COVER SHEET

1 6 8 0 6 3
S.E.C. Registration Number

P R Y C E

CO R P O R A T I O N

(Company’s Full Name)

1 7 / F P R Y CE C EN T E R C H I N O

R O CE S A V EN U E M A K A T I C I T Y
(Business Address: No. Street City/ Town / Province)

Jose Ma. C. Ordenes / Earl Christian L. Lerio (02) 8 899-4401

Contact Person Company Telephone Number

1 2 3 1 1 7 - A 0 8 2 0
Month Day FORM TYPE Month Day
Fiscal Year ANNUAL MEETING

Secondary License Type, if Applicable

C F D

Dept. Requiring this Doc. Amended Articles Number/Section

359 (as of May. 31, 2020)

Total No. of Stockholders Domestic Foreign

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To be accomplished by SEC Personnel concerned

File Number LCU

Document I.D.

Cashier

STAMPS
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SEC Form 17-A

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17
OF THE SECURITIES REGULATION CODE AND SECTION 141
OF THE CORPORATION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

2. SEC Identification Number 168063 3. BIR Identification No. 000-065-142-000

4. PRYCE CORPORATION

5. Metro Manila, Philippines 6. Industry Classification Code

7. 17th Floor Pryce Center, 1179 Chino Roces Avenue cor. Bagtikan St., Makati City, 1203

8. Telephone No. (632) 899-44-01 (trunkline)

9. (formerly PRYCE PROPERTIES CORPORATION)

10. Securities registered pursuant to Sections 4 and 8 of the RSA

Title of Each Class No. of shares

Issued & Outstanding Common Shares 2,024,500,000
Treasury Shares 36,598,731
Outstanding Common Shares 1,987,901,269

11. Are any or all of these securities listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Yes [ x ] No [ ]

Philippine Stock Exchange Common Stock

12. Check whether the issuer:

(a) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 17 of the SRC and SRC Rule 17
thereunder or Section 11 of the RSA and RSA Rule 11(a)-1 thereunder, and Sections 26 and
141 of The Corporation Code of the Philippines during the preceding twelve (12) months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports);
Yes [ x ] No [ ]

(b) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days.
Yes [ x ] No [ ]

13. State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

Market value of voting stock, held by non-affiliates of the registrant, is approximately

Php5,696,565,994 based on 1,389,406,340 shares at P4.10 per share, which was the market
price at the close of the last trading day of the first quarter or March 31, 2020.

14. Check whether the issuer has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 17 of
the Code subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court or the
Commission. -- Not Applicable to Issuer
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PART I - BUSINESS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Business

Background

Pryce Corporation (“PC” or the “Company”), formerly Pryce Properties Corporation, was
incorporated on September 7, 1989. It was initially established as a property holding and real estate
development company. The Company is a parent company to the subsidiaries Pryce Gases, Inc.
(“PGI”) and Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPhI) which business are discussed below. Pryce
Corporation is a publicly listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange with the stock symbol
“PPC”.

PC concentrates its operations in Mindanao and is principally involved in the development of

memorial parks and sale of memorial lots. In the past, it has developed residential and commercial
properties; it was previously engaged in the hotel business (Pryce Plaza). PC owns and operates a
total of thirteen (13) memorial parks in Mindanao’s major cities: Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City,
Ozamiz, Polanco (near Dipolog City), Zamboanga City, Davao City, including the smaller memorial
parks in Manolo Fortich (at the boundary of Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon), Malaybalay City
in Bukidnon, Malita in Davao Occidental, Bislig in Surigao del Sur, Alabel in Saranggani, Pagadian
City, and the most recent in Butuan City, which was launched on January 25, 2019.

Pryce Gases, Inc. (“PGI”) is the Company’s subsidiary, which is principally engaged in the
importation and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under the brand name PryceGas; it
also produces and sells industrial gases. PC’s ownership in PGI 91.4%.

PGI has a wholly-owned subsidiary Oro Oxygen Corporation (“OOC”) which operates in
Luzon and the National Capital Region (“NCR”). It sells/distributes PGI’s LPG product (PryceGas)
and sells industrial gases that is sourced independently from PGI.

Another subsidiary of the Company is Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPhI), a wholesaler and
distributor of private branded multi-vitamins and some ‘over-the-counter’ generic drugs. It was
organized to primarily take advantage of the ‘Generic Medicines Law’. PPhI is a relatively small
player in the pharmaceutical business as it was organized in September 2005.

Corporate Rehabilitation of Pryce Corporation

Background

PC filed a petition for rehabilitation with the Regional Trial Court, Branch 138 (later Branch
149) of Makati (“the Commercial Court”) on July 9, 2004; following this, the same court, in an
order dated July 13, 2004, appointed a Receiver and ordered a stay in the settlement of all debts
with the banks and trade creditors. In the years preceding the filing of said petition, the Company
experienced a series of downturns in its real estate revenues due to the effects of the Asian
financial crisis of 1997. This resulted in declines in cash flows that led to its inability to service its
maturing bank debts. The Company had been negotiating with its bank creditors, as early as three
years prior to the filing of same petition, for restructuring and/or payment of its debts via dacion en
pago. However, no agreement was finalized because of several sticking points on the selection
and valuation of assets as well as the accrual of interest and penalties. Meantime, China Banking
Corp. (“CBC”) and the Bank of Philippine Islands (“BPI”) issued legal notices demanding
payments. BPI, in fact, subsequently foreclosed on some of PC’s assets mortgaged to the former.
 4

In the midst of the aforesaid circumstances and stand-off with the banks and holders of the Long
Term Commercial Papers (LTCP), Management decided to file a petition for rehabilitation to avert
the following: a) the scenario of ballooning obligations owing to the continuous accrual of interest
and penalties arising from to the impasse in debt negotiations; and b) the foreclosures on PC’s real
estate assets and deficiency claims that the banks would file, which would result in the Company’s
loss of viability as a going concern. The rehabilitation plan submitted by PC sought to pay off all
outstanding loan obligations and achieve a debt-free scenario for the company to enable it to start
on a clean slate. This would be achieved through dacion en pago of its real estate properties and
would not involve any restructuring of its debts, given its tight liquidity position and low debt service
capacity.

On December 1, 2004, the Receiver submitted his comments and recommendations on the
proposed rehabilitation plan of the Company, following which the rehabilitation plan of the company
was approved by the Commercial Court thru an order it issued on January 17, 2005, which was
implemented by the Receiver.

PC’s rehabilitation proceedings was closed and terminated in late July 2015. PC’s
corporate rehabilitation would have been terminated much earlier had it not been for the opposition
of two creditor banks to PC’s rehabilitation. These banks went all the way to Supreme Court (“SC”)
but PC eventually secured favorable rulings in that court.

Court Litigations in Relation to PC’s Rehabilitation Proceedings

The two creditor-banks BPI and CBC filed their respective petitions for review of the
Commercial Court’s orders before the Court of Appeals (“CA”) in February, 2005 opposing the
rehabilitation plan.

In the BPI case, the 1st Division of the CA issued its decision on May 3, 2006 in favor of
BPI. The Company filed a Motion for Reconsideration on May 26, 2006 and the CA on May 23,
2007 reversed itself, ruling in favor of PC thereby affirming the ruling of the RTC-Makati. BPI filed a
Petition for Review on Certiorari with the SC which was denied on January 30, 2008. BPI then filed
a Motion for Reconsideration, but this was likewise denied with finality when on April 28, 2008 the
SC ruled that BPI did not present substantial argument to warrant a modification of the SC’s earlier
resolution.

The court litigation with CBC at the CA began in February 2005; it was a protracted one
and went all the way to the SC. Finally, on March 11, 2014, the Company received a resolution
from the SC En Banc, promulgated on February 18, 2014, in Pryce Corporation vs. China
Banking Corporation, G.R. No. 172302, in which the court en banc found the arguments of the
Company meritorious and, thus, RECONSIDERED and SET ASIDE the earlier decision of the SC
First Division and granted the Company’s motion for reconsideration. This promulgation in effect
upheld the orders of Commercial Court: (i) stay order; (ii) order giving due course to the petition for
rehabilitation; and, (iii) order finding the Company eligible to be placed in a state of corporate
rehabilitation, approving the rehabilitation plan, identifying assets to be disposed of, and
determining the manner of liquidation to pay the liabilities.

Termination of the Company’s Rehabilitation Proceedings

On May 19, 2015, PC filed the motion to terminate the proceedings for corporate
rehabilitation. Hinundayan Holdings Corp. filed a Manifestation with the Commercial Court stating
that: 1) it was the only remaining LTCP creditor of PC; 2) it had made certain arrangements with it
on the settlement of the said LTCP obligation, it being an affiliate of PC; and 3) it endorsed PC’s
motion to terminate the rehabilitation proceedings.
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On July 31, 2015, PC received an Order dated July 28, 2015 from the Commercial Court.
The Order granted PC’s motion to terminate its corporate rehabilitation proceedings and declared
the rehabilitation proceedings of PC as closed and terminated. (The closure and termination of PC’s
rehabilitation proceedings formally became final when the Commercial Court issued a certificate of
finality of judgment on March 13, 2019.)

Product Mix

Before 1997, PC’s principal business was property development which accounted for the
bulk of the company’s revenues and income. Subsequently, LPG and industrial gases (product lines
of the subsidiary PGI) dominated the Company’s business, as a result of which the name was
changed from “Pryce Properties Corporation” to “Pryce Corporation”. The name change was
approved by the SEC on July 29, 1997. The Philippine Stock Exchange (“PSE”) then reclassified the
Company’s stocks from “Property” to “Manufacturing, Trading and Distribution” on September 25,
1997. Subsequently, the Company’s stock was reclassified to "Chemicals", which became effective
on January 2006, pursuant to PSE’s circular that stock classification should be to the industry from
which a company is generating the majority or bulk of its revenues.

PGI’s main business is the sale of LPG (cooking gas) that principally caters to LPG
household consumption. PGI has a complete integrated infrastructure that covers the entire process
from importation of LPG up to its distribution, including wholesale and retail sales. Its LPG business
accounts for about 95% of total sales revenues. The other business of PGI is the sale of industrial
gas, which normally accounts for less than 5% of total revenues.

PGI’s LPG business began in late 1996 by way of a supply agreement with one of the three
major oil companies in the country and enabled it to market LPG using the name PryceGas. In the
following year, it started the construction of its own sea-fed terminal facilities and in-land refilling
plants in various strategic locations in the Visayas and Mindanao (“Vis-Min”).

PGI, manufactures and distributes oxygen (medical and industrial) and acetylene as well as
trades in other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Its industrial gas manufacturing
facilities consist of several plants in different locations. In recent years it has decided to limit or stop
the manufacturing of said gases in certain areas where it is not economical to operate due to the
rising costs of production, plant maintenance, and increasing occurrence of brownouts; it instead
procured those gases from third-party sources.

PC’s property business involves the acquisition of raw land and its conversion into various
developments, mostly memorial parks; in the past it included residential subdivisions and housing,
business parks, and commercial centers. These were mostly designed for the medium and upscale
markets except for two low-cost housing projects. The Company has regional sales groups in
Mindanao that take charge of the selling of real estate in that island.

In 1996, two years after PC built its first memorial park in Cagayan de Oro City, the
Company decided to undertake a policy shift in regard to its property development activies; it
decided to focus its efforts in the development and selling of memorial lots. In just a span of 5 years
(1996 to 2001) after such decision, the Company was able to complete five (5) more memorial parks
in the following locations: Iligan City, Zamboanga City, Polanco in North Zamboanga (i.e., near
Dipolog City), Ozamiz City and Davao City. All of these major memorial parks (discussed in more
detail below) are operational, although certain areas in these parks are reserved for future
development. Then, beginning in 2005, the Company commenced the development of what it calls
"boutique" (or smaller-size) memorial parks. Since then six (6) boutique memorial parks were
essentially completed in the places of: Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon, Malita in Davao Occidental,
Bislig in Surigao Del Sur, Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, Alabel in Sarangani and Pagadian City. (The
parks in Manolo Fortich and Malaybalay City were later upgraded to the company’s Class A
category of memorial parks.) The most recent memorial park is that in Butuan City, which was
 6

completed in December 2018 and opened in January 2019.

As a real estate company, the PC’s main activity is the selling of its memorial park
inventories. (The Company has completed its development of non-memorial park projects and
continues to sell off the remaining inventories, after which, the company will concentrate its
development activities on memorial parks. The Company still has some remaining upscale
subdivision lots in Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City, as well as office condominium units, also in
Davao City, which the Company is seeking to dispose.)

Another product group that belongs to the mix consists of private branded multi-vitamins
and some ‘over-the-counter’ generic drugs that belong to the Company’s subsidiary, PPhI. PPhI,
being a relatively new player in the industry and having a modest capitalization, is not expected in
the near term to provide significant contribution to the Company’s business. It is, however, expected
to gradually grow in the long term since the generic drugs business is a substantial industry that
continues to expand.

Personnel and Manpower

The Company has a regular workforce of 262 employees in its real estate business and is
composed of the following: 56 are in administrative positions, 203 are in operations and 3 are senior
officers. Compared to 2018, the number of employees increased by 7 in the operations group
mainly because of the additional memorial park that was opened and launched in Butuan City in
January 2019.

The subsidiary, PGI (including its subsidiary Oro Oxygen corporation or “OOC”), has 2,557
regular personnel, of which 644 are in the technical services group, 1,484 are in operations, 400 in
administration and 29 are officers. A large increase of 1,374 personnel occurred in PGI (includes
subsidiary OOC) in 2019 compared to the previous of 1,183 in 2018 due to the expansion of
facilities in several regions, installation various refilling plants and sales centers nationwide, and the
creation of the Home Delivery project (wherein customers could place & follow up their orders for
LPG thru a hotline number). This again is in line with the objective of bringing its LPG products
closer to the household consumers of LPG as well as to widen the scope of its market reach. The
administration personnel are those who mainly provide support and ‘back office’ functions, which
consist mainly of personnel in the administrative services department and finance & accounting
services department. The operations group is composed of employees whose tasks chiefly relate to
production, transport of products, sales/marketing functions. The technical personnel are those who
provide technical services/ assistance to gases production, LPG operations, cylinder maintenance
and autogas operations.

The workforce numbers above do not include non-regular personnel, i.e., probationary and
contractual ones. The number of regular employees expected to be hired in the following year 2020
will depend on developments and growth in the company’s business and on the number of
employees who may resign or retire within the said year. The employees are not subject to
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since the parent company and its subsidiary are non-
unionized.

Marketing and Sales

PGI has a well-organized distribution network. It has synergies formed from shared
distribution centers and long experience in selling and servicing of its products. Customer service
for new and repeat customers is made better by a system wherein the sales/marketing function is
separate from the service functions. Sales associates are solely responsible for generating new
customers, while the sales outlets/centers service the LPG requirements of existing customers.
 7

PGI’s LPG sales centers and refilling plants render 24-hour service and have stay-in personnel.
These sales centers sell cylinders, stoves, replenish empty tanks of dealers and conduct
promotional activities for existing PGI customers. These centers also cater to phoned-in or texted
orders.

The dealers are PGI’s main outlets for selling LPG; these dealers, however, do not have
exclusivity contracts for dealership. Dealers’ stocks are replenished from PGI’s sales centers or from
its LPG marine terminals or refilling plants. Dealers have the option of having their empty cylinders
refilled at refilling plants at a price lower than sales outlet price. Large dealers are allowed to have
their own sub-dealers and sales outlets.

On the real estate business side, the company, for marketing purposes, divides Mindanao
into two regions: the Northern and the Southern (inclusive of Zamboanga and Butuan) operations. A
region is managed by a regional head and has a marketing and selling group headed by a sales and
marketing manager, under whom are the different memorial park business managers who are
compensated and incentivized according their sales performance. Each region is responsible for
periodically improving its marketing plans and strategies in order to meet the agreed sales targets.
The park business managers are responsible for recruiting its sales force, which are composed of
unit managers and sales associates who are compensated on commission basis. A park business
manager is also responsible for the maintenance of their park, through their park supervisors.

Competition

Pryce’s LPG & Gas Business

PGI’s LPG business, under the name PRYCEGAS, had operated in the Vis-Min areas for
more than 20 years; it competes with the main players Petron (Gasul brand), Phoenix (Petronas
brand), and Isla Gas (Solane brand). However, PGI is a relatively new player in Luzon having
entered the fray in June 2014. It competes with Petron, Liquigaz, Isla Gas, as well as with South
Pacific, Inc. (SPI), the latest entrant in Luzon, whose marine storage terminal (in Calaca, Batangas)
went into operation in late 2015. At the refilling plant level, PGI competes with numerous
independent refilling plants all over Luzon.

PGI has increased its LPG storage capacity and, as of March 31, 2020, has aggregated to
34,082 metric tons (MT). This total capacity consists of import marine (sea-fed) terminals and inland
refilling plants which are strategically located in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (see tabulation
under the discussion below titled LPG Plants). Following PGI’s expansions in 2018 – 2019, its total
storage capacity for its Vis-Min operations has increased to 23,671 MT. This is the biggest
compared to any of its competitors in the Vis-Min area. In Luzon, PGI’s 8,500-MT marine storage
capacity is one among the three largest storage facilities, which includes those of Liquigaz and SPI.
On product distribution capability, PGI has built sixty-three (63) refilling plants strategically located in
various parts of the country. The large capacities of its marine terminals and numerous refilling
plants all over the country has enabled PGI to cover the market on a much wider scale and bring its
LPG products closer to the consumer market. Moreover, the network of its import terminals and
refilling plants gives PGI the flexibility to transfer its products to ensure continuity of supply in any
area it operates so as to prevent stock-outs due to fortuitous events.

PGI sources its LPG from Asian suppliers that ship the LPG to its import terminals using
marine carriers with capacities of 2,500-3,500 MT. The storage capacities of its terminals in Vis-Min
could take a single-port discharge or a maximum of two-port discharge from a shipload. This gives
PGI some cost advantage over competitors, which, because of their smaller storage capacities
would need multiple port deliveries to fully unload the contents of one carrier.

The Department of Energy reports that PGI has the following LPG market shares in the
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following regions per 2019: 24% in Mindanao, 20% in Visayas, and 10% in Luzon (including NCR).
PGI is a major industry player in the Philippine LPG industry and has an 11% share of the country’s
total market or equivalent to 197,000 MT. It is the 2nd largest industry player in both the Visayas
and Mindanao areas, and has a 22% market share of those areas combined.

PGI’s industrial gas business (which accounts for less than 5% of PGI’s total revenue)
competes with about thirteen other companies, with Linde Philippines, Inc. and Air Liquide
considered to be its closest major competitors. It has to contend with different environments for its
products (oxygen, acetylene, argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and compressed air) in terms of the
extent and composition of the competition. PGI’s Vis-Min operations account for the bulk of its
industrial gas revenues. Management estimates that PGI has roughly 30% of the combined
Mindanao and Visayas markets.

A more specific discussion of price and market demand is provided in the section on Management’s
Discussion and Analysis under Item 6 of Part II (Operational and Financial Information of this
report).

Pryce’s Memorial Park Business

The real estate business in the Philippines is very competitive. The extent and composition
of the competition varies by geographic region and price segment. Real estate activity used to be
concentrated in the NCR and other big urban areas, however, it has now spilled over to various
population centers and cities in Mindanao and Visayas.

The real estate business of the Company is concentrated on its memorial parks which
compete with others that have varying qualities and character but few are comparable to the
Company’s memorial parks in terms of natural scenery or quality of development and maintenance.
The significant competitors are each shown below the Company’s Pryce Gardens memorial parks.

A. Cagayan de Oro Gardens (Cagayan de Oro City)

• Greenhills Memorial Park
• Divine Shephed Memorial Park
• Golden Haven Memorial Park

B. Ma. Cristina Gardens (Iligan City)

• St. Michael Park
• there exist a public and several Chinese cemeteries but these are not considered significant
competitors

C. Zamboanga Memorial Gardens (Zamboanga City)

• Forest Lake Memorial Park
• Ayala Public Cemetery
• Chinese Cemetery
• Lund Memorial Park
• Golden Haven Memorial Park

D. North Zamboanga Gardens (Dipolog City)

• Century Memorial Park

• Millenium Cemetery (this was foreclosed by a government bank and appears as not being
effectively marketed)
• Gulayon Public Cemetery

E. Ozamiz Memorial Gardens (Ozamiz City)

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• Malindang Memorial Gardens

• Ozamiz Chinese Cemetery

F. Mt. Apo Memorial Gardens (Davao City)

• Davao Memorial Park
• Buhangin Memorial Park
• Toril Memorial Park
• Forest Lake Memorial Park
• Manila Memorial Park
• Calinan Memorial Gardens

G. Pryce Gardens, CDO-Manolo Fortich (at junction of CDO and Bukidnon)

• three small public cemeteries located in Bugo, Agusan & Tablon
• the private cemeteries in the city of Cagayan de Oro City, Golden Haven and Divine
Shepherd, although remote, may also be considered competitors
• Damilag Cemetery in Bukidnon

H. Pryce Gardens – Malaybalay (Bukidnon)

• Shepherd Meadows Memorial Park
• Valencia Memorial Gardens

I. Pryce Gardens – Malita (Davao Occidental)

• Backyard interment
• Inaburan Public Cemetery

J. Pryce Gardens – Bislig (Surigao del Sur)

• Bislig Public Cemetery
• Abaya Memorial Park
• Salazar Memorial Park

K. Pryce Gardens – Alabel (Sarangani)

(most ‘competitors’ are some distance away in General Santos City)
• Forest Lake Memorial Park (Apopong, General Santos City)
• Monte Cielo Memorial (Conel, General Santos City)
• Holy Trinity Memorial (Polomolok, South Cotabato)
• Spring Public Cemetery

L. Pryce Gardens – Pagadian

• Chrysanthemum Memorial Garden (Barangay Tiguma)
• Pagadian Memorial Park (Barangay Paglaom)
• Pielago Memorial Park (Barangay Paglaom)
• Pagadian Public Cemetery (Barangay Paglaom)

M. Pryce Gardens – Butuan

• Uraya Memorial Gardens

Government Approvals, Licenses and Permits

Licenses, permits and other government-required approvals have been obtained by PGI for
the operation of all of its production facilities. It is registered with the Board of Investments (“BOI”)
under the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 (Executive Order No. 226 as amended by RA
No. 7369), as a new operator of distribution facilities for LPG in various Visayas and Mindanao
regions on a non-pioneer status. PGI is entitled to certain tax and non-tax incentives such as income
tax holiday ranging from four to six years and duty-free importation of capital equipment and others.
 10

PGI’s San Fabian terminal in Luzon is also registered with the BOI and enjoys tax incentives. The
company owns the registered brand name, “PRYCEGAS” for its cylinders, but it does not have any
patent to a product or process.

As to the Company’s property development business, the requisite development permits

and Licenses to Sell have been secured from the local government units and the Housing and Land
Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) for its various real estate projects. The Company essentially
complies with the conditions and terms of the said license, such as the delivery of the lot/unit title to
the buyer upon full payment of the price thereof; payment of real estate taxes/assessments on a lot
or unit until the title has been transferred to, or the buyer has taken possession of the property; and
display of the license and Certificate of Registration in a conspicuous place in the principal office of
the owner/developer and copy thereof at its branch office(s).

Development Cost in relation to Revenues

Shown below are the amounts that the Company group has spent for its development
activities in the last three fiscal years:

2019 2018 2017

Development Cost 1,180,093,869. 1,666,673,157 589,352,628
Percentage to 11.10% 16.22% 6.39%
Revenues

The increase in development cost pertain mainly to ongoing expansions in terminals and
construction of refilling plants nationwide, acquisition of land for such plants as well as for a future
import terminal, and purchases of machinery and transport equipment.

Environmental Regulations

PGI’s operations are currently compliant in all material aspects with the applicable environmental
regulations and standards. However, there can be no assurance that Philippine regulators will not
impose additional or more stringent regulations on the gas industry in general or on PGI and its
operations in the future that could significantly affect PGI’s costs of sales or operating expenses.

The Company’s real estate operations are subject to various laws enacted for the protection of the
environment. PC has complied with all applicable Philippine environmental laws and regulations. It is
mandated to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources. Non-compliance with the stipulations embodied in the said certificate will
cause its suspension or revocation and a fine not to exceed fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for
every violation. The Company believes that compliance with such laws is not expected to have a
material effect upon its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Major Risk Factors and their Management

Major risk factors in PC’s real estate business and their management

The parent Company’s principal business is the development and sale of memorial park lots, a real
estate business, and may involve the following risks:

1. Risk of over-optimistic estimation of an area (for a new memorial park development) in terms of
the achievability of sustainable revenue and profit and the shortness of period taken to reach such
sustainability for the new park. The said risk is avoided by doing a careful study of the area using
 11

criteria that measure the stability and growth of the local market’s buying capacity and the
robustness of the area’s economy. The area is assessed in terms of number of existing/competing
memorial parks, mortality rate and population growth, levels of net income and wages, capacity for
steady employment, which is dependent on the area’s capability and potential for business and
industrial growth/expansions. The area’s economy is likewise assessed as to what extent it is
affected by the country’s economic climate and growth.

2. Risk of decline in revenues and profitability, if not income loss, usually due to a combination of:
a) competitors’ pricing tactics and marketing/sales efforts that tend to reduce the Company’s market
share; b) local market’s unanticipated feeble response to designed marketing/sales programs;
c) creeping or unabated inflation causing increased operating expenses and low sales since
purchase of memorial lots is regarded by many as low priority expenditure; d) ingrained cultural
practices like backyard burial. This risk is addressed and mitigated by the following:

i. The Company has firm belief and pride in the exceptional quality of its products and services
relative to its competitors, and has a strong commitment to its customers in maintaining
such superior quality. Such commitment and consistency of higher quality entail costs, a
prime reason why the Company’s products are priced above those of the competitors.
Through the Company’s park business managers and sales people, the prospective or
target customers are educated on why the Company’s products are priced higher than the
competitors’. Further explained to these customers, are the benefits of buying such products
from a Company that is dedicated to consistent high product quality and has long and
significant experience in the development and management of memorial parks.
Notwithstanding a higher-priced product, the Company’s prospective buyers can purchase
the same by way of ‘soft and easy terms’, as majority of its customers had done so, whereby
they pay via instalment payments with no downpayment or interest charge for as long as
three to five years.

ii. Management regularly meets at least twice a year with its regional operations officers and
all its park business managers to actively discuss and evaluate, among many other things,
how the market reacts to the Company’s current marketing strategy and sales programs and
decide decisively on what manner of response or plan of action is to be undertaken.

iii. Pricing of the products and services are adjusted, when necessary or called for, to a
calculated level (such as discounts given) so that it will not negatively impinge on the
buyer’s decision to buy. Management believes that the price of memorial lots and other
services should be indexed against the inflation rate.

iv. On backyard burials, the Company continues to lobby with the municipal office of the area
concerned to pass a specific ordinance banning such practice since there are laws (e.g.,
Code on Sanitation, P.D. No. 856) that prohibit such burials because of public health
hazards.

3. Risk of a reduced capacity to continually maintain the park to its committed first class standards.
Other than the regular increase in price to cope with inflation, this is addressed by increasing the
charge on contribution to the park maintenance fund, which forms part of the gross price of the
memorial lot. Separately though, and when necessary, the memorial park association(s) imposes an
assessment on the lot owners who after all are the stakeholders of the memorial park. Without this
assessment(s), a situation leading to the deterioration of the park’s maintenance could ensue, which
absolutely cannot be allowed given the Company’s avowed commitment and responsibility to
maintain the memorial parks at set standards. Such commitment and assurances benefit the lot
owners and users of the park as their investment are protected in the long run.

4. Risk of other developers putting up their memorial park despite limited market.
 12

Major risk factors and their management in PGI’s LPG and industrial gas business

PGI, the parent Company’s subsidiary, is primarily engaged in the distribution and sale of
LPG and industrial gases, mainly oxygen and acetylene. Since these are highly flammable gas
products, the obvious principal risk is an operational one and relates to the hazards of handling and
storage of these products. The particular risks involved are: (a) potential injury to people; (b)
damage to property; (c) damage to environment; (d) or some combination thereof. The business
losses arising from a disastrous consequence of any of these hazards are significant and could
amount to several times that of the actual damage / losses and can further result in
a longer-than- expected business interruption in any of PGI’s refilling plants or terminals. Hazards
can be due to any, or a combination, of the following: (1) intrinsic property of the product; (2)
catastrophic ruptures/leakages; (3) unsafe refilling and receiving activities; (4) failure of safety
valves; (5) un- requalified fire-protection equipment or devices; (6) potential sparks from presence of
gasoline-fueled vehicles during refilling and receiving activities; and, (7) discharge of LPG to the
atmosphere because of leak(s).

Mitigation of the above risks is done through consistent and systematic application of management
policies, procedures and practices concerning safety. There are continual tasks on analyzing,
evaluating and controlling the different types of risks involved. Having identified and evaluated the
risks, decisions are made on how acceptable the risk might be and the need for further actions to be
undertaken, either to eliminate the risks or reduce them to a tolerable level. Risk management
includes such elements as identification of possible risk reduction measures (which could be
preventive or mitigative) and risk acceptability. PGI’s risk management and mitigation system covers
at least the following areas:

o Continuous identification of hazards and consequence analysis thereof (utilizing the

Structure What If Technique or ‘SWIFT’);
o Fire prevention and fire-protection management program;
o Regular emergency response training and drill, and continued evaluation thereof;
o Maintaining operating standards in relation to safety practices and requirements and
fire- preventive measures; and
o Training and continuing education of its personnel on safety and risk management

Major risk factors and their management in Pryce Pharmaceutical Inc.’s Business

PPhI operates in the distribution and sale of pharmaceutical products, mainly in vitamins and food
supplements. Among the major risks involved in the business and in its industry are:

1. Dependence on Toll Manufacturers

PPhI purchases its products from different licensed medicine and pharmaceuticals traders
and toll manufacturers. However, there are numerous circumstances beyond PPhI’s control that lead
to delays in the manufacturing and delivery of orders. This increases the risk of disruptions in the
company’s supply chain should the toll manufacturer encounter operational issues and backlogged
orders. In order to address this, PPhI has developed a robust procurement system ensuring the
continuity of supply for extended periods despite delays in manufacturing and delivery. PPhI is also
exploring further diversification of its suppliers by acquiring new products from other toll
manufacturers, and even importing from other countries.

2. Perishable Nature of Pharmaceutical Products

Most of PPhI’s products have shelf lives of two years, and distributors and retailers have
requirements when it comes to the remaining shelf life of any orders. For the most part, any
inventory with a remaining shelf life a year or less becomes unsellable without heavy promotions or
discounts, thereby significantly affecting profitability. PPhI manages this by executing a FIFO system
and balancing its procurement with its forecasts based on seasonality and historical performance in
 13

order to ensure that the competing risks oversupply and undersupply are addressed. PPhI takes full
advantage of the time available for selling its products such that near expiry stocks are minimized
and there are enough safety stocks to avoid outages.

3. Commoditized Industry and Low Barrier to Entry

PPhI experiences competition from major national and multinational pharmaceutical firms as
well as numerous small and medium sized drug distributors. The availability of medicine traders and
toll manufacturers to smaller pharmaceutical firms allow them to compete at a similar level to PPhI
and offer similar products. This creates a market with numerous players competing for market share
offering homogenous products, creating a very difficult environment. PPI has tried to differentiate
itself by leveraging on the popularity of the “Pryce” brand for key markets and committing to
increased marketing activities. PPhI has also separated itself from smaller brands by investing in an
above-the- line marketing campaign to increase brand awareness.

The discussion on Financial Risk Management is incorporated by way of reference to relevant parts
of Notes to the Financial Statements (see Note no. 35), under the heading Financial Risk
Management: Objectives and Policies.

Item 2. Properties

Completed Projects

The projects that the Company has previously reported and have long been completed, are:
Wright Park Place Condominium, a 3-building cluster of 63 first class residential condo units in
Baguio City; and Villa Josefina Subdivision, a mid-scale residential subdivision in Davao City
consisting of 152 residential and 2 commercial lots. It has also completed and sold the Josefina
Town Center in Davao City. The company’s other completed projects are enumerated below.

Cagayan de Oro Gardens

This is the first memorial park project developed by the Company, located in Lumbia,
Cagayan de Oro City, with a wide frontage along the national highway. The project site is blessed
with a scenic view of the Lumbia hillsides as well as part of the city and Macajalar Bay in the
distance. The Cagayan de Oro River meanders at the bottom of a ravine adjacent to the property.
The site has a total gross area of 20.76 hectares, of which total saleable area is estimated at
135,390 sq.m., equivalent to about 55,491 lawn lots, with an average size of 2.44 square meters per
plot.

Development works commenced in June 1993 and the project began selling activities in April 1994.
The general vicinity of CDO Gardens was relatively sparsely populated in 1995. At present,
however, various residential subdivisions, ranging from very upscale to mid-level and to low-cost
dwellings have sprouted in the area, making the park very accessible to its immediate target market.
Even the largest mall in the city, SM City Mall, is located nearby.

Puerto Heights Village

This project was launched in August 1995 as an upscale residential subdivision in Cagayan
de Oro City. It is a 14.9 hectare property in scenic Puerto overlooking Macajalar Bay. The site is
considered very strategic, being located near the junction of two major national highways – one
going to Bukidnon and Davao and the other one passing through Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental where
a major international seaport terminal is in operation and the Philippine Veterans Investment
Development Corporation (Phividec) Industrial Estate is located.
 14

Pryce Tower

The Pryce Tower Building commenced construction in December 1995 and became the first
high-rise condominium project in Mindanao. It is a 16-level first class building on a 1,965 sq.m. lot
located at the Pryce Business Park in Bajada, Davao City. The building has 89 office suites with
areas ranging from 106 to 390 sq.m. and two basement levels for parking. The building was
completed in February, 1999.

Socialized Housing Projects

The Company has two low-cost housing projects as its contribution to government efforts to
address the housing problem in the country. The first project is Mindanao Homes in Pagatpat,
Cagayan de Oro City, which has been completed. The other one is St. Joseph Village, which sits
on an 11- hectare property in Sirawan, Davao City with 356 House-and-Lot units and 496 Lot units.

Villa Josefina Resort Village

This mid-to-upscale residential development is located on a 36.4 hectare property in

Dumoy, Davao City. It has a beachfront along the Davao Gulf and a frontage along a national
highway where the main entrance is located. The initial 23 hectares of the project comprising
Phases I and II provide a total of 570 residential lots with an average size of 300 sq. m. per lot.
Phase III, which comprises the beachfront area, measures some 13.4 hectares with a total of 174
saleable lots. Phase IV, with an area of 0.986 hectares, consists of smaller lots totalling 44, some of
them containing housing units for the mid-scale market.

Pryce Business Park, Davao

The Company has a 1.8-hectare prime property in the highly commercialized area of J.P.
Laurel Avenue in Bajada, Davao City, diagonally across Victoria Plaza, a large shopping mall in the
city. PC developed this property into a commercial cluster called Pryce Business Park. The
development consists of 15 subdivided commercial lots with areas ranging from 600 to 1,965 sq. m.
per lot. Construction of this business park was fully completed in 1997.

Pryce Plaza Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City

Pryce Plaza closed its operations on December 31, 2016. It was a premier business and
convention hotel and was in operation for almost 26 years since it opened in April 1991. The hotel is
located atop Carmen hill in Cagayan de Oro City and overlooks the city. Management decided to
stop its operations as it has not been providing the desired returns the past years due mainly to the
stiff and growing competition, which was compounded by the increasing costs of having to maintain
an old hotel.

Essentially Completed Projects

Maria Cristina Gardens

This is the second memorial park project of the Company, which is named after the most
famous waterfalls in Mindanao, the Maria Cristina Falls. This memorial park somewhat takes on the
character of the original landscape because it was built basically around the natural topography of
 15

the site. It is located in Sta. Filomena, Iligan City on a 27.6 hectare property with a hilly terrain
offering a panoramic view of Iligan Bay on one side and the city proper on the other. Its
development plan replicates the facilities and amenities of Cagayn de Oro Gardens. Considering
that Iligan City has no first class memorial park, demand for private burial plots has been holding
steady.

Development works for Phase 1 commenced in Februrary 1996 while development of

Phases II and III began In August 1996. As of date, all these phases are all fully or essentially
completed, containing an area of 21.6 hectares. An additional 6.0 hectares are for development
under Phase IV of the park is still under the planning stage. Selling activities began in October 1996.

Zamboanga Memorial Gardens

This was designed in the same tradition as the Company’s other memorial park projects in
Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. It is PC’s most ambitious memorial park project in terms of size, being
located on a 49.16-hectare property in Sinunuc, Zamboanga City. The site also offers a panoramic
view as it nestles on an elevated terrain overlooking the Zamboanga west coast, which is just a
street across the site.

Development of Phase I commenced in July 1997, which was later divided into two phases,
Phases I-A and I-B of 9.5 hectares and 9.7 hectares, respectively. These initial phases of the
project, aggregate 19.24 hectares, with total saleable area of 103,988 sq.m. and equivalent to
41,595 lawn lots. The development of the second phase began in the early part of 2003. It has a
gross area of 29.92 hectares, the saleable portion of which is 154,590 sq.m., equivalent to about
61,836 lots. Only about half of the second phase is essentially completed as of date, in terms of
electrical, lighting, pathwalks, roads and landscaping works.

North Zamboanga Gardens

This is PC’s fourth memorial park project. It sits on a 25.19-hectare property alongside the
Dipolog River in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, within convenient driving distance from Dipolog
City. A waterway passes through the park - a rainwater channel which empties into the Dipolog
River – forming ponds and giving the project a unique alluvial character.

The first 10 hectares of the project commenced development in October 1997 and
was completed in 1999; subsequently, in 2000, another area of 9.36 hectares was developed, while
4.19 hectares at the back was reserved for future development. Presently, the total saleable area
measures about 137,350 sq.m., which is equivalent to 54,943 equivalent lawn lots. In 2008, the
Company acquired an additional 1.6-hectare property adjacent to the park, which is reserved for
future development.

Ozamiz Memorial Gardens

This fifth memorial park project of the Company became operational in late 2001. It is
located on a 9.32-hectare property along the national highway connecting the cities of Ozamiz and
Tangub within the barrio of Dimaluna, Ozamiz City, and against the backdrop of Mt. Malindang.
This project commenced development works in December 1999 and became essentially completed
in December 2002. Selling operations for this project began in 2000.

Mt. Apo Gardens

Mt. Apo Gardens is the Company’s sixth memorial park, named after the tallest mountain in
 16

Mindanao, which is highly visible from the site, is located in what was originally an 18.1 hectare
property in Riverside, Calinan, Davao City; this project is essentially completed and has a currently-
identified saleable area of 109,430 sq.m., equivalent to 43,772 lawn lots. An area near the entrance
gate alongside the main access road has been reserved for future development. Properties adjacent
to the park were subsequently acquired (8,539 sq.m. in August 2003 and 8,540 sq.m. in December
2002), with a total area of 17,079 sq.m., increasing the gross area of the project to 19.81 hectares.

The project secured approval from the city government to proceed with development works
after a long wait of several years. Mobilization and preparatory works began in September, 2000
and were essentially completed in June 2002.

Pryce Gardens CDO-Manolo Fortich

In May 2004, construction of the Company’s first so-called “boutique” (or “smaller”)
memorial park began in Mambatangan at the northeast boundary of Cagayan de Oro with Manolo-
Fortich, Bukidnon. The project is divided into three phases and is designed to yield a total saleable
area of 96,250 sq.m. roughly equivalent to 39,446 lawn lots from a total land area of 12.14 hectares.
The project’s first phase is 95% complete with a small amount of remaining works to be finished in
its water and electrical systems. The total saleable area under Phases I and II is 68,840 sq.m.,
which is roughly equivalent to 28,214 lawn lots. As stated above this project was reclassified by
management from a boutique to a “Class A” park.

