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MR. LEMUEL T. FERNANDEZ
Publisher-Editor
The Guardian
Lopez-Jaena St., La Paz, Iloilo City
Dear Mr. Fernandez,
This concerns the column of Mr. Oliver M. Mendoza titled “Opportunity in Tragedy” that was published in
The Guardian on September 22. In his column, he wrote that Holcim-Philippines is co-owned by Alsons Cement Corporation, a company
owned by the family of Petron Chairman and CEO Nicasio I. Alcantara. Additionally, he wrote “that the Alcantara-owned cement plant
effectively received free fuel from the oil spill.” The company aims to complete disposal operations as soon as possible.
It is unfortunate that his column is filled with inaccuracies and malice that may have put Petron and
Mr. Alcantara in a bad light. We take this opportunity to set the record straight and inform the public of the truth.
Contrary to what he wrote, Holderfin, the parent company of Holcim actually acquired Alsons Cement Corporation in January 1999.
Thus, Mr. Alcantara divested of his stake in Alsons Cement long before he joined Petron on July 30, 2001. If Mr. Mendoza did his research, public documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) would easily verify this fact.
We chose Holcim to process the oily debris from Guimaras because they have the waste management technology
that ensures zero harmful emissions. Additionally, Holcim’s operations are supported by its compliance to all environmental requirements by the government.
That they will be using the processed waste as raw material for cement production is of secondary importance to Petron. We are actually paying Holcim on a per kilo basis
to process the waste in an environment-friendly manner.
We do hope that in the future Mr. Mendoza would substantiate his facts like any responsible journalist would before writing his columns. Despite our best efforts to disseminate the facts about the oil spill in Guimaras, we have been victims of constant attacks by the media both locally and nationally. Regardless of these, we wish to assure you that Petron remains committed to its objective to do everything humanly possible to help the people of Guimaras and restore the island to its former beauty.
In line with your reputation as “Western Visayas’ Most Read and Respected” publication, we trust that you will give us the same space in The Guardian so that your readers can be informed of the facts.
Very truly yours,
(Signed)
Virginia A. Ruivivar
Public Affairs Manager
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