The Philodrill Corporation was incorporated in 1969 as the Philippine Overseas Drilling and Oil Development Corporation, focusing on oil exploration. As one of the pioneers in the Philippine oil exploration industry, it remains highly active today. Early in its history, the company successfully participated in drilling several oil discoveries in the offshore Palawan area, and the revenues generated from these initiatives fueled its steady growth and profitability throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
However, by the mid-1980s, as the company’s petroleum revenues began to decline, a strategic decision was made to diversify beyond oil exploration into emerging growth sectors of the Philippine economy. This decision was designed to accelerate the company’s growth and enhance profitability while providing a stable counterbalance to the high risks associated with oil exploration. As a result, Philodrill invested in property development, manufacturing, mining, and financial services, while still maintaining an active role in local oil exploration through selective participation in various petroleum exploration consortia.
While Philodrill is now a diversified company, it continues to focus on its core business of petroleum exploration and production. From 2004 to 2019, Philodrill successfully operated three marginal fields located off Northwest Palawan. The company is also a partner in the Galoc Field, which is the largest oil-producing field in the Philippines. Additionally, Philodrill’s portfolio includes exploration contracts in some of the country’s most promising areas. This strategic involvement in different service contracts positions the company at the forefront of upstream petroleum activities in the country.The company also has investments in sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and financial services.
A summary of the exploration and production assets of The Philodrill Corporation are as follows:
The Philodrill Corporation continues to be a leading participant in various exploration and production activities in the country, making it one of the most active players in the sector. Some of its notable past and current petroleum-related projects and activities include:
● Acting as the designated operator since 2004, the company manages day-to-day operations at the Nido, Matinloc, and North Matinloc Fields, all located
offshore in Northwest Palawan.
● Serving as a consortium partner in the Galoc Field, which is currently the largest oil-producing field in the Philippines.
● Operating Service Contracts 6A (Octon Block) and 6B (Bonita Block), both of which are exploration blocks located offshore in Northwest Palawan. The
discovery wells Octon-1, Octon-2, and Esperanza-1, drilled in the Octon Block, are notable results of the company’s dedicated exploration efforts.
● Participating as a consortium partner in other active petroleum exploration contracts, including Service Contract 14C2, which is evaluating the reactivation of the
West Linapacan Field; and Service Contract 53 – Onshore Mindoro, which plans to drill wells to test for gas.
● Actively contributing to the exploration, development, and production operations of all the Northwest Palawan oilfields: Nido, Matinloc, Cadlao, North Matinloc,
Galoc, Tara, and West Linapacan.
Christopher M. Gotanco has served as a Director of The Philodrill Corporation since 2006. He is currently a Senior Advisor and a member of the Board of Directors at Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation. His other affiliations include Vice Chairman and Director of Vulcan Materials Corporation (since 2012), Director of Bataan Aggregates Corporation (since 2017), and Director at MRT Holdings, Inc. and MRT Development Corporation (both since 1995). He also serves as a Director at United Paragon Mining Corporation (since 2006), Penta Capital Investment Corporation (Director since 2007, Vice-Chairman from 2007-2018, Chairman from 2018-2019), Penta Capital Finance Corporation (Director since 2007, Chairman from 2007-2019), and Boulevard Holdings, Inc. (since 2007).
Mr. Gotanco was a Hubert Humphrey Fellow in International Business and Development at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (1983-1984). He holds a Master’s degree in Business Management (with Distinction) from the Asian Institute of Management (1971-1973) and is a Rockefeller Foundation Graduate Fellow. He pursued a Master of Arts in Political Science at the University of the Philippines (UP) and graduated magna cum laude from UP with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Political Science.
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Gotanco holds 250,323,400 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.130% of the company.
Reynaldo E. Nazarea joined The Philodrill Corporation as Vice President for Finance in 1987. He was appointed Treasurer in 2005 and has also been serving as Vice President for Administration since 1992. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Nazarea practiced public accounting at Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. and held various accounting, finance, controllership, and administrative roles at Vulcan Industrial & Mining Corporation and Semirara Coal Corporation (now Semirara Mining Corporation). He also serves on the boards of Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation, PentaCapital Investment Corporation, PentaCapital Finance Corporation, and PentaCapital Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Nazarea graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, majoring in Accounting, from the University of the East. He placed 3rd in the 1972 CPA Board Examinations.
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Nazarea holds 86,156,250 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.045% of the company.
Allen L. Copok has founded and co-created several entrepreneurial ventures since 2003, spanning industries such as financing and lending, real estate development, and cold storage supply chain management.
Mr. Copok holds various leadership roles, serving as President of Laguna AAA Prime Holdings and Blue Lagoon Holdings. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary of Cavite APC Lending Corporation, as well as Corporate Secretary of ALC Empire Holdings. Additionally, he serves as Treasurer for Ice House Inc. and Nordic Strong Ice Inc.
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Copok holds 1,000,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.000% of the company.
For the past five years, John Peter C. Hager has held various management roles and currently serves as Managing Director for trading companies engaged in industries such as metals, minerals, pulp, paper, packaging, coconut oil and related products, security paper, security printing products, grains, feeds, and countertrade.
His business activities also include managing local interests for foreign principals and serving as a commercial advisor to several international companies and local agents. Mr. Hager is also the President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.
He currently serves as an Independent Director at Alakor Securities Corp. and United Paragon Mining Corporation.
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Hager holds 5,000,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.003% of the company.
Vincent L. Tempongko brings over 20 years of experience in Technology Management, specializing in areas such as Program Management, Strategic Planning, Network Investments, Business Development, Operations Management, and Site Acquisition. As a Transformational Leader, he has extensive experience in managing Offshore and Global Operations.
Mr. Tempongko currently serves as Co-Coordinator of Eastern Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (ETPI) and Co-General Manager of Globe Telecom at Bell Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (2021-present).
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Tempongko holds 1,000,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.000% of the company.
Presentacion S. Ramos has been a member of the Board of The Philodrill Corporation since May 1997. She also serves as Chairman of the Board at Alakor Securities Corporation and is a board member of Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation (since 1984), United Paragon Mining Corporation (since 1993), and the Philippine Red Cross. Additionally, Mrs. Ramos holds executive positions at Peakpres Corporation, Abacus Book & Card Corporation, National Book Store, Inc., NBS Express, Inc., Power Books, Inc., Zenith Holdings Corporation, and Alakor Corporation.
Mrs. Ramos is a proud alumna of Maryknoll College (now Miriam College), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962.
As of December 31, 2024, Mrs. Ramos holds 77,125,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.040% of the company.
Adrian Paulino S. Ramos serves on the Board of The Philodrill Corporation and holds prominent positions in several other listed companies. He is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation, President of Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation, and President of United Paragon Mining Corporation.
Additionally, Mr. Ramos serves as President of both Alakor Corporation and National Book Store, Inc. Mr. Ramos graduated cum laude from Ateneo de Manila University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Management (Honors Program). He later earned his Master of Business Administration, with Distinction, from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, where he majored in Decision Sciences, Analytical Consulting, and Accounting Information & Management (2003-2005).
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Ramos holds 34,573,125 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.018% of the company.
Maureen Alexandra Ramos-Padilla has been a Director at The Philodrill Corporation since June 2013. She also serves as a Director for Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation and Zenith Holdings Corporation. Additionally, she is the Managing Director of National Book Store, Inc. and President of Anvil Publishing Corporation.
Mrs. Ramos-Padilla earned her Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering from Ateneo de Manila University in 1994. She later completed her Master of Business Administration at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, from 1999 to 2001.
As of December 31, 2024, Mrs. Ramos-Padilla holds 90,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.00% of the company.
Gerard Anton S. Ramos joined The Philodrill Corporation in December 2015. He also serves on the boards of Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation and Carmen Copper Corporation. In addition, he holds several key positions, including Chairman and Executive Vice President for Investments at Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp.; Chairman at Alakor Corporation; President and Nominee at Alakor Securities Corporation; Chairman of United Paragon Mining Corporation; and Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of National Bookstore, Inc.
Mr. Ramos earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management from Ateneo de Manila University in 1996.
As of December 31, 2024, Mr. Ramos holds 100,000 shares in The Philodrill Corporation, representing 0.00% of the company.
The Joint Venture organized a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Oil Spill Response Awareness in Coron, bringing together representatives from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices of Busuanga, Culion, and Linapacan.
The workshop provided participants with essential skills and strategies for effective oil spill response, including the use of improvised oil spill equipment made from locally available resources and the implementation of immediate mitigation measures to minimize environmental impact. This initiative underscores NPG’s commitment to empowering local communities and promoting environmental stewardship in its project impact areas.
The Joint Venture has provided Starlink Internet kits to schools in Culion, Palawan, demonstrating its commitment to bridging the digital divide. This initiative ensures seamless and reliable internet access for students and teachers in remote areas, allowing them to access online learning resources, improve digital literacy, and expand educational opportunities.
By enhancing connectivity, the program empowers communities with the essential tools for a more inclusive and technology-driven future.
Expanding on the consortium’s efforts to provide accessible internet to local schools, the Joint Venture has donated 26 additional Starlink kits and portable solar generator sets to 26 schools in Busuanga, Palawan.
These contributions aim to improve connectivity and educational resources, empowering students and teachers with access to modern learning tools. This initiative reaffirms the consortium’s commitment to advancing education and supporting community development in its project impact areas.
NPG, as the Operator of Service Contract 14C1 – Galoc in partnership with the Philodrill Corporation and
its other joint venture partners completed a water system project in Busuanga, Palawan, as part of the
Galoc Production Operation’s Community Assistance Program.
This initiative provides clean and safe water to households without potable water, enhancing public
health and overall community well-being. By providing a reliable water source, the project also supports
the region’s growing tourism industry. This endeavor underscores the consortium’s dedication to
improving quality of life and fostering sustainable development in its areas of operation.