10 firms get DENR seal for environmental practices

By: DJ Yap - 11 years ago

Forest rangers patrolling at the Ipo Dam watershed at Norzagaray, Bulacan, three hours north of Manila. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ten industry players, seven of them belonging to the power sector, received on Thursday the Official Seal of Approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), hailing them for sound environmental practices.

The seals were handed out during the fifth Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP) awarding ceremony at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City, officials said on Friday.

Environment Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio Jr. congratulated the winners for making “a mark in their environmental performance not so much as a corporate social responsibility program but as an integral part of their operations.”

Making sense

“More and more companies have embraced the principle that to thrive in the global and national arena, it is necessary to face environmental challenges, which is not only good for the environment but also makes a lot of business sense,” he said.

The 10 industry winners under the PEPP’s “Track 1 Category” are Aboitiz Power Hedcor Sibulan Inc. in Davao del Sur; Aboitiz Power Hedcor Inc. in Benguet; Aboitiz Power Hedcor Inc.-Talomo Grid in Davao City; Aboitiz Power Renewables Inc.-Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal Power Plant in Laguna; Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc. in Ilagan, Isabela; Dole Philippines Inc. main plant in Polomolok, South Cotabato; Green Core Geothermal Inc. in Tongonan, Leyte; Energy Development Corp.-Mt. Apo Geothermal Project in Kidapawan, North Cotabato; Kepco-Ilijan Power Corp. in Batangas; and Petron Tacloban Depot in Leyte.

Track 1 industries are recognized for their initiatives that go beyond compliance and are driven to improve their performance with competitiveness, image and supply chain requirements, the DENR said.

No pollution cases

Winners are selected following a series of evaluation stages including validation of documentary requirements and site activities with the Environmental Management Bureau’s regional offices and members of the PEPP-Technical Evaluation Committee.

They should have had no cases filed with the Pollution Adjudication Board for three years prior to the date of application. They should also comply fully with all applicable environmental laws and should have been proven to show superior environmental performance.