Holcim Davao HR Manager Joe Omandam (second from left) received the Balikat ng Bayan Award from SSS officials led by Atty. Emmanuel R. Palma (leftmost), assistant vice president for Southern Mindanao, last Sept. 1

For its compliance to the social security law and good care of its employees, the Davao plant of cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines was recently recognized by state pension fund Social Security System (SSS) as among the best employers in Mindanao.

Holcim Davao was awarded the SSS Balikat ng Bayan, which is given to companies that best comply with the social security law, provide accurate and timely submission of reports and actively participate in SSS programs. Holcim Davao won the said award for Southern Mindanao in the medium accounts category or for companies with less than 500 employees. Other winners from Mindanao were OROPORT Cargo Handling Services, Taganito Mining Corp. and Holy Cross of Davao College, Inc.

The SSS’s Southern Mindanao office said Holcim Davao topped 11 other nominated companies in the region. It added that the cement manufacturer was chosen because of its commendable health and benefits system and education program on SSS benefits.

Holcim Davao Human Resource Manager Joe Omandam thanked the SSS for the recognition, and noted that Holcim Philippine and not just the Davao plant strives to follow the policies of the SSS and provide the best care for employees.

“Among the companies here in southern Mindanao, we can say that because of or commitment to take good care of our people, we have been regarded one of the best employers in terms of compensation and benefits. We also make sure we remit what is due to the SSS from employees and make the employees aware about the SSS benefits they can avail of,” Omandam said.

Aside from Holcim Davao, 20 other companies in the Philippines received the award, with three more coming from Mindanao, the SSS said in a statement.

Winners received a circular plaque of polymer resin sculpted by Filipino artist Dr. Antonino Raymundo. Aside from recognizing top employers the pension fund also gave awards for best collecting and paying banks as well as excellence in journalism.

The SSS started the award in 1995 to recognize institutions that help it in providing social security protection. The SSS held simultaneous awarding ceremonies in its provincial offices and at its corporate headquarters in Quezon City on Sept. 1, its 54^th anniversary.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has more than 1,700 employees in the Philippines. 

Holcim Philippines and DPWH Region 1 have tied-up for the installation of signages reminding motorists about road safety along 12 municipalities in La Union.

As part of Holcim Philippines’s commitment to safety, its La Union plant recently partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to install safety signs along the Manila North Road Highway.

The cement manufacturer tied up with DPWH Region 1 to set up 22 road safety signages in 12 municipalities along the said highway from Rosario to Sudipen, La Union.

Holcim La Union Plant Manager Andy White explained that the project is consistent with the high premium Holcim places on the safety of its own employees, contractors and other key stakeholders including families in host communities.

“We understand that this project aims to create awareness about road risks, and to promote attitude changes for a safer approach to driving, and we are very willing to support these,” White said.

Holcim Safety Manager Adriano Catubig said the signs to be installed include:

- reminders to motorists on the importance of reducing speed to avoid severe traffic accidents;

- encouragement to use seatbelts;

- warnings on the use of mobile phones while driving; and

- other road safety reminders.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Doctolero, officer-in-charge of DPWH R-1 District 2, thanked Holcim Philippines for its help in advancing the cause.

“This project and partnership with Holcim is very helpful when it comes to road safety awareness, especially in our district.  We really need additional safety signages that serve as reminders for our drivers,” he added.

White also said the project is Holcim’s contribution to the UN Road Safety Awareness Campaign, which was launched this year. He reiterated Holcim’s willingness to contribute to efforts in promoting road safety.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the omestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has more than 1,700 employees in the Philippines. 

Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer received the Green Leadership Award during the first Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards last June 10. Holcim Philippines was cited for sustainability practices that have become benchmarks for companies in Southeast Asia.

The initiatives of cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. to mitigate the environmental impact of its operations was recently cited by a Southeast Asian non-government organization for entrepreneurship, saying other companies in the region are using these as benchmarks.

Singapore-based Enterprise Asia conferred to Holcim Philippines the Green Leadership Award during the first Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards last June 10. Holcim Philippines’s Sustainable Development (SD) team entered programs of its plants for reforestation, mine rehabilitation, emission monitoring, site beautification and biodiversity enhancement, among others.

Holcim Philippines’s plants in La Union, Bulacan, Lugait and Davao all follow the said programs, which he company cited to support its efforts to ensure sustainable operations.

The company’s reforestation initiatives involve host communities and extend beyond its facilities. Holcim also implements a progressive rehabilitation policy so quarry sites can be used productively even before these are completely mined out. Plants are equipped with Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems to ensure that emissions are within permissible levels set by the Holcim Group and the Clean Air Act.

“Holcim has gone beyond all the parameters for measuring sustainability, integration, innovation, results and solution…It has also become a strong benchmark for other companies within the Holcim Group and the region as well,” Enterprise Asia said in a statement.

“The recipients believe in the larger responsibility of recognizing the impact of running their businesses on the environment and they have sought to reduce and reverse them,” added Enterprise Asia.

Thailand-based firms Tetrapack Li and Thai Union Frozen Products PCL were also among the awardees.

“Recognitions such as this inspire us to continue what we have started. With everyone’s sustained support, we hope to be able to deliver more tangible results in our Company’s efforts to manage our impact on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint,” said SD head Mike Cabalda.

Twenty-five other companies also received awards. Over 120 companies from six Asian countries participated in the competition.

The Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards recognizes organizations for their commitment and contribution to the society and environment through their Corporate Sustainability projects.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, tonner bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has more than 1,700 employees in the Philippines

• Increased government spending has begun and is expected to reinvigorate the market going forward
• For Q3, the typhoon season slowed down construction activity with Holcim Philippines’ volume down by 6%
• Pro-active cost management and manufacturing excellence initiatives helped mitigate effects of challenging market

Successive weather disturbances during the third quarter interrupted the momentum of construction activities that were beginning to take off, following government’s efforts to step up infrastructure spending.

In light of this, Holcim Philippines saw its sales volumes shrink by 6% during the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Holcim Philippines COO Roland van Wijnen noted that the volume decline was lower than in the previous two quarters, giving credit to the government’s move to increase spending for infrastructure.

“The increased implementation of government projects in the third quarter bodes well for the Company and the industry in general,” he said. “This would have pushed up monthly volumes had it not been for the typhoons.”  He added that private construction remained vigorous, driven by continuing demand in BPO and tourism-related facilities.

Van Wijnen noted that while the cement industry is challenged by soft volumes and volatile prices, Holcim Philippines is doing what it can to mitigate the impact on its business performance. “We’re managing areas within our control, seeing to it that all our plants run efficiently and instilling a mindset of better cost management across the entire organization. These initiatives will certainly help prepare us for whatever opportunities will come in 2012,” he said.

Another challenge faced by the industry is the continued increase in operating costs, particularly for coal and electricity. In addressing this challenge, Van Wijnen says that Holcim Philippines is stepping up usage of alternative fuels and raw materials through its Geocycle business. Geocycle makes use of a responsible and environment-friendly technology of cement kiln co-processing which converts a range of waste streams into alternative fuel or raw material. However, even with these efforts, price adjustment will be necessary to ensure a level of profitability required to have a sustainable business than can make continuous investments to supply the growing demand.

Apart from its Geocycle business, Van Wijnen said its ready-mix concrete business continues to improve, steadily positioning itself as one of the most reliable suppliers of quality concrete and services in Metro Manila. “Holcim Concrete continues to grow, which indicates that there is sustained activity for high-rise residential and commercial buildings.”

 Amid the challenging market environment and intense competition, Van Wijnen is hopeful that demand will pick up in the coming months as government continues to step up spending.

Holcim Philippines La Union Plant Manager Andy White (leftmost) joins Baguio City officials during a briefing on the plans for the Panagbenga Festival last Jan. 22. To his left are Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Hotel and Restaurant Association President Anthony de Leon and police chief Sr. Superintendent David Lacdan.

Cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc. recently signed a deal to help rehabilitate a park central to Baguio City’s famous Panagbenga Flower Festival and train the recreational area’s caretakers on sustainable development and safety, in line with the Company’s advocacies.

On Feb. 1, Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Roland van Wijnen signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Anthony de Leon, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, for the rehabilitation of the Panagbenga Park, the staging point of the Panagbenga Flower Festival which started that day.

Under the agreement, Holcim Philippines donated the cement and provided workers in the park with safety equipment. Aside from improving the park’s pathways and landscaping, structures such as an eco-friendly butterfly sanctuary, a wishing well, restrooms, benches and a waiting shed were built.

Holcim Philippines also agreed to provide training on waste management, water conservation and biodiversity and other necessary skills for sustainable development for the Panagbenga Park’s caretakers. The MoA covers a three-year partnership.

The Company will likewise participate in annual activities in the park to help raise awareness on environmental protection and preservation.

We see how the Panagbenga Park can become a living laboratory or classroom to share lessons about keeping the environment healthy,” van Wijnen said. “Beyond our donation of cement, we look forward to being a partner in driving a safety mindset and educating people on environmental protection through creative and interesting activities in the park,” he added.

De Leon thanked Holcim for the partnership it extended that helped enable the park’s rehabilitation.

“Most of the undertaking of the Foundation will focus on the preservation and protection of the environment which is why we also partnered with Holcim given their similar green advocacy,” he said.

The Panagbenga Flower Festival is a five-week activity that is one of the city’s top tourist draws. Panagbenga comes from the kankanaey word which means “blossoming.”  The festival celebrates Baguio City’s beautiful flowers and recovery from the earthquake that hit the city in 1990. The theme of this year’s Panagbenga Festival is “The Environment and the Community in Harmony.”

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, tonner bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has over 1,600 employees in the Philippines.

Holcim Phils. COO Roland van Wijnen receives the ISO certificates from Certification International Managing Director Renato Navarrete as Geocycle VP Ernesto Paredes (center), Technical Manager Ernesto dela Cruz (left), and Commercial Safety Manager Richard Cruz flank them

Geocycle, the waste management unit of cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, was recently recognized as having management systems for its operations, environmental impact and occupational health and safety that are up to par with international quality standards.

On Dec. 21, Geocycle received an Integrated Management System (IMS)

certificate that covers ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, and OHSAS 18001:2007. The three are a set of quality practices used globally to measure management systems for operations and processes, environmental compliance, and occupational health and safety, respectively.

Geocycle is the first co-processing business in the Philippines to qualify for an

IMS, said the local unit of British firm Certification International (CI) which conducted the audits for the certification. CI Managing Director Renato Navarrete explained that the certification means “quality is being achieved but not at the expense of the environment and the health and safety of employees.”

Co-processing is a safe and secure method of waste management that destroys hazardous components while capturing its energy and mineral content in the production of cement.

Holcim Philippines Vice President for Geocycle Ernesto Paredes welcomed the

certification, and noted this is in line with Holcim Philippines’s goal of offering high-quality services.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to provide even better services to our clients,” he said. “The certification also bolsters our credibility with our customers who are mostly multinational companies that put premium on getting quality services in terms of safety, environment and processes,” Paredes added.

The IMS certificate covers Bulacan and head office operations, and is valid for three

years. CI will conduct an annual assessment to check whether the Geocycle Group is

able to stick to the standards set under the IMS. Geocyle underwent three audits prior to

getting the IMS certificate: in April for baseline assessment; in August to evaluate

documentation procedures; and in November to check the implementation of its policies.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has 1,500 employees in the Philippines.