Pryce Gardens-Malaybalay

This is the second boutique memorial park project of the Company, construction of which
began in March 2005. It is located in Brgy. Laguitas, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, with a gross area
of 4.94 hectares and a total saleable area of 36,846 sq.m., equivalent to 15,101 lawn lots. The
project has hilly terrain and was essentially completed on March 31, 2007. The site has a
commanding view of the hillsides and rolling terrain of Malaybalay and Valencia. In fact, it is located
between Malaybalay and Valencia, enabling the project to tap the market in both locations. This
project was likewise upgraded to a “Class A” park.

Pryce Gardens-Malita

Pryce Gardens-Malita is a boutique memorial park in the Company’s portfolio.

Construction also began in March 2005. The project is located in Bgry. Bolita, Malita, Davao
Occidental and has total land area of 6.17 hectares, of which only 2.91 hectares is fully developed.
The project has a scenic view of the surrounding hillsides. Total saleable area is estimated to be
44,255 sq.m. (Phases I and II) which translates to 18,064 equivalent lawn lots. The project has two
phases, Phase I and Phase 2 and they are 100% and 85% accomplished, respectively.

Pryce Gardens-Bislig

Also classified as a boutique memorial project of the Company, this is located in Kahayag,
Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Construction for this project began on June 14, 2005 and was essentially
completed by end of 2006. The land has a gently rolling terrain similar to Pryce Gardens-
Malaybalay with a gross area of 5.76 hectares and saleable area of 37,848 sq.m. equivalent to
15,415 lawn lots.

Pryce Gardens-Alabel
 17

Another boutique memorial park of the Company is located in Alabel, Sarangani, almost
adjacent to the town’s public cemetery. The site is also a short travelling distance from General
Santos City. Its construction began in February 2007 and was operational by the time it was formally
launched in April 2008. The park has a total land area of 4.9 hectares and offers a saleable area of
35,625 sq.m. or 14,549 equivalent lawn lots.

Pryce Gardens-Pagadian

In June 2014, the 5-hectare Phase 1 of Pryce Gardens-Pagadian project was completed
and became operational. Phase 1 has a total saleable area of 36,612 sq.m., roughly equivalent to
14,650 lawn lots. Roads and path walks account for 9,800 sq.m. while the chapel, parking areas and
open space consist of 2,052 sq.m. This project occupies an 8.96-hectare land nestled on the
hillsides of Bgy. Poloyagan overlooking Iliana Bay, the Pagadian seaport, and parts of the city
across the bay. It is in the southern part of the city and can be reached through 7 kilometers of well-
paved road.

Pryce Gardens-Butuan

This is the latest addition to the Company’s memorial parks and is located on a 6.19-hectare
property in Brgy. Bit-os, at the southwest portion of the city. The property has a hilly terrain and is
elevated, which gives it a commanding view of the Agusan River and a portion of Butuan city. This
project was developed to have a total saleable area of 33,120 square meters, roughly equivalent to
13,524 equivalent lawn lots. Roads and path walks will cover 8,611 sq.m. while the chapel,
administrative and parking area will consist of 3,212 sq.m. (This park was inaugurated on January
25, 2019.)

Other Properties

The following table provides information on the Company’s land bank consisting of
properties that are 100% owned (unless otherwise stated). The Company’s land bank includes some
lands still in the name of third parties but already sold to the Company based on documents of
conveyance.

Location Total Area

(sq.m.)
Cagayan de Oro City
Bugo 465,535
Tin-ao 190,891
Del Carmen 11,937
Mambatangan 681,153
Misamis Oriental
Sta. Ana 1,378,993
Malagos, Davao City 578,576
Polomolok, South Cotabato 67,521
Total 3,374,606

Joint Venture

The Company had been involved in joint venture arrangements covering the development of
raw land adjoining the Company’s properties such as the Villa Josefina Resort Village project.
 18

Under the terms of the separate agreements, the Company’s partners were to contribute their
respective properties as equity in the joint venture. In turn, the Company would undertake the
development of all access roads, utility systems and open space facilities and the marketing and
selling of the lots.

Another joint venture arrangement involved the Pryce Tower in Davao, for which other parties
contributed roughly 30-35% of development cost.

LPG Plants

By strategically locating its facilities (marine terminals and refilling plants) near major
population centers, PGI was able to build an extensive supply distribution infrastructure that
successfully supported its efforts in making PryceGas a household name in the local LPG market,
particularly in the Vis-Min regions.

In selling PryceGas, PGI divided Vis-Min operations into ten marketing regions namely:
Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao 1, Southern Mindanao 2, Eastern Mindanao, Western
Mindanao 1, Western Mindanao 2, Central Visayas, Western Visayas 1, Western Visayas 2, and
Eastern Visayas.

The marketing operations of Northern and Southern Mindanao, together with the Caraga
Region (comprising Butuan and Surigao provinces), are currently supported by sea-fed terminals
with storage capacities located in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental and Astorga, Davao del Sur,
respectively. To serve the market in Western Mindanao, PGI has a marine terminal in Talisayan
Zamboanga City. To complement these import terminals, PGI has refilling plants in the following
areas: Agusan Del Norte (Butuan and Trento), South Cotabato (Polomok and Gen. Santos City);
Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur; Tagum, Davao del Norte; Misamis Oriental (Mohon and Lugait); Davao
City (Calinan and Dumoy); Mambatangan-CDO; Don Carlos Bukidnon; Matalam, North Cotabato;
Titay Zamboanga Sibugay; Davao City, Davao del Sur. These refilling plants are within convenient
distances to large population centers and can serve the remote markets, thus ensuring its customers
a ready supply of PryceGas. (Note: The terms sea-fed terminal or import terminal or marine terminal,
as used herein, are synonymous with each other.)

Applying the same strategy to Visayas, PGI built an import terminal in Sogod, Cebu to serve
the growing LPG markets in Cebu and Bohol. To cover the Eastern Visayas markets, an import
terminal in was also built in Albuera, Leyte. Two import terminals were each constructed in Ayungon,
Negros Oriental and Ajuy, Iloilo, to cover the Central Visayas and Western Visayas Markets,
respectively. The company had installed several refilling plants in Pavia, Iloilo; Negros Occidental
(Silay and Himamaylan); Canduman, Cebu City, Naga & Balamban in Cebu Province; Sta. Margrita,
Samar, Mobo, Masbate, Ubay, Bohol, Bato, Leyte, New Kawayan, Tacloban City, Leyte.

In Luzon, PGI has a 8,500-MT marine-import terminal in San Fabian, Pangasinan to serve
the LPG requirements of Luzon and NCR. This is complemented by a host of 38 refilling plants in
Luzon and certain parts of NCR, with storage capacities ranging from 25 to 120 MT.

The aggregate LPG storage capacity of PGI, as of March 31, 2020, in terms of its sea-fed or
marine terminals and inland refilling plants is 34,082 MT which covers the whole country as shown
below.

Type Region Location Number Capacity (MT)

LPG Marine Terminal Luzon 1 8,500
Visayas 4 12,790
Mindanao 3 9,550
Sub-totals 8 30,840
 19

LPG Refilling Plants Luzon 39 1,911

Visayas 14 530
Mindanao 18 801
Sub-totals 71 3,242
Total 34,082
The counts on refilling plants include the marine terminals as these also perform refilling functions.

Encumbered Assets

Over the period that the Company was in corporate rehabilitation, it was able to settle its
debts with the creditor banks in a gradual manner through the following: a) implementation of the
court- approved rehabilitation plan; b) pursuance of effective legal defences against the opposition of
two creditor banks, BPI and CBC, to PC’s rehabilitation; and c) settlement with certain creditors via
sale of an encumbered asset with the consent of the Commercial Court. PC’s rehabilitation
proceedings would have been consummated much earlier were it not for the opposition of the said
two banks which went all the way to the SC with PC eventually winning the final rulings in that court.

Previously encumbered properties under the Mortgage Trust Indenture (MTI), which secured
the Company-issued LTCP’s in December 1995 (at aggregate amount of Php 300 Million) were
released in January 2016, months after PC’s rehabilitation proceedings was terminated in July
2015. Earlier in August 2014, a portion of the of the MTI collaterals (Davao commercial lots) was
released after the consent / approval of the majority creditors was obtained as a consequence of the
settlement of a significant portion of the LTCP loan.

The assets previously mortgaged to CBC (as part of the collateral of the Company’s P200
million loan line with said bank) have been released from mortgage. Comprising these assets are
the following: 30 office condominium units at the Pryce Tower in Davao City (all of which have been
sold); 34 residential lots at Puerto Heights Village in Cagayan de Oro City; 5-hectare lot in Cagayan
de Oro Gardens; 11,937-sq.m. undeveloped property in Brgy. Del Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City; 31
residential lots at Villa Josefina Resort Village (Phase III) in Davao City; and 4 lots in Mt. Apo
Gardens, Davao City.

Assets which secured a short-term loan with the BPI have also been released from
mortgage. The following properties comprise the previously mortgaged assets: 77,761-sq.m. semi-
developed property, Iligan Town Center (which had been sold to a mall developer); and 5
subdivision lots in Puerto Heights Village in Cagayan de Oro City. In September 2014, the Iligan
property was sold to a mall developer and the sales proceeds were used in the settlement of the
aforesaid loan thereby causing said release from mortgage. (Previously mortgaged to BPI too were
5 residential lots at the Villa Josefina Resort Village, Davao City; however, BPI filed extra-judicial
foreclosure on these properties and eventually were auctioned off on February 26, 2004. The
proceeds of the said auction were applied to the reduction of the Company’s obligation with BPI.)

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company or Pryce Corporation and its subsidiary, Pryce Gases, Inc., are a party to
pending cases and believe they have meritorious causes of action and defenses with respect to all
pending litigation and intend to defend which actions vigorously. Moreover, its directors and officers
have no knowledge of any other proceedings pending or threatened against the Company and PGI
or any facts likely to give rise to any proceedings which might materially affect the position of the
Company. Enumerated and discussed below is the status of various pending cases as of
December 31, 2019. Apart from the cases enumerated below, Pryce Corporation and Pryce
Gases, Inc. are likewise involved in other legal cases that occurred under the ordinary course of
business or will not materially affect the parent Company’s or PGI’s operations as whole.
 20

1. Pryce Corporation vs. Raul P. Solidum, et al.

Civil Case No. 98-571, Branch 17, RTC of Misamis Oriental

Nature: This is an action for “Specific Performance” against the Solidums relative to the 52 hectare
lot at Casinglot, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. PC originally entered into a Memorandum of
Agreement with the Solidums, thru their attorney-in-fact, Atty. Purita Ramos, whereby the Solidums
undertook to sell to PC the property, conditioned upon the removal of the squatters and conversion
of the property into industrial/commercial use. The Solidums failed to remove all the squatters, was
unable to obtain the conversion, and execute the deed of sale, despite PC’s advances of about
PhP8million. PC caused a lis pendens annotated on the subject title relative to herein Civil Case No.
98-571. In September 2006, the parties executed a compromise Memorandum of Agreement as a
way to break the legal stalemate.

Status: On October 29, 2019, the Solidums purchased the rights and interests of PC over the
Casinglot property. With this development, the parties intend to file the necessary pleadings with the
RTC to terminate this case.

2. Ponce vs. Pryce Corporation, et al.

Case No. G.R. No. 206863
Supreme Court, Second Division

Nature: This is an action for quieting of title filed by Vicente Ponce, whose title overlaps with that of
PC over a 4.8 hectare portion of property in Iligan City, over which PC operates and maintains the
Maria Cristina Gardens Memorial Park. Ponce obtained his title from Solosa, whose title was
derived from an alleged Homestead Patent that was administratively reconstituted. PC
meanwhile obtained its title from the Quidlat sisters, whose title was adjudged by a cadastral court.
The RTC ruled in favor of Ponce, upholding his title over the contested portion. On appeal, the CA
sustained the trial court's ruling. PC filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari with the Supreme
Court, to which Ponce filed his Comment.

Status: In February 2014, PC filed a motion for leave to file its Reply to the Comment of
Ponce. The Supreme Court granted PC’s motion. PC is now awaiting the Supreme Court’s further
action on this case. Meanwhile, Vicente Ponce had passed away and his heirs had filed for
substitution as party-litigants in the case, which the Supreme Court granted thru its resolution dated
January 10, 2018. On 8 April 2018, the Supreme Court directed the Court of Appeals to elevate the
complete records of the case. On 9 October 2019, the Supreme Court noted the transmittal letter of
the Court of Appeals elevating to it the CA rollo and original records of the case.

3. Pryce Corp. vs. Solicitor General, et al.

Civil Case no. CV-ORD-2015-215
RTC-Cagayan de Oro City, Branch 17

Nature: PC is asking the Court to render an interpretation of Section 4 (a) 9 of Republic Act no.
7432 (also known as “Senior Citizens’ Act”, as amended Republic Act no. 9257 and as further
amended by Republic Act No. 9994 to the effect that it does not include interment services as being
covered by the 20% discount to be availed of by the deceased senior citizen or his/her heir(s).

Status: The Court rendered judgment in favor of Pryce Corporation. The Solicitor General filed a
motion for reconsideration which was denied by the Court. The Solicitor General then elevated the
matter to the Supreme Court for review.

4. National Grid Corporation of the Philippines vs. Pryce Corporation

Special civil action no. 769
Regional Trial Court, Zamboanga City, Branch 14
 21

Nature: This is an EMINENT DOMAIN case filed by NGCP pertaining to a portion of the property of
the PRYCE CORPORATION (PC) located in Zamboanga City known as lot no. 3353 covered by
Transfer Certificate of Title no. T-134,567 of the Registry of Deeds of Zamboanga City and
developed by the herein defendant corporation into a Memorial Park. The aforementioned case has
been docketed as Civil Case no. 769 pending before the Branch 14, Regional Trial Court,
Zamboanga City. After postponements made by both parties due to their inability to attend for
reasonable causes, the Court set the pre-trial date to January 18, 2018.

Status: During the hearing for pre-trial on 18 January 2018, NGCP’s counsel appeared and moved
for more time to take up with NGCP’s management the proposal of PC for just compensation and to
seek approval of any counter-proposal. The Court granted the motion and gave NGCP’s counsel
fifteen (15) days from 18 January 2018 to file said pleading. However, it appears that NGCP’s
counsel failed to comply. Then, on 10 July 2018, PC’s counsel received an “Entry of Appearance”
from a law firm indicating that NGCP had changed its counsel of record.

Cases involving directors and officers of Pryce Corporation:

The disclosure hereunder notwithstanding, it must be emphasized that these cases were filed due to
alleged malfeasance by the said directors/officers in their capacity as such and allegedly in
connection with the performance of their official functions.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation versus Pryce Gases, Inc. (PGI), et al.
I.S. No. 2005-56 for Trademark Infringement, Unfair
Competition, Violation of BP 33, Theft and Estafa.
Department of Justice, Manila.

Nature: Again, the directors and officers of Pryce Gases, Inc. were implicated in this case because
of the alleged existence of conspiracy. Neither the directors nor the officers issued any directive
whatsoever, much less, passive acquiescence to commit fraud or crime for that matter. There
is no basis, therefore, for the allegation of conspiracy.

Status: A Resolution was released by the DOJ dismissing the case. Pilipinas Shell filed
a Motion for Reconsideration (MR). Accordingly, PGI filed its Comment and/or Opposition thereto.
After Shell filed its Reply to the Comment and/or Opposition, PGI filed a Rejoinder thereto. PGI is
still awaiting the resolution of Shell’s Motion for Reconsideration.

LPGIA versus the Directors and Officers of Pryce Gases, Inc. and/or Oro Oxygen Corporation
(re-check)
Provincial Prosecution Office of Rizal
NPS Docket No. XV-18M-INV-15H-03386

For: Trademark Infringement, and Violation of BP 33 and RA 623

Department of Justice
OSEC-PR-RZL-2-051216-001

City Prosecution Office of Taguig

Trademark Infringement, and Violation of BP 33 and RA 623

Nature: The Complaints were filed indiscriminately against all the directors and officers of PGI and
OOC because of presumed consent and acquiescence to commit the offenses. There is no
allegation in the Complaints however that alleges with particularity the identity of offenders or how
the offender is connected with the companies, much less the actual personal participation its board
of directors and officers in the alleged commission of the offenses. Complainant further bases its
 22

Complaint, among others, on noticeably intercalated invoices, for which countercharges of

falsification have been filed.

Status: The Department of Justice partially granted LPGIA’s Petition for Review and indicted
additional respondents for violation of BP33. PGI officers and LPGIA filed their respective motions
for partial reconsideration. These are pending before the Department of Justice.

People of the Philippines vs. Rudy T. Abuyog, et al.

For: Violation of Sec. 2(a) in rel. to Sec. 3 (c) and Sec. 4, B. P. 33 as amended by PD 1865
Criminal Case No. 16-0186, Criminal Case No. 16-0187, Criminal Case No. 16-0188
Municipal Trial Court of Taytay

Nature: This case has its inception from NPS Docket No. XV-18M-INV-15H-03387 which
culminated in the filing of criminal charges against the corporate officers.

Status: The Court approved the inclusion of additional officers for indictment. On 8 October 2018,
all the other additional accused were arraigned and have posted bail. The initial presentation of
prosecution evidence is set on 4 March 2019. After the presentation of prosecution evidence, the
Accused filed a Demurrer to Evidence with Motion to Dismiss. The Demurrer to Evidence is still
pending.

LPGIA versus the Directors and Officers of Pryce Gases, Inc.

Petron Corporation versus the Directors and Officers of Pryce Gases, Inc.
NPS Docket Nos. XV-03-INV-17-H-3149 to 3150, XV-03-INV-17C-0909 to 0912
Trademark Infringement, Unfair Competition, and Violation of BP 33 and RA 623
Office of the City Prosecutor of Cavite City

Nature: Like in the foregoing Taytay and Taguig cases, the Complaints were filed indiscriminately
against all the directors and officers of PGI because of presumed consent and acquiescence to
commit the offenses, without allegation in the Complaints that particularly identifies the offenders or
how they are connected with the company. Much less is there any showing of the actual personal
participation its board of directors and officers in the alleged commission of the offenses.

Status: The cases were DISMISSED by the Cavite Prosecutor’s Office. LPGIA filed a Petition for
Review with the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). The Accused filed a Comment. The Petition is still
pending with the DOJ.

LPGIA versus the Directors and Officers of Pryce Gases, Inc.

NPS Docket No. II-07-INV-171-05786
Trademark Infringement and Violation of B.P. 33
Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
Department of Justice

Nature: Similarly with the foregoing cases, complaints were filed indiscriminately against all the
directors and officers of PGI because of presumed consent and acquiesce to commit the offenses.

Status: The cases were dismissed as against all directors and officers but for Mr. Rafael Escaño,
as president of Pryce Gases, Inc., the charge being based solely on his position as such without
showing any actual consent to the commission of the offense, much less any participation therein.
On that basis, Mr. Rafael Escaño filed a Petition for Review with the Department of Justice where
the case is currently pending.

Eastern Petroleum Corp. versus Efren A. Palma

NPS Docket No. XV-03-INV-16H-2849
Provincial Prosecution Office of Cavite
Violation of BP 33 and RA 8293
 23

Nature: Mr. Palma only became aware of the above-captioned Complaint when he received the
Resolution of the prosecutor in January of 2017. It is apparent from the records of the case that
notices and other papers were delivered to the wrong address except, strangely, for the Resolution
itself, which was delivered to the correct address. As such, Mr. Palma was not able to deny any
wrongdoing by the company as alleged in the complaint and present his defenses, including
especially that he is not the President of Pryce Gases, Inc., nor is he managing the erring refilling
plant or personally involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. It would have been easily
verifiable from the public documents, which were attached to the complaint itself, that Mr. Palma’s
position in Pryce Gases, Inc. is as Chief Financial Officer.

Status: On motion for reconsideration, the resolution was reversed and charges against Mr. Palma
have been dismissed. Countercharges for perjury have likewise already been filed against the
complainant.

Republic Gas Corporation, rep. by: Wilbert R. Sanchez vs. Rafael P.

Escano, Salvador P. Escano and Efren A. Palma
NPS Docket No. III-08-INQ-19-F-00208
Office of the City Prosecutor, Meycauayan, Bulacan
For: Trademark Infringement

Nature: Prior to this case, Republic Gas Corporation (REGASCO) secured a search warrant from
the RTC Pasig City in another criminal case against Pryce Gas Meycauayan refilling plant alleging
that Pryce Gases is committing trademark infringement. By virtue of the search warrant, REGASCO
together with the CIDG, raided the Pryce Gas Meycauayan refilling plant. During the raid, LPG
cylinders ostensibly bearing the trademark of REGASCO as inscribed in the handles of the LPG
cylinders, were confiscated inside the refilling plant. The plant OIC/supervisor were arrested and a
criminal case for Trademark Infringement were filed against them (docketed as P. v. Barug et al,
Crim. Case No., 3215-M-2019). As an offshoot of that case, similar complaints for Trademark
Infringement were filed against Salvador P. Escaño et al. in their official capacities as corporate
officers of Pryce Gases Inc. even though no direct participation by the said officers could be
inferred.

Status: The Office of the Prosecutor-Meycauayan directed Messrs. Salvador P. Escano et al. to
submit their Counter Affidavits in the Complaint for Trademark Infringement filed by REGASCO.
The Counter Affidavit was filed on December 19, 2019. The case is now submitted for resolution.

Republic Gas Corporation, rep. by: Efren J. Almojuela vs. Rafael P. Escano, Salvador P.
Escano, and Efren A. Palma
NPS Docket No. XV-18m-INQ-19F-04363
Provincial Prosecution Office of Rizal, Taytay, Rizal;
For: Trademark Infringement,

Nature: Prior to this case, Republic Gas Corporation (REGASCO) secured a search warrant from
the RTC Pasig City against Pryce Gas/Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant alleging that Pryce Gases
is committing trademark infringement. By virtue of the search warrant, REGASCO together with the
CIDG, raided the Pryce Gas/Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant. During the raid, LPG cylinders
ostensibly bearing the trademark of REGASCO as inscribed in the handles of the LPG cylinders,
were confiscated inside the refilling plant. The plant OIC/supervisor were arrested and a criminal
case for Trademark Infringement (docketed as People vs. Rabago et al, Criminal Case No. 19-932)
was filed against him. As an offshoot of that case, similar complaints for Trademark Infringement
were filed against Salvador P. Escaño et al. in their official capacities as corporate officers of Pryce
Gases Inc. before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Taytay, Rizal, even though their direct
participation could not be inferred.
 24

Status: The OCP Taytay dismissed the charges against Salvador P. Escaño et al. The case for
Trademark Infringement was filed before the RTC Binangonan because there is no RTC at Taytay
City. The Motion for Preliminary Investigation for RPE, SPE and EAP was denied. Warrant of arrest
was issued. Bail was posted. We will file a Motion for Reconsideration to the Order denying the
Motion for Preliminary Investigation upon receipt of the Order. The Motion to Quash Search
Warrant is still pending.

People of the Philippines vs. Mr. Rudy T. Abuyog, Salvador Escano, et. al
Municipal Trial Court of Taytay
For: Violation of B.P. 33, Municipal Trial Court of Taytay

Nature: The LPG Industry Association (LPGIA) secured a search warrant from the RTC Pasig City
against Pryce Gas/Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant alleging that Pryce Gases is committing
trademark infringement. By virtue of the search warrant, LPGIA together with the NBI, raided the
Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant. During the raid, LPG cylinders allegedly bearing the trademark of
LPGIA-member companies were confiscated inside the Taytay refilling plant. A complaint for
Trademark Infringement, and violation of BP. Blg. 33, and RA 5700, were filed against Mr. Rudy
Abuyog (president) and other corporate officers of Oro Oxygen.
The charges for Trademark Infringement and violation of RA 5700 were dismissed. An Information
for violation of BP. 33 was filed against Mr. Rudy Abuyog, SPE and other corporate officers of Oro
Oxygen. The criminal case was filed with the MTC Taytay.
Status: After the presentation of the prosecution’s evidence, the Accused filed a Demurrer to
Evidence with Motion to Dismiss. The Demurrer to Evidence is still pending.

LPG Industry Association vs. Mr. Raul R. Villanueva. et. al.

OCP Case no. XV-16-INV-15H-00628
Office of the City Prosecutor of Taguig City
For: Trademark Infringement, Violation of B.P. 33

Nature: The LPG Industry Association (LPGIA) secured a search warrant from the RTC Pasig City
against Pryce Gas Taguig refilling plant alleging that Pryce Gases is committing trademark
infringement. By virtue of the search warrant, LPGIA together with the NBI, raided the Taguig
refilling plant. During the raid, LPG cylinders bearing the trademark of LPGIA-member companies
were confiscated inside the Taguig refilling plant. A complaint for Trademark Infringement, and
violation of BP. Blg. 33, and RA 5700, were filed against Mr. Rudy Abuyog (president) and other
corporate officers of Oro Oxygen.
Status: The OCP Taguig DISMISSED all charges against the respondents. LPGIA filed its Motion
for Reconsideration. The Respondents filed their Comment/Opposition to LPGIA’s Motion for
Reconsideration. LPGIA’s Motion for Reconsideration is still pending.

LPG Industry Association vs. Mr. Raul R. Villanueva. et. al

OSEC-PR-RZL-2-051216-001
Office of the City Prosecutor of Taytay) Department of Justice
For: Trademark Infringement, Violation of B.P. 33

Nature: The LPG Industry Association (LPGIA) secured a search warrant from the RTC Pasig City
against Pryce Gas/Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant alleging that Pryce Gases is committing
trademark infringement. By virtue of the search warrant, LPGIA together with the NBI, raided the
Oro Oxygen Taytay refilling plant. During the raid, LPG cylinders allegedly bearing the trademark of
LPGIA-member companies were confiscated inside the Taytay refilling plant. A complaint for
Trademark Infringement, and violation of BP. Blg. 33, and RA 5700, were filed against Mr. Rudy
Abuyog (president) and other corporate officers of Oro Oxygen.
The OCP Taguig resolved to dismiss all charges against SPE and other officers of Oro Oxygen but
recommended the filing of an Information for violation of B.P. 33 as against Mr. Rudy Abuyog, in his
capacity as the president of Oro Oxygen. The case was filed with the MTC Taytay.
 25

LPGIA filed a Petition for Review with the DOJ questioning the OCP Taytay’s dismissal of the
charges against Salvador Escaño et al. The DOJ reversed the OCP Taytay and recommended the
filing of B.P. 33 charges against Salvador Escaño et al. An Amended Information was filed with the
MTC Taytay thereby impleading Messrs. SalvadorEscaño et al., as additional accused.

The Respondents filed a Motion for Reconsideration questioning the DOJ’s Resolution.

Status: The DOJ partially granted LPGIA’s Petition for Review and indicted additional respondents
for violation of BP 33. The Respondents filed a Motion for Partial Reconsideration. In turn, LPGIA
also filed its Motion for Partial Reconsideration, Respondents filed their Comment/Opposition
thereto. The incidents are still pending with the DOJ.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote by Security Holders - None.

PART II - OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The Company’s shares are listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the table below
shows the quarterly high and low prices of PC’s (or ‘PPC’) shares traded for the year 2019.

Year High Low

2019
First Quarter 6.13 5.75
Second Quarter 5.80 4.62
Third Quarter 7.38 4.80
Fourth Quarter 5.56 4.88

Trading of PC’s shares was suspended on two occasions, both of which pertain to the
Company’s corporate rehabilitation. The first was shortly after the Company filed its petition for
corporate rehabilitation with the Commercial Court on July 9, 2004. This suspension was
subsequently lifted on January 26, 2005 after the Commercial Court approved the company’s
corporate rehabilitation plan on January 17, 2005. The second suspension came on June 5, 2006
as a result of the ruling of the CA on the petitions for review (of PC’s rehabilitation plan approved by
the Commercial Court) filed separately by creditor banks CBC and BPI before different divisions of
that appellate court. These cases reached the SC and were resolved in favor of PC, which are
discussed under the heading Corporate Rehabilitation in Item 1 of Part 1 above, of this report. On
March 16, 2015, following the SC’s favorable decision, trading suspension of PPC shares was lifted
by the PSE, resulting in the active trading of the shares.

As of December 26, 2019 (the last trading date in that year), the market price of the
Company’s shares closed at P4.94 per share.

Public Ownership of PC shares as of December 31, 2019

 26

% to Total
Outstanding
Shares Number of Shares
Total Outstanding & Issued Shares 100% 2,024,500,000
Less: Treasury Common Shares 36,598,731
Number of Outstanding Common Shares 1,987,901,269
Less:
Directors 3.04% 60,411,516
Senior Officers 0.00% 26,449
Substantial Stockholders 14.78% 293,822,512
Affiliates 8.37% 166,350,952
Government 3.61% 71,722,500
Sub-total 29.80% 592,333,929
Shares owned by the public 70.20% 1,395,567,340

On Dec 13, 2017, the SEC approved the Company’s request for increase in authorized
capital stock from Two Billion Pesos (Php 2,000,000,000.00) divided into two billion (2,000,000,000)
shares with par value of one peso (Php 1.00) per share to Two Billion Ninety-Eight Million Pesos
(Php 2,098,000,000.00) divided into two billion ninety-eight million (2,098,000,000) shares with par
value of Php 1.00 per share.

This action also allowed for the subscription by an affiliate of the Company (Josefina Multi-
Ventures Corporation) to 24,500,000 shares at the subscription price of Php 5.00 per share under
the placing and subscription transaction disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on December 7,
2016, and, otherwise, to allow the company to expeditiously raise funds via stock subscriptions.

Holders

As of March 31, 2020, the company has 359 stockholders; 96.23% of the outstanding
shares as of date hereof are registered in the name of persons who are citizens of the Philippines or
corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines at least 60% of the capital
of which is owned by Philippine citizens.

Top 20 Shareholders as of March 31, 2020

 27

Percent to total
outstanding
Rank Shareholder’s name No. of Shares shares
1 Guild Securities, Inc. 1,017,140,468 51.144
2 PCD Nominee Corporation 562,951,398 28.306
3 Hinundayan Holdings Corp. 160,708,000 8.081
4 PCD Nominee Corp. (Non Filipino) 74,765,052 3.759
5 Pryce Development Corporation 61,800,000 3.107
6 Salvador P. Escano 33,492,660 1.684
7 Sol F. Escano 27,909,000 1.403
8 Josefina Multi Ventures Corporation 24,500,000 1.232
9 CBC T/A #501-0091 4,528,720 0.228
10 JGF Holdings, Inc. 3,221,427 0.162
11 Notre Dame of Greater Manila 2,300,000 0.116
12 Pryce Plans, Inc. 1,830,000 0.092
13 Salvador P. Escano ITF Pryce Development Corp. 1,684,450 0.085
14 Pryce Securities, Inc. 1,008,000 0.051
15 Jack &/or Frank Gaisano &/or Edward &/or Margaret 575,000 0.029
Gaisano
16 Edna A. Torralba 490,000 0.025
17 CBC T/A #501-0091 FAO: PPI 450,000 0.023
18 Fernando L. Trinidad ITF Pryce Development Corp. 417,000 0.021
19 Luis C. Ng 322,000 0.016
20 Michael Angelo P. Lim &/or Bienvenido U. Lim 310,000 0.016
* Salvador P. Escano and Sol F. Escano are spouses

Dividend History

In 1994, the Company declared and paid cash dividends of P0.02 per share. In 1995, the
Company declared cash dividends amounting to P0.04 per share to stockholders on record as of
January 25, 1995 and P0.03 per share to stockholders on record as of September 10, 1995. These
cash dividends were paid on February 8 and September 30, 1995, respectively.

In 1997 the Company declared a 15% stock dividend to stockholders on record as of April
10, 1997; these dividends were paid on April 16, 1997.

On November 11, 2016, PC’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of a dividend policy
wherein 50% of the prior fiscal year’s consolidated net income after tax will be distributed in cash to
the shareholders as dividends. Dividend declaration and payout is however subject to the
requirements of existing laws and rules and regulations and may be restricted by circumstances
such as, but not limited to the need for substantial capital outlays for expansion programs or working
capital, its earnings, cashflow, financial condition, capital investment requirements and other factors.
The Board may, at any time, revise this dividend policy depending on the results of operations and
future projects and plans of the company.

The Company has declared cash dividends on the following dates: December 22, 2017
(which it had not been able to do in 20 years); June 7, 2018; December 14, 2018; May 17, 2019; and
December 6, 2019. The latest cash dividend declaration was May 18, 2020. All of these cash
dividends were sourced from unrestricted retained earnings of the company and were each paid at
the rate of Php 0.12 per common share.
 28

Buy-back Program

On November 16, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the buyback of its
common shares under the following terms:

- The buy-back program shall be for a term of 24 months commencing on November 20,
2018 up to November 19, 2020.
- The Company shall be authorized to repurchase up to Php 500 million worth of common
shares.
- The buy-back program shall be executed in the open market through the trading facility of
the Philippine Stock Exchange.
- Repurchased shares shall be booked as treasury shares.
- The buy-back program shall be implemented in an orderly manner and should not adversely
affect the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ prospective and existing projects.

Item 6. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation

Results of Operations

2019 Compared to 2018

Pryce Corporation and its subsidiaries posted a consolidated net income of P1.519 billion
for the year 2019, which is 8.26% higher than the previous year’s P1.403 billion. The Php 1.519-
billion net income is within range of the company’s target.

Revenue contribution by product line is as follows: L iquefied petroleum gas (LPG as

fuel) and related LPG products – P10 billion (94.06% of total); Industrial gases – P452.30 million
(4.25%); Real estate sales – P128.1 million (1.21%); and Pharmaceutical products – P51.0 million
(0.48%).

LPG under the PryceGas brand and industrial gases are product lines of the subsidiary,
Pryce Gases, Inc. (PGI). Real estate sales are under the holding company Pryce Corporation while
vitamins and supplements are the products of Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPhI). Oro Oxygen
Corporation (OOC), a subsidiary of PGI, is engaged in the marketing and distribution of LPG (also
under PryceGas brand) and industrial gases in Luzon. PGI and PPhI are subsidiaries of Pryce
Corporation.

Revenue and Volume Growth

The Company’s 2019 topline of Php 10.630 billion is a 3.48% increase over last year’s Php
10.273 billion. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is the group’s principal product, along with its
cylinders & accessories and LPG gensets. It accounted for 94% of total revenues, whereas the
remaining revenues were accounted for by sales of industrial gases, real estate, and pharmaceutical
products (as discussed above). The modest revenue growth is largely explained by the lower
average international LPG contract price (CP) of US$439.5/MT during the year.

LPG sales volume grew 8.95% to 219,884 metric tons (MT) from year-ago volume of
201,826 MT. The company’s Luzon operations achieved a 9.42% growth in sales volume, a little
higher than the 8.35% growth in the combined sales performance of the company’s operations in
the Visayas and Mindanao areas.
 29

Industrial gases registered a 7.12% increase in revenues to P452.30 million in 2019 from
P422.25 million in 2018 and a 10.85% increase in volume of cylinder refills.

Revenue from real estate, however, dropped to P128.14 million in 2019 from P227 million
in 2018 since the latter figure included sale of office condominium units which was absent in 2019.
Pharmaceuticals’ revenues achieved an increase of 15% to P51.02 million in 2019.

Price Movement and Market Demand

The international price of LPG, referred to as the Contract Price or CP, had a downtrend in
2019 compared to 2018. Average CP of US$540.04 per MT in 2018 slipped to US$439.54 per MT
in 2019. The softening of world prices translated into lower price of LPG to consumers and
industrial users. Department of Energy’s (DOE) for 2019 data show that the combined demand
for LPG of Luzon and NCR comprise about 78% of the country’s total demand; the balance of
22% is accounted for by the combined demand of the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

DOE’s 2018 demand data for LPG was 1,797,000 metric tons. Latest data from the
DOE shows that in 2019, the country’s market demand is 1,823,000 metric tons. This growth in
demand can be largely explained by lower local price of LPG and strong household incomes
amid a strong economy in 2019.

Competition and Market Share

Latest 2019 statistics from the Department of Energy showed PGI as a major player to be
reckoned with in the Philippine LPG industry. PGI has a 10% market share in Luzon, 20.4% in
Visayas and 24.1% in Mindanao. If the markets of Visayas and Mindanao are to be combined, PGI
comes out as the 2nd major player after Petron (Gasul). Overall, PGI has a market share of 11% of
the total Philippine market.

It must be noted that Luzon (NCR included) is a highly competitive market with five (5)
marine terminal operators (including PGI) doing business alongside more than a hundred
independent small to medium-size LPG refillers that sell branded or generic LPG sourced from
said terminal operators.

Over recent years, PGI has endeavored to continually increase its market share by
building more marine terminals, refilling plants, sales centers, and implementing strategic initiatives
designed to widen the scope of its market and bring its LPG products closer to the consumers.

Profitability

The company has managed to end 2019 with an 8.26% increase in net income to P1.519
billion from P1.403 billion in 2018. Operating income grew by 11.73% from P1.617 billion in 2018 to
P1.807 billion in 2019. Other income and charges amounting to P149.84 million buoyed income
from operations, resulting in an income before tax of P1.957 billion which is 13.86% higher than
P1.719 billion achieved in 2018.

The earnings per share based on 2019 comprehensive income of P0.6919 per share
is an 8.8% improvement over the P0.6363 per share recorded in 2018.

Liquidity
 30

Total liquid assets as of yearend 2019 is P2.16 billion, consisting of P1.11 billion in cash
and P1.04 billion in financial assets at fair value (equity securities), represents a 30.4% growth over
the P1.65 billion balance in 2018. Current ratios exhibited a slight decrease from 1.65x in 2018 to
1.54x in 2019.

Balance Sheet Changes

Compared to the December 31, 2018 audited financial statements, the significant
movements in balance sheet accounts are as shown below.

Account Name % Increase or Reason for Change

(Decrease)
Cash 31.30% Increase in income and availment of short-
term loans
Financial assets at fair value 29.46% Increase in market value and new acquisition
of marketable securities
Trade and other receivables 12.85% Increase in revenues and credit sales

Inventories 15.14% Increase in sales volume and increase in

LPG importation
Prepayments and other current 81.64% Increase in rental and other deposits and
assets advance payment of local taxes
Advances to related parties (61.70%) Collections from related parties

Property plant and equipment 10.48% Due to additional CAPEX

Deferred Tax assets 100.77% Additional recognition of deferred tax assets

Trade and other payables 18.78% Due to increase in purchases and various
accruals
Income Tax payable 58.01% Increase in net income

Customers’ deposits (4.07%) Due to increase in collection of deposits for

real estate products
Short-term debts 45.91% Additional availment of short term loan

Retained earnings 26.60% Due to net income of 2019

Other comprehensive income (5.08%) Recognition of appraisal increment

Treasury stocks 2957.86% Due to buy back of parent company’s shares

Non-controlling interest 14.59% Due to increase in net income

Numerical Performance Indicators

The measures of revenue growth and sales volume performance are presented below.
 31

REVENUE GROWTH
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries

Percent
Growth/
2019 2018 (Decline)
REVENUE Php 10,630,299,264 Php 10,272,904,539 3.48%

VOLUME GROWTH

Principal Product – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Percent
Growth/
2019 2018 (Decline)
LPG (in kgs) 219,883,572 201,825,770 8.95%

The measures of profitability are shown below.

PROFITABILITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries

Percent
Growth/
2019 2018 (Decline)
Return on Assets (%) 16.21% 16.30% -0.52%
Return on Equity (%) 24.24% 23.42% 3.53%
Net profit margin (%) 18.41% 16.73% 10.03%

The liquidity and solvency measurements are shown below:

LIQUIDITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries
2019 2018
Current ratio 1.54 1.65
Debt to equity ratio 0.46 0.41

Plans and Prospects

The Company’s memorial park business did better in 2019 by posting Php 128.1 million in
revenues compared to 2018’s Php 117.0 million (i.e., excluding the sale of the office condo units in
2018). This is due to aggressive sales efforts and the contribution of the latest memorial park in
Butuan that was launched in January 2019. Management believes that the memorial park sales will
do better in 2020 notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.
 32

In 2019, PGI completed the construction of 13 new refilling plants nationwide: 5 in Luzon, 4
in Visayas and 4 in Mindanao. The storage capacities of certain marine-import terminals in
Ayungon, Ajuy, and Talisayan were each increased by 2,000 metric tons. For the year 2020, there
will be further expansions such as a new marine-import terminal in Lugait, Misamis Oriental and
three additional refilling plants in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. The installation of more sales
centers will continue in 2020. The objective, of course, of these expansions is to widen the scope
and reach of PGI’s LPG business thereby making its LPG products more accessible to the
consumers.

