Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Mighty Corp helped out farmers to emerge its production boost

FARMERS in Pangasinan and the Ilocos provinces have expressed relief that their tobacco leaves will have a sure market this year.
Expressing relief was Mario Cabasal, president of the National Federation of Tobacco Growers and Cooperatives (NFTGC) after learning that Mighty Corp has made commitments to initially buy at least 10 million kilograms of tobacco leaves at an average price of P70 per kilo and buy all the excess tobacco leaves that farmers could not sell to other buyers.
 “We limited to minimum areas fields planted to tobacco last year in anticipation of depressed demand due to the scheduled implementation of the sin tax,” Cabasal said. “good thing, some farmers were able  to sell part of their low-grade harvests to Mighty Corporation in 2013,” he pointed out.
“Now that we are assured of an alternative market, besides other tobacco companies, our members will again be inspired to devote larger areas to the cultivation of Ilocandia’s most important cash crop,” he said.
Fearing that tobacco prices and demand for the yellow leaf would dive as a result of the new excise tax law on cigarettes, many farmers in the Ilocos Region shifted to planting yellow corn, the only other cash crop that thrives in dry land where rainfall is scarce during the summer months. Profits from corn are, however, lower than tobacco.
Planting of the golden leaf started last month and selling the dry leaf often peaks just before the Holy Week.
“With Mighty’s assurance that the company will buy all the unsold tobacco harvested by farmers, we can also be sure that unlike in the past, prices will stay high even after the holiday season. Price cut downs on harvests after the Holy Week was an old practice of middlemen from Ilocos Norte to Pangasinan.


Mighty Corp unveiled King and Chelsea brand


Expect competition in the local tobacco industry to heat up.
Mighty Corp., the oldest Filipino-owned tobacco company, has launched its premium brands King and Chelsea in a bid to firm up its position as the country’s second-biggest cigarette manufacturer.
“Our decision to enter the premium brand segment is part of the company’s thrust to reposition our brands and expand our reach into all segments of the market,” Oscar P. Barrientos, Mighty executive vice president, said.
“We hope to extend the reach of Mighty Corp. and strengthen our position as the top Filipino-owned tobacco company in the Philippines,” Barrientos added.
He said that both brands are premium in terms of smoke character. “But from the packaging and cigarette design, King is more traditional while Chelsea radiates unconventionality,” he explained.
The two premium brands are blended with the finest tobacco grades to give off a balanced taste and aroma. Both come in full flavor king size, lights king size and menthol 100s or a total of six different variants.
“One of our advantages is the smell, flavor and aromatic taste of our cigarettes that are also exceptionally smooth, mellow and attractively packaged,” Barrientos, a retired RTC judge, said.
Mighty’s premium brands will be categorized in the highest tax bracket for cigarettes.
“Our decision to expand our product lines is just part of our vision to become a major player in the market and show what a Filipino company can do,” Barrientos said.
The company was established in 1945 by businessman Wong Chu King with a small factory in Manila producing native cigarettes known as “Matamis.”
The company was renamed Mighty Corp. in 1985 and bought the trademarks of Alhambra Industries in 1993. It now operates a nine-hectare fully integrated manufacturing and processing plant in Malolos, Bulacan.

Mighty Corp. was able to build up its market share through an aggressive marketing push and heavy investments in research, development and production.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Mighty Corp made giant leap over their excise tax payment


The excise tax paid by a cigarette company made a quantum leap from P300 million in 2012 to at least P8 billion for the whole year of 2013, according to data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.  

This was announced by  Oscar Barrientos, executive vice president of Mighty Corp., who added that “the tax we paid for the year 2013 just past reflects the jump in our market share and our fair share in the increased taxes on “sin” products.

Barrientos, a retired  regional trial court judge, said the facts should put to rest false accusations that Mighty Corporation has not been paying its correct taxes.

He further pointed out that despite charges in the news media and by some members of Congress against the company, no case has been filed in court.

In fact, Barrientos pointed out, the BIR and the Bureau of Customs have cleared his company of any tax deficiency until February of this year.

The company paid P300 million in 2012, the former judge explained, when its share of the local market of cigarette was a measly three percent. This share shot up since the government put into effect Republic Act 10352, otherwise known as the new sin tax law.

The law has synchronized a five-year adjustment of taxes on cigarettes for it to become a uniform P30 per pack in five years covering all brands.

Records of the Bureau of Internal Revenue   had shown that excise taxes from both cigarettes and alcohol products increased by 81.5 percent despite a decline in the number of sticks sold.
Total tax take from January to November hit an all-time high of P91.6 billion from P60.4 billion in 2012.

Taxes from cigarettes represented 61.6 percent or almost two thirds of sin tax collections for 11 months.

Mighty Corp., which until the year 2012, was a minor player, pitched in more than P8 billion of the excise tax, not to mention the income tax the company will have to pay for the same year come deadline time.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Mighty Corp increased its tobacco production in Luzon


Mighty Corp (MC), one of the country’s local producers of low-priced cigarettes, yesterday announced it will buy 10 million kilograms of tobacco products worth millions of pesos from farmers in Northern Luzon and elsewhere in the country.

In an official letter of intent he sent to National Tobacco Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, MC Executive Vice President Oscar P. Barrientos said it is buying tobacco from farmers 100 percent more than the five million kilograms his firm bought in 2013.

“This is to assure our tobacco farmers of our willingness to help in response to the published report of the market leader in the tobacco industry to lessen production this year,” Barrientos, a retired regional trial court judge, said.

The letter of intent, in effect, debunked critics’ allegations that MC has been importing raw materials from foreign countries at low prices and therefore it is no longer buying tobacco from local farmers.

Barrientos said their critics have been resorting to a disinformation campaign using convoluted data in an effort to undermine Mighty’s tremendous increase of its market shares.

MC’s market shares surged to almost 20 percent of the low-priced cigarette brands last year from three percent the previous year, resulting to the payment P8.2 billion in excise taxes.

According to Barrientos, their market shares shot up after the government effectively implemented Republic Act 10352, otherwise known as the Sin Tax Law that leveled the playing field in the multibillion-peso tobacco industry which was controlled by Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco. The new law that took 14 years to pass and certified as urgent by President Aquino III caused a tremendous migration of smokers from the expensive premium and sub-premium brands to low-priced cigarettes.

It also resulted to some smokers, because of economic reason, to simply quit the vice and thus validated health authorities estimate that the sin tax law would result to the decrease of the number of smokers in the country.

Before the end of 2013, total tax collection by the BIR hit an all time increase of P91.6 billion from P60.4 billion in 2012. Taxes from cigarettes represented 61.6 percent or almost two thirds of all sin tax collection for 11 months of 2013.

Mighty Corp., then a minor player with a measly three percent of the market share with only P500 million in excise tax payments before the sin tax law took effect in 2012, contributed P8.2 billion in tax payments in 2013, discrediting its critics that it had allegedly committed technical smuggling and tax evasion.


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Mighty Corp, local firms employees completed its training

Thirty people, including 17 from local tobacco manufacturer Mighty Corp., have completed a proficiency-training seminar conducted by American experts on tobacco leaf utilization, leaf chemistry and leaf purchases.
The seminar, jointly conducted by MC and American Tobacco Associates (TA) Inc., also trained the participants on the US Leaf Standards Grading System for both Burley and flue-cured tobacco developed by the US tobacco industry in the early 1900s.

Bobby Wellons, tobacco training specialist from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted the US Leaf Standards Seminar on Burley and flue-cured together with TA’s vice president, Hank Mozingo.


According to retired Gen. Edilberto Adan, MC president, understanding leaf tobacco grading standards provides the foundation for learning and appreciating tobacco qualities and characteristics in the Philippines.


“More specifically,” he said, “the seminars helped those directly involved in tobacco manufacturing gain a better understanding of the unique characteristics of each US tobacco grade and which grades are more suitable for specific blend needs.”     


While MC provided all the necessary on-site assistance and essentials, the TA group supplied all tobacco samples and training materials. 


The short but comprehensive course was conducted at the new MC facility (Pavilion) located inside the factory grounds.  


Aside from the MC participants, the others came from the National Tobacco Administration, Universal Leaf Philippines, Trans-Manila Inc., Continental Leaf, Prudence and WCD. 


The first two days of the seminar focused on the Burley tobacco grades and characteristics. The remaining three days covered flue-cured. 


At the end of the training course, each participant received a certification from USDA for completing the program.


Overall, the tobacco grading seminar has successfully served its purpose, providing participants with a deeper and a more extensive knowledge on the different sectors of the tobacco industry.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Mighty Corp intended to buy tobacco products to Northern Luzon farmers


Mighty Corp (MC), one of the country’s local producers of low-priced cigarettes, yesterday announced it will buy 10 million kilograms of tobacco products worth millions of pesos from farmers in Northern Luzon and elsewhere in the country.

In an official letter of intent he sent to National Tobacco Administrator Edgardo D. Zaragoza, MC Executive Vice President Oscar P. Barrientos said it is buying tobacco from farmers 100 percent more than the five million kilograms his firm bought in 2013.

“This is to assure our tobacco farmers of our willingness to help in response to the published report of the market leader in the tobacco industry to lessen production this year,” Barrientos, a retired regional trial court judge, said.

The letter of intent, in effect, debunked critics’ allegations that MC has been importing raw materials from foreign countries at low prices and therefore it is no longer buying tobacco from local farmers.

Barrientos said their critics have been resorting to a disinformation campaign using convoluted data in an effort to undermine Mighty’s tremendous increase of its market shares.

MC’s market shares surged to almost 20 percent of the low-priced cigarette brands last year from three percent the previous year, resulting to the payment P8.2 billion in excise taxes.

According to Barrientos, their market shares shot up after the government effectively implemented Republic Act 10352, otherwise known as the Sin Tax Law that leveled the playing field in the multibillion-peso tobacco industry which was controlled by Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco. The new law that took 14 years to pass and certified as urgent by President Aquino III caused a tremendous migration of smokers from the expensive premium and sub-premium brands to low-priced cigarettes.

It also resulted to some smokers, because of economic reason, to simply quit the vice and thus validated health authorities estimate that the sin tax law would result to the decrease of the number of smokers in the country.

Before the end of 2013, total tax collection by the BIR hit an all time increase of P91.6 billion from P60.4 billion in 2012. Taxes from cigarettes represented 61.6 percent or almost two thirds of all sin tax collection for 11 months of 2013.

Mighty Corp., then a minor player with a measly three percent of the market share with only P500 million in excise tax payments before the sin tax law took effect in 2012, contributed P8.2 billion in tax payments in 2013, discrediting its critics that it had allegedly committed technical smuggling and tax evasion.


Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Mighty Corp helped the farmers from their CSR program

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) chief Edgardo Zaragoza has welcomed the assistance provided to tobacco farmers by Mighty Corp, a local cigarrete company, officials said.
“The more players dealing directly with the farmers, the better and merrier. This is a big boost to the tobacco industry,” Zaragoza said.
He said Mighty’s social outreach programs would increase the assistance provided to farmers and their families and “we hope this would encourage other cigarette industry players to do the same.”
Mighty has provided 90 diesel-fed water pumps and 16 power tillers to farmers in the provinces of Abra, Ilocs Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela and Cagyan, the country’s top producers of yellow leaf, the variety used for cigarettes. Tobacco thrives even without rainfall and irrigation systems.
Mighty said it would buy 10 million kilograms of tobacco leaves, one fifth of the industry’s total production. It has also provided 100 scholarships to high school graduate  children of  tobacco farmers.
Zaragoza said the NTA was working on the implementing rules for the excise taxes on cigarettes “to ensure that the taxes will directly benefit tobacco farmers.”
“In 2003, excise tax collection from tobacco increasaed by almost P35 billion. From P32 billion in 2012, it became P67 billion in 2013,” Zaragoza said.
The increase in excise taxes followed the enactment in December 2012 of the Sin Tax Reform Law, which took effect in January 2013 and levies higher taxes on cigarettes and liquor.


Monday, September 8, 2014

Mighty Corp assured increased sale of tobacco leaves for 2014


Farmers in the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley  have been assured of brisk sale of tobacco leaves in 2014 following a bumper crop.

The assurance was made by  Oscar P. Barrientos, executive vice president of Mighty Corp, amid reports that the company’s share of the domestic market has dramatically risen from  five percent last year to 20 percent this year.

“We have earned our fair share of the market by making quality but affordable cigarettes that were smartly packaged, creatively and ingenuously sold to the mass market. That is the secret of our success in breaking the cigarette monopoly in this country and were mighty proud of our modest success coming from a home-grown and Filipino-owned cigarette company, said Barrientos, a retired judge.

With a bigger share of Mighty Corporation in the market today, we are giving the tobacco farmers a fair shake of our success by offering competitive prices to their crops,” he pointed out.

He stressed that over the years, Mighty has consistently championed the cause of the Filipino tobacco farmers by buying a larger share of the low-grade tobacco leaves at a good prices. This year, they bought even the low-priced tobacco leaves.

The domestic market for cigarettes became a virtual monopoly with over 90 percent of the market share when international tobacco giant Philip Morris acquired majority ownership of its lone competitor, Fortune Tobacco in 2010.


British tobacco company urged to work with Mighty Corp, other cigarette makers

The British American Tobacco (BAT) has signified its willingness to partnering with another cigarette manufacturing company to cement a strong foothold in the country’s lucrative tobacco industry.
Robert Eugenio, BAT Philippines head of corporate and regulatory affairs, said yesterday that the Lucky Strike cigarette-maker is open to any “beneficial” opportunity in the Philippines.
Since BAT’s return to the Philippine market in 2012, the company’s market share grew at a snail’s pace despite a money-losing marketing strategy of selling imported cigarette packets below the economical price.
BAT, which unveiled a $200- million investment plan for the Philippines in 2012, currently has a weak distribution network in the country, and been incurring an additional cost for the importation of its Malaysia-made Lucky Strike and Pall Mall brands.
“In the process of running a business, we would look at whether partnering with another company would make sense than putting up our own manufacturing facility,” Eugenio said. “In the past, we partnered with La Suerte Cigar and Cigarette Factory, but it was terminated when we left in 2009.”
Meanwhile, industry sources said that BAT has already approached the Wongchuking family of Mighty Corp earlier this year to ask if the latter is open to any partnership.
“I’m not aware and involved in such a transaction,” Eugenio said when asked if BAT is in talks with the Bulacan-based cigarette company.
Sources said BAT wants a partnership with Mighty following its success in snatching up a substantial market share of local market leader PMFTC, a joint venture of LT Group’s Fortune Tobacco Company and Switzerland-based Philip Morris International (PMI).
Since the new excise tax regime took effect in 2013, PMFTC fought tooth and nail to protect its market position against Mighty, which has been very aggressive in offering cheaper alternatives to Lucio Tan and PMI’s premium cigarette brands.
The country’s second largest tobacco company, Mighty, known for the P1-a-stick cigarette, managed to raise its market share from a mere 3 percent in 2012 to nearly 35 percent last year.
However, Mighty’s success is hounded by accusations of tax dodging and smuggling.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Mighty Corp widen its market share in the country

Bulacan-based Mighty Corp. said Thursday it expects to widen its market share in the tobacco industry, as it continues to supply quality but cheaper alternatives to expensive cigarette brands.
Mighty executive vice-president Oscar Barrientos said the increase in market share was due to the shift of the local market from premium brands to cheaper alternatives.
“Mighty’s market share is rising because of our very competitive price as well as quality of our cigarettes,” Barrientos said.
“Consumers are shifting from premium to low-premium brands after the new excise tax law,” he said.
Barrientos said Mighty’s market share grew from a range of 3 to 5 percent in 2012 to a range of 10 percent to 12 percent in 2013.
“For this year, we’re targeting to expand it by two percentage points, or to 12 percent to 14 percent,” Barrientos said.
He said the size of the tobacco market was more than 100 billion sticks annually and was continuously growing despite the increase in cigarette prices.
Barrientos said the company was now selling the Mighty brand for P26 to P27 a pack, Marvel brand for P25 to P26 a pack, which were both higher by P5 from last year’s retail price.
He said the adjustment reflected the P5 increase in excise tax rate this year. He said some retailers were still selling Mighty brand at P23 per pack and Marvel brand P18.4 per pack.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Mighty Corp doubles its tobacco purchase

A cigarette manufacturing company announced it would double its purchase of tobacco from five million to 10 million kilos this year, which would boost the income of farmers in the area, the president of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Association and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) said.
NAFTAC president Mario Cabasal said the announcement of Mighty Corp was expected to break the farmers’ dependence on giant tobacco companies, who enter into contract with farmers to make them plant high nicotine varieties.
“The farmers now have a buyer for low-grade tobacco,” Cabasal said.
Mighty Corporation, a Filipino company, produces low-priced brand of cigarettes, which are popular among the masses. The company provided farmers 83 units of water pumps and 16 hand tractors.
The company also sponsored 100 college scholarship for children of tobacco farmers in La Union. It signed partnership agreements with farmers at the Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union last February 8.
Mighty Executive Vice President Oscar Barrientos said the company will compete with the giant tobacco companies in the purchase of tobacco, which they needed as cigarette filler.
Edgardo Zaragosa, Administrator of the National Tobacco Administration, welcomed the entry of Mighty Corporation in the market, “which is good because competition in tobacco trading will help farmers, especially if the price is right.”

“If Mighty is absent, we will be having problems selling tobacco,” Zaragosa said.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Mighty Corp double up tobacco purchases

A cigarette manufacturing company announced it would double its purchase of tobacco from five million to 10 million kilos this year, which would boost the income of farmers in the area, the president of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Association and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) said.
NAFTAC president Mario Cabasal said the announcement of Mighty Corp was expected to break the farmers’ dependence on giant tobacco companies, who enter into contract with farmers to make them plant high nicotine varieties.
“The farmers now have a buyer for low-grade tobacco,” Cabasal said.
Mighty Corporation, a Filipino company, produces low-priced brand of cigarettes, which are popular among the masses. The company provided farmers 83 units of water pumps and 16 hand tractors.
The company also sponsored 100 college scholarship for children of tobacco farmers in La Union. It signed partnership agreements with farmers at the Hotel Ariana in Bauang, La Union last February 8.
Mighty Executive Vice President Oscar Barrientos said the company will compete with the giant tobacco companies in the purchase of tobacco, which they needed as cigarette filler.
Edgardo Zaragosa, Administrator of the National Tobacco Administration, welcomed the entry of Mighty Corporation in the market, “which is good because competition in tobacco trading will help farmers, especially if the price is right.”
“If Mighty is absent, we will be having problems selling tobacco,” Zaragosa said.



Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Mighty Corp, CSR arm continued educational assistance

“Education is known to be a powerful equalizer. It gives children from low-income families a fighting chance to uplift themselves and their families from poverty and lead productive and meaningful lives.”
This was stressed by Mighty Corp President Edilberto Adan as he announced the Wong Chu King Foundation’s (WCKF) educational assistance, consisting of 100 college scholarship grants, to poor but deserving students who are children of tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon.
“Formal schooling is often too expensive and priced well beyond the reach of the poor, including tobacco farmers,” Adan, a retired general said, adding that the new scholarship program is one of three components of a P10-million joint CSR project of Mighty Corporation (MC) and the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives Inc. (NAFTAC) that aims to benefit 65,000 farmers in Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
WCKF is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of MC, which the Wong Chu King family owns.
“This is our way of thanking the farmers for helping to make our company what it is today,” said Adan at the formal signing rites for the project at a hotel in Bauang, La Union last February 8.
“We are happy that Mighty Corporation, through its Wong Chu King Foundation, has stood firm on its commitment to help 65,000 tobacco farmers in the Philippines,” said Mario Cabasal, NAFTAC national president, at the signing, attended by top MC executives and 200 farmer leaders.
Retired judge Oscar Barrientos, MC executive vice president and spokesman, said the WCKF initially offered scholarships to the dependents of active MC employees but later expanded this to include dependents of retired MC employees and poor but deserving students with excellent academic records.
“Through this program, we hope to help the farmers and their children become competitive in the global market and earn sustainable incomes,” Barrientos said.
The scholarship program is in support of the National Tobacco Administration’s scholarship program for poor but deserving graduating high school students and dependents of tobacco farmers.
Other components of the project include agricultural production assistance, consisting of 16 hand tractors worth P2.5 million and 90 irrigation pumps worth P1.1 million; and institutional support for the annual search for outstanding tobacco farmers and cooperatives by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
Currently, the foundation has six high school and 14 college students on scholarship in various schools nationwide. Two of its college scholars graduated last year.
James Rommel Silao graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. Chemistry degree from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. He is now employed as a chemist at MC’s manufacturing facility in Malolos City, Bulacan.

Abigail Punongbayan, daughter of Conching Ong Punongbayan, MC head of production, graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Medical Technology at the University of Sto. Tomas. She is now completing a degree in medicine at the same university.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Mighty Corp push through their corporate responsibilty projects

Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando City, La Union has commended the Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF), the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Filipino cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. (MC), for helping the church to spread the faith in the Philippines and for prioritizing apostolic works and education in its programs and projects.

According to Beltran, the foundation has so far donated to church projects funding the education of poor but deserving students in Lagawe, Bontoc. This includes four seminarians and students of vocational courses like sewing, weaving and hairstyling.

“The parents of these students are low-income farmers producing only for local consumption,” the bishop said. “So you can imagine the positive impact this kind of support has for them.”

Beltran also commended MC and WCKF for the outreach project recently launched for 65,000 organized tobacco farmers of Northern Luzon.

The bishop has witnessed the signing of an agreement on the project between MC and 200 farmer leaders of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives Inc. (NAFTAC) from Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur at a hotel here recently.

Under the agreement, MC donated to the farmers 16 hand tractors worth P2.5 million and 90 irrigation pumps worth P1.1 million.

“I’m quite happy about all these projects. It’s a big lift for our farmers, not only in La Union but also the whole of Northern Luzon,” Beltran said. “This is something very beautiful as the hand tractors and water pumps encourage our farmers to use modern methods of agriculture.”

The foundation was also commended for the renovation of the Basilica Minore of the Our Lady of Piat Church in Piat, Cagayan in 2012, and the renovation of the Diocesan Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Naic, Cavite last year.

Auxiliary Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao City described WCKF’s work as “a step in the right direction. My diocese, like all dioceses, have serious concerns. If WCKF is out to help schools, putting up libraries is the best form of help it can give.”

“For many years, I have personally known Mrs. Nelia Wong Chu King, WCKF chairman of the board of trustees,” said Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City. “She and her family are great devotees of Our Lady of Piat, and they have erected a chapel in Malolos City, Bulacan, dedicated to Our Lady of Piat, which was blessed by many bishops led by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales in 2012.”

Archbishop Rolando Tirona of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City, Camarines Sur, described the Wong Chu Kings as an upright family and said it was “highly uncharacteristic for them to be involved in the illicit trade practices of technical smuggling and tax evasion.”

Created in 1990, the foundation aims to perpetuate the memory of Wong Chu King, the family patriarch, an avowed philanthropist who was concerned for the plight of, and provided timely assistance to, the poor and underprivileged during his lifetime. The foundation also aims to encourage and promote education through scholarship programs

and raise funds for charitable, cultural and educational purposes.



Mighty Corp helps tobacco farmers in the country

A tobacco company has sealed an agreement that paves the way for outreach projects for tobacco farmers in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley provinces.

Mighty Corp through its president retired General Edilberto Adan and retired Judge Oscar Barrientos signed an agreement with the National Federation of Tobacco Growers’ Association and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) represented by its national president Mario Cabasal to pursue joint projects that will uplift tobacco farmers under the former’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

The cigarette firm has already delivered 90 diesel-fed water pumps and 16 units of power tillers to various farm groups in the provinces of Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela and Cagayan, the country’s top producers of the yellow leaf tobacco.

The company said it will also sponsor the college education of 100 new high school graduates who are sons and daughters of tobacco farmers under the National Tobacco administration’s three year-old scholarship program.

It also plans to support the NTA’s yearly search for the best tobacco farmers in the country.

NTA Administrator Edgar D. Zaragoza has said the company’s CSR will boost the tobacco industry.

“The more players dealing directly with the farmers, the better and merrier,” he said.

Zaragoza said other tobacco companies such as Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Universal Leaf  and Trans Manila have their similar CSR programs.

“This should encourage other industry players to do the same to help the tobacco farmers and their familes," he added.

Mighty Corp. has earlier announced it is ready to buy 10 million kilograms of tobacco leaves directly from farmers. It also promised to buy all the leaves that other players in the industry could not absorb.

Farmers have been producing an average 70 million kilos of the golden leaf in the past five years, half of which was sold to cigarette manufacturers, the half exported to markets abroad.


The 10 million kilograms Mighty promised to buy represents one-fifth of tobacco leaves sold to local cigarette manufacturers.

Monday, August 4, 2014

On the malicious allegations against Mighty Corp

Several months ago, Filipino-owned tobacco manufacturer, Mighty Corp has been accused of tax-dodging by PMFTC.  

According to the competitor allegation, Mighty declared only half of its tobacco production due to tax purposes. Same issue that they always brought up whenever they were the subject in the several news articles online and broadsheet.

With the accusation over technical smuggling, the report made by the Task Force from the Department of Finance said that there are substantial unaccounted raw materials and huge revenue leakage from the Bulacan-based manufacturer. 

Meanwhile, in a statement made by the spokesperson and executive vice president of Mighty, Oscar P. Barrientos said that the continuous effort in a way doing smear, malicious campaign by the competitors

“Mighty Corp. continues to be vilified for having stood up to the industry giant. Since last year, the smear campaign has been nothing more than a rehash of the same lies and allegations,” Barrientos added. It’s really alarming when the rivals keep on rehashing old issues against the company.

With the giant monopoly like PMFTC, Mighty Corp proves that even they are a small local company, they’re become stronger than ever. Probably PMFTC want to pin down the company over the passage of Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law in 2013.



Friday, August 1, 2014

Mighty Corp, Wong Chu King Foundation selected students for scholarship grants

Mighty Corp, Bulacan based tobacco manufacturer, known for their quality cigarettes. They helps a lot of Filipino people thru their charitable works. via Wong Chu King Foundation.

“Education is known to be a powerful equalizer. It gives children from low-income families a fighting chance to uplift themselves and their families from poverty and lead productive and meaningful lives.”, said Edilberto Adan, Mighty president.
Adan announced the foundation’s recent initiative for educational assistance. They gave out at least 100 college scholarship grants to deserving students, which was distributed to the children of tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon.
He added that the said scholarship program is part of the P10-million joint CSR project of Mighty Corporation and the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives Inc.. It aims to benefit 65,000 farmers in Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
“This is our way of thanking the farmers for helping to make our company what it is today,” said Adan
“We are happy that Mighty Corporation, through its Wong Chu King Foundation, has stood firm on its commitment to help 65,000 tobacco farmers in the Philippines,” said Mario Cabasal, NAFTAC national president, at the signing, attended by top executives of Mighty and 200 farmer leaders. Currently, they have six high school and 14 college students on scholarship in various schools nationwide.
Meanwhile, Retired judge Oscar Barrientos, the company's executive vice president and spokesman, said the foundation offered scholarships to the dependents of active employees but later expanded the program to include dependents of retired employees of the tobacco company and poor but deserving students with excellent academic record.
“Through this program, we hope to help the farmers and their children become competitive in the global market and earn sustainable incomes,” Barrientos said.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Mighty Corp and their business strategy

In the controversies that the Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturer Mighty Corp strucked the company for the past several months, they explained about their business strategy. According to Vice President and spokesman Oscar Barrientos said that they keep their products low-priced, while their competition has very high costs. Mighty has been dedicated to their principles of serving Filipinos by its quality and affordable products in the country. But the rival companies keep on mudslinging Mighty with malicious lies over the issues on tax evasion and alleged technical smuggling.

With the low profits that Mighty is earning, while the other brands targeting a very high profit that makes the Bulacan-based company emerged in the market. As the company doesn’t have foreign brands and equity, and also they don’t remit royalty to any foreign headquarters. They didn’t retain a professional consultant which paying a high salary in the company. PMFTC does have this for the sake of making it more than 90% of the cigarette market are from them.

The diverse experience of Mighty Corp in the tobacco industry since the 1940s as they produced truly Filipino products. In my observation, there are smokers that around in their 30s to 40s of age bought the company's products per stick. With the heavy competition in this kind of industry, Barrientos added that they solidify its base, and enhance its core competencies. Smokers nowadays have three choices: quit smoking, smoke less frequently or look for low-priced alternatives.

Meanwhile, the retired judge said that fraud is a serious offense. And it must be proven by complete evidence, and conducted by a trusted authority. The allegation against the company is indeed unfair. Thus, the competitors doing damaging claims that the company did it illegally. They must prove to the authorities that they have substantial evidences against Mighty.

“We’re not selling at a loss; we’re gaining. Why should we continue our business at a loss? Assuming we’re losing, why should the competition be worried? Actually, we’re making reasonable profit. Our concept of gain is not only measured in peso signs; having been patronized by our loyal customers in the low-priced market, we feel duty-bound to keep our price low owing to our company’s nationalistic anchor,” Barrientos explained.

The margin profit of Wongchuking-owned company are totally different from the others in the said industry. The thing is that the competitor didn't explain publicly their side on how they merged.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

BIR speaks up on Mighty Corp's controversies


Mighty Corp, a Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturers which was accused of alleged tax evasion, illegal smuggling and trade misconduct. For the past few months, there's a survey conducted by foreign research firm, AC Nielsen. They described the company as killing the local brands in the market. 

Kudos to BIR, they are neutral over Mighty’s controversies, they are not taking side over the competition to its rival. The rival company, PMFTC accused Wongchuking-owned company of tax evasion, technical smuggling and other malpractice by a foreign research firm, AC Nielsen. Did they have substantial evidence against Mighty? If you may recall, they are spreading malicious lies over traditional media. 

According to a BIR tax fraud official that they have not received any derogatory confidential information against the company other than what we read in newspapers on the results of the survey conducted by AC Nielsen. The said survey was allegedly commissioned by PMFTC, and baseless facts, killing all local brands.

They claimed that Mighty's promoting mid-market brands since profit margins in the low-cost category are low. It means the local brands will be faced out to favor expensive brands. According to the officials said that the information is not true and they are spreading unjustified information to the public. And selling its products at a loss to gain more patronage, they are degrading the quality products of Mighty.

“MC is not selling at a loss and is gaining profit as evidenced by the more than P5.4 billion income and business tax payments to the BIR during the first nine months of the year, which payment is expected to rise to P8 billion by the end of the year,” said Oscar Barrientos, a retired judge and executive vice president of Mighty.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Mighty Corp: BIR neutral over the tobacco wars


Mighty Corp, Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturer has been in the middle of controversial issues for the past several months already.

Government agency, Bureau of Internal Revenue is not taking side over the trade war between the company and giant cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation. 

According to a BIR tax fraud official said “we have not received any derogatory confidential information against Mighty other than what we read in newspapers on the results of the survey conducted by AC Nielsen.” The alleged survey was commissioned by the rival company which was “unfair and malicious to discredit and to kill all local brands.

Mighty said it was untrue that it was selling its products at a loss to gain more patronage and eat up the low income clientele of its competitor which controlled at least 94 percent of the cigarette market.

“Mighty Corp is not selling at a loss and is gaining profit as evidenced by the more than P5.4 billion income and business tax payments to the BIR during the first nine months of the year, which payment is expected to rise to P8 billion by the end of the year,” said Oscar Barientos, a retired judge and executive vice president of the company.



Monday, June 23, 2014

Mighty Corp paid excise tax up for 8 billion in 2013

Wholly Filipino tobacco company, Mighty Corp at least P8 billion for 2013 to Bureau of Internal Revenue.
  
This is according to Oscar Barrientos, executive vice president of Mighty. He said, "the tax we paid for the year 2013 just past reflects the jump in our market share and our fair share in the increased taxes on “sin” products."

He also said that despite charges in the news media and by some members of Congress against the company, no case has been filed in court.

Mighty paid P300 million in 2012, when its share of the local market of cigarette was a measly three percent. The said share went up since the government put into effect Republic Act 10352, or new sin tax law.


Mighty Corp. is been known as a minor player, pitched in more than P8 billion of the excise tax. And they also devoted to several Corporate Social Responsibility projects in the country which includes scholarship grants, and rebuilding churches.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Mighty Corp pushes the use of organic agri pesticide

Bulacan-based manufacturer of quality cigarette in the country, Mighty Corp promotes the alternative use for tobacco. In this initiative, it will help reduce Filipino farmers’ reliance on chemical-based pesticides, increase tobacco farmers’ income, and protect the environment.

According to Mighty's spokesperson and executive vice president, Oscar Barrientos said it was part of the company's commitment thru their corporate social responsibility thrust. He added that with a growing number of Filipino farmers were shifting from chemical-based to organic pesticides. 

“This trend should be encouraged,” he added.

Mighty Corp, which they collaborated with National Tobacco Administration (NTA), Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna (UPLB) in this project.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Mighty Corp paid 8 billion for the excise tax

Bulacan-based tobacco company, Mighty Corp increase their market share by paying at least 8 billion excise tax for the year 2013 to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In 2012, they paid at least 300 million and signaled the rise of this low-priced cigarette firm. 

According to Oscar Barrientos, executive vice president of Mighty said that the excise tax that the company paid for the year 2013 just past reflects the jump in our market share and our fair share in the increased taxes on “sin” products. He added that the facts should put to rest false accusations to them has not been paying its correct taxes.
Barrientos pointed out, the BIR and the Bureau of Customs have cleared his company of any tax deficiency until February 2014.

Meanwhile, records from the BIR had shown that excise taxes from both cigarettes and alcohol products increased by 81.5 percent despite a decline in the number of sticks sold. Mighty Corp. was a minor player in the tobacco industry has been reaching out to a lot of people who are in need of help.



Sunday, June 1, 2014

Mighty Corp's rival company halted by BIR on new cigarette variant

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has stopped Mighty Corp's rival company, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Inc. from manufacturing a variant of Marlboro cigarettes, “Marlboro Flavor Code” due to alledged error in the printing of its case, it was learned yesterday.

Regarding the revoking the permit that was issued last May 3 to PMFTC , the BIR’s Large Taxpayer Service (LTS) said the “aforesaid brand can no longer be manufactured and distributed in the market without securing a prior permit from this office.”

The cancellation stemmed from PMFTC alleged failure to come out with right color printed in the flip-top-box of the cigarette.

“Please be informed that upon verification and comparison of the approved label of the subject brand name against the commercial label being manufactured and distributed in the market, it was found out that the actual color scheme was not in conformity with the approved color scheme for the particular brand,” LTS Chief Alfredo Misajon said.

He said “the color of the approved sample label bears shade of dark gray while the color of the actual commercial label found in the market is black.”

Misajon’s letter added PMFTC blatantly violated the condition of the permit (ELTRD-(T)-011-05-13-87598) it issued to the firm with an explicit prohibition that: “No changes/alteration of the color scheme on the approved commercial label shall be made without prior approval from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.”

A BIR official who declined to give his name said PMFTC’s permit was revoked because it failed to meet the specifications as stated in its application like the color and other details to be put in the pack, or carton cover.

She said PMFTC has already signified its intention to appeal the adverse decision, adding that the error was due to the kind of paper used which could not meet the color specified in its permit application.

“If an applicant applies for a bright red or blue color he must come out with the right coloration, not a shade of red or blue,” she said.

She said a manufacturer must specifically state the unique and distinct detail of its packaging and color scheme, otherwise the application will be rejected outright.

This way, she said, infringement of patent and unfair competition can be avoided as provided for under Revenue Regulations Nos. 3-2006 and 17-2012.

A manufacturer should not also ride on the popularity of a brand that was previously registered, the same official said.

PMFTC has been trying to employ various schemes to regain its market dominance, including the attempt last January, to sell in Mindanao and elsewhere at P245.00 per ream or P1.23 per stick of the same label with a black shade of color which the BIR subsequently banned, claiming that PMFTC cannot sell low-priced Marlboro because it is classified as premium brand.

In its letter-request to the BIR on Nov. 25, 2013, PMFTC claimed there was a need to introduce new cigarette brands to reverse the current decline in its sales due to stiff competition.

“What is more worrying, we expect the down-trading to continue, with the Marlboro volume further decreasing to 7.9 billion sticks in 2014,” PMFTC President Paul Riley said.

Riley wrote the BIR requesting permission to allow PMFTC to introduce to the market low-priced Marlboro cigarettes at a time when it is already selling at one-peso-per stick three cigarette brands it acquired from Fortune Tobacco Corp. in a joint-venture agreement in 2010, namely Westpoint Filter Kings, Jackpot Menthol 100s and Jackpot Full Flavor.

But these brands of cigarettes did not sell as much, a BIR official who requested anonymity said.

Its request to the BIR to produce Marlboro variants and sold them at lower retail prices to avail of lower excise tax rates was rejected because Marlboro has been classified as premium.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Mighty Corp, Wong Chu King Foundation initiated Parañaque medical outreach

Mighty Corp's CSR arm, Wong Chu King Foundation had donated medicines needed by the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission Inc. Hospital. In this initiative made by the foundation, it will help boost its medical mission for thousands of poor families living in Paranaque City.

The said foundation which aims to perpetuate the memory of Emmanuel Wong Chu King, philanthropist and patriarch of the Wongchuking family. He reached out to the poor and underprivileged sectors with their nutrition, medical, education and livelihood needs.

Meanwhile, the FOLPMI Hospital was administered by the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres has been extended health care to indigents including ward accommodation since 1984.

