Actually, there are silver linings in our economic horizon, but these have been blanketed by clouds, mainly because of our preoccupation with politics and our propensity to focus on the inconsequential but sensational happenings in our country. If we only gave a greater attention, a bigger playup, to events like that which will transpire on Thursday, Jan. 27, at Limay, Bataan inside the refinery of Petron Corporation our moral as a people would be buoyed, and we could look forward to the future with greater optimism.
The top men of Petro Corporation -- chairman/CEO Jose "Joey" A. Syjuco Jr. and president Khalid A. Al-Falih -- have every reason to be proud. The formal inauguration of the Mixed Xylene Plant on Jan. 27 marks another significant milestone in the history not only of Petron but also of our country.
The amount of P161 million was spent by Petron Corporation to put up the plant called MXP, or Mixed Xylene Plant. The MXP will open an additional market for Petron's products in Asia, and thus add revenues to the national economy. For the laymen, mixed xylene is used as a raw material in paralyxene production, which is then turned into polyester. Its byproducts include fibers, PET bottle resin, and films.
According to Joey Syjuco, the markets for fiber and PET bottle are growing. This is due to the fact that clothing and containers are basic commodities that respond to smaller increases in income. Joey said that Petron's MXP will generate a mixed xylene production of 3,200 barrels per day, or some 165,000 metric tons annually.
Analysts forecast that there will be a shortfall of mixed xylene in the Asian region, estimated at 600,000 tons by 2001. Petron's MXP is expected to help fill in this projected shortfall. Note that the MXP is designed to raise the level of refinery utilization, by optimizing Petron's naphtha reforming process.
President Estrada's Steel Bridging Project is apparently moving in the right direction, after all. According to someone in the know, the project is on track and has begun to make an impact on the lives of Filipinos living in isolated rural barangays. The info came from Director Ding Toledo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Project Development Services.
Toledo said that the Bridge Project has targeted the fifth and sixth-class municipalities in the Visayas and Mindanao. Most of the construction are one-lane, steel-supported structures, easily constructed and easily repaired. These are not "impact projects" to many. However, to small underdeveloped communities, these bridges are very meaningful. They provide farmers and fisherfolks greater access to the market, students a safer and quicker route, and everyone else, simple convenience.
Toledo stated that the DILG has already constructed 79 bridges, with 24 others under construction. This is better than the track record of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which has completed only 39. Under the United Kingdom-assisted project, the DPWH is supposed to construct 86 bridges, while the DILG is supposed to build 138.
Toledo also clarified that the DILG's water and solar products are not in limbo. In fact, he said, DILG's Water Sanitation Project has just been cited as "one of the best" by the World Bank. And there are foreign funders who are willing to provide additional financial support to DILG's water and solar projects. "This is the best indicator that the projects are on the proper track," Toledo said.
Finally, Toledo explained that more than 45,000 households are enjoying the benefits from DILG's water supply projects. More will soon experience the same benefits when two other major water supply projects, assisted by the Asian Development Bank and the International Bank for Rural Development, are completed.
Well, this report from the DILG on its water supply program should add to the silver linings in our country's horizon. As everyone knows, water is a most basic commodity all over the country, and every effort must be exerted to make this available to all households and all places.
The staff workers of the Engineering Department of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (formerly NAPHIRE) at Muñoz, Nueva Ecija read about the plight of 12-year-old Aprilyn Tabino of Candelaria, Zambales and they immediately collected from among themselves a total amount of P1,590. And immediately thereafter, PHED Director Ruben E. Manalabe sent two staffers of his office, all the way from the Central Luzon State University campus in Muñoz, to hand over the donation. Thanks, and God bless!
A million thanks to the following kindhearted and thoughtful individuals and entities who sent donations to the Good Samaritan Foundation:
* The wives of 15 former Shell executives who have managed to meet twice a month, P10,000 (BPI 1067220)
* A lady with the initials BG, P10,000 (PBC 208579)
* Mr. & Mrs. Oscar P. Cada of Employees Village, Lucena City, P1,000 (BPI Family Bank 0012619)
* KPT, a literary figure, P500 (Metrobank 0185611)
* A couple from Europa Condominium, Legarda Road, Baguio City, P4,000 (PNB 2945895)
* In memory of ONG YAN GUAN, P1,000 (Equitable 0741787)
* Kent Industrial Corporation, in celebration of its 17th anniversary and through the kindness of VP for marketing Edward Diamonon, P10,000 (Banco de Oro 325014)
* J.D.T. of Leyte St., Sta. Mesa, Manila, P2,500 (BPI Family Bank 0059153)
* Dr. Rodolfo T. Yu of Calamba, Laguna, P1,000 (BPI Family Bank 0051144)
Our effort to open up that vital C-5 Bypass Road along the Marikina River is moving forward, step by step. Brig. Gen. Nicetas C. Parena, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 51st Engineer Brigade, has informed Jejomar Binay, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, that he is already coordinating with the DPWH on the construction and fencing of Camp Atienza, a move that will accelerate the linking up of the Marikina road portion with the C-5 portion in Libis.
Upon my request, Jojo Binay had earlier written to Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, asking the DND to expedite the grant of the needed right-of-way for the project. With the final signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the DPWH and the Bases Conversion Development Authority, the day will now come sooner, when the long-delayed bypass road will be opened up to the general public. Which should be welcome news to Marikina Mayor BF Fernando, who initiated the significant project.
Art A. Borjal's e-mail address: