Groups push for joint efforts on sustainable development

CEBU, Philippines — In order to further drive sustainable development in Cebu as one of the country’s leading provinces, the Philippine Sustainability Now Forum: Cebu Edition 2024 recently gathered leaders and experts to advocate for sustainable practices in key sectors like energy, manufacturing, and construction.

The event was organized in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines Inc. (ICCPI), and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (DCCP), showcasing collaborative efforts to promote sustainable growth in Cebu held on July 19, 2024, at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino.

Lorens Ziller, the executive director of ICCPI, formally opened the forum by drawing parallels between Italy and the Philippines in their efforts to shift socio-economic paradigms towards sustainability.

“It is an opportunity for us to gather and to see what tools we have to contribute to the cause of sustainability,” said Ziller.

The event also featured roster of speakers, including Pedro Delantar Jr. from the CCCI; Anne Momongan, Tax Partner at SGV & Co.; Jenny Maaño, president of SunSmart Solar Power Technology Inc.; Carl Cordaro, founder of Asmara Urban Resort & Lifestyle Village; Richard Koh, sales director for compliance solution at CRIF Asia; and Jay Fernandez, president of Twin-bee Print Ads Corporation.

The event was aimed to present an opportunity for industry stakeholders to converge and address the intricate landscape of sustainability within Cebu, recognizing the need to foster growth that is not only strong, but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive - prioritizing the transition towards a resilient, equitable, and sustainable economy.

According to CCCI vice president for Chamber Growth Pedro Delantar Jr., it is necessary to invest in programs advocating on continuous awareness and mindfulness of sustainability principles and practices.

“We can reveal Cebu to be a resilient, wealthy, and sustainable place by making investment in sustainable infrastructures. We require an economic paradigm that promotes equitable growth, gives local communities more control to develop green infrastructures, and uses renewable energy with sustainable resources,” Delantar added.

Meanwhile, SunSmart Solar Power Technology president Jenny Lin Maaño said in an interview with The Freeman that they are in Cebu to promote partnership with CCCI, as well as to venture partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and electrical cooperatives.

“We are here, we’re actually intending to promote our partnership with the entire chamber of commerce because we are an active member as well as to inform that we are more into venturing or doing a partnership with the local government units and electrical cooperatives,” Maaño said.

In the panel session, Maaño shared that smart grids enhance utility management by integrating renewable technologies.

She also shared the reason why their company wants to work with the electrical cooperatives to bring down the cost of power.

“Rather than just managing the distribution, they must own and must have their own power generator system. That's how we can bring down the cost of power,” Maaño added.

SunSmart is a direct manufacturing and direct engineering power company for micro grids, which provides operations and maintenance. Maaño said that their smart grids provide alternative sources of power that can be a cost-effective solution rather than utilizing diesel generators. – /ATO (FREEMAN)