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ABCI receives award at CDO Pahinungod ’15

BY BRIAN S. CAMAHAY

Charter Day is an annual celebration of Cagayan de Oro to commemorate the City’s people, culture and history. This year, the 65th Anniversary of the declaration of CDO’s charter was celebrated on June 15. It was participated by the people and the Local Government Unit of Cagayan de Oro City, headed by the City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno.

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Moreno delivered his annual report at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria that morning, detailing the achievements and accomplishments done of the Mayor’s Office. In the afternoon, the PAHINUNGOD (A Dinner Tribute to the City’s Partners in Development) was held at Luxe Hotel, Limketkai Center Cagayan de Oro. A Brown Company Inc. is one of the distinguished awardees who contributed to the growth and development of the City.

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The PAHINUNGOD award was received by Ms. Vivien M. Lawansa, Human Resource Manager, in behalf of A Brown Company Inc. President Mr. Robertino E. Pizarro.

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The company was awarded with a plaque for discerning the City’s prospects and promise for investing in the city’s inclusive growth and development as well as providing valuable products and services for 50 golden years and beyond and for leading the way in the City’s journey toward peace, progress and prosperity in a resilient tomorrow.

A Brown Company Inc. continues to extend its indefatigable devotion and dedication not only in helping and giving support for the progress and development of Cagayan de Oro, but also in order for the people to grow in harmony and to live in a peace-loving community.

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ABCI unveils 2015 prospects

L-R: ABCI Directors Thomas Aquino and Annabelle Brown, Executive Chairman Dr. Walter Brown, President Robert Pizarro, Executive Vice President Roel Z. Castro, Chief Finance Officer Atty. Rosanne D. Santiago and Corporate Secretary Atty. Jason Nalupta at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in Cagayan De Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO—At the 2015 stockholders’ meeting of A Brown Company, Inc. (ABCI) on June 19 at Xavier Sports & Country Club, the publicly listed corporation made announcements on the current developments and future projects that it is looking into. The meeting was presided over by Executive Chairman Dr. Walter W. Brown, along with ABCI President Robertino E. Pizarro and Executive Vice President Roel Z. Castro.

Growth opportunities

Recently, the company has shifted its focus from high-end real estate developments to middle income (economic) housing and socialized housing projects to take advantage of the 3-million supply backlog in these sectors. The first of these projects are Ventura Residences, St. Therese Subdivision, and Mountain View Homes in Balulang, CDO.

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ABCI’s Ventura Residences, Phase 5 of Xavier Estates

For 2015, ABCI is launching Simple Homes projects: Mountain View Homes expansion, Adelaida Residences, and Simple Holmes developments located in CDO, Butuan City (Brgy. Lumbo), Bukidnon (Valencia City and Malaybalay City), Rizal (Tanay), and Davao City (Toril). Additional socialized housing developments in other parts of Mindanao are being eyed.

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Mountain View Homes in mid-Balulang, Cagayan De Oro, one of ABCI’s latest projects in the socialized housing sector

During the stockholders’ meeting, Mr. Pizarro reported a five-year projected total contract price of PhP2.5 billion for ABCI’s upcoming socialized and economic housing projects.

In addition to this shift, Dr. Brown has revealed plans of expanding the company’s master-planning expertise overseas, upon receiving an invitation from the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to develop projects in this territory. “We are currently studying this project seriously,” said Dr. Brown, who visited Bougainville earlier this month.

More expansion plans

A Brown Energy and Resources Development, Inc. (ABERDI) holds ABCI’s interests in the palm oil industry. ABERDI and its subsidiaries are active in palm oil nurseries, plantations, and milling. After encountering net losses in 2013 and delays with its expansion and diversification efforts in 2014, commercial operations have begun last May 2015 for ABERDI’s refinery with 60MT capacity per day.

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ABCI’s agribusiness unit, ABERDI. The palm oil group’s commercial operations have been on full capacity as of May 2015

The company has lined up possible cooperative ventures with suppliers of fresh fruit bunches and crude palm oil, for possible distribution of finished products. “We have experienced some delays in 2014, but we are confident that our expansion and diversification efforts will come into fruition this 2015,” says Mr. Pizarro, who is also the President of ABERDI.

ABCI’s power generation businesses are located in areas where there is a shortfall in supply, coupled with long-term off-take agreements. The 20.9-MW bunker-fired Peakpower Soccsargen Inc. (PSI) in General Santos and the 5.2-MW Peakpower San Francisco, Inc. (PSFI) in Agusan del Sur are currently running at full capacity. A third plant, the 10.4-MW Peakpower Bukidnon, Inc. (PBI) is scheduled to begin operations by the second half of 2016. Future project plans include a 15-MW and a 5-MW expansion in General Santos and San Francisco, respectively.

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The 20.9-MW bunker-fired plant Peakpower Soccsargen, Inc. in General Santos

Also slated to be fully operational come early 2016 is the first unit of the 2×135-MW coal-fired Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC) in Concepcion, Iloilo. “The project is in its advanced stage of construction, possibly two months ahead of its delivery schedules,” says Mr. Castro, who is also the President of ABCI’s power businesses. “Planning for PCPC’s second unit is also in the advanced phase.

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The construction works for coal-fired 2×135-MW Palm Concepcion Power Corporation are on full throttle

These projects would be able to provide reliable and stable power at competitive prices to regions where electricity supply is still inadequate.

Water works

ABCI is also developing Carac-an Hydroelectric Project, a 25-MW hydropower plant in Surigao del Sur, via its subsidiary, Hydro Link Projects Corp. The project’s feasibility study is expected to be completed this June.

ab bulk water company, inc. was formed in may 2015
AB Bulk Water Company, Inc. was formed in May 2015

Meanwhile in Opol, Misamis Oriental, ABCI has formed a new subsidiary that will engage in the bulk water distribution business, AB Bulk Water Company, Inc. (ABWCI). It will engage in the business of holding and providing rights to water to public utilities and cooperatives. The project is in partnership with the local government, aimed at addressing Opol’s needs for an independent water supply system. Opol has been dependent on CDO Water District but receives only 10% of its 8,000 cubic-meter daily requirement.

These reports were accompanied by a summary of ABCI’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in and around the localities that house the company’s businesses.

The new projects and expansions for power and infrastructure would amount to P14.5 billion over the next 2-3 years. Mr. Castro has said that the projects will be financed through a combination of self-generated equity, joint ventures and partnerships, and financing.

Dr. Brown is optimistic of these prospects. “For our various projects, we have not only endeavored to address the economic needs of its stakeholders, but also to further give proper attention to the environmental, social and spiritual needs of the communities it is serving,” he says in a message to the stockholders. “We are confident that we will, with your support, accomplish much more and significantly contribute to the attainment of our objectives.”

For updates on ABCI and its subsidiaries, please regularly visit www.abrown.ph and subscribe to our newsletter.

HEADER PHOTO BY FRANCIS YAP

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A Brown forms bulk water distribution company

BY RUFINO T. MAGBANUA

A BROWN Company, Inc. has created a new subsidiary that will engage in the bulk water distribution business in Misamis Oriental, the holding firm said in a disclosure.

A Brown said it “has caused the incorporation of AB Bulk Water Company, Inc. (ABWCI).”

The parent subscribed to the entire outstanding capital stock of ABWCI equivalent to five million common shares at an undisclosed price.

A Brown said the new unit will “engage in the business of holding and providing rights to water to public utilities and cooperatives or in water distribution in the Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental.”

It will also be in charge of “securing any needed licenses to engage in such business activities and purchasing or otherwise acquiring, for the purpose of holding or disposing of the same, shares of stock, equity, rights, and property of any person, firm, association, or corporation engaged in industries or activities related to water development, paying for the same in cash, shares of stocks, or bonds of this corporation.”

A Brown had said last year that its P500-million bulk water supply project for Opol was already under way.

The project — done in partnership with the local government — will address the municipality’s needs for an independent water supply system.

Opol has been dependent on Cagayan De Oro Water District but receives only 10% of its 8,000-cubic-meter daily requirement.

A Brown, which serves as public holding firm of the Brown Group of Companies, is primarily engaged in the business of real estate development.

Through its subsidiaries, A Brown has also ventured into oil palm plantation, nursery and seedlings distribution, palm oil milling, mining, power generation and real estate brokerage.

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Brown Group of Companies’ summer outing 2015

BY KHRISTINE ECHEVERIA

The Brown Group of Companies had its summer outing last May 4, 2015 at Duka Bay Resort, Medina, Misamis Oriental. The said event was filled with great fun and good games. Everyone took pleasure in their break away from work and had their share of laughter.

the brown group of companies outing
The Brown Group of Companies had its summer outing last May 4, 2015 at Duka Bay Resort, Medina, Misamis Oriental. The said event was filled with great fun and good games. Everyone took pleasure in their break away from work and had their share of laughter.
mr. renne p. subido opening remarks
Welcome remarks by VP for Administration, Mr. Renne P. Subido
short message by robertino e. pizarro
President Robertino E. Pizarro with his short message
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A Powered Up Birthday

BY SHAI LAGARDE

Mr. Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of A Brown Company, Inc. subsidiaries Palm Concepcion Power Corporation (PCPC), Peakpower Energy Inc. (PEI) and Hydro Link Power Corporation (HLPC) celebrated his birthday last April with a simple but sumptuous meal at the company’s Manila office. Present at his birthday gathering were PCPC, PEI and HLPC employees, officers, directors and business associates, along with Sir Roel’s wife Ms. Jasmin and their three children.

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Head of Corporate Affairs Ms. Cristina Cabalhin led the celebrations with a prayer, and festivities began with Asian-fusion dishes.

Sir Roel thanked everyone for coming, as well as for their continuous support in the endeavors and projects of the company.

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Fire Safety Awareness in ABCI

BY QUARREN M. DEL ROSARIO (CDO) & SHAI LAGARDE (MANILA)

Fire Prevention Month is over but ABCI continues to observe fire safety measures in the workplace.

A Fire Safety Lecture and Fire Drill was conducted last April 10 at XSCCI Function Room by the Bureau of Fire Protection.

There were 28 employees who attended the said activity from different departments of the Brown Group of Companies.

Among the topics covered during the fire safety lecture are the different kinds of destructive fires, basic components and hazards of heat, smoke, gases and flames, and the importance of early detection, quick reporting and rapid suppression of fire.

A fire drill followed the lecture where the participants were asked to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher and fire hose cabinet.

A Fire Safety Lecture and Fire drill was also held in Opol Plantation to educate workers and employees on the other kind of destructive fire such as grass and forest fire. The said non-structural fires may cause severe damage to the environment and may endanger its inhabitants.

fire safety drill on opol plantation

For the company’s offices in Ortigas Center, the same event was held by Pasig City fire authorities.

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Valentine Walk-in Movie at Ventura Residences

BY ROSALIE ROXAS

Ventura Residences celebrated Valentine’s Day with everyone in the family gathered not in their living rooms, but in a very big playground. Not in front of their television, but in front of a very big LCD screen. Set under the bright afternoon Valentine’s skies, homeowners gathered in front of the LCD screen at the Ventura playground. This walk-in movie marathon was the first of its kind in the Ventura neighborhood. A great new way to bond with the family. A great new way to celebrate Heart’s Day.

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Gong Xi Fa Cai Teakwood Hills

BY ROSALIE ROXAS

A Brown Company Inc. celebrates the Chinese New Year of the Green Wooden Sheep. It is said that this year is a good way to duplicate your money, venture into investments, and have career opportunities. The event was well-attended by Teakwood Hills home owners, lot owners and their guests.

The celebration had a live band who sang some few Chinese songs, the venue had beautiful decorations and guests were offered delicious and sumptuous meals. The lion dance, which signifies luck and prosperity, gave much joy and happiness to the guests. The lion dancers roamed and mingled to the delight of the guests. The night ended with spectacular fireworks that left everyone in awe.

One’s life does not depend on luck alone but if diligence is applied with hardwork then it ensures prosperity. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

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Defining Our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System

BY QUARREN M. DEL ROSARIO

Brown Group of Companies held its 1st Quarter Manager’s Forum on March 6-7 with the theme: “Defining Brown Group of Companies’ Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System” last March 6at XSCCI Function Rooms. There were 31 employees who attended the one-and-a-half-day forum represented by managers and supervisors from different groups in operations: Construction & Development, Sales & Marketing, Plantation and from the support group Accounting, Admin Services, Compliance, Credit & Collection & Human Resources.

The forum was facilitated by Mr. Noel Sales, a retired Senior Software Engineer of IBM Hursley Laboratories Ltd. in United Kingdom.

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The primary goal of the forum is to define and understand the importance of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System in the company and be able to create the requirement document which will be the basis in coming up with the program/system application.

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God’s Instrument of Mercy & Compassion

BY KHRISTINE O. ECHEVERIA

Pope Francis, dearly called by Filipinos as Lolo Kiko, visited our country last January 15-19, 2015 primarily to comfort the Filipinos stricken by typhoon Yolanda and devastated by the quake. He communed with the youth, mingled with the poor and homeless, reached out to the victims of calamities, soothed the pain of those who are hurting and quenched the thirst of those who are experiencing spiritual drought. All of these, and even more, he has done, all for one mission, to deliver God’s message for us Filipinos.

Pope Francis was a good shepherd. He was chosen by God to touch our hearts by His message. To be merciful and compassionate missionaries of faith, that is what God wants us to be. That very message has pierced deep into the hearts of Filipinos.

In the words of Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis Cardinal Tagle (to Pope Francis), “Every Filipino wants to go with you, not to Rome, but to the peripheries. We want to go with you to the shanties, to the prison cells, to hospitals, to the world of politics, finance, arts, the sciences, culture, education and social communication. We will go to those worlds with you, to bring the light of Christ. Jesus is the center of your pastoral visit and the cornerstone of the church. We will go Holy Father with you, where the light of Jesus is needed.” This only goes to show, that we have clearly listened, and heard God’s message.

My prayer for us Filipinos is to continue living up to our mission, to be missionaries of faith—full of mercy and compassion as people of God.