standard of safety and user experience to the small SUV premium segment with the official launch of the Volvo XC40 in the Philippines, held at the Sunset Bar of Sofitel Philippine Plaza late last month.
Developed around the challenges of modern city living, the XC40 aims to make the daily urban commute less stressful and more enjoyable, as drivers in the segment can now rely on the award-winning safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies known from Volvo’s acclaimed XC60 and XC90 SUVs.
“The XC40 is our first car in this rapidly growing segment and has a clear focus on navigating today’s hectic city environments. Building on Volvo’s heritage as the leader in safety, the new XC40 will offer the best possible safety standards combined with an easy-to-use interface and convenient connected services,” said Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo cars president and chief executive.
The new XC40 is Volvo’s first car out on its new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) and includes a range of groundbreaking technologies first introduced in its 60- and 90 Series siblings based on Volvo’s larger Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).
Volvo’s approach to safety and user experience builds on a philosophy it calls the Circle of Life: a constant improvement of standards and technologies, based on consumer insights and real life data.
Smart safety and driver assistance features offered on the XC40 include Run-off Road Protection and Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake, and the 360-degree camera that helps drivers maneuver their car into tight parking spaces. These and other technologies make the XC40 one of the best-equipped premium SUVs.
“Modern city life presents complex challenges for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. With the XC40, we aim to reduce the so-called cognitive load on the driver. While our safety and driver assistance systems actively identify and mitigate potential conflicts, you as a driver can relax more and therefore enjoy city driving,” said Malin Ekholm, Vice-President Volvo Cars Safety Center.
While the starting point for each new Volvo is the most advanced safety and driver assistance systems, the new XC40 also benefits from the high levels of safety and infotainment found in its larger stablemates.
“We built a confident, easy-to-use, and convenient everyday user experience based on real-life interaction and research, starting from our foundation of leading safety. The XC40 is a car for a generation of consumers that expect full connectivity. All screens have been optimized for a safe, easy, and efficient interaction, to support active city driving,” said Ödgärd Andersson, Vice-President Vehicle Software & Electronics at Volvo Cars.
“Like the larger XC60 and XC90 SUVs, the XC40 features Volvo’s connected Sensus infotainment system, centered around the now familiar large, portrait-oriented touchscreen. Easy to use and intuitive, the Sensus interface allows drivers to access a host of functions and services,” concluded Mr. Andersson.
The new XC40 comes in three variants: the XC40 D3 Momentum at P3,350,000; the XC40 D3 R-Design at P3,495,000; and the top-of-the-line XC40 T5 AWD R-Design at P3,895,000.
Available colors are Bursting Blue, Onyx Black, Crystal White, Bright Silver, Osmium Gray, and Fusion Red.

Pedaling through history, eliminating further ‘bloodshed’


Text and photos by Aries B. Espinosa
IT’S that time of the year to go outdoors and enjoy the summer sun. While many have opted to go to the beach this year (water troubles in the Metro may have had a hand in this choice), our group of cyclists turned our sights northward and upward, and decided to do something no other recreational and weekend warrior bikers have dared done before.
For five days — from March 11 to 15 — our group of 10 cyclists traversed the three historic passes of Central Luzon and the Cordillera region: Dalton Pass (or the Balete Pass on the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya); Bessang Pass (delineating the boundary between Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur), and; Tirad Pass (on the hillsides of Gregorio del Pilar town in Ilocos Sur).
The three passes bear much historical significance, mainly because these were situated on the highest elevation of the area that served as the crucial battlegrounds during World War II in the 1940s and the Philippine-American War in 1899. At the Dalton and Bessang Passes, Japanese forces struggled to gain control over American/Filipino troops in World War II; and at Tirad Pass, it was an outnumbered Filipino force versus American soldiers during the Philippine-American War.
Today, monuments, markers, and shrines serve as the only permanent reminders of the passes’ bloody past, and local and foreign tourists frequent these sites not just for their historical significance, but also for the magnificent vistas and cool, clear mountain air that make them ideal stops for rest and mealtimes.
It was this combination of history and topography that motivated our group of adventure cyclists known as Cycad (Cycling Advocates and Adventures) to take on the three passes on just pedal power. But we would not do this alone. For safety and convenience, we were accompanied by a support crew of motorized vehicles, mechanics, an advance party, and sustenance providers. And then we gave it a name: “Project V360.”
The route we chose to take through the three passes would entail some 450 km of the trickiest, twistiest roads in the country’s most mountainous regions. Thus, we couldn’t just take any brand of support vehicle with us. It had to be a badge that had a track record of proven reliability, power, and fuel efficiency. Hands down, we chose the Isuzu D-Max pick-up and the Mu-X midsize SUV powered by the 1.9-liter RZ4E diesel engine developed under the Japanese nameplate’s Euro-4 compliant BluePower emissions technology.
The two Isuzu light commercial vehicles lived up to its reputation as frugal yet powerful support vehicles. The D-Max, serving as the support and sweeper vehicle, was able to fit our 10 mountain bikes (with the help of our expert bike mechanic who ingeniously maximized the carrying space of the pickup bed) and five passengers (including our medic, bike mechanic, and two other ride assistants), while the Mu-X, as the lead vehicle carrying our advance party personnel, provided the stability and confident handling to take on the winding mountain roads with urgency to arrive at our stops well ahead of time and prepare for our arrival.
The pleasant surprise was that even with a crawling pace of less than 10 kph during the steepest climbs as it trailed us agonized bikers, the RZ4E D-Max was still able to maintain a fuel consumption average of 10.5 km per liter throughout the trip, nearly identical with that of the RZ4E Mu-X that zipped ahead of us every time.
In all, throughout the 1,200 kms that the two RZ4E-powered Isuzu LCVs ran for the entire tour, we only had to use around two full tanks of diesel fuel for each vehicle, despite the punishing climbs and the full load of passengers and cargo.
Leaving nothing to chance, we also used two other Isuzu LCVs for the trip — the 3.0-liter Mu-X to transport our food crew, and the 3.0-liter D-Max 4×4 to transport personnel and be the lead vehicle during the seven Patupec River crossings on the way to Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur.

Over 40 years of powering a future of infinite possibilities

A nation whose progress is backed by strong, steady, clean and sustainable power — that is the vision of Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the Philippines’ leading renewable energy company.

Now on its 43rd year, EDC continues to pioneer a future of infinite possibilities through clean, alternative sources of energy such as geothermal, wind, hydro and solar. To date, EDC generates more than 20% of the total renewables in the country’s energy mix. The company’s strong focus and over 40-year head start on geothermal power has also placed the Philippines on the global energy map by making it one of the world’s largest geothermal producers.
EDC’s geothermal plants in Bicol, Leyte, Mindanao, and Southern Negros are paragons not only of efficient and reliable renewable energy production, but also of thriving, sustainable communities. In these sites, the environmental benefits of renewable energy are showcased and at the same time continually propagated. EDC works hand in hand with the communities it operates in to create sustainable livelihood, enhance local government services, and conserve natural resources.
As part of its proactive stance toward climate change, EDC’s reforestation and biodiversity restoration program BINHI has planted 6.3 million trees and restored 9,196 hectares of denuded land across the Philippines. This has led to the sequestration of 31, 721 tons of CO2e. All in all, EDC is a proud carbon-negative Filipino enterprise — with its carbon footprint of 807,061 tCO2e only 30% of the total 3.6 million tCO2e carbon absorption of the forests and plantations it has nurtured in the past four decades.
For all these, EDC has been on the global Carbon Clean 200 list since 2017 — a compendium that recognizes the largest publicly listed companies that make it possible for the world to transition and progress into a clean energy future. It is the first and only Philippine company to be given such recognition.
With all such bright and encouraging prospects, EDC continues to guide the way to the reality of a fully sustainable and cost competitive renewable energy base for the country — one that is accessible to power consumers; one that keeps the lights on round-the-clock for burgeoning businesses and industries; one that improves and saves lives by powering hospitals, airports and vital public facilities 24-7; and one that keeps the air and waters clean for many generations of Filipinos to come.

8 tips to keep the liver in good shape

The human body is akin to a synergistic machine of connected systems and organs that rely on one other to function well. Its five vital organs — the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs — must be given enough care to ensure that entire body works properly.
Of the said vital organs, one is largely misunderstood and overlooked — the liver. Individuals have very little understanding of what it does to help other body systems complete their jobs. As a matter of fact, a healthy liver controls production and excretion of cholesterol, helps in digestion and nutrient absorption and detoxifies the body from harmful intakes.[1]

1.  Observe a balanced and healthy diet. Eat more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, together with fish, white meat, beans and nuts, which are rich in proteins. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates and saturated fats in your diet to avoid fat deposits in the liver.[2]

2.  Exercise regularly. Following a consistent exercise regimen decreases stress on the liver and helps prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for liver disease. A couple of studies have shown that gradual weight loss, coupled with increased exercise, will reduce fat deposits in the liver.

3.  Limit alcohol consumption. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can cause damage to the liver cells. Drink in moderation as the liver can only process or break down a small amount of alcohol every hour.

4.  Take your medications. Strictly follow the doctor’s prescribed treatment — from how to take it, when to take it, and to how much to take at a time. Don’t take any medications without consulting a doctor, and never mix alcohol with other drugs and medications.[3]

5.  Avoid environmental pollutants. Stay away, as much as possible, from chemicals like insect sprays, paints, car fumes and other aerosol sprays. They contain toxins that can harm liver cells.[4] When using some of those items is unavoidable, wear a mask and make sure the room you’re in is ventilated.[5]

6.  Consult a doctor. Visit the doctor immediately if symptoms relating to liver injury or damage, such as jaundice, dark urine, nausea and vomiting, were observed. Doctors are in the best position to assess and address your health concerns.

7.  Take a liver test. Nowadays, identifying if an individual is at risk from any liver disease is made easy. Diagnostic options, such as the SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) testing, have been developed to help establish liver enzyme levels in the blood, which may indicate the health of the liver.[6] It is also used to monitor the progression of liver diseases and determine if the treatment is working.[7]

8.  Use trusted liver nutritional support. Providing the liver with an essential nutritional support is also effective to protect and, once damaged, restore the liver’s overall health. In this case, be careful with what you take and make sure that you purchase only trusted brands in the market, such as Essentiale® Forte P. Essentiale® Forte P is clinically-proven to protect and revitalize the liver.[8] It is the No. 1 Doctor-Recommended Liver Remedy brand in the Philippines and in the world.[9]


sanofi-aventis Philippines Inc.
Units 2103 & 2105 One World Place, 32nd St. Bonifacio
Global City, Taguig City, 1634 Philippines
SAPH.PCH.18.08.0262a | Version 1.0 | Production Date 01Oct2018

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PHL ‘out of the woods’ with inflation

