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| 14 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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| 14 JANUARY 2008 | . | |
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Big player in mining industry pledges to step up operations |
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PGMA fetes two world-class Filipino scientists in Malacañang |
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| Big player in mining industry pledges to step up operations |
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The mining industry got a big boost when executives of Oriental Peninsula
Resources Group, Inc. (OPRGI), a big player in the mining sector, vowed
today to expand its mining operations in the country. The OPRGI officials made the commitment to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when they called on her this morning in Malacañang to express their support for her administration’s aggressive promotion of the mining industry as a major force in the government’s overall strategy to sustain the growth of the economy. Caroline Tanchay, president and chief executive officer (CEO), led the OPRGI officials in their courtesy call on the President. The others were OPRGI vice president for operations Alonzo Española, VP for technical operations Fernando Esguerra, VP for administration Ferdinand Pallera, and director Maricor Leynes. OPRGI was incorporated on April 16, 2007 as a holding firm to consolidate and operate companies that own mining tenements in the Philippines. It has a 94 percent equity in Citinickel Mines and Development Corporation (CMDC), which owns two nickel ore mining projects in Sofronio Española and Narra, Palawan. Established on June 5, 2006, CMDC is engaged in the exploration, development, and mining of nickel and associated minerals. CMDC is currently collaborating with foreign-based affiliates in the extraction of ore reserves and the sustainable development of mineral resources within Palawan's ophiolite zone. It is the sole owner of Pulot and Toronto Mines. Tanchay said OPRGI was encouraged to step up the development of its nickel mines because they agreed with the President that mining is the country’s best hope to sustain its economic growth even in adverse global conditions. She noted that the falling value of the US dollar, combined with tight supplies across the commodity markets, has fueled the big surge of commodity prices at the start of the year. “Tight supplies and a recovery in demand especially from stainless steel manufacturers particularly in China will help spur global nickel prices in the first half of 2008,” Tanchay said. Tanchay expressed optimism that with the continued support of President Arroyo, the mining industry would flourish and create a positive impact on the country’s economy. “With the support of President Arroyo, Oriental Peninsula has become the government’s showcase that mining can be a viable venture in the Philippines,” Tanchay said. |
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| PGMA fetes two world-class Filipino scientists in Malacañang |
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo honored today in Malacañang two world-
class Filipino scientists whose contributions to science have helped improve
the lives of thousands of their countrymen. The President conferred the Order of National Scientist on Dr. Lourdes Cruz and the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Grand Officer on Dr. Baldomero Olivera in ceremonies at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall this morning. The President also conferred the Order of the Golden Heart with the rank of Grand Officer on Howard Belton, former CEO of manufacturing firm Unilever in the Philippines. Cruz and Olivera have been collaborators in a number of research works on cono-toxins from cone snail shells (Conus sp. Marine snails) that are collected in tropical and subtropical habitats. Their work has produced an anti-venom drug that counters the poison secreted by cone snail shells when accidentally stepped on. Cruz, who is an academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), is currently doing research on neuroactive peptides and other marine toxins at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. NAST is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Cruz also conceptualized and established the Rural Livelihood Incubator (Rural LINC) in 2001 with the help of volunteers and seed fund from private donors. One of the aims of Rural LINC is to generate employment opportunities and establish sustainable means of livelihood as long-term solutions to poverty and socio-political instability in rural areas especially among Aetas, upland farmers and fisherfolk. Olivera, on the other hand, is a corresponding member of the National Academy of Science and Technology and a distinguished professor at the University of Utah. His group made a breakthrough discovery of a family of biomolecules they collectively called conotoxins. These biomolecules are widely used in neuroscience research today in the study of ion channels and neuro-muscular synapses. Belton is best known for his pioneering efforts and involvement in various social development works, most notable of which are the Pasig River Rehabilitation project, Laguna de Bay Conservation project and the “Pasiglahin ang Batang Pinoy” feeding program. |
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