“While we continue to give free healthcare and surgical needs to poor families, our hospital also offers very low rates for various medical services for those who can afford to pay,” said Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, FOLPMI president.

FOLPMI Hospital maintains an emergency room, an out-patient department and in-patient services, an operating room, laboratory and radiology services, along with   charity programs for the poor.

“Our founder Mr. WongChuKing always had a soft spot for the poor, especially children,” said James Navarette, general manager of the foundation.

They also funded the Hapag-Asa Integrated Nutrition Program of Assisi Development Foundation Inc. and provides the nutritional needs of more than eight million children nationwide.

Other partnerships that Wong Chu King Foundation and Mighty Corp has done for the past months such as the agreement with the University of the Philippines Law Class of 1978 and the Payatas Orione Foundation Inc. for a nutrition program for malnourished children at the Quezon City dump.

According to Maamo, the hospital has recently expanded services for indigent patients. They expanded its services to assist the poor communities and squatter areas in Metro Manila and Cavite City along with the 110 indigenous peoples’ communities of the country.

“Aside from general medical and surgical services, we can now provide ENT care, neurology, orthopedics, pediatric care, pulmonary care, dentistry, cleft and craniofacial care and family medicine, among others,” she said.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Mighty Corp continues to help people by CSR projects

Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturer, Mighty Corp, and Wong Chu King Foundation has been actively helping out a lot of people via the company's corporate social responsibility projects. 

According to Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando City, La Union said that he praised on what Mighty and the foundation for helping the church to spread the faith in the Philippines and for prioritizing apostolic works and education in its programs and projects.

He added that the foundation donated to church projects funding the education of poor but deserving students in Lagawe, Bontoc. 

“The parents of these students are low-income farmers producing only for local consumption,” the bishop said. “So you can imagine the positive impact this kind of support has for them.” He lauded the outreach project that the foundation and Mighty launched for 65,000 organized tobacco farmers of Northern Luzon last February.

Under the agreement, Mighty Corp donated to the farmers 16 hand tractors worth P2.5 million and 90 irrigation pumps worth P1.1 million.

“I’m quite happy about all these projects. It’s a big lift for our farmers, not only in La Union but also the whole of Northern Luzon,” Beltran said. “This is something very beautiful as the hand tractors and water 
pumps encourage our farmers to use modern methods of agriculture.”

The foundation was also commended for the renovation of the Basilica Minore of the Our Lady of Piat Church in Piat, Cagayan in 2012, and the renovation of the Diocesan Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Naic, Cavite last year.

Meanwhile, Auxiliary Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao City said about the foundation's work as “a step in the right direction. My diocese, like all dioceses, have serious concerns. If WCKF is out to help schools, putting up libraries is the best form of help it can give.”

“For many years, I have personally known Mrs. Nelia Wong Chu King, WCKF chairman of the board of trustees,” said Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City. “She and her family are great devotees of Our Lady of Piat, and they have erected a chapel in Malolos City, Bulacan, dedicated to Our Lady of Piat, which was blessed by many bishops led by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales in 2012.”

Archbishop Rolando Tirona of the Archdiocese of Caceres in Naga City, Camarines Sur, described the Wong Chu Kings as an upright family and said it was “highly uncharacteristic for them to be involved in the illicit trade practices of technical smuggling and tax evasion.”


Monday, May 12, 2014

Mighty Corp changes the lives of tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon

The joint project between Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturer, Mighty Corp and an NGO partnered to uplift the lives of farming families in Northern Luzon.

The said partnership was sealed both Mighty and National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives, Inc. officials. The memorandum of agreement was held last February 8 as officials from Mighty retired general Edilberto P. Adan, retired judge Oscar P. Barrientos, and Mario Cabasal, head of NAFTC.

Meanwhile, Wong Chu King Foundation Inc., Mighty's charitable arm handed over at least 16 units of hand tractors worth P2.5 million and 90 units of water pumps worth P1.1 million to chapter delegations from seven provinces in Northern Luzon. 

 “We are happy that  Mighty Corporation has stood firm on its commitments to help the 65,000 strong tobacco farmers in the Philippines with their pronouncements this year to purchase 10-million kilograms of tobacco leaves and the P10-million outreach projects for tobacco farmers,” said Cabasal after the agreement was signed by the new partners.


“This is definitely a big help to us, tobacco farmers,” added Cabasal.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Mighty Corp boost the morale of tobacco farmers by gain production


Filipino-owned cigarette manufacturer, Mighty Corp sealed an agreement between local tobacco farmers, and National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives, Inc. last February. The said project which aim to uplift the lives of farming families under the theme, “Sama-sama Tayong Pilipino sa Pagyabong ng Industriya ng Tabako.”

The deal was signed by Mighty Corporation President Edilberto P. Adan and Executive Vice President Oscar P. Barrientos with Mario Cabasal, head of the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives, Inc.. Then, a consultative meeting was held between Mighty executives and 200 tobacco farmer-leaders from Northern Luzon.

They announced a pledge for a P10-million fund for three-pronged programs that will help tobacco farmers produce quality tobacco for the company.

Meanwhile, the said program includes irrigation pumps and tractors for the farmers, sending college students via their scholarship grants and the institutional support for the annual search for outstanding tobacco farmers and cooperatives.

“We are happy that Mighty Corporation has stood firm on its commitments to help the 65,000 strong tobacco farmers in the Philippines with their pronouncements this year to purchase 10-million kilograms of tobacco leaves and the P10-million outreach projects for tobacco farmers,” Cabasal said.

“This is a big help to tobacco farmers,” Cabasal added. He elated over Mighty's initiative to buy at least 10 million kilograms of tobacco leaves.

Mighty Corp’s charitable arm, Wong Chu King Foundation, Inc. turned over 16 units of hand tractors worth P2.5 million and 90 units of water pumps worth P1.1 million that was distributed to the seven tobacco-producing provinces in Northern Luzon.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Wong Chu King Foundation funded chapel in Xavier School

Mighty Corp's CSR arm, Wong Chu King Foundation funded the construction of Xavier School's Sacred Heart Chapel. The said chapel is located at the Senior High School Building. The religious structure is in honor of Mr. Wong Chu King, the patriarch of the family that formed the foundation.

According to Caesar Wongchuking, Wong Chu King Foundation’s vice president says that the Sacred Heart Chapel of Xavier School’s senior high school building is being built for the cause and passion for education by his father.