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez
Senior Reporter
THE PHILIPPINES appears “out of the woods” as far as inflation is concerned, with the overall rise in prices of basic goods seen consistently lower until the last few months of 2019, a senior central bank official said, although rising oil prices and the impact of severe weather may be disruptive.
The Monetary Board decided to keep the key policy interest rate unchanged at 4.75%, remaining at a decade-high.
New Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said current settings remain “appropriate,” even as inflation has eased further.
The BSP also scaled down its inflation forecast for the year to three percent, well within the 2-4% target band after overshooting with 5.2% in 2018. Central bank officials are now confident of staying on target, citing four straight months of easing inflation from the nine-year-high 6.7% hit in September and October.
“The downward trajectory will continue in 2019, but in 2020 it will be generally stable at around three percent,” BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo told reporters. “It has stabilized, and the negative base effects shall have dissipated by maybe up to the third or fourth quarter of the year.”
Price increases averaged 4.1% for the first two months, with February’s 3.8% marking the first time in a year that inflation settled back on target.
The BSP said supply conditions for rice and other food items have since returned to normal after causing price spikes late last year, on top of rising world crude oil prices as well as the impact of additional levies imposed under Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.
Prior to Thursday’s Monetary Board decision, Mr. Diokno said he saw room to ease policy settings amid declining inflation.
“As far as the information that we have today is concerned, I think we are out of the woods. But given that we only have two observations — 4.4% and 3.8% — our year-to-date is still above four percent. But looking at the forecast of three percent, it looks like we are out of the woods,” Mr. Guinigundo added.
On the flip side, the BSP official said monetary authorities cannot rest easy just yet, adding that it would be unwise to slash interest rates swiftly.
“El Niño could be prolonged. Two, oil prices seem to be acting up again. These are the wild cards,” Mr. Guinigundo said.
“Kaya mahirap na bumaba na magbaba na tayo ng RR, magbaba na tayo ng policy rate (It will be risky to just reduce the reserve requirement and the policy rate),” he added.
“That would be imprudent, we have to be very careful.”
Latest estimates by the country’s weather bureau showed a high probability of El Niño lasting until at least August, with a severe dry spell expected by April. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said on Friday that while the current El Niño was weak, “varying impacts are present and becoming severe.”
The BSP increased benchmark interest rates by cumulative 175 basis points last year to rein in inflation expectations. Market watchers now see the BSP’s May 9 policy meeting — this year’s third monetary policy review — as setting the stage for the first of successive rate cuts.

Manila eyes more opportunities to link up with Belt and Road

THE PHILIPPINES is gearing up to secure additional funding support from China for local infrastructure projects, with the two economies enjoying deeper investment ties amid growing “mutual trust.”
The economic team of President Rodrigo R. Duterte flew to Beijing last week for a series of meetings with Chinese officials, where the two parties explored opportunities for increased economic interaction.
Bilateral ties are expected to improve further with “political mutual trust continuously increasing,” Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan was quoted as saying in a statement sent by the Department of Finance (DoF).
Mr. Zhong added that there is “enormous room” for further cooperation, which has significantly expanded after Mr. Duterte’s October 2016 visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has been among the biggest sources of official development assistance (ODA) for the Philippines’ “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure pipeline.
Chinese officials said there are more opportunities lined up under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Mr. Duterte is set to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in April, the DoF said.
“We look forward to implementing more strategic infrastructure projects supported by highly concessional financing from China,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said in the statement.
So far, the Philippines has secured Chinese credit for four construction projects. These are the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridges that involve a $63.13-million grant, $52.09-million ODA financing for the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project and $211.21 million for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project.
Moreover, the Subic-Clark Railway Project in Luzon, Mindanao Railway Project, Davao-Samal Bridge Project and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Interisland Bridge Project are being considered for Chinese funding.
Last week’s visit to Beijing also included a non-deal investor road show plus a Philippine Economic Briefing before some 500 prospective investors there.
Filipino businessmen accompanying Philippine government officials for a fresh pitch to Chinese investors included Jollibee Foods Corp. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong; GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Vice-Chairman Alfred V. Ty; LT Group, Inc. President Michael G. Tan and Udenna Corp. Chairman Dennis A. Uy, according to the government’s Investor Relations Office. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Finance dep’t downplays record current account gap