As of this writing, the government-imposed Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) is now

more than 2 months old. Management observes that PGI’s sales volume of LPG (cooking gas) has
not been adversely affected by the ECQ. In fact, since the ECQ’s implementation, sales volume has
increased. This phenomenon may be explained by the fact that consumers were forced to stay
indoors and cook their food at home as opposed to the pre-ECQ inclination of many to dine out or
eat at hotels, malls and restaurants, which were closed during the ECQ.

In recent years, the Company has made five (5) declarations of cash dividends since
December 2017. The latest one was declared in May 18, 2020. Prospectively, the Company intends
to regularly declare cash dividends on a semestral basis.

2018 Compared to 2017

Consolidated growth in the group’s revenue contributed to the 12% rise in the net income of
the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018. It posted a consolidated net income of Php
1.40 Billion in 2018 compared to the Php 1.25 Billion of 2017.

Ninety-three percent (93%) of the group’s consolidated revenues were from the sale of
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) amounting to Php 9.58 Billion, four percent (4%) from the sale of
industrial gases amounting to Php 422.25 Million, two percent (2%) from real estate sales
amounting to Php 227 Million, and the remaining one percent (1%) from the sale of pharmaceutical
products amounting to Php 44.37 Million.

LPG under the PryceGas brand and industrial gases are product lines of PGI (Pryce Gases,
Inc.), real estate sales are under the holding company Pryce Corporation, while pharmaceutical
products (vitamins and supplements) are the products of Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPhI). Oro
Oxygen Corporation (OOC), a subsidiary of PGI, is engaged in the marketing and distribution of
LPG and gases in Luzon. PGI and PPhI are direct subsidiaries of Pryce Corporation.

Revenue and Volume Growth

LPG sales registered an 11% revenue growth, from Php 8.66 Billion in 2017 to Php 9.58
Billion in 2018. All retail sales volumes in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions experienced
increases of 4%, 3% and 4% respectively. Overall, however, there was a 4% decrease in total LPG
content sales volume (201,826 metric tons in 2018 from 210,166 metric tons in 2017) because of
lower bulk sales.

Sale of industrial gases posted an 8% increase in revenue of Php 422.25 Million compared
to last year’s Php 391.5 Million and 12% increase in sales volume of 1,055,849 cylinders in 2018
from 2017’s 943,093 cylinders. Sale of medical and industrial oxygen accounted for 72% of
industrial gases revenue, the balance consisting of revenues from acetylene and other gases.

Revenues from sale of real estate grew by 63%, from Php 139.41 Million in 2017 to Php
227 Million in 2018. Sale of pharmaceutical products likewise registered a positive growth of 14%,
from Php 38.98 Million in 2017 to Php 44.37 Million in 2018.
 33

Price Movement and Market Demand

LPG’s contract price (“CP”) opened 2018 at a downtrend in the first quarter to as low as
US$ 469.50/MT in March. CP increased steadily starting April 2018 until October 2018, when it hit
as high as US$ 655.00/MT, until it went down again to close the year at US$ 424/MT. The average
CP was US$ 48.62/MT higher in 2018 compared to 2017.

Notwithstanding the increasing prices of LPG, its market demand grew by 10.51% in 2018
from 1.626 million metric tons in 2017 to 1.797 million metric tons in 2018, according to the
Department of Energy.

Industrial gases fared well in 2018 posting a 12% sales volume growth (1,055,849 cylinders
in 2018 from 943,093 cylinders in 2017). Average price of medical and industrial oxygen dipped by
5% while acetylene and other gases increased by 5% and 17%, respectively.

Competition and Market Share

The latest statistics provided by the Department of Energy show that PGI remains to be a
major industry player in the Philippine LPG market, with 26% market share in North Luzon, 21.75%
in Visayas and 25.25% in Mindanao.

In 2018, PGI completed the construction of 12 new refilling plants nationwide, adding a total
of 577 metric tons to its total storage capacity, thereby bringing its products closer to the market.
There are expansions in PGI’s import terminals and refilling plants in certain regions that are
ongoing to ensure wider reach of the market. PGI intends to continue such expansions, which has
started around three years back, so as to further increase storage capacities in response to growing
market demand and improve market share.

Profitability

Consolidated gross profit increased to Php 2.50 Billion in 2018 from the Php 2.22 Billion of
2017, or about 12.5%. Operating expenses amounted to Php 878.15 Million, thereby resulting to a
net income from operations of Php 1.62 Billion.

Other income and expenses, composed mainly of finance costs, dividend income and
realized gains from sale of assets, amounted to Php 101.36 Million, resulting in a Net Income before
Income Tax of Php 1.72 Billion. The company recognized a provision for income taxes at Php
315.87 Million, which resulted in a net income of Php 1.40 Billion, a 12% improvement from last
year’s Php 1.25 Billion. This net income translates to Php 0.636 earnings per share.

Liquidity

The total liquid assets as of December 31, 2018 amounted to Php 1.65 Billion, representing
a 7.48% growth from last year’s Php 1.54 Billion. Current ratio decreased to 1.66 in 2018 from 2.30
in 2017.

Balance Sheet Changes

Compared to the December 31, 2017 audited financial statements, the significant
movements in balance sheet accounts are as shown below.
 34

Account Name % Increase or Reason for Change

(Decrease)
Financial assets at fair value 10.28% Due to additional acquisition of
marketable securities
Trade and other receivables 8.04% Due to increase in revenue

Inventories 36.12% Due to increase in sales volume

and increase in LPG importation
Prepayments and other current 9.93% Due to accrual and prepayments of
assets taxes
Property Plant and equipment 22.33% Due to additional CAPEX

Deferred tax assets (11.21%) Due to adjustment of provision for

deferred tax
Goodwill 10.58% Acquisition by parent company of
the shares of the minority interest
in subsidiary
Trade and other payables 39.91% Due to increase in purchases and
various accruals
Income Tax payable 27.29% Increase in net income

Customer’s deposit (21.97%) Due to recognition of deposits to

revenue
Short-term debts 158.59% Due to additional availment of
short term loan
Retirement benefit obligations (11.21%) Due to payment of benefit
obligation to the retirement fund
Retained earnings 54.81% Due to net income of 2018

Non-controlling interest 14.07% Due to increase in net income

Numerical Performance Indicators

The measures of revenue growth and sales performance are presented below.

REVENUE GROWTH
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries

Percent
Growth/
2018 2017 (Decline)
REVENUE Php 10,272,904,539 Php 9,226,508,097 11.34%

VOLUME GROWTH

Principal Product – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

 35

Percent
Growth/
2018 2017 (Decline)
LPG (in kgs) 201,825,770 210,166,193 (3.97%)

The measurements of profitability are shown below.

PROFITABILITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries

Percent
Growth/
2018 2017 (Decline)
Return on Assets (%) 16.72% 17.18% (2.69%)
Return on Equity (%) 24.15% 24.90% (3.03%)
Net profit margin (%) 16.73% 16.67% 0.39%

The liquidity and solvency measurements are shown below:

LIQUIDITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries
2018 2017
Current ratio 1.66 2.30
Debt to equity ratio 0.42 0.36

2017 Compared to 2016

Higher revenue growth from LPG sales drove the net income of the Company to Php 1.252
Billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, or higher by 29.6% over 2016’s net income.
Consolidated revenues were up 37.3% translating to Php 9.226 Billion in 2017 from 2016’s Php
6.722 Billion.
Contribution to revenues is broken down by product line, as follows: LPG, including
cylinders and accessories, Php 8.656 billion (or 93.82% of total); industrial gases, Php 391.49
million (4.24%); real estate sales, Php 139.41 million (1.51%); and pharmaceutical products, Php
38.98 million (0.42%).
LPG under the PryceGas brand and industrial gases are product lines of PGI, real estate
sales and hotel operations (that was closed on December 31, 2016) are under the holding company
Pryce Corporation while pharmaceutical products (vitamins and supplements) are the products of
Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PPhl). Oro Oxygen Corporation (OOC), a subsidiary of PGI, is
engaged in the marketing and distribution of LPG and gases in Luzon. PGI and PPhI are direct
subsidiaries of Pryce Corporation.

Revenue and Volume Growth

LPG sales volume registered an increase of 10.88% (210,166 metric tons in 2017 from
189,551 metric tons in 2016), primarily due to the VisMin market. Sales in the VisMin regions
experienced a 22% year-on-year volume growth as compared to about 4% volume growth in Luzon.
 36

LPG contract prices (CP) during the year likewise contributed to the revenue growth. CP was at an
average of US$491/MT in 2017, or US$145/MT higher than 2016’s US$ 346/MT.

Revenues from industrial gases registered a slight increase of 2.4% or Php

391.50 million in 2017 from Php 382.50 million in 2016. Sales of medical and industrial oxygen
accounted for a little over 70% of industrial gas revenues, the balance consisting of revenues from
acetylene and other gases.

Revenues from real estate (memorial park operations) was up by 4.4% or Php 139.41
million in 2017 over Php 133.57 million for 2016. Revenue from pharmaceuticals meanwhile
increased by 10.7%.

Price Movement and Market Demand

The CP of LPG was on an uptrend in 2017. CP opened at US$477/MT in January 2017, fell
to as low as US$359/MT in July 2017, then rose to as high as US$ 578.50/MT in October and
November 2017 before slightly dropping to US$576/MT in December 2017. Average CP in 2017
was at US$491.42 per MT, or 42% higher than the average US$346.08 per MT in 2016.

Notwithstanding the sharp increases in LPG prices, LPG demand in 2017 grew by 9.5% from
1.485 million metric tons to 1.626 million metric tons as reported by the Department of Energy
(DOE). This growth in LPG demand was driven by buoyant domestic consumption due to strong
household incomes.

On industrial gases, average refill price of oxygen declined by 3.68% and those for acetylene
and other gases slightly dipped by 0.14% and 0.68%, respectively. Sales volume of oxygen grew by
3.55%, while that of acetylene shrank by 4.65%; however, other gases posted a significant 50.39%
increase in sales volume. Overall, industrial gases fared well in 2017 as the segment registered a
38.74% growth in gross profit compared to 2016.

Competition and Market Share

PGI remains a major industry player in the Philippine LPG market accounting for a market
share of 13%. In Vis-Min as previously stated, PGI is one of only four (4) competitors operating in
the area who sell under their respective brands. Luzon, on the other hand, is a much more
competitive area where there are many competitors – five terminal operators and more than a
hundred independent small to medium size refillers selling generic products.

PGI’s continuing infrastructure expansions, which started about two years ago consist of
increasing the storage capacities of its marine terminals and the construction and operation of more
strategically located refilling plants to bring its product closer and more accessible to the markets.
Given that it already has the most complete and extensive LPG infrastructure nationwide, such
additional expansions will enable it to further enlarge and solidify its market share.

Profitability

Gross profit of the company (earnings after cost of sales) reached Php 2.22 billion during the
year. Selling and general/administrative expenses aggregated Php 845.3 million, resulting in net
operating income of Php 1.37 billion, representing growth of 44.2% from the year-before figure.
Other income and charges, consisting of finance costs, and other income sources, reached Php
164.26 million, to yield a pre-tax income of Php 1.54 billion.

The Company made provision for income tax in the amount of Php 285.78 million, resulting
in a net income after tax of Php 1.25 billion, an improvement of 29.60% from the previous year’s
Php 966.1 million. This net income translates to earnings per share of Php 0.567.
 37

The total comprehensive income amounted to Php 1,266,831,312 after taking into account a
remeasurement gain on retirement benefit obligation (net of tax) of Php 14,884,981.

Liquidity

Total liquid assets as of yearend 2017 amounted to P1.54 billion. It represents a 45.30%
growth over the Php 1.06 billion balance in 2016. Current ratio increased from 2.01 in 2016 to
2.30 in 2017.

Balance Sheet Changes

Compared to the December 31, 2016 audited financial statements, the significant
movements in balance sheet accounts are as shown below.

Account Name % Increase or Reason for Change

(Decrease)
Cash 28.78% Increase in income
Financial assets at fair value 69.99% Additional placement in securities

Trade and other receivables (6.58%) Collection of receivables

Inventories 29.03% Increase in sales volume and

increase in LPG importation
Prepayments and other current (10.65%) Application of creditable
assets withholding tax and amortization of
prepayments
Advances to related parties 448,716.47% Granting of advances to related
parties
Investment properties 5.04% Due to buy-back of previously
dacioned properties
Deferred tax assets (41.53%) Due to recognition of income and
provision of deferred tax
Trade and other payables 49.13% Due to increase in purchases and
various accruals
Income tax payable 5.18% Increase in net income

Customers’ deposits (22.45%) Due to recognition of deposits to

revenue
Short-term debts (39.13%) Payment of short term loan

Retirement benefit obligation (41.53%) Due to payment of benefit

obligation to the retirement fund
Advances from related parties (100.00%) Payment of advances

Deposit for future stock (100.00%) Due to issuance of shares of

subscription stocks
Additional paid-in capital 36.05% Due to increase in capital stock

Retained earnings 153.39% Due to net income of 2017

 38

Non-controlling interest 10.75% Increase in net income

Numerical Performance Indicators

The measures of revenue growth and sales performance are presented below.

REVENUE GROWTH
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries

Percent
2017 2016 Growth/
(Decline)

REVENUE Php 9,226,508,097 Php 6,722,160,460 37.26%

VOLUME GROWTH
Principal Product – Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Percent
2017 2016 Growth/
(Decline)

LPG (in kgs) 210,166,193 189,551,484 10.88%

The measurements of profitability are shown below.

PROFITABILITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries
2017 2016 Percent
Growth/
(Decline)

Return on Assets (%) 17.18% 16.33% 5.18%

Return on Equity (%) 24.90% 25.68% (3.05%)
Net profit margin (%) 16.67% 16.63% 0.23%

The liquidity and solvency measurements are shown below:

LIQUIDITY
Pryce Corporation & Subsidiaries
2017 2016
Current ratio 2.30 2.01
Debt to equity ratio 0.36 0.44

Item 7. Financial Statements - Refer to attached Audited Financial Statements of the Accountants
 39

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial

Disclosure

Current Accountants

Since 2004, the SEC-accredited accounting firm of Diaz Murillo Dalupan & Company
(“DMD”) has served as the Company’s external auditor, having offered reasonable audit proposal
package to the Company as evaluated by the Board Audit Committee. In selecting an external
auditor, the Board Audit Committee considers the standing and level of proficiency of the
auditor/firm in the industry and evaluates if the fees charged are commensurate with such standing,
as against the proposals submitted by other comparable firms. Pursuant to SRC Rule 68, Atty.
Bethuel V. Tanupan has served as the signing partner for 2010 and 2011, then Ms. Rosemary D.
de Mesa for 2012. Mr. Jozel Francisco C. Santos was the signing partner for 2013, 2014, 2015,
2016 as well as for 2017. For 2018’s audited financial statements, a change is mandated by the
SRC rules, so that the new signing partner is Mr. Elirie S. Arañas.

Following are the fees (which exclude VAT) paid to DMD for 2019 and the preceding years:
1 2 3
Year External Audit Fee Tax Fees Other Fees Aggregate Fees
2015 P 571,929.00 --- --- P 571,929.00
2016 P 600,000.00 --- --- P 600,000.00
2017 P 636,000.00 --- --- P 636,000.00
2018 P 670,000.00 --- --- P 670,000.00
2019 P 705,000.00 --- --- P 705,000.00

Resignation of Principal Accountant

There has been no resignation or dismissal of principal accountant nor the engagement of
a new principal accountant during the Company’s last two fiscal years.

Disagreements with Accountants

The Company and DMD have had no disagreement with regard to any matter relating to
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.

PART III - CONTROL AND COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Item 9. Directors and Executives Officers of the Registrant

The following sets forth certain information concerning the executive officers and directors of the

1 In general, services include the examination of evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements for the respective years ending December 31 and assessing the accounting
principles and significant estimates of management and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation, with a view to the expression of the auditor’s opinion on the fairness of the presentation of
the financial statements in conformity with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards in all material
respects. Audit fees above do not yet include the 12% VAT.
2 No engagement.
3 No engagement.
 40

Company as of December 31, 2019:

Name Age Position with the Company

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Salvador P. Escano* 68 Chairman

Efren A. Palma 54 President
Ramon R. Torralba 75 Director & Chief Legal Counsel
Xerxes Emmanuel F. Escaño 28 Director
Ray W. Jovanovich 57 Director
Gener T. Mendoza 57 Independent Director
Arnold L. Barba 68 Independent Director

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Pryce Corporation(Parent Company)
Salvador P. Escano* 68 Chief Executive Officer
Efren A. Palma 54 President
Ramon R. Torralba 75 Chief Legal Counsel
Samuel H. Cinco 60 FVP – Regional Head Northern Mindanao
Felicano B. Hatud 61 Corporate Secretary; VP-Finance
Sonito N. Mole 61 Regional Head – Southern Mindanao Opns.
Jose Ma. C. Ordenes 60 Treasurer; SVP – Operations Monitoring &
Corp. Information & Compliance Officer

Earl Christian L. Lerio 31 OIC/ VP – Chairman’s Office; Alternate

Corporate Information & Compliance Officer

Pryce Gases, Inc. (Subsidiary)

Salvador P. Escano* 68 Chairman
Rafael P. Escano* 60 President
Efren A. Palma 54 Senior EVP- Chief Finance Officer
Jose Ma. L. Escano* 56 SEVP/REO Southern Mindanao Opns-1
Gabriel I. Macion 56 EVP-Technical Services Dept.
Feliciano B. Hatud 61 Corporate Secretary, VP
Alexis M. Sulatre 57 SEVP/REO Central Visayas Opns
Ethelbert Deguit 47 SVP/REO Eastern Visayas Opns
Christy Ann Fuentes-Paasa 36 VP/REO Northern Mindanao Opns
Franz Jonas L. Villegas 49 VP/REO Western Visayas Opns 1 & 2
Jeremy Riel E. Sumillano 30 AVP/REO Southern Mindanao Opns-2
Roque C. Competente 39 AVP/REO Western Mindanao Opns

*Messrs. Salvador P. Escaño and Rafael P. Escaño are brothers; Jose Ma. L. Escaño is a cousin to
the brothers. Xerxes Emmanuel F. Escaño is a son to Salvador P. Escaño.

Salvador P. Escaño is concurrently Chairman of Pryce Development Corporation and Pryce

Gases, Inc. Mr. Escano also served as Director of Basic Petroleum & Minerals, Inc. until 1989. He
was previously General Manager of Anselmo Trinidad and Co., (HK) Ltd., a Hongkong-based
stockbrokerage firm from 1978 to 1981 and a member of the Board of Governors of the Makati
Stock Exchange from 1989 to 1991. Mr. Escano is also currently a director of Crown Equities, Inc.,
another listed company. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from the
University of the Philippines.
 41

Ramon R. Torralba previously served as president of Tower Securities, Inc., a stockbrokerage firm
from 1989 to 1992. Atty. Torralba is a law graduate from Ateneo de Manila University and a
member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Ray W. Jovanovich began his investment career in 1988 in Hong Kong and spent 25 years
managing portfolios on behalf of global institutions. A pioneer in Asia’s emerging markets,
he developed the world’s first investment funds for Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India
in the late 1980s. In the final decade of his career, Mr. Jovanovich served as Chief Investment
Officer— Asia for Amundi. He retired at the end of 2011 in order to focus on educational initiatives
and philanthropy, and now lectures on a variety of Asian topics at universities in both America and
Asia. He also continues to do project / advisory work for various financial institutions, including the
International Monetary Fund, on China-related issues and the Philippines.

Efren A. Palma is a Certified Public Accountant and was elected President of the Company in
2015. He joined SGV & Co. in 1986, after which he worked for the Alcantara Group of Companies
in 1989 as senior internal auditor. He was later promoted as Finance Manager for one of the
construction companies of the Alcantaras in Iligan City before joining Pryce Gases, Inc. in 1996.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Immaculate Concepcion College in Ozamis City.

Xerxes Emmanuel F. Escaño has been Managing Director of Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since
January 1, 2015. Prior to this, he was connected with Teach for the Philippines before becoming
Procurement Manager for Procter & Gamble. In the latter capacity, his functions included
overseeing the entire end-to-end procurement process for all marketing, sales, research and
administrative orders for the company’s regional headquarters in Singapore and Malaysia. He
holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Arnold L. Barba is name partner of the Barba Barba Barba & Associates law firm based in
Cagayan de Oro City. He is also currently an Associate Professor and Lecturer in the College of
Law, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan. Prior to that, he was exposed to government work at
the Bukidnon Public Works and Highways as well as the Provincial Population Office of Misamis
Oriental. He likewise previously served as Sales Head of the Macajalar Realty and Development
Corp. and Director of the Public Relations and Legal Affairs Departments of the Cagayan Electric
Power & Light Co. Atty. Barba is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, obtaining his
Bachelor of Laws degree from Xavier University, and he placed 9th in the bar examinations of
1984.

Gener T. Mendoza is a nominee for the position of independent director. He is the president of
GNCA Holdings, Inc., which provides business consultancy services, with focus on corporate
financial advisory. He has more than 35 years of experience, among others, in banking, financial
management, and business development. Mr. Mendoza is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Engineering (Summa Cum Laude)
and has a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.

Feliciano B. Hatud first joined Pryce Securities Inc. (PSI) in1987 as a stock trader, in charge of
buying and selling shares, and remained with PSI for 14 years. In December 2001, he was
transferred to PGI as Assistant Vice President for Purchasing. He was thereafter promoted as
Vice President of the same department and later on assumed the same position concurrently in
PC. Mr. Hatud is agraduate of Southwestern University in Cebu with a Bachelor's Degree in
Commerce major in Accounting.

Sonito N. Mole joined the Pryce Group thru PGI in 1987 as an area sales manager; he later
moved to PC (then Pryce Properties Corp.) in 1990 as operations head for the company’s
southern Mindanao operations. He is a graduate of the University of Visayas with a Bachelor’s
Degree in Marine Transportation.

Samuel H. Cinco began work in PGI in 1988 as a salesman and later promoted as Area Manager
 42

of the company’s Cagayan de Oro sales center. In 1990, he was assigned to PGI's Special
Project Landbanking Division and later moved to then Pryce Properties Corp. (now PC) and at
present is heads the company’s Landbanking & Sales for Pryce Corp.’s Northern Mindanao
Operations. He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration obtained at Xavier University,
Cagayan de Oro City. He is a licensed real estate broker.

Jose Ma. C. Ordenes has been with the Company since 1993. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Santo Tomas. Before joining the Pryce Group, he
worked at Batangas Bay Carries, Inc. (a subsidiary of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.), which then
provided the domestic marine transport services of Pilipinas Shell. Previous to this, his work
experience included teaching math and engineering subjects.

Earl Christian Laguna Lerio, Officer-in-Charge for the Office of the Chairman, joined Pryce Group
in 2018. Concurrently, he is an Alternate Corporate Information and Compliance Officer for Pryce
Corporation. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños
and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Cebu School of Law. He is a member of the
Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Rafael P. Escaño has thirty (30) years of experience in industrial gas manufacturing and
marketing, having previously occupied various positions including that of General Manager in
Central Luzon Oxygen & Acetylene Company. He obtained his degree in Economics from the
Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

Jose Ma. L. Escaño began work in the Pryce Group thru PGI in 1987 as a Plant Supervisor and
later moved to challenging positions in sales and marketing. He is a graduate of the University of
Cebu with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Transportation.

Alexis M. Sulatre began work as an accounting clerk in the company of CLOACO, Inc., the
precursor company of PGI. At PGI, he became the head of a PGI sales center from 1989 to 1993.
He continually moved up through the ranks, successively assuming positions as Area Sales
Supervisor, Area Manager in the Central Visayas Operations (CVO), Regional Manager for CVO,
until he became the current Senior Vice President/Regional Executive Officer for CVO. Mr. Sulatre
holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce major in accounting from the University of the Visayas in
Cebu City.

Gabriel I. Macion joined PGI in 1989 as a Plant Operator and later in 2001 was promoted as AVP-
Head of the Technical Services Department. He was again promoted as VP-Corporate Assistant
Admin Head in 2004 and in 2005 he became the VP-Corporate Administration Head. Mr. Macion
is a licensed chemical engineer and graduated magna cum laude from the Divine Word University
with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

Ethelbert Deguit joined PGI in 2010 as Finance and Accounting Head in Panay Island Operations.
In 2011, he became the regional executive officer of the Eastern Visayas Operations. Prior to PGI,
Mr. Deguit was a banker for 12 years and a part time accounting instructor for 7 years. He is a
graduate of Xavier University attaining a bachelor's degree in Accountancy. He also holds a law
degree from the same university.

Franz Jonas L. Villegas has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting
obtained at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. He was previously a branch manager of BPI
in Pagadian City and PSBank in Ozamiz City. He began in PGI as a management trainee in 2012
andlater became the Sales Supervisor of Panay Island Operations. He was subsequently
transferred to Northern Mindanao Operations and became the regional executive officer thereof.

Christy Ann Fuentes-Paasa graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor's degree in
Elementary Education. She earned units for her MA in Guidance and Counseling. Before
joining PGI, Ms. Paasa was an Area Manager in Kwartagram Corporation - a money
 43

remittance services company. Thereafter she joined PGI in 2011 as regional executive officer
of Panay Island Operations.

Jeremy Riel E. Sumillano started working in PGI in 2011 as a management trainee and was
trained in various key positions of a company’s regional operation. He later became OIC-Head
of PGI’s sales center in General Santos City for two years. In January 2016, Southern
Mindanao Operations (SMO) was carved into two regions, creating SMO-2 to which he was
assigned / promoted to become its regional executive officer. Mr. Sumillano is a licensed /
registered nurse and graduated from Cagayan de Oro College–Phinma in 2010.

Roque C. Competente joined PGI in 2002 as an accounting staff and continually moved up
through the ranks until he was moved to PGI’s Northern Mindanao Operations (NMO) to be its
acting sales & marketing manager in year 2014. He eventually became regional executive
officer for Western Mindanao Operations, which is based in Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.
Mr. Competente has a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce Major in Entrepreneurial Management
from the Asian Development Foundation College in Tacloban City, Leyte.

Currently all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their
successors have been duly elected and qualified.

Item 10. Executive Compensation

Following is the information as to the aggregate compensation paid to or estimated to be paid to

the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and its four most highly compensated officers,
and to all officers and directors as a group (unnamed), during the last two fiscal years and in the
ensuing fiscal year:

Bonus & other

Salary annual Total
(Pesos) compensations (Pesos)
Year (‘000) (Pesos) (‘000)
(‘000)
Salvador P. Escaño
CEO & Chairman
Efren A. Palma
President
Jose Ma. C. Ordenes
SVP - Treasurer
Samuel H. Cinco
FVP – Sales & Landbanking
Sonito N. Mole
SMO – Regional Head
Aggregate compensation of 2018 4,359 905 5,264
above named officers 2019 4,359 961 5,319
2020 (est.) 4,359 950 5,309

Other junior officers, directors 2018 3,731 729 4,460

and certain managers as a 2019 3,731 729 4,460
group, unnamed 2020 3,731 729 4,460
estimated
 44

The Directors receive a per diem allowance of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000) for
their attendance in Board Meetings. Aside from this, there is no regular compensation for
directors of the Company.

Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Security Ownership of Certain Record and Beneficial Owners (as of December 31, 2019)

Based on the records of the Company’s Stock Transfer Agent, BDO Unibank, Inc. (Trust
Banking Group), the Company knows of no other person who is directly or indirectly the
record and/or beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s voting securities as of
December 31, 2019, except as set forth hereafter:

Title of Name, address of Name of Citizenship No. of Shares Percent

Class record owner and Beneficial Held to Total
relationship with Owner and of Class
issuer Relationship
with Record
4
Owner
5
Common Guild Securities, Inc. Various Filipino 1,017,140,468 50.24%

PCD Nominee Various Filipino 577,008,948 28.50%

Corporation

Josefina Multi- Filipino 108,614,512 5.41%

Ventures Corp. is (indirect)
the beneficial
6
owner.

Hinundayan Holdings Hinundayan Filipino 160,708,000 7.94%

Corporation (affiliate of Holdings (direct)
the Issuer) Corporation is
also the
7
beneficial owner

4 The Company knows of no right of any owner, director, or officer herein named to acquire beneficial
ownership of any number of shares within thirty (30) days from the date of this statement or thereafter.

5 Guild Securities, Inc. is a stock brokerage firm and a trading participant in the Philippine Central
Depository (PCD), holding shares for the account of its various clients.

6 The Board of Directors of Josefina Multi-Ventures Corp. (JMVC) has the power to decide how its
shares will be voted and has authorized Mr. Salvador P. Escaño to vote the shares of JMVC. JMVC is
located at 17/F, Pryce Center, 1179 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. Mr. Salvador P. Escaño owns
99% of the total outstanding capital stock of the corporation.

7 The Board of Directors of Hinundayan Holdings Corporation (HHC) has the power to decide how its
shares will be voted and has authorized Mr. Salvador P. Escaño to vote the shares of HHC. HHC is
located at 17/F, Pryce Center, 1179 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. PGI holds 77% of the total
outstanding capital stock of the corporation.
 45

Josefina Multi-Ventures Josefina Multi- Filipino 24,500,000 1.21%

Corp. (affiliate of the Ventures Corp. (direct)
Issuer) is also the
beneficial
(see footnote 6)
owner.

Note: Guild Securities, Inc., a stock brokerage firm with business address at Unit 1215, 12th flr. Tower &
Exchange Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, holds shares for the account of various clients, including
PC’s. Mr. Antonio B. Alvarez, the firm’s president, holds the majority ownership of the firm.

Security Ownership of Management (as of December 31, 2019)

Amount and Nature of

Beneficial Ownership (see Percent
Name of Beneficial footnote) to Total
Title of Class Owner Direct Indirect Citizenship of Class
Common Salvador P. Escaño 33,492,660 26,513,250* Filipino 3.00%
Ramon R. Torralba, Jr. 218,806 0 Filipino 0.01%
Efren A. Palma 100 80,000 Filipino 0.00%
Xerxes Emanuel F. 0 26,513,250* Filipino -
Escaño
Ray W. Jovanovich 0 1,000 American 0.00%
Gener T. Mendoza 20,000 82,600 Filipino 0.01%
Arnold L. Barba 0 3,100 Filipino 0.00%
Jose Ma. C. Ordenes 1,449 0 Filipino 0.00%
Sonito N. Mole 0 0 Filipino 0.00%
Samuel H. Cinco 0 0 Filipino 0.00%
Feliciano B. Hatud 0 25,000 Filipino 0.00%
Earl Christian L. Lerio 0 0 Filipino 0.00%
Totals 33,733,015 26,704,950 3.02%
*
Indirect shares in a joint account of Messrs. Salvador P. Escaño (father) and Xerxes Emanuel F. Escaño (son)

The following table furthermore shows direct/record ownership of its directors in the
Company, with beneficial ownership, including without limitation, the power to vote the shares and to
dispose of the same, being retained by the beneficial owner corporations through their respective
Boards:

Title of Name of Name of Beneficial Amount and Citizenship Percent

Class Record Owner Nature of to Total
Owner Record of
Ownership Class
Common Salvador P. Escaño Pryce Development 1,684,450 Filipino 0.084%
Ramon R. Torralba, Pryce Development 90,000 Filipino 0.004%

Item 12: Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

The Company is not aware of any transaction, not in the ordinary course of business during
the period under review, with a related company or its subsidiary in which a director, executive
officer, or stockholder, owning 10% or more of total outstanding shares of the Company and
 46

members of their immediate family had or is to have a direct or indirect material interest. Likewise,
the Company knows of no parties that fall outside the definition of "related parties" but with whom
the registrant or its related parties have a relationship that enables the parties to negotiate terms of
material transactions that may not be available from other, more clearly independent parties at an
arm's length basis. Transactions with other parties, which fall outside the definition of ‘related
parties’ under IAS 24, are entered into on an arm's length basis. Additional disclosures concerning
related party/ies are incorporated by way of reference to Note no. 20 under the heading Related
Party Transactions in the Notes to the audited Financial Statements of the Accountants.

During the period under review, the Company is not aware of any related party
transaction(s), either individually or in aggregate over the twelve (12)-month period of 2019, which
occurred with the same related party, that amounted to at least ten (10%) of the Company’s total
consolidated assets or more, based on audited financial statements as of December 31, 2018. The
Company has Related Party Transactions Policy which was filed with the SEC on December 11,
2019 and is available at the company’s website (http://www.pryce.com.ph/corporate-
governance/companys-policies/related-party-transaction-policy/).

PART IV EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

Item 13. Compliance with Corporate Governance

The Company has a Manual of Corporate Governance (the “Manual”) to institutionalize

sound corporate governance practices, enhance investor protection, and increase accountability.
The Company has a Compliance Officer (as the Manual requires) who has direct reporting
responsibilities to the Chairman of the Board of Directors and monitors compliance with corporate
governance matters. The Manual was revised / updated in March 2011 and July 2014 pursuant to
SEC circulars. The Company nevertheless continuously reviews and evaluates its corporate
governance policies to ensure the observance of sound governance practices. Likewise, pursuant
to the requirements of the Manual, different board committees had been constituted at the Board’s
Organizational Meeting on June 28, 2019 as follows:

Board - Audit Committee

The Board Audit Committee handles audit supervision and/or oversight functions, particularly
ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal financial management standards and procedures,
performing oversight financial management functions, approving audit plans, coordinating with internal
and external auditors, elevating the company’s audit procedures to international standards, and
developing a transparent financial management system to ensure the integrity of internal control
activities throughout the Company. The following are the members of the Board Audit Committee:

(i) Arnold L. Barba – Chair (Independent Director)

(ii) Xerxes Emmanuel F. Escaño – Member
(iii) Gener T. Mendoza – Member (Independent Director)

Board - Nomination Committee

The Board Nomination Committee pre-screens and shortlists candidates nominated to the
board in accordance with the criteria spelled out in its Manual and at all times within the realm of good
corporate governance. The following are the members of the Board Nomination Committee:
 47

(i) Salvador P. Escaño – Chair

(ii) Xerxes Emmanuel F. Escaño – Member
(iii) Gener T. Mendoza – Member (Independent Director)

Board - Compensation and Remuneration Committee

The Board Compensation and Remuneration Committee is primarily tasked to establish and
evaluate formal and transparent procedures for developing policies on executive remuneration and for
fixing the remuneration packages of the directors and officers, to designate the amount of
remuneration, which shall be sufficient to attract and retain directors and officers needed to successfully
run the Company, The members of the Board Compensation and Remuneration Committee are:

(i) Ramon R. Torralba, Jr. – Chair

(ii) Salvador P. Escaño – Member
(iii) Arnold L. Barba – Member (Independent Director)

The Company adopted the evaluation system proposed by the SEC in order to measure or
determine the level of compliance of the Board of Directors and the Management with corporate
governance practices. For the year 2019, the Company has substantially observed and complied with
the provisions in the Manual and no culpable deviation from the Manual has been noted or observed.

The Company continuously reviews and evaluates its corporate governance policies to ensure
the observance of sound governance practices. The evaluation system provided by the Commission
always provides a good starting point in evaluating and improving the Manual. The Company will be
submitting its Integrated Annual Corporate Governance Report in accordance with prevailing SEC
regulations.

Item 14. Exhibits, SEC Form 17-C Reports, Sustainability Report, Material Related Party
Transactions

Audited Financial Statements

Except for the Audited Financial Statements, the Company finds no other exhibit(s) that
needs to be filed following a review of the required exhibits for SEC 17-A under the Exhibit Table in
Part VII of Annex C, as amended.

Sustainability Report

In compliance to SEC Memorandum Circular No. 4, dated February 15, 2019, attached to
this SEC 17-A (annual report) is the company’s Sustainability Report for 2019.

Reports under SEC Form 17-C were filed with the SEC during 2019.

The Company filed reports on the following dates under SEC Form 17-C within the calendar
year ending December 31, 2019, as shown in the table below:

Date Matters disclosed under SEC 17-C

Apr 05, 2019 Postponement of Annual Stockholders' Meeting
Apr 22, 2019 Approval by PPC's Board of the Audited Financial Statements
(Consolidated) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018
Apr 23, 2019 Certification by the Court on its closure and termination of
PPC's corporate rehabilitation proceedings Ordered on July 28,
 48

2015
May 10, 2019 PPC's Annual Stockholders' Meeting
May 17, 2019 Declaration of Cash Dividends
May 27, 2019 Demise of PPC's Corporate Secretary (Simeon S. Umandal)
Jul 01, 2019 Results of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of Pryce
Corporation held on June 28, 2019.
Jul 01, 2019 Results of the Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors
held on June 28, 2019
Dec 09, 2019 Declaration of Cash Dividends
Various Dates Disclosure reports of all buy-backs of PPC (Company) shares

----- nothing follows on this page -----

PRYCE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

As at December 31
2018
2019 - as restated
(Continued)
Equity
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company
Capital stock - note 18 2,024,500,000 2,024,500,000
Additional paid-in capital 369,834,820 369,834,820
Retained earnings 4,904,623,195 3,874,083,133
Other comprehensive income - note 27 1,556,503,464 1,639,781,107
Treasury stocks - note 19 (191,622,697) (6,266,563)
8,663,838,782 7,901,932,497
Non-controlling interest 528,971,009 461,616,475
Total equity 9,192,809,791 8,363,548,972
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY ₱13,177,879,512 ₱11,595,571,143
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.)
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT for 2019

Company Information
Name of Organization Pryce Corporation (“PC or the “Company”)
Location of Headquarters 17/F Pryce Center Bldg., 1179 Don Chino Roces Ave.,
Makati City
Location of Operations Mindanao on real estate business; Nationwide on LPG
and Industrial Gas businesses

Report Boundary: Legal entities Pryce Corporation (PC) - Parent Company

(e.g. subsidiaries) included in Pryce Gases, Inc. (PGI) – Subsidiary
this report*

Business Model, including Principal Business: PGI – sale of LPG (cooking gas) to
Primary Activities, household consumers under the “PRYCEGAS” brand.
Brands, Products, and
Services PC – development of memorial parks and sale of
memorial lots thereof, under the “PRYCE GARDENS”
brand; this business accounts for less than 1% of
Reporting Period Period ended December 31, 2019

Highest Ranking Person Jose Ma. C. Ordenes

responsible for this report Treasurer; Corporate Information and Compliance
Officer; SVP

1
Table of Contents page

About this report 4

Materiality Basis 4

Industry Classification 5

Introduction:
• Corporate Background and its’ subsidiaries 5

ECONOMIC:
Economic Performance 6
• Direct Economic Value Generated 6
• Business Growth 8
• Climate-related risks and opportunities 9

Procurement Practices 9
• Proportion on spending on local suppliers 9

Anti-Corruption 10
• Training on Anti-corruption policies and procedures 10
• Incidents of corruption 12

ENVIRONMENT:
Resource Management 14

• Energy Consumption within the organization 14

• Reduction of Energy consumption 14
• Water Consumption within the organization 15
• Materials used by the organization 15
• Ecosystem and Biodiversity 16

Environmental Impact Management 18

• Air Emissions (GHG & Air pollutants) 18

Solid and Hazardous wastes 19

• Solid Waste 19
• Hazardous waste 20
• Effluents 21

Environmental Compliance 22

2
 • Non-compliance with Environmental Laws and 22
Regulations

SOCIAL:
Employee Management 23

• Employee Data 23
• Employee Benefits 23
• Employee Training and Development 25
• Labor Management Relations 26
• Diversity and Equal Opportunity 27

Workplace conditions, Labor Standards & Human Rights 29

• Occupational Health and Safety 29

• Labor Laws and Human Rights 30

Supply Chain Management 30

Relationship with Community 33

• Significant Impacts on Local Communities 33

Customer Management 35

• Customer Satisfaction 35
• Health & Safety 36
• Marketing & Labelling 36
• Customer Privacy 37

Data Security 38

Corporate Governance 39

Product Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals 39

3
ABOUT THIS REPORT

Pryce Corporation’s sustainability report is essentially about how the

Company’s business growth is sustainable with minimal impact made to the
environment while taking into consideration its responsibilities to its
stakeholders, employees, and the local communities where it operates. The
scope of this report, the standard(s) used in preparing this report, and the
Company’s nominal classification of its business are discussed in the
immediate sections below. This report is a work in progress as it was prepared
under circumstantial limitations posed by the government-imposed Enhanced
Community Quarantine (ECQ) that began in mid-March of 2020. This ECQ was
later changed to General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Still, however,
people’s mobility and transportation were controlled by LGU’s strictures and
safety measures against the COVID-19, especially so in the National Capital
Region (NCR) where the company conducts its operations among other regions.
This is understandable since the NCR is the most densely populated region in
the country where COVID-19 cases are most prevalent.

The focus of this report is on the principal business of the Pryce group, which
is the importation, distribution, and sale of LPG (cooking gas). This LPG
business is handled by Pryce Gases, Inc. (PGI), a subsidiary of the parent
company Pryce Corporation (PC). PGI’s LPG business accounts for more than
90% of the consolidated revenues of the group. The other business of PGI is the
sale of industrial gases, which normally accounts for less than 5% of total
revenues.

MATERIALITY BASIS

There is a wide range of topics on which to report. However, only relevant

topics merit inclusion in the report, which means those that can be reasonably
considered important for reflecting the Company’s economic, environmental,
and social impacts, or influencing the decisions of stakeholders. Impact is the
effect the Company brings to the economy, the environment, and/or society
(positive or negative). A topic may be relevant based on only one of these
considerations. In sustainability reporting, “Materiality is the principle that
determines which relevant topics are sufficiently important that it is essential
to report on them.” Topics or items that are herein labeled as “not material” do
not mean that they are not material or important to the Company but that for

4
purposes of this report, not all topics are of equal importance, and the
emphasis within this report is expected to reflect their relative priority.

INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION

Based on the SASB Classification System, LPG and Memorial Park Businesses
belong to the “Gas Utilities and Distributors” and “Real Estate” respectively,
which are classified under the category “Infrastructure”. However, the
Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) classified the Company’s stocks under
“Chemicals” which is for purposes of listing the company’s stock in the stock
exchange. Hence, the company’s sustainability report 2020 shall adhere to the
“Infrastructure” classification found in the SASB System, as per SEC
guidelines.

INTRODUCTION:

Corporate Background and its subsidiaries

Pryce Corporation (or “PC” or “the Company”), formerly Pryce Properties

Corporation, was incorporated and registered with the Philippine Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Sept 7, 1989, with SEC Registration No.
168063. Its head office is located at the 17th floor, Pryce Center Bldg., 1179
Don Chino Roces, Makati City. PC was established basically as a property
holding and real estate development company. The Company’s shares are
traded in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). It has a market capitalization of
Php 8,099,969,303 based on the last trading price of Php 4.10 per share in
May 2020 and outstanding shares of 1,975,602,269. PC, as parent company, is
focused on the development of memorial parks and sale of memorial lots and
concentrates its operations in Mindanao. In the past, it has developed upscale
residential and commercial properties; it was previously engaged in the hotel
business (Pryce Plaza) which was closed in December 2016. The Company
currently owns and operates thirteen (13) memorial parks in Mindanao’s major
and secondary cities namely: Cagayan de Oro City (CDO); Iligan City; Ozamis
City; Polanco (near Dipolog City); Zamboanga City; Davao City; including the
smaller memorial parks in: Manolo Fortich (actually at the boundary of CDO
and Bukidnon); Malaybalay City in Bukidnon; Malita in Davao Occidental;
Bislig in Surigao del Sur; Alabel in Saranggani, Pagadian City; and the most

5
recent in Butuan City which was launched in January 2019. The memorial
park business accounts for about 1% of total revenues.

Pryce Gases, Inc. (PGI) is PC’s subsidiary, which is engaged in the importation
and distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) under the brand name
PRYCEGAS. It also produces and sells industrial gases (mainly oxygen and
acetylene). PC’s ownership in PGI is 91%. PGI has a wholly-owned subsidiary,
Oro Oxygen Corporation (OOC) that operates in Luzon and National Capital
Region (NCR). It sells and distributes PGI’s LPG product (PRYCEGAS) and sells
industrial gases that is sourced independently from PGI.

As had been mentioned above, the main source of the Company’s income is
from the sales of LPG products. It accounts for more than 90% of aggregate
revenues. Said LPG products consist of LPG (as content or cooking gas),
cylinders, LPG gensets, and gas stoves. The other business of PGI is the sale of
industrial gases (mainly oxygen and acetylene), which covers less than 5% of
consolidated revenues.

Another Subsidiary of PC is Pryce Pharmaceuticals, Inc (PPhI), a wholesaler

and distributor of private branded multi-vitamins and some “over the counter”
generic drugs. It was organized to primarily take advantage of the “Generic-
Medicines Law”. PPhl is a relatively small player in the pharmaceutical
business as it was organized in September 2005. PPhI accounts for less than
1% of consolidated revenues.

ECONOMIC
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

Direct economic Value Generated and Distributed

Disclosure Quantity
Direct economic value generated (total revenues) PhP 10,630,299,264
Direct economic value distributed:
a. Operating costs PhP 1,085,014,497
b. Employee wages and benefits Php 380,220,755
c. Payments to local suppliers & some operating costs Php 289,273,467
d. Dividends given to stockholders and interest Php 474,942,754
payments to loan providers (for 2019, net of tax)
e. Taxes given to government (for 2019) Php 438,191,322

6
 f. Investments to community (e.g. donations, CSR) (complete data not available
yet)

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

Primary business Customers, The Company’s view is always

operation, which is the LPG Employees, strategic and long term. It is
business. Shareholders, committed to always identifying
Suppliers means and opportunities for
growing the business and to
solidify its position in the
market in a profitable and
sustainable way.

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

Customers’ may change its Employees, The Company does not see any
cooking habits or opt for Shareholders, change in customers’ cooking habits
other fuels or sources of Suppliers with respect to the use of LPG
energy within at least the next decade.
However, it continually assesses
and/ or identifies developments in
the horizon that will affect use/s of
LPG.

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

Identify areas of Customers, There are opportunities for

alternative & viable uses Employees, investment in low-carbon energy
of LPG as an energy Shareholders, such as LPG, which will be
source and possibly Suppliers much greater in the emerging
partner with investors economies like the Philippines.
Demand for LPG is seen to

7
for this purpose increase in energy in the future,
especially since the country still
has a low LPG consumption per
capita in relation to its ASEAN
neighbors.

Business Growth

Over more than a decade, PGI has consistently grown its LPG sales volume
from 29,000 metric tons in 2007 to 220,193 metric tons in 2019. And it will
continue do so more in the coming years given the following: enormous
opportunity for growth in the LPG market (explained below); the country’s
strong macro-economic fundamentals; growing population; and the country’s
economic momentum on the back of annual GDP growth of 6.4% [2016-2019].
The effect of the COVID-19 is a temporary setback. The nation’s entrepreneurs
and workforce are only too eager to take on the challenges of a post-ECQ
environment.

Based on the latest data from the Department of Energy, PGI’s nationwide
market share of 3% in 2007 more than trebled to 11% by 2019. This
accomplishment was the result of: aggressive sales efforts; establishment of
infrastructure network of marine-import terminals, refilling plants and sales
centers, which made the LPG products more accessible and closer to
household consumers; and took maximum advantage of the nature of the LPG
product whereby customers become virtually tied to an LPG brand.

PGI has a complete integrated infrastructure covering the entire process from
importation of LPG up to its distribution, including wholesale and retail sales.
The aggregate LPG storage capacity of PGI, as of March 31, 2020, in terms of
its sea-fed or marine terminals and inland refilling plants is 34,082 MT which
covers the whole country as shown below.

Type Region / Location No. Capacity (MT)

LPG Marine Terminal Luzon 1 8,500
Visayas 4 12,790
Mindanao 3 9,550
Sub-total: 8 30,840

LPG Refilling Plant Luzon 39 1,911

Visayas 14 530
Mindanao 18 801
8
 Sub-total: 71 3,242
Total: 79 34,082

Climate-related risks and opportunities

Governance Strategy Risk Management Metrics & Targets

The Company Identify and Many of the company’s [Metrics and targets
has a sound and assess, on a long- marine terminals and currently under
pro-active view and mid- term inland refilling plants are evaluation and
on climate- basis, climate- of earth-mounded study]
related issues related risks and construction, which
pertaining to optimize serves as mitigation not
LPG. opportunities only against climate-
and enable the related events but also
company to against fire hazards. All
respond to key of PGI’s import terminals
uncertainties, and refilling plants are
including covered with the
government appropriate insurance
policies around contracts.
the world on
climate change

Procurement Practices
(see also the topic on Supply Chain Management)

Disclosure Quantity
Percentage of procurement budget used for significant Less than 5%
locations of operations that is spent on local suppliers
The bulk of the cost of goods sold is accounted for by LPG, the Company’s
principal product, which is imported.

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are

9
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

Impact to local suppliers is Local suppliers -

not significant/material.

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

Not material Local suppliers -

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

Provide business to local Local suppliers Management makes every effort to

suppliers within any area provide business to local suppliers
or region the Company within any area or region the
operates Company operates.

ANTI-CORRUPTION:

Training on Anti-corruption Policies and Procedures

Disclosure Quantity
Percentage of employees to whom the organization’s anti- 100%
corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to
Percentage of business partners to whom the organization’s anti- 100%
corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to
Percentage of directors and management that have received anti- 100%
corruption training
Percentage of employees that have received anti-corruption 100%
training

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

10
The Company adopted Employees, Management continues to identify
an Anti-Corruption product dealers, and assess areas to prevent
Policy which is found suppliers, corruption not only through
under the Code of customers, punitive measures but also through
Conduct and Business shareholders inspiring and incentivizing manner.
Ethics of the Company
Handbook. To aid in its
anti-corruption
campaign, the Company
also implements a
“whistle blower” policy.
This urges its employees
to report and/or provide
information on any
misconduct, infraction or
offenses made, by its
officers and employees
and members of the
company’s Board that
are illegal, immoral,
unethical and
detrimental to the
interests of the company.

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

At the very least, the Employees, Management regularly reviews its

Company’s image will product dealers, anti-corruption policy, with
suffer (particularly suppliers, revisions made as necessary.
employees, product customers,
The Board and Senior officers set
dealers, suppliers) if it is shareholders
themselves always as an example of
seen that corruption,
integrity and honesty.
however small, is tolerated.

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

11
Aim at enhancing Employees, The Company is unswerving in
stakeholders confidence product dealers, its commitment to further
and trust so that the suppliers, improving its anti-corruption
Company and customers, policy and practices, including
Management is shareholders ethics in corporate governance.
recognized as serious in
its anti-corruption policy
and practices

Incidents of corruption

Disclosure Quantity (Total)

Number of incidents in which directors were removed or 0 incidents
disciplined for corruption
Number of incidents in which employees were dismissed 0 incidents
or disciplined for corruption
Number of incidents when contracts with business 0 incidents
partners were terminated due to incidents of corruption
No incidents of corruption in the period under review.

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

The Company adopted Employees, Management continues to identify

an Anti-Corruption product dealers, and assess areas to prevent
Policy which is found suppliers, corruption not only through
under the Code of customers, punitive measures but also through
Conduct and Business shareholders inspiring and incentivizing manner.
Ethics of the Company
Handbook. To aid in its
anti-corruption
campaign, the Company
also implements a
“whistle blower” policy.
This urges its employees
to report and/or provide

12
information on any
misconduct, infraction or
offenses made, by its
officers and employees
and members of the
company’s Board that
are illegal, immoral,
unethical and
detrimental to the
interests of the company.

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

The Company will suffer Employees, The Board and Senior officers set
(particularly employees, product dealers, themselves always as an example of
product dealers, suppliers, suppliers, integrity and honesty.
customers) if it is seen that customers,
Management regularly reviews its
corruption, however small, shareholders
anti-corruption policy, with
is tolerated.
revisions made as necessary.

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

Aim at enhancing Employees, The Company is unswerving in

stakeholders confidence product dealers, its commitment to further
and trust so that the suppliers, improving its anti-corruption
Company and customers, policy and practices, including
Management is shareholders ethics in corporate governance.
recognized as being
serious in its anti-
corruption policy and
practices

ENVIRONMENT

13
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Energy consumption within the organization (LPG operations only)

Disclosure Quantity
Energy consumption (renewable sources) None used
Energy consumption (gasoline) Not material
Energy consumption (LPG) Nil
Energy consumption (diesel) Not material
Energy consumption (electricity) Not material

The combined costs of gasoline and diesel consumption are less than 1% of
either total revenues or cost of goods sold or operating expenses. The same can
be said of electrical consumption, which is to say that this consumption is not
intensive in the Company’s LPG operations since the marine terminals and
refilling plants are essentially used to store imported LPG -- no production/
manufacturing of LPG is involved. Nonetheless, the Company’s plant design
engineers are only too aware of the importance of reducing energy consumption
thru: value engineering, simplified & minimum energy impact designs, and
rational selection of equipment & machineries. There is no equipment or
machinery in the import terminals and plants that are powered by LPG, except
for a select few equipment in certain areas where availability electric power is
unstable and/or inadequate.

Reduction of energy consumption (LPG operations only)

Disclosure Quantity
Energy consumption (renewable sources) None used
Energy consumption (gasoline) Not material
Energy consumption (LPG) Nil
Energy consumption (diesel) Not material
Energy consumption (electricity) Not material

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

14
Not material

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

Not material

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

Not material

Water consumption within the organization

Disclosure Quantity
Water withdrawal See note below
Water consumption Not material
Water recycled and reused Not material

Consumption of water in any import terminals and refilling plants is not

intensive precisely because these facilities are essentially designed for storing
the LPG product – no production or manufacturing of LPG is involved.
Collectively, water consumed for regular firefighting drills is not substantial.
These facilities use deep-well water sources since water supply from the local
water districts do not have adequate water supply and/or water pressure,
which is necessary particularly for firefighting means.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as discussed above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

15
Not material as discussed above

What are the Opportunity/ies Which stakeholders Management

Identified? are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

Materials used by the organization

Disclosure Quantity
Materials used by weight or volume
• renewable Not material
• non-renewable Not material
Percentage of recycled input materials used to Not material
manufacture the organization’s primary products and
services

The Company does not materially use renewable and non-renewable materials
in its business operations.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as discussed above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

What are the Opportunity/ies Which stakeholders Management

Identified? are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

Ecosystem and biodiversity (whether in upland/watershed or coastal/marine)

Disclosure Quantity

16
Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent None
to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value
outside protected areas
Habitat protected or restored None
IUCN Red list species and national conversation list None
species with habitats in areas affected by operations

The Company’s import-marine terminals are located outside protected areas

that have very low biodiversity values. Specifically, import marine terminals are
situated in areas where there are no coral reefs present. Structures like
mooring posts and breasting dolphins, receiving platforms (jetties) and
foundations thereof, and submerged pipelines are installed such that no
negative impact is caused. These structures may in fact serve as artificial coral
reefs where marine life can flourish and become its ecological habitat and
sanctuary.

For instance, an updated marine resource assessment conducted in 2019 on

the Company’s Ayungon teminal (constructed in 1997) in Negros Oriental
states that: “The construction of the mooring/berthing structures and installation
of submarine pipelines twenty-two (22) years ago did not cause adverse impact
on the marine organisms dwelling in the area, instead it became their refuge and
new found habitat”.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as discussed above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

17
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MANAGEMENT

Air emissions

GHG

Disclosure Quantity
Direct (Scope1) GHG Emissions Not material
Energy Indirect (Scope 2) GHG Emissions Not material
Emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) Not material

LPG when released is not a highly impacting greenhouse gas. LPG is a clean
burning fuel with very few emissions, which is why it is labeled as good
transition fuel or bridging fuel in the long-term transition to a truly sustainable
global energy system. No LPG is combusted or burned in all marine terminals
or refilling plants except for some equipment in few areas where availability of
electric power is unstable and/or inadequate.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as noted above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as noted above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as noted above

Air pollutants

Disclosure Quantity
NOx Not material
Sox Not material
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Not material

18
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Not material
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) Not material
Particulate Matter (PM) Not material

All terminals and refilling plants essentially function to store and contain the
LPG product. (The Company’s safety policies, regulations, and practices ensure
that no accidental burning or combustion of LPG product arises in any of the
marine terminals or inland refilling plants.) These facilities have storage tanks
that serve to receive the LPG for storage and from which same tanks the LPG is
withdrawn either for purposes of transferring the product or refilling LPG
cylinders. PGI is not engaged in the production or manufacturing of LPG.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as discussed above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

Solid and Hazardous Wastes

Solid Waste

Disclosure Quantity
Total solid waste generated
Reusable -
Recyclable Not material
Composted -
Incinerated -
Residuals/Landfilled -

19
The Company’s LPG storage and refilling operations do not generate solid
wastes that are harmful to the environment or community.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders Management

occur? What is the organization’s are affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as noted above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as noted above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which stakeholders Management

are affected? approach

Not material as noted above

Hazardous Waste

Disclosure Quantity
Total weight of hazardous waste generated None
Total weight of hazardous waste transported None
No hazardous wastes are generated in the business operations of the Company.

What is the impact and where does it Which Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s stakeholders are
involvement in the impact? affected?

Not material as noted above

What are the risks/s Identified Which Management approach

stakeholders are

20
 affected?

Not material as noted above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which Management approach

stakeholders are
affected?

Not material as noted above

Effluents

Disclosure Quantity
Total volume of water discharges None
Percent of wastewater recycled None
No harmful effluents were discharge to the environment. All plant operations
and terminals utilize DENR-compliant sewage treatment plants.

What is the impact and where does it Which Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s stakeholders are
involvement in the impact? affected?

Not material as noted above

What are the risks/s Identified Which Management approach

stakeholders are
affected?

Not material as noted above

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Which Management approach

stakeholders are
affected?

Not material as noted above

21
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Non-compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations

Disclosure Quantity
Total amount of monetary fines for non-compliance with None
environmental laws and/or regulations
No. of non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with None
environmental laws and/or regulations
No. of cases resolved through dispute resolution mechanism None

Pryce Corporation and its subsidiaries are fully compliant having been issued
with an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for all its Marine Terminals,
Refilling Plants, Industrial Gas plants, and Memorial Parks.

What is the impact and Which Management approach

where does it occur? What stakeholders are
is the organization’s affected?
involvement in the impact?

The Company conforms Community, The Company views environmental

with all government shareholders, compliance is as an essential facet of
regulations relative to the LGUs the business especially with respect
environment in so far as all to the LPG business in terms of:
business units: LPG choosing a location for an import
business; Industrial Gas; terminal or refilling plant; plant
Memorial Parks design & equipment selection; and
operational & safety issues.

What are the risks/s Which Management approach

Identified stakeholders are
affected?

May subject the Company Community, Management consistently updates

to penalties, sanctions, and shareholders, its submissions to the DENR offices
could even result in LGUs for renewal of clearances and
stopped operations if permits. It is careful about this
violation(s) is grave, matter and takes a proactive stance
wanton or repeated by anticipating any potential issues

22
 or problems that may arise.

What are the Which Management approach

Opportunity/ies stakeholders are
Identified? affected?

It is always to the Community, Review and assessment of company

Company’s benefit in shareholders, practices and policies (written or
seeing to it that all its LGUs unwritten) are conducted on a
business units are periodic basis or as necessary.
compliant with
environmental rules and
regulations.

