The country's association of independent oil players have elected a new set of officers vowing to further improve the cooperation of member-companies and linkages with other sectors in the petroleum industry.
Elected as the new president of the Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association (IPPCA) is Salvador Escano, chief executive officer of Pryce Gases while Mary-ann Sy, chief executive officer of Filpride was voted as the group's vice president.
Filoil's chief finance officer Rafael Villavicencio was voted as IPPCA's treasurer during the group's meeting held at the Pryce Hotel in Cagayan De Oro City where executives of the country's independent oil players attended.
Escano took over the top post from Mr. Paul Co during whose term the independent oil players saw a further rise in their operations with the establishment of additional retail and service stations in various parts of the country.
During his two-year term, Co has furthered the group's advocacies such as giving discounts on petroleum products to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, especially jeepney drivers, the campaign against the illegal retailing of liquid petroleum products as well as the move for the production of alternative fuels in the country.
Independent oil players are also the leading force for the use of biofuels with some members even started selling products blended with ethanol long before the enactment of the Biofuels Act.
Co said the independent oil players have been able to project their strength vis a vis the major oil players through a combination of savvy marketing strategies and investment in facilities such as terminals enabling them to have a ready source of inexpensive yet high-quality fuel products.
It was also during his term that independent oil players lead the move to slash pump prices via “big-time rollbacks” setting the trend in the local oil industry for the benefit of the consuming public.
The group likewise did not restrict itself to business-related activities as it took the time to spend a day with an orphanage in Manila last December donating foodstuffs, school supplies and computers with the participation of energy beat reporters and EJAP (Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines) headed by Myrna Velasco and Donnabelle Gatdula .
“I hope and I am confident that my successor will further the work and activities we have instituted in IPPCA for the past two years, “Co said in handing the reins to Escano.
The latter for his part, vowed to continue the projects started by Co.
“I will see to it that IPPCA will continue to strengthen its mission as individual players with a united position for the benefit of the consuming public,” Escano said adding that the group “encourage other players to compete ethically and to have a very healthy and competitive oil industry.
On the other hand, Martinez said IPPCA members are set to further expand its business operations throughout the country this year.
“We have already set in motions our plans and project for expansion not only in the petroleum industry but in other areas of energy as well,” Martinez said.
Former Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Mariano Salazar who served as one of the guest speaker during the event lauded the independent oil players for bringing real competition in the local oil industry.
At the same time, Salazar further encouraged IPPCA members to strengthen the industry through expansion and healthy competition.
“There is a need to strengthen the oil industry. You as members of the organization should make the industry strong, competitive, and powerful enough to provide competition with the active participation of the independent players, “he said.
“The things I would like to emphasize, you have the most intelligent and the most interesting self-regulation. Do not depend on the government. You have to set up a very healthy environment that will protect your industry and you have to compete among yourselves to fight for your market shares,” he added.
Also present during the meeting are Ramon Villavicencio, Chairman and CEO of Flying V, Francisco Pasicolan, President of Filoil, David Dualan of Filoil, Rafael Escano, Efren Palma and Jonax Aguadera all of Pryce Gases, Orly Casa of IEPI, Chito Medina-CueJr. , General Manager of Unioil Petroleum Philippines Incorporated and Leah Flor.
Among IPPCA's members are Seaoil, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Chemrez Technologies, ,Filoil, Filpride, Cityoil, IEPI, Oilink International Corporation, Unioil Petroleum Philippines Incorporated, and Pryce Gases Inc. - Leah Flor -Aug 2009
written by:
Ms. Leah C. Flor
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