NGO cites cement firms’ environmental initiatives

A non-government organization (NGO) based in Central Luzon has lauded initiatives by major players in the Philippine cement industry to protect and preserve the environment.

Jesus “Teng” Lim, secretary-general of the Kalipunan ng Malayang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (KMMGL), said the cement producers’ moves deserve full public support, particularly from the farmer sector “which is the biggest stakeholder in environment protection issues.”

Lim, who is also deputy secretary general of the advocacy group Sulong sa Ikauunlad ng Gitnang Luzon … Aksyon Na (Sigla), hailed the programs being pursued by the country’s leading cement manufacturers in the areas of pollution reduction, waste management, biodiversity protection and preservation, reforestation, and preventing extinction of endangered species. KMMGL operates in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Tarlac, and Bataan.

Lim cited the adoption by Lafarge-associated Republic Cement Corp. (RCC) of a six-hectare area of the endangered Ipo Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan, where more than 1,000 tree saplings were initially planted.

Holcim Philippines Inc., a founding member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, has installed continuous emission monitoring systems at its operating plants in Bulacan, La Union, Davao and Misamis Oriental provinces. Holcim also works with local government units and industrial companies towards proper solid waste management, and in minimizing the use of scarce landfills through co-processing technology.

CEMEX Philippines, through its foundation, is implementing the Adopt-a-Species Program in partnership with Conservation International.

CEMEX Philippines is the first cement manufacturer and the third Philippine company to receive the Green Choice seal for its eco-friendly products. CEMEX also upgrades its facilities to help protect the environment.           

”All these efforts point to our desire to harmonize efforts being done by various groups on conservation and focus the initiatives for effective protection of the threatened species,” CEMEX Philippines president Sergio Menendez said.

Responding to calls for a clean and green environment, Taiheiyo Cement established and is maintaining an environmental management system that meets both international and national environmental system standards.

Maintenance efforts within the Taiheiyo Cement plant are consciously carried out to preserve the environment, such as the maintenance of a plant nursery, mini park and landscaped areas, strict observance of proper waste disposal, recycling of combustible wastes, tree planting and growing in mined-out quarry sites, and the maintenance of a quarry waste dumpsite.

Republic Cement intends to broaden the program to cover other watersheds notably in Rizal and Batangas. Iligan Cement Corp., another Lafarge-associated company, intends to do the same.

NGO leader Lim pointed out that “companies that pay their dues to the environment through worthwhile ecology-oriented projects deserve KMMGL’s and SIGLA’s support”.