3 Leyte companies get DENR award

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 17, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Three companies in the province of Leyte have been awarded recently by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for their exemplary environmental performance.

The three companies were identified as the Energy Development Corporation based in Kananga, Leyte; Green Core Geothermal Inc. in Ormoc City and the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation in Isabel, Leyte.

The three companies were among the 12 other companies that were cited and were presented the Seal of Approval under the agency’s Philippine Environment Partnership Program.

These new 15 companies bring to 39 the number of awarded firms since 2009, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje disclosed during the awarding ceremonies at the DENR Social Hall.

PEPP supports the aspiration of industries towards self-regulation. It aims to promote corporate social responsibility among the local industries, particularly those that consider environmental protection an important part of sound governance.

The DENR Official Seal of Approval for Track 1 awardees is valid for one year. Industries that fall under this category should have had no cases filed against them by the Pollution Adjudication Board of the DENR for three years prior to their date of application; have fully complied with all applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations; and have a proven record of superior environmental performance.

The PEPP Track 1 recipients will benefit from relaxed requirements in the frequency of submission of reports, longer validity of permits, and simplified requirements for securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate for expansion projects.

The PEPP covers all industrial and commercial establishments, both public and private, including agri-industrial facilities, manufacturing and commercial enterprises, and other facility services.

The companies bestowed with the award, under “Track 1” category, for “going beyond simple compliance, and being driven by competitiveness, image, and supply chain requirements to improve their performance” include Aboitiz Power - Hedcor, Inc. (Beckel, Benguet); PSI Technologies, Inc. (Taguig); Holcim Philippines - Bacnotan Plan (La Union); STMicroelectronic, Inc. (Calamba City, Laguna); KEPCO Ilijan Corporation Philippines (Ilijan, Batangas); Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. - Mak-Ban Geothermal Plant (Bay, Laguna); Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. - Tiwi Geothermal Plant (Tiwi, Albay); Energy Development Corporation (Kanangga, Leyte); Green Core Geothermal, Inc. (Ormoc, Leyte); Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (Isabel, Leyte); Nestle Philippines, Inc. - CDO Factory (Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City); Holcim Philippines - Davao Plant (Ilang, Davao City); Alliance Select Foods International (Tambler, General Santos City); Southern Philippines Power (Alabel, Saranggani Province); and Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. - General Santos Plant (Bula, General Santos City).