THE RECORD current account deficit incurred in 2018 remains “financeable” as the government expects continued investment inflows from abroad, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
Market watchers should not be too alarmed despite the current account posting an all-time-high $7.9-billion deficit last year, more than three times the $2.2-billion gap in 2017 and shooting past the $6.4-billion projection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The current account provides a snapshot of the country’s economic interaction with the rest of the world, covering trade in goods and services; remittances from overseas Filipino workers; profit from Philippine investments abroad; interest payments to foreign creditors; as well as gifts, grants and donations to and from abroad.
A deficit means more funds went out than what came in.
The BSP attributed last year’s record deficit to a surge in imports of raw materials and capital goods, which economic managers attributed to the robust infrastructure pipeline of the Duterte administration.
However, the DoF said inflows from service trade and strong foreign investments should help offset outflows.
“The current account remains financeable even as the deficit rose to 2.4% of GDP (gross domestic product) in 2018. Foreign investors and lenders find the country an attractive investment destination,” the Finance department said in an economic bulletin published yesterday, noting that these will “finance local investment.”
The gap in goods trade ballooned to an equivalent of 18.4% of GDP last year, coming from a milder 12.4% in 2017.
Helping offset these outbound fund flows were inbound payments for business process outsourcing, offshore earnings of Filipino investors and remittances from Filipinos working abroad.
“Maintaining good fundamentals by keeping the twin deficits — budget and current account — manageable thru maintaining interest rates at the level that raises both the volume of savings and investments will enable the country to sustain rapid economic growth in the medium term,” the DoF said.
For 2019, the BSP expects the current account gap to balloon further to an $8.4-billion deficit, equivalent to 2.3% of GDP. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

TransCo reduces proposed 2019 feed-in tariff allowance

THE National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) has asked the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reduce by around 3 centavos the feed-in tariff allowance (FiT-All) it will be collecting from consumers for 2019, its top official said.
“We requested ERC to make an adjustment to the [FiT-All] from our original application ‘nung (in) 2018,” Melvin A. Matibag, TransCo president and chief executive officer, told reporters last week.
He said TransCo’s manifestation to amend its previous application was submitted on March 6 requesting the 2019 rate to be P0.240 per kilowatt-hour (/kWh).
Based on TransCo’s application submitted to the ERC in July last year, it was seeking approval for a FiT-All of P0.273/kWh for 2019.
“So may (there will be) rate reduction.”
He said TransCo applied for the reduction because it was able to reduce its payment backlog to renewable energy developments.
He added that the company was also on its way to fully cover its buffer fund.
“P200 million na lang as we speak… para on time na kami (P200 million remains as we speak… for us to be updated with payment),” Mr. Matibag said when asked about the amount that TransCo has yet to pay developers.
“Starting May on-time na; wala na kaming backlog (we will be updated in our payments; we won’t have any backlog),” he added.
The amended application comes as TransCo awaits the approval of its FiT-All application for 2018, amounting to P0.2932 per kWh.
INSTALLATION TARGET RAISED
In May 2018, the ERC authorized the collection starting in June 2018 of a FiT-All for 2017 equivalent to P0.2563/kWh, or an increase of P0.0733/kWh from the previous P0.1830/kWh.
Calculated annually, the FiT-All is a uniform charge that is applied to kilowatt-hours billed to consumers who are supplied with electricity through the country’s distribution or transmission network.
The uniform charge is paid to developers of renewable energy power plants.
The FiT-All mechanism was established under Republic Act No. 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to jump-start the development of renewable energy sources such as wind, run-of-river hydropower, solar and biomass.
The collected amount is managed by TransCo before the fund is paid to developers. The FiT-All has been added to the monthly bills of electricity users starting in 2016.
TransCo previously said that unpaid FiT for renewable energy developers had accumulated in part after the Department of Energy increased the installation target for solar power projects to 500 megawatts (MW) from 50 MW. This left more developers billing TransCo for their guaranteed FiT.
The backlog was also worsened by the delay in the approval of the rate of FiT-allowance collected from electricity users, which TransCo applies for every year. — Victor V. Saulon