Holcim Philippines officials pose with Environment Sec. Ramon Paje (center) with the trophies they won in the 57th Mines Safety and Environment Conference last Nov. 20. Beside him are Holcim Philipines COO Roland van Wijnen (right) and Davao Plant Manager Kevin Hughes (left). The other officials in the photo are Holcim Philippines SVP for Manufacturing Daniel Bach (rightmost), Bobby Sajonia (leftmost), Lorenzo Pendang (second from left) and Andy White (2nd row, fourth from left) plant managers of Bulacan, Lugait and La Union, respectively, and Holcim VP for Safety Carmela Calimbas (2nd row, 2nd from left).

Cement maker Holcim Philippines, Inc., led by its Davao plant, bagged 10 awards from a joint government-mining industry body that recognizes responsible efforts by players in the mining sector to keep operations safe, and implement programs beneficial to their host communities and the environment.

In the recent Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Awards (PMIEA) held in Baguio City, Holcim Davao bagged the Presidential Award for the Quarry Category—the top honor the body hands out annually. It is given to the company with the best overall program for quarry rehabilitation, environmental protection, safe operations and social and community development.

Holcim Philippines’ plants in Lugait, Misamis Oriental, Bulacan and La Union also took home Platinum Awards, the second highest recognition.

Holcim Davao was likewise recognized as having the Safest Cement Plant Operation and Most Improved Safety Performance. Holcim Davao’s Robert Gilera was also named Best Safety Inspector.

Furthermore, Holcim Lugait captured the Best Mining Forest Program for the sixth straight year, while the La Union and Davao plants finished second and third, respectively.

Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Roland van Wijnen thanked the PMIEA for the honors and praised the joint effort by the mining industry and the government to encourage responsible behavior among mining companies.

“Safety and the environment are priorities for Holcim wherever we operate. Being recognized for our initiatives makes this is a very special night for us, and we would like to thank you for these honors,” he said.

This is the third straight year that Holcim Philippines took home the PMIEA for the Quarry category. The company’s Lugait plant won the distinction last year, while the Bulacan facility snared the prize in 2008.

Meanwhile, Environment Sec. Ramon Paje spoke in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III and guaranteed that the government will support mining companies that operate responsibly.

“Our mandate is clear: As long as the people and environment are not abused, this government will support projects that will help the mining industry,” he said in Filipino.  “Through coordination with local government units, the private sector and concerned agencies, we will ensure that projects that are truly beneficial for the country gets the proper support.”

The PMIEA was established in 1997 through Executive Order No. 399 in compliance with the policy that mining activities are pro-environment and pro-people. Its selection committee is composed of the secretaries of the Departments of Environment, Trade, Interior and Local Government, Health, Science and Technology. The other members are the presidents of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association, Philippine Mineral Exploration Association and Chambers of Mines of the Philippines.

About Holcim

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has 1,500 employees in the Philippines.

These are ideas you would normally expect coming from construction industry veterans. Interestingly, they come from college students who participated in the Holcim Journalism Awards for Sustainable Construction (Student Category) hosted by Holcim Philippines — proving that young people have much to say about an issue that has become increasingly important.

Joaquin Carlos Urbiztondo de Jesus, a 21-year old Development Studies major from Ateneo de Manila University, won the top award with his essay “Utilizing our Heritage for Modern and Sustainable Construction: A Must”.

He bested 35 other students from 14 schools nationwide to win P50,000 in cash plus a three-day stay in Singapore to attend the regional awarding ceremony of the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction next year.

In his entry, De Jesus noted that builders have abandoned local design ideas that go well with sustainable construction targets in favor of modern concepts that are not necessarily better for building sustainably.

“We try to break free from the past but sadly, oftentimes, we are left with outcomes that are frustrating and chaotic. However, this shouldn’t be the case. When we take a look at our heritage, we realize that in our engagement with modernity, we find wisdom in the construction techniques and aesthetics of the past,” he wrote.

De Jesus pointed out that the bahay kubo and the bahay na bato—prevalent during the pre-Spanish and Spanish periods—have been set aside in favor of structures that rely more on artificial cooling and lighting equipment, thus increasing energy consumption.