SOCIAL
EMPLOYEE MANAGEMENT

Employee Hiring, Benefits:

Employee Data

Disclosure Quantity
Total number of employees* 3,046
a. Number of female employees 571
b. Number of Male employees 2,475
Attrition rate 3%
Ratio of lowest paid employee against minimum wage 1.05
*Regular employees only (probationary and people provided by service contractors are not
included)

Employee Benefits

List of Benefits Yes/ % of Female % of Male

No employees who employees who
availed for the year availed for the year
SSS Yes 15% 14%
Philhealth Yes 5% 8%

23
Pag-Ibig Yes 17% 17%
Parental Leaves No - -
Vacation Leaves Yes 99% 96%
Sick Leaves Yes 29% 34%
Medical benefits (aside from Yes 45% 30%
Philhealth)
Housing assistance (aside from No - -
Pag-Ibig)
Retirement Fund (aside from SSS) Yes 5% 4%
Further education support No - -
Company stock options No - -
Telecommuting No - -
Flexible working hours Yes 32% 59%
(others) No - -

What is the impact and Management approach

where does it occur? What
is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Motivated employees Provide quality leadership & management down the

line; seek full involvement of the employees so that they
contribute to continual improvement of products &
services; and make them understand the importance of
their contribution and role in the organization

What are the risks/s Management approach

identified

Unmotivated employees At the outset, the right person must be hired for the right
function. Management also does the following: a)
require full involvement of employees; b) reemphasizes
the goals; c) make goals & objectives clearer to
understand; and d) makes employees understand what
is expected of them.

What are the Management approach

Opportunity/ies

24
identified?

Productive employees; Review, assess and improve: hiring processes; employee

creative & good problem benefits; methods of communicating goals & objectives
solvers; understands the to employees; and other relevant considerations (e.g.,
Company’s goals & keeping valued employees)
objectives

Employee Training and Development

Disclosure Quantity
Total training hours provided to employees
a. Female employees 7,233 hours
b. Male employees 21,410 hours
Average training hours provided to employees
a. Female employees 30 hours/employee
b. Male employees 219 hours/employees

What is the impact and Management approach

where does it occur? What
is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Proficient employees The Company does the following in developing people

developed through training to become dedicated to the job and problem solvers and
& practice, but even more innovative:
• Make clear to the employees what the Company’s
valued and important are
objectives are;
those who are dedicated to
• Recognition & reward of job well done;
the job and creative in • Conduct regular review & assessment meetings,
finding ways to solve which particularly include challenging existing
problems or improve ideas and practices whether in the company or
existing ways of doing industry;
things. • Providing opportunities for individual growth;
• Mentoring & coaching

25
What are the risks/s Management approach
identified

Losing valued employees The Company employs the following in order to retain
as described above valuable employees:
• Key managers are given challenging work-related
goals;
• Compensation that shares in company’s financial
performance;
• Competitive benefits package;
• Recognition & reward of job well done, specially
announced during special company events;
• Career growth and advancement with enhanced
compensation and benefit package

What are the Management approach

Opportunity/ies
identified?

Retain valued employees The Company reviews and re-assesses its current
as described above and approaches/ policies and identify new ways of further
train & enable them to improving the above describe approaches.
occupy positions of
greater challenge &
responsibility.

Labor Management Relations

Disclosure Quantity
% of employees covered with collective bargaining Agreements 0
Number of consultations conducted with employees concerning 1 to 2 per month
employee-related policies
The employees are not subject to Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) since
the parent company and its subsidiaries are non-unionized. Consultations are
done with employees on matters that affect their welfare and needs.

What is the impact and Management approach

where does it occur? What

26
is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Cooperative working The Company does the following to prevent potential

relationship between disputes between management and employees:
employees and • Maintain open lines of communications;
• Fairness & equal treatment;
management
• Set clear work-related goals that are achievable
with realistic deadlines;
• Provide adequate employee benefits (health care
benefit, bonuses, bereavement/ burial subsidy,
benefits from retirement fund, food, lodging
where necessary, government mandated benefits);

What are the risks/s Management approach

identified

Disputes between Same approach as described above.

management and
employees which might It must be noted though that in the more than 30 years
result in disruption of of the Company’s existence, no major dispute has ever
operations occurred between management and employees that has
caused disruption of operations or services.

What are the Management approach

Opportunity/ies
identified?

Address immediately Continuous assessment and review of the Company’s

potential sources of policy and practices on prevention of disputes
conflict with
management

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Disclosure Quantity
% of female workers in the workforce 19%
% of male workers in the workforce 81%
Number of employees from indigenous communities and or 17 employees
vulnerable sector*
*Vulnerable sector includes solo parent, person with disability (PWD), and elderly

27
What is the impact and where Management approach
does it occur? What is the
organization’s involvement in
the impact?

Business operations of all The Company gives equal opportunities for career growth
units (LPG & industrial gas and advancement to all workers and employees
business, memorial parks, irrespective of his/her status in life, gender, religion,
and pharmaceutical business) amount of education, and age.
wherein diverse groups of
workers and employees are
treated equally, who are
aware there are common
goals to achieve in the interest
of the company that will
redound to not only to their
benefit but to the other
stakeholders alike --
shareholders and customers.

What are the risks/s Management approach

identified

Unequal treatment or Career growth and advancement is based on merit and the
workplace discrimination capability to contribute to the Company’s objectives and
add value to products or services.

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

identified?

Recognize each employee’s Continuous assessment and review of the Company’s

unique contribution and policy and practices on equality and diversity.
encourage their participation
on all matters that affect not
only the Company but their
welfare and employment as
well

28
Workplace Conditions, Labor Standards, and Human Rights

Occupational Health and Safety

Disclosure Quantity
Safe Man-hours 6,258,677 man-hours
No. of work-related injuries Not material [1 only,
a minor injury]
No. of work related fatalities 0
No. of work related ill-health Not material [1 only,
a minor health issue]
No. of safety drills At least 230

What is the impact and where does Management approach

it occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

The Company has business units Management ensures that policies on employees’
(LPG & industrial gas business, welfare, health, and safe work environment are
memorial parks, pharmaceutical backed by firm implementation of rules and equal
business) wherein employees are fit treatment.
to work in a safe-work
environment.

What are the risks/s identified Management approach

In the Company’s LPG facilities, The employees are provided the following:
there is the potential of fire hazard continuous training & education on safety practices;
to workers and employees. safety paraphernalia; further, the facilities they work
in contain adequate firefighting devices and
equipment, which are compliant with recognized
fire safety standards. Strict implementation of safety
rules is ensured, which is complemented by punitive
and incentivizing measures to ensure enforcement.

29
What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach
identified?

A secure and safe working Employees are encouraged to engage management

environment for motivated in addressing issues affecting their work places with
employees respect to their wellbeing and safety.

Labor Laws and Human Rights (forced or child labor)

Disclosure Quantity
No. of legal actions or employee grievances involving forced none
or child labor
This topic is not material as the Company values human freedom & dignity and
abides by all Philippine laws on labor and is totally against forced or child
labor, hence no legal actions or employee grievances involving forced or child labor
has ever occurred.

What is the impact and where does it Which stakeholders are Management
occur? What is the organization’s affected? approach
involvement in the impact?

Not material as discussed above

What are the risks/s Identified Which stakeholders are Management

affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

What are the Opportunity/ies Which stakeholders are Management

Identified? affected? approach

Not material as discussed above

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (and RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPPLIERS)

30
The Company does not have a formal accreditation policy. However, on ordinary
transactions (routine, small-value or repeat purchases), new suppliers may be included
subject to standard mode of canvassing and basic / normal purchasing criteria (e.g.,
right price, compliance to specifications, capability to deliver on time).

On major transactions of large-volume purchases or large projects, an entrant vendor or

contractor is subjected to the following criteria:
i. Technical capability to deliver or perform based on the specifications in the
purchase order or project contract;
ii. Timely delivery of the volume requirement or completion of the scope of
works on time;
iii. Has the financial resources to deliver on the order or project commitment;
iv. Has a satisfactory track record with other customers/ clients.

The Company has mutually beneficial relationships with certain suppliers and
contractors who are reputable and recognized in the industry. These business
relationships have been established over a considerable period that is based on trust --
albeit always on an arms-length basis. This arrangement has the following advantages:

a) Increased interaction that leads to less incidents or issues of errors or poor

performance;
b) Increased efficiency and communication lead to better understanding of the
Company’s market, business, and business processes;
c) Interactive process of continual improvement of both products and services

Sustainability topics below when considering a supplier:

Topic Yes/ No
Environmental performance Yes The Company is not aware of any
Forced labor Yes supplier’s or contractor’s violations of
Child labor Yes laws on environmental protection, forced
Human rights Yes or child labor, human rights protection,
Bribery & corruption Yes bribery & corruption. A discovered
serious violation could mean blacklisting
and/or stoppage of purchases or
cancellation of contract when lawfully
warranted or allowed by contract.

What is the impact and where does Management approach

it occur? What is the organization’s

31
involvement in the impact?

The Company’s customers benefits The Company has a complete integrated

from a stable supply of LPG infrastructure that covers the entire process from
(cooking gas) nationwide, which is importation of LPG up to its distribution, including
wholesale and retail sales. The Company imports
competitively priced.
LPG from Asian suppliers which transport the same
via marine carrier to any schedule-appointed import
terminals that are strategically located across Luzon,
Visayas, and Mindanao regions. From said terminal,
the LPG is transferred to lorries (trucks) that deliver
the same to Company-owned refilling plants. Private
dealers have their cylinders refilled with LPG at
such refilling plants (or marine terminals). LPG
(contained in said cylinders) is sold to household
consumers through dealers or Company-owned
sales centers. This network of marine terminals,
refilling plants, sales centers, private dealers and
outlets assures the Company’s customers of a stable
supply of LPG.
What are the risks/s identified Management approach

Supply disruption of LPG resulting Contracting of imported supply of LPG at a

in inability to meet customers’ negotiated price, over a desired period to optimize
demand and satisfy the same; loss inventory levels, ensures a safe buffer stock and
in revenue & income. mitigates against uncertainties of price volatility.

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

identified?

Market demand for LPG continues In response to growth in market demand for LPG,
to grow on the back of the country’s the Company not only expanded the storage
low LPG consumption per capita capacities of its marine terminals and refilling plants
and bolstered by strong household in recent years but continues to put up refilling
incomes brought about by a plants and sales centers in various locations in the
continually growing economy over country thereby making its LPG product much
the last decade. closer and accessible to household consumers.

RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY

Significant Impacts on Local Communities

32
 Collective or
individual
rights have
Does the been
operation identified Mitigating
have that is of measures (if
impact on particular negative) or
Operations
indigenous concern to enhancement
with significant
Vulnerable peoples? the measures (if
impact on local
Location groups (Yes/ No) community positive)
communities
LPG operations The No No The putting No negative
– the primary Company’s vulnerable significant up of LPG impact, hence
business LPG business groups are impact on terminals, no mitigating
operates affected indigenous plants, or measures
nationwide negatively people sales centers
(Luzon, since the provides
Visayas & Company’s employment
Mindanao) in business to the locality
strategic units are thereby
areas so that located in addressing
the LPG the cities or the
(cooking gas) urbanized people’s right
is made locations to livelihood.
accessible to
the In certain
household areas in
consumers Visayas or
Mindanao
where use of
charcoal or
firewood
(that can be
harmful to
health) exists,
the
households
are provided
with the
option of
clean, safe &
convenient
use of LPG.

33
Certificates Quantity Units
FPIC process is still ongoing - -
CP secured - -
These items are not relevant because Company’s LPG businesses are located in the cities
or urbanized locations.

What is the impact and where does it Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

The putting up of LPG terminals, Management is much aware of these positive

plants, or sales centers in a locality impacts to a community(ies), while
results in providing employment to the generating revenues for the Company at the
residents thereof.
same time. This is one reason, among others,
In certain areas in Visayas or Mindanao that encourages the Company to expand its
where use of kerosene or charcoal or business.
firewood (that can be harmful to
health) exists, the households are
provided with the option of clean, safe
& convenient use of LPG.
What are the risks/s identified Management approach

A community leader or certain This risk is avoided by observing / studying

residents may oppose/ resist the LPG the locality’s zoning ordinance and choosing
facility that is to be constructed. the appropriate/ viable area for the LPG
facility. By experience, this risk is low since
people are commonly familiar with LPG as a
fuel for cooking and are aware of how to use
it safely.

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

identified?

Generating revenues and income for Same as above

the Company

CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT

Customer Satisfaction

34
Disclosure Score Did a third
party conduct
the customer
satisfaction
study (Y/N)?
Customer satisfaction - No

What is the impact and where does it Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Customer satisfaction is an important The sales operations people stay close to their
element to customer retention with dealers and consumers whether to obtain
respect to LPG products, especially since helpful information (for marketing or sales
the Company operates in an industry purposes) and/or address complaints – a key
where competition is stiff. ingredient in knowing and understanding the
customers.

What are the risks/s identified Management approach

Customers could be lost to competition Important areas to management in achieving

due inconsistency in delivery, product customer satisfaction are: Product availability &
unavailability, unanswered complaints; proximity; Prompt response to complaints/
or the competition offers a better service queries; and Product innovation. Management
or product. ensures that these things are done right and
thus solidify the customer base.

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

Identified?

The Company also has to be keen on Knowing the competitors’ strength and
what the competition is doing and weaknesses in relation to the Company’s
what are the relative strengths and resources and its position in the market gives
weaknesses of the competitor(s). management the latitude on when to react and
how.

Health and Safety

35
Disclosure Quantity Units
Number of substantiated complaints on product none -
or service health and safety
Number of complaints addressed Not material -
As had been explained above, and in another section of this report, people are
commonly familiar with LPG as a convenient fuel for cooking and are aware of
how to use it safely. Moreover, it is a clean burning fuel with very little carbon
emissions.

What is the impact and where does it Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Not material

What are the risks/s identified Management approach

Not material

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

Identified?

Not material

Marketing and Labelling

Disclosure Quantity Units

Number of substantiated complaints on none -
marketing and labelling
Number of complaints addressed Not material -
The Company is very much capable in assuring its customers of a stable
supply of LPG products (cooking gas, cylinders, stoves & accessories) given its
integrated and complete infrastructure of import terminals, refilling plants,
sales centers, and accredited dealers which have made said products very
accessible to the household consumers. The design and labeling of the LPG
cylinder is more than adequate with respect to the government’s requirements
of product standards.

36
What is the impact and where does it Management approach
occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

Not material

What are the risks/s Identified Management approach

Not material

What are the Opportunity/ies Management approach

Identified?

Not material

Customer Privacy

Disclosure Quantity Units

Number of substantiated complaints on customer none -
privacy
No. of complaints addressed none -
No. of customers, users, and account holders whose none -
information is used for secondary purposes

The Company subscribes to the tenets and requirements of the Data Privacy
Act in relation to customer privacy. No substantiated complaints occurred on
customer privacy during the period under review.

What is the impact and where does it occur? Management approach

What is the organization’s involvement in
the impact?

This is related to the topic below on Data Security, please see responses below.

What are the risks/s Identified Management approach

This is related to the topic below on Data Security, please see responses below.

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Management approach

37
This is related to the topic below on Data Security, please see responses below.

DATA SECURITY

Disclosure Quantity
No. of data breaches, including leaks, thefts and losses of data -

The Company is not aware of any data breaches, including leaks, thefts and
losses of data that were committed by its employees or other entities.

What is the impact and where does it Management approach

occur? What is the organization’s
involvement in the impact?

No data security complaints were noted There is continuing review of data

during the period under review. There is a management and protection practices.
secured data management that is being
implemented.

What are the risks/s Identified Management approach

The Company may be at risk for breach of There shall be continuing review and
data. improvement of data protection policy and
practices, and to require other entities with
which the Company deals in complying with
the Data Privacy Act.

What are the Opportunity/ies Identified? Management approach

Work and coordinate with the Company’s There shall be continuing review and
Data Protection Officer and Information improvement of data protection policy and
Technology Department to further protect practices, and to require other entities with
data. which the Company deals in complying with
the Data Privacy Act.

38
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company maintains a Manual of Corporate Governance (the “Manual”) to

institutionalize sound corporate governance practices, enhance investor
protection, and increase accountability. The Company has a Compliance
Officer (as the Manual requires) who has direct reporting responsibilities to the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and monitors compliance with corporate
governance matters. The Manual was revised / updated in March 2011 and
July 2014 pursuant to SEC circulars. The Company nevertheless continuously
reviews and evaluates its corporate governance policies to ensure the
observance of sound governance practices. Likewise, pursuant to the
requirements of the Manual, different board committees had been constituted
whose members are appointed annually during the Board’s Organizational
Meeting on the same day the annual stockholders’ meeting is held. The
different board committees are: Audit Committee; Nomination Committee;
Compensation and Remuneration Committee.

UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Product Contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Key Product Societal Value / Potential Management

Contribution to SDG Negative Impact approach to negative
of Contribution impact
LPG cooking Affordable & Clean Energy - as LPG might not be For those who want stay
gas (and related had been explained and affordable to those in within their budget, the
discussed, LPG is a clean the relatively lower Company has made
products:
cylinders; LPG burning fuel with very few income strata. available the affordable 2.7-
gensets; stoves emissions. Households are sold kg sized Powerkalan. This is
with a reliable supply of clean 58 to 60% lower than the
& accessories)
cooking gas (LPG) through safe regular 11-kg size that is
to use and well-maintained used by the large majority of
durable steel cylinders. household consumers.

Promotes sustainable use of At the moment, the -

Terrestrial Ecosystems - Apart Company sees no
from being a reasonably clean potential negative on
burning fuel compared to other this contribution.
fossil-based fuels, LPG is also
non-toxic and has no impact on
soil, water and underground
aquifers.
Provides Employment & No potential negative The stability of the

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Contributes to Economic impact on this company’s LPG business is
Growth - The Company contribution, except underpinned by the
conducts its LPG business perhaps if the following:
nationwide, under the brand Company stops as a • Market demand for
name PRYCEGAS, in various going concern LPG will continue to
areas of Luzon, Visayas, and possibly owing to the grow given the
Mindanao. It provides vagaries of the country’s low LPG
employment to around 4,500 market, in which case consumption per capita
people around the country, there will be loss of compared to certain
which includes probationary employment for the ASEAN neighbors –
and regular employees, as well Company employees. there is thus much
as people from providers of room for demand
contracted services. The growth;
Company’s LPG product • Strong household
(cooking gas) is a basic incomes can support
convenience that every the above demand, and
household needs. Historical such incomes have been
data from the Department of brought about by the
Energy has consistently shown continually growing
increase in LPG demand, economy over the last
driven by increasing household decade;
income, a consistently growing • The LPG business is
economy especially in the last such that customers are
decade, and a relatively low virtually tied to a
LPG per capita consumption brand; they cannot
indicating much room for easily switch brands
growth in the LPG industry. since the refilling of a
These considerations inspire the branded cylinder by
Company’s drive to further another supplier is
expanding its plant capacities unlawful.
and business operations, which • LPG as an energy
in turn will bring more source is a clean
employment to many. burning fuel with very
Employment necessarily low emissions so that
impacts positively on poverty its use will stay for at
alleviation and inequality. least the next many
decades; also, it is
cheaper compared to
heating by electricity;
• Competitively-priced
green energy
substitutes for LPG still
need to be completely
developed and
commercialized on a
large scale globally.

Further, the Company has

already built a nationwide
infrastructure network of
import terminals, refilling

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 plants, sales centers, and
dealers that have made its
LPG (cooking gas) closer
and accessible to its
consumers, and assure the
market with a steady supply
of LPG.

Gender Equality - All There are certain jobs Management does not have
operations and activities within or tasks that involve a policy expressly
the Company’s businesses lifting / handling of prohibiting the female
(LPG, memorial park very heavy steel gender from choosing to
operations, and pharmaceutical cylinders (with handle such tasks. However,
products) are such that they are content) that tends to this is a culture bound
gender neutral. favor the male matter; women in Philippine
gender. society will almost always
not take up such kind of
heavy tasks.
Partnership for the UN SDG – Collectively covered Collectively covered above
the foregoing considerations above already already
definitely makes the product
and the Company a partner in
promoting the goals for a
sustainable development.

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