MUNICIPAL leaders of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, and key officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) recently received a P1-million library building from MacroAsia Corp., the aviation services and mining arm of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies.

During simple turnover rites, MacroAsia executives said the library building donated to the Ipilan National High School (INHS) is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“MacroAsia wants to help enhance the youth’s educational experience and strengthen information skills development,” said Christopher Lu, MacroAsia vice president for marketing and facilities management.

DepEd Palawan superintendent Teresita Marcial said the MacroAsia library is “unique” and “functional” and will certainly help promote the reading habit among pupils in Brooke’s Point. “With this modern learning facility, chances are INHS will become one of the key learning hubs in Palawan,” she added.

Lu said MacroAsia believes that education is a key to alleviate poverty. “Education empowers learners by helping boost self-confidence and self-reliance in facing day-to-day challenges,” he said.

While MacroAsia has yet to start mining operations in Brooke’s Point, Lu said the firm has been busy trying to help the community. “After all, this is what being a good neighbor is all about,” he said.

Lu disclosed that more development projects are in the pipeline since these are part of the firm’s business goals. The company is currently securing necessary municipal and environmental permits prior to starting operations, which it hopes will also help boost the economy of Brooke’s Point.

Representing Brooke’s Point Mayor Cesareo Benedito, municipal planning officer Joey Piramide said the library building is very timely since the town’s educational standards has declined in the last two years due to lack of funds and poverty.

For Ipilan barangay councilor Lorna Grande, who is also president of the high school’s Parents-Teachers Association, the library is a “dream come true.” Along with other parents, Grande was instrumental in seeking MacroAsia’s help in the barangay’s library project.

INHS principal Estelita Villanueva, meanwhile, believes the library can help students attain higher grades.

75,000-MT sugar shipment to US fast-tracked

THE Philippines is speeding up the shipment of some 75,000 metric tons (MT) of raw sugar to the United States before the end of the year under the so-called early export program, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said.

Bids for DMIA Terminal 2 project to be opened Monday

CLARK FREE PORT, Pampanga—The opening of the bids for the development of the $142-million Terminal 2 for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here is set to be opened on September 22, a top official of the Clark International Airport Corp. said Thursday.

Dole Food subsidiary petitions for duty-free status for RP pineapple juice

Dole Packaged Foods Llc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dole Food Co., based in Westlake Village, California, has asked the United States government to allow unconcentrated pineapple juice shipped from the Philippines to enjoy duty-free status under the generalized system of preference (GSP).

IFC signs loan deal with Aboitiz power company to rehab 2 hydroelectric plants

THE International Finance Corp. (IFC) of the World Bank said Thursday that it signed a loan agreement with SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. (SNAPB) to help rehabilitate two hydroelectric plants.

Regulating oil industry can pose serious consequences–Reyes

AMID clamor to repeal the oil-deregulation law, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes emphasized that repealing such a piece of legislation can cause undesirable consequences for both the consuming public and the government.

Cosmetics exhibit opens today at Megamall

Showcasing the country’s leading brands in cosmetics and personal-care products, a three-day cosmetics trade exhibit, called “Pilipinas, Ang Ganda Mo!,” opens today, at the SM Megatrade Hall 1, 5th level, Building B, Mandaluyong City.

DepEd, Palawan local execs welcome P1-M library from MacroAsia

MUNICIPAL leaders of Brooke’s Point, Palawan, and key officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) recently received a P1-million library building from MacroAsia Corp., the aviation services and mining arm of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies.