Alcantara Group on the go

Mindanao-based businessmen are very upbeat about investment prospects especially with the anticipated rollout of the 2,000-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project that would connect key cities and boost development in the region. The government has launched an ambitious infrastructure program to spur economic growth in areas outside of Metro Manila, with particular focus on Mindanao which is emerging as a viable investment destination. 

The recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also put the spotlight on the region and the potential growth areas, among them the power sector. In fact, energy stakeholders say President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign slogan of “Change is Coming” is starting to be felt with more power projects getting the green light for development.

Energy Secretary Al Cusi is actually urging more private investments in the energy sector as demand is anticipated to increase in the next 15 years. Former energy department officials say the country seems to be in good shape as far as power-generating capacity is concerned, with more plants going online and additional capacity for the Mindanao area to be provided by power producers.

We’re told a big event is happening next week in Sarangani with the Alsons Power Group set to inaugurate the first section of its Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) 210-megawatt baseload power plant located in the municipality of Maasim. 

No less than President Duterte himself will grace the ceremonial switch-on of the plant’s first 105-megawatt section (which started operating early last year), followed by a kick-off ceremony for the second section which is expected to begin operating in 2019.

Cusi, as well as Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, will be at the double event with other government bigwigs as well as foreign business executives also in attendance (some of them will fly in from Seoul and Tokyo, according to sources). 

We also received information that later this year, Alsons – which happens to be Mindanao’s first and most experienced independent power producer – will begin construction of at least two other projects, specifically a 105-megawatt baseload power plant in Zamboanga City and a 15-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric plant at the Siguil River also in Sarangani province. The hydro plant is the group’s first foray into the renewable energy sector, with some $650 million allocated for renewable energy projects in the next six years.

The group currently operates four power facilities that have also been instrumental in helping end the power shortage in Mindanao. By 2020, the power company expects to have a total generating capacity equivalent to 25 percent of Mindanao’s peak power demand.

The Alsons Group is headed by Tommy Alcantara who has remained low-key despite the fact that the Alcantara family has been an active contributor to the economic development of the region for over 60 years. It all began with family patriarch Conrado Alcantara – considered as one of Davao’s pioneering entrepreneurs – who saw Mindanao’s vast and underdeveloped potential when he founded the Alcantara Group in the mid ’50s.

In fact, Davao City’s first shopping center Aldevinco was built by the Alcantaras in 1965, now an iconic landmark that has become a favorite shopping destination of locals and tourists for indigenous items unique to Mindanao. The over 100 shops are managed by the descendants of original tenants. The Group has since diversified to become one of the largest and most diversified Filipino-owned conglomerate in the country, with interests in agribusiness, forestry, transportation, real estate development and construction-related industries through various subsidiaries.

It’s no secret the Alcantara family is one of the strong supporters of President Duterte, and they are certainly happy that the government is focusing on the economic development of Mindanao.

Pacquiao: Hindi ka nag-iisa

The argument over which Senate committee should investigate the alleged P50-million bribery involving the Bureau of Immigration almost resulted in a fistfight between Senators Migz Zubiri and Sonny Trillanes had not cooler heads intervened. It would seem Sen. Manny Pacquiao is not the only boxer in the Senate with the emergence of a couple of “challengers” who could give the world boxing champion a run for his money. 

It’s understandable that sometimes, debates or exchanges in the Senate can get very heated (and might even turn personal). The verbal altercation between Zubiri and Trillanes, however, did not escalate into the physical – with the two seen shaking hands later, prompting the gallery to break into applause. As they say, all’s well that ends well.

Spy tidbit: People of the Year awards

The 2017 People of the Year awards night by the country’s top glossy magazine PeopleAsia is taking place next week to honor exceptional individuals who not only inspire and encourage people to excel in their chosen fields but are also a source of pride for the country.

Last year, we launched the Max Soliven Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of our founding chairman and publisher. The award is given to distinguished men and women who have gained the respect of their peers for their professional leadership, spanning years of dedicated service and in recognition of their contribution to society and Filipinos as a whole.

This year, we will award two outstanding individuals with the Max Soliven Lifetime Achievement Award: billionaire Andrew Tan and Mrs. Celia Diaz-Laurel – the gracious widow of the late vice president Doy Laurel – who is an accomplished theater actress, singer, poet, painter and writer.

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