Since 1966, Unioil has led the way in innovative petroleum solutions, establishing itself as a highly innovative business partner for specialty oils, fuels and lubricants. Currently, Unioil’s diversified interests include the operation of retail gas services stations, the marketing and blending of lubricants, oil trading, terminalling, and most recently, the marketing of bitumen, making it the leading independent petroleum company in the country.

As a major petroleum product supplier in the Philippines, Unioil’s creative approach to meeting the needs and wants of its clients and customers has revolutionized the concept of how an oil company can do business with both small and large customers.

Semirara Mining Corporation is the only large-scale coal producer in the Philippines and is engaged in surface open cut mining of thermal coal from its Panian mine on Semirara Island, in the Antique Province. Semirara Island covers an area of 55 square kilometers and is located 350 km south of Manila.

On 11 July 1977, the Government through its former Energy Development Board, now the Department of Energy (DOE), awarded a 35-year coal operating contract to a consortium formed by three private companies. On incorporation of the Company, these companies subscribed equally to the Shares and, in exchange for the Shares, they assigned the Coal Operating Contract to the Company, which was then known as Semirara Coal Corporation. As a result of their financial difficulties, two of the three initial shareholders transferred their Shares, which had been provided as security for loans from Government financial institutions, to the National Development Corporation (NDC) after the lenders had foreclosed on the loans. In order to obtain control of the Company, NDC bought the Shares of the third initial shareholder to obtain a 95% interest in the Company. The Coal Operating Contract, which was amended by an agreement dated 8 June 1983, gives the Company the exclusive right to conduct exploration, development and coal mining operations on Semirara Island until 2012. The DOE has stated that the Company may apply for extension or renewal of the Coal Operating Contract one year before its expiry date. In return for the mining rights granted to the Company, the Government is entitled to receive annual royalty payments calculated on the basis of gross revenues less allowable expenses. The DOE is entitled to receive 30% of the resulting amount, or a minimum of 3% of gross revenue.