The Ateneo senior said more architects and engineers have been looking back to past construction techniques and designs, and such efforts should be supported especially if these lead to more sustainable practices.

“Constructing sustainably isn’t only about sustaining the environment; it is also about sustaining a people’s identity. Before we get lost with all these ’modern construction styles‘ from other countries, it is good that we take note of what we have here, and take inspiration from the many things found in our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, health science sophomore Alessandra Sofia Babao Guballa, also of Ateneo; industrial engineering sophomore Janelle Kathryn Ong of De La Salle University; and architecture senior April Cacho Gabayan of University of the Philippines Mindanao were given merit awards for their respective essays.

Advertising industry maven and Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairman Emily Abrera, who served as a judge for the contest, was heartened that the students who participated were not only limited to those taking up engineering and architecture – but from a range of courses..

“The interest in the greening of our approach to development runs across so many disciplines and that is reflected in this competition,” Abrera said and reiterated that we should underestimate the capability of young people to generate insights on important issues like sustainable construction.

“Although we picked winners today, the biggest winner is the country because of the promise that we saw in the essay become, and we hope that becomes a reality,” Abrera added.

Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Roland van Wijnen also praised the contestants for their participation, and urged them to keep the creativity and optimism they showed in their essays.

“I truly believe that the call for sustainable construction and sustainability in general are gaining momentum,” said van Wijnen. “But we need to give more context and content, we need to share more insights and combine past lessons, with future discoveries. And we need more young people like you who believe in this advocacy.”

The other finalists in the contests are Rodelon Ramos of Adamson University, Jerome David of De La Salle, Pauline Gidget Estella and John Steven Tapican of UP Diliman; and Rafael Alzona and Ma. Elisse Campos from the University of Santo Tomas.

Aside from Abrera, the other judges are Ma. Sabrina Cruz, director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Public Affairs Office,  Rene Fortuno, assistant director at the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Edgar Reformado, chairman of the Green Architecture Advocacy of the Philippines (Green AP), and Ma. Anna Tungol, executive director of the Philippine Green Building Council.

Prior to the judging, the entries were reviewed by a panel of screeners consisting of Mariel Aduarte of PBSP, Carmen Aquino of DENR, Jenny Celdran of Red Balloon, Mike Guerrero of Green AP, and Nikka Sarthou of the Writers’ Block.

Sustainable construction refers to the practice of building structures in ways that are innovative and easy to replicate, economically viable, friendly to the environment and optimizes resources, beneficial to society and adheres to high ethical standards of construction, and has contextual and aesthetic impact.

The just-concluded essay contest forms part of the Holcim Philippines Journalism Awards, which has a Student Category and Media Category. These awards supplement the global  Holcim Awards on Sustainable Construction – now on its third cycle – which is open for entries until March 23, 2011.

The Holcim Journalism Awards also features a Media Category, which is accepting entries until May 31, 2011. It is open to all Filipino Journalists who are currently working for a local print media organization. The competition welcomes articles that discuss past, ongoing or planned sustainable construction projects, technologies, trends, or research works that are relevant to the Philippine setting.  At stake are cash prizes of over P300,000 and a trip to Singapore to participate in the regional Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction.

Through the Holcim Journalism Awards, the Company aims to encourage more in-depth discussion of sustainable construction by rewarding excellent print reportage about the subject.

For more details, please log on to: www.holcimjournalismaward.com

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has 1,500 employees in the Philippines.

PBE President Howard Belton (second from left) and PBE Executive Director Lisa Antonio (far right) pose with Holcim Philippines COO Roland van Wijnen and Sustainable Development Manager Mike Cabalda after the MOA signing

The Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, securing the company’s support for efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Under the MOA, Holcim will support PBE’s efforts to ramp up the implementation of the business covenant for climate action, to which Holcim is among the lead private sector convenors and signatories. Among the activities planned is a business stakeholder follow-up meeting and progress review.