“Fr. Desautels went door-to-door in Manila for donations to buy the land needed to set up the school,” Wongchuking recalled on how the founders of the school and his father met.  “At 3:30 pm on December 15, 1955, Fr. Desautels closed the deal and purchased the land barely an hour and a half before the 5 p.m. deadline agreed on with the seller of the land on which the school was eventually built.”

“All of us, my siblings and I, graduated from Xavier School and imbibed the Jesuit’s God, education and service-centered mission,” he added.

“This project is our way of honoring our father’s friendship with the Jesuit community and paying forward for the excellent education we received from the school,” said Alex Wongchuking, the foundation’s executive director said.

During the signing the deed of donation for the construction of the chapel, it was attended by Marietta Wongchuking- Co Chien, Wong Chu King Foundation Director; Johnip Cua, Xavier School chairman of the board of trustees; and Fr. Aristotle Dy, school president and director.

With this initiative of Wong Chu King Foundation and Mighty Corp, they vowed to rebuild churches, not only in Xavier...they also reconstruct churches in the country.



Monday, April 21, 2014

Mighty Corp targets increase of tobacco purchase this year


Mighty Corp, a Bulacan-based tobacco manufacturer aims to purchase 10 million kilograms of tobacco products worth millions of pesos from farmers in Northern Luzon

This is according to executive vice president of Mighty, Oscar Barrientos. In the letter of intent that was sent to National Tobacco Administration administrator Edgardo Zaragoza that Wongchuking-owned company will buy tobacco from farmers 100 percent more than the five million kilograms his firm bought in 2013.

“This is to assure our tobacco farmers of our willingness to help in response to the published report of the market leader in the tobacco industry to lessen production this year,” Barrientos added.


Mighty’s market shares surged to 20 percent of the low-priced cigarette brands in which resulted in paying P8.2 billion in excise taxes.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Wong Chu King Foundation turned over 18th century church in Cavite


One of the historical landmarks in Cavite, The Diocesan Shrine of Immaculate Concepcion in Naic was recently turned over by Mighty Corp’s charitable arm, Wong Chu King Foundation.

The said church is one of the oldest and largest churches in the country. The Wong Chu King Foundation called their deed as a duty to church and society.

“We cannot allow this historic church to go into a state of disrepair,” said Alex Wongchuking, Executive Director of Wong Chu King Foundation said.

The said institution has been devoted its resources to rebuilding churches in the country since 2009. They're also helping out students to get educated and other charitable works.

“The church strengthened the Filipino faith and it stands as a mute witness to the martyrdom of the defenders of Philippine freedom and nationhood,” Wongchuking said.

The church in Naic was built by the Spanish friars which has a low-roofed stone structure in 1835. Eventually, it was rebuilt and completed with a neo-Gothic convent complex in 1872.  In 2013, it was renovated done by Wong Chu King Foundation and made a symbolic turnover to church officials last March 30 which coincided the foundation’s 24th anniversary.

According to Cavite Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista says that he was grateful and said the restoration of the church to its original architecture will “encourage people to grow in their faith, in a life of prayer and in a life of holiness, which is God’s desire for all of us.”
  
He also added that the church’s the roof and the walls were crumbling and the church’s interior gradually deteriorating. Suddenly, Wong Chu King Foundation  came in and offered them to rebuild the church.

“With this beautiful church, one can say that the presence of God is really felt by the people,” Bishop Evangelista said.

Aside from rebuilding the church, the foundation also built a new garden with a fountain, Navarette said.
“The project aims to maintain the original structure, essence and sanctity of the church,” he added.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Wong Chu King Foundation offers scholarship grants

The charitable arm of Mighty Corp, Wong Chu King Foundation reaching out to the poor yet deserving students to receive scholarship grants in the northern part of Luzon.

“Education is known to be a powerful equalizer. It gives children from low-income families a fighting chance to uplift themselves and their families from poverty and lead productive and meaningful lives.” said Mighty Corp president Edilberto Adan.

Adan also said the educational assistance that the foundation gives out 100 scholarship grants to deserving students which are children of tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon.

“Formal schooling is often too expensive and priced well beyond the reach of the poor, including tobacco farmers,” he said.

The said program is one of three components of a P10-million joint CSR project of Mighty Corp. and the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers and Cooperatives Inc.. It aimed to benefit 65,000 farmers in the northern part of Luzon.

“This is our way of thanking the farmers for helping to make our company what it is today,” said Adan.

“We are happy that Mighty Corporation, through its Wong Chu King Foundation, has stood firm on its commitment to help 65,000 tobacco farmers in the Philippines,” said Mario Cabasal, NAFTAC national president.

Meanwhile, according to Mighty Corp’s executive vice president and spokesperson Oscar Barrientos said the foundation initially offered scholarships to the dependents of active Mighty employees. Later on, it was expanded for dependents of retired Mighty employees and unfortunate but deserving students with excellent academic records.

“Through this program, we hope to help the farmers and their children become competitive in the global market and earn sustainable incomes,” Barrientos said.

The scholarship program is in support of the National Tobacco Administration’s scholarship program for poor but deserving graduating high school students and dependents of tobacco farmers.

The foundation has six high school and 14 college students unde their scholarship program.







Monday, March 31, 2014

Mighty Corp, Wong Chu King Foundation cited for their charitable works

Mighty Corp, a Filipino owned tobacco manufacturer known for the quality cigarettes in the country has been cited over their charitable works. 

With the help of their foundation, Wong Chu King Foundation which prioritized Catholic education in its programs and projects.

According to Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando City said Mighty Corp and its humanitarian armdonated to church projects and funded the education of poor students in Lagawe, Bontoc. 
“The parents of these students are low-income farmers producing only for local consumption. You can imagine the positive impact this kind of support has for them,” Beltran said.
The foundation also renovated the churches in the Visayas region, the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat Church in Piat, Cagayan in 2012 and the Diocesan Shrine of Immaculate Conception in Naic, Cavite last year.
Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo Baccay of Tuguegarao City said that Wong Chu King and Mighty's good deeds as a step in the direction ... if Wong Chu King is out to help schools, putting up libraries is the best form of help it can give.
Meanwhile, Archbishop emeritus Diosdado Talamayan of Archdiocese of Tuguegarao City said: “I have personally known Mrs. Nelia Wong Chu King, chariman of the board of trustees of the foundation. She and her family are great devotees of Our Lady of Piat. They have erected a chapel in Malolos City, Bulacan, dedicated to Our Lady of Piat, which was blessed by many Bishops led by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales in 2012.”