DoE opens bids for coal contracting round

Business World Online
Posted on March 30, 2012 07:28:13 PM


THE ENERGY department has received 69 bids for the coal exploration areas it is offering under the 4th Philippine Energy Contracting Round.
The government said the number of bids show the increased interest in energy investments in the country.


“We are overwhelmed by the number of bids submitted for the areas we are offering. It shows that the round has attracted a lot of investors including new companies,” said Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug, Jr. in an interview at the sidelines of the bid opening Friday.


The government is offering 38 potential coal exploration areas to investors.


No bids were submitted for 10 which Mr. Layug said will be rebid in another contracting round.


Several bids have already been rejected by the department, but the firms may still file motions for reconsideration on Monday.


As of 5 p.m. in Friday, 42 bids had been accepted while 11 had been rejected.


Some of the companies that placed and had bids accepted were Semirara Mining Corp., Benguet Corp., Philippine National Oil Co.- Exploration Corp., SKI Mining Corp. and Superfine Mines and Minerals, Inc.


The Energy department expects investments of around P2.4 billion from the new coal contracts.


Areas being offered are: Panukulan, Burdeos and Polilio in Quezon; Calaug, Tagkawayan, and Guinayangan in Quezon; Tagkawayan, Quezon and Del Gallego, Camarines Norte; Rapu-rapu Island, Albay; Bacon, Prieto Diaz and Gubatcon, Sorsogon; Cataingan, Masbate; Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, and Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro; Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro; Calatrava, Negros Occidental; Toledo, Minglanilla, and Cebu City, Cebu; Inabanga, Clarin and Sinagbayan, Bohol; Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte; Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental; Carmen, Butuan, Agusan del Norte; Sibagat and Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Bislig, Lingig, Trento, Agusan del Sur; Nabunturan, Compostela Valley; Terragona, Davao Oriental; Togoloan II and Kapai, Lanao del Sur; Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Palimbing, Sultan Kudarat; and Maitum, Sarangani; Godod, Zamboanga del Norte; Kabasalan, Ipil, Naga, Kabasalan, Diplahan, Buug, Imelda, Malangas, and Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay. -- Emilia Narni J. David