The Election Cycle of Public Construction

The Election Cycle of Public Construction

Phoenix targets 20% LPG sales growth in VisMin

DAVAO CITY — Phoenix LPG Philippines, Inc., the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) unit of Dennis A. Uy’s listed firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., is aiming to increase its sales by about 20% this year in the Visayas and Mindanao with the expansion of retail outlets.
In a press conference over the weekend, Evelyn T. Gerodias, general manager for the Visayas-Mindanao market of the Phoenix Super LPG brand, said this year’s growth target is higher than the 14% increase in volume it recorded last year in Visayas and Mindanao.
“(The 20%) increase is possible,” said Ms. Gerodias, noting that they have already started with a more aggressive marketing campaign with celebrity Sarah Geronimo as brand ambassador along with saturating existing distribution networks with their product.
Phoenix’s marketing strategy also highlights the German technology used for its LPG tanks to ensure safety and provide a simple installation and operation system for consumers.
Ms. Gerodias said Phoenix will be increasing its Phoenix Super Hub stores, currently at 30 nationwide, to reach more buyers.
The LPG product is also sold at Phoenix Petroleum’s gasoline stations and Grainsmart stores.
“We are trying to reach all households in the market,” she said.
Ms. Gerodias also said that the company is open to dealership deals, which would require about P10 million in capital expenditure.
Phoenix Petroleum, headquartered in Davao City, started its LPG subsidiary in 2017 when it bought the LPG business of Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of the Petronas Dagangan Berhad of Malaysia. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Positive property outlook drives RLC share price higher

By Christine Joyce S. Castañeda
Senior Researcher
FOREIGNERS LOADED on Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) shares, making it one of the most actively traded stocks in the local bourse last week.
Data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) showed the property developer trading P492.13 million worth of 20.56 million shares from March 18-22.
Shares closed at P24.65 apiece on Friday, up P0.20 or 0.82% from the previous day and 2.71% week-on-week from the P24 finish on March 15. For the year, the stock gained 16.82%.
“Investors digest the good corporate earnings released as positive,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Client Engagement Officer and Research Associate Piper Chaucer E. Tan said in an e-mail.
Mr. Tan added that foreign investors are starting to come back not just for RLC, but for the whole property sector as well. “Dovish sentiments coming from BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) also increased the appetite for property stocks…,” he said.
In a separate e-mail, Cristopher Adrian T. San Pedro, certified securities representative at Unicapital Securities, Inc., ascribed the stock’s performance to the net foreign buying last week, driven by the dovish statement by the BSP on the possible reserve requirement cut for banks in the next four quarters that would “help the property sector to have low cost funding and would also boost consumer demand given additional liquidity of P90-100 billion in the market.”
Earlier this month, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno hinted at the possibility of slashing the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by one percentage point per quarter for the next four quarters. If implemented, the cuts would leave the RRR at 14% by early 2020 from the current 18%.
Meanwhile, RLC said in a statement last March 14 that its net income reached P8.23 billion in 2018, higher by around 40% from the P5.9 billion in 2017. Consolidated revenues also increased by 31% to P29.44 billion. The malls division accounted for the bulk of RLC’s revenues at P11.94 billion, up 11% year on year. This was driven by the higher rental income and the opening of four malls last year, namely Robinsons Place Ormoc, Robinsons Place Pavia, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, and Robinsons Place Valencia in Bukidnon.
The property developer now has a total of 51 malls covering a total leasable space of 1.5 million square meters.
The company’s residential segment and office division also saw their revenues growing by 33% and 26%, respectively to P8.69 billion and P4.11 billion.
Meanwhile, stock market data showed that on the days leading to RLC’s report on earnings for 2018, net foreign buying from March 11 to 14 stood at P4.01 million. A day after the release of the company’s earnings, net foreign buying on March 15 had reached P45.61 million.
Foreigners continued to buy RLC shares last week with net foreign buying amounting P22.65 million although this was lower than the previous week’s P49.62 million.
For this year, Unicapital’s Mr. San Pedro said the company could rake in P9 billion in profits, driven by the local and international residential segment sales, the continued growth in mall revenues, and the increase in demand for its office division brought by the growing information technology and business process management sector and the influx of foreign workers.
For his part, Philstocks’ Mr. Tan expects RLC to book a P7.4-billion net income this year, fueled by growth of the residential and office leasing segments.
Mr. Tan placed the stock’s support at P23 to P23.50 and resistance at P24.70 to P25.
“The stock remains bullish and I expect it to consolidate between P23.00 support and P25.00 resistance with the possibility of testing P25.50 and P26.00 if it stays above P23.50 in the short term,” Unicapital’s Mr. San Pedro said.

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