AboitizPower wins 3 environmental awards

MANILA, Philippines - Three subsidiaries of AboitizPower, one of the nation’s leaders in power generation, operating a mix of energy assets to power homes and industries across the country, has been recognized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as “companies that give premium to environmental protection as an integral business concern.” They have been bestowed three prestigious awards under the DENR’s Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP).

DENR, during the awarding ceremonies held on Dec. 16, bestowed three awards to AboitizPower’s subsidiaries under the “Track 1” category for its superior environmental performance, the only power generation company in the country to receive three awards simultaneously. There were 15 “Track 1” awardees this year.

The AboitizPower’s subsidiary facilities that earned the “Track 1” category award are Hedcor, Inc. (Beckel, Benguet); Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. – Makban Geothermal Plant (Bay, Laguna) and  – Tiwi Geothermal Plant (Tiwi, Albay).

DENR bestowed the award under “Track 1” category to the awardees for “going beyond simple compliance, and being driven by competitiveness, image and supply chain requirements to improve their performance.”

“This environmental award is another feather in the cap for the AboitizPower companies. We have always been committed to using best available technology to ensure that we are able to provide clean and reliable power. This award demonstrates that we are on the right track,” Eramon Aboitiz, AboitizPower president said.

Aboitiz said the award demonstrated the gains of privatizing the power generation industry as there have been significant investments made to ensure the power plant’s compliance to local and international safety and environmental standards.

AboitizPower acquired the 747.5-MW Tiwi-Makban geothermal power plant assets from the government in 2008 for $446.9 million. AboitizPower is investing an additional  $120 million to upgrade, rehabilitate and refurbish the assets.

Hedcor, which manages all run of river hydro power plants under AboitizPower, is developing five more plants in Davao, Bukidnon and Benguet, adding a capacity of 63.75 mw of Cleanergy, or clean and renewable power, to the Grid.

“Moving forward, AboitizPower will continue to comply with stringent health and environmental qualifications of the DENR, enabling us to serve communities better,” Aboitiz said.

Vince Tan, government relations; Soc Patindol, AVP for environment health and safety; environmental engineer Esmeraldo Martin; pollution control officer Merly Navarette and environmental engineer Judyann Guevarra received the awards for AP Renewables Tiwi and Makban.

Meanwhile, Gregorio Jabonillo, vice president for business development, Gilbert C. Patacsil liaison manager Benguet and Cranep C. Udan, environmental officer received the award for Hedcor.

The DENR Official Seal of Approval for a Track 1 awardee is valid for one year. Industries that fall under this category should have had no cases filed against them with 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.

As a reward, the PEPP Track 1 recipients such as Hedcor, Inc; Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc. – Makban Geothermal Plant and  Tiwi Geothermal Plant (Tiwi, Albay); 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 (ECC) 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.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the PEPP is a program that supports the aspiration of industries toward self-regulation. The program aims to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) among local industries, particularly those that consider environmental protection an important part of sound governance.

“With the PEPP, we wish to recognize and show our appreciation for companies that give premium to environmental protection as an integral business concern. Somehow they realize that to thrive in the global economy, they need to respond as well to environmental challenges,” he said.