PBE held the first Business Climate Summit, under The Philippine Climate Imperative (TPI), in December 2009.  TPI is a multi-sectoral movement that aims to speed up responses to climate change through adaptation and mitigation at the local level and within the business sector.

In that summit, Holcim Philippines joined other private sector business leaders in identifying five target areas for climate action: transportation, energy efficiency, solid waste management, reforestation, and water management.

After one year, a number of companies are reportedly ready to present their progress reports and have recognized the urgency to make a call for action to enlarge the base of participating firms.

PBE President Howard Belton welcomed the partnership with Holcim as it will help promote both individual and collective actions to curb the impact of business operations on climate change.  “Being one of the original convenors of TPI, Holcim’s sustained participation is indeed a welcome development. In addition to Holcim Philippines, PBE hopes to encourage more businesses to join in the crusade to address climate change,” he said. “Given the Holcim Group’s worldwide experience in implementing projects to help the environment, Holcim Philippines’ participation in this initiative will be very helpful.”

Meanwhile, Holcim Philippines Chief Operating Officer Roland van Wijnen, who is also a member of the PBE board of trustees, said Holcim will continue to actively participate in efforts to protect the environment.

Last year, the international advocacy organization Germanwatch presented a study to the United Nations identifying the Philippines as the eighth most vulnerable country to the negative effects of climate change.

Click to enlarge

Employees of leading cement manufacturer Holcim Philippines, Inc., led synchronized tree-planting activities in all of the Company’s plants last Sept.16, to commemorate the legacy of the late environmentalist Odette Alcantara

Over 200 Holcim employees and officials, together with volunteers from non-government organizations (NGO), local officials and community members planted more than 3,800 trees in sites near the quarry areas of its plants. Holcim has cement manufacturing plants in Bulacan, La Union, Lugait, and Davao.

The event was organized by Holcim’s Geocycle Group to commemorate the environmental advocacy of Alcantara, former Philippine coordinator for the Earth Day Network (EDN) and a partner of the Company in several of its environmental initiatives. It has been almost a year since Alcantara passed away.

“Odette was an advocate of tree-planting activities so this is our way of showing our appreciation for her help, and continuing her fight to promote reforestation,” said Geocycle Technical Manager Ernesto Dela Cruz.

The EDN Philippines is a coalition of environmentalist groups that pushes the celebration of Earth Day here in the country. Alcantara helped found the organization in1999 in preparation for the Millenium Earth Day celebration. Holcim became a formal partner of the network last year.

The volunteers in Davao planted the most number of seedlings at 2,000 followed by La Union, Lugait, and Bulacan.

Holcim-Davao employees were joined by volunteers from the EDN, Barangay Ilang, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to plant the seedlings along the banks of the Ilang River, which the company had adopted.

“That we were able to attract some 250 volunteers point to a heightened awareness about environmental advocacy among our stakeholders. It’s just a matter of sending out a call for action and mobilizing them,” said Holcim Davao environment officer Faye Gerasta. The new saplings add to the 2,800 that the Company’s employees and other volunteers planted last year. She added that the new seedlings are part of the Davao plant’s commitment to the local community and DENR to help rehabilitate a two-kilometer stretch of the Ilang riverbanks.

In Bulacan, EDN program supervisor Ryan Vita thanked Holcim for honoring Alcantara with the tree-planting program. “This activity shows the synergy among the different sectors in caring for and protecting the environment. Indeed, sustained partnerships are crucial to supplement the initiatives of NGOs, the private sector, and the government,” he added.

Holcim-Bulacan’s corporate social responsibility and environment manager Teri Cruz said “optimizing idle lands within the plant, through tree-planting activities like this, forms part of the company’s commitment of taking care of the environment.”

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. The Group holds majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents.  Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPHI) is a Philippines-based cement manufacturer and a member of Holcim Group. Holcim Philippines is involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of cement to the domestic and export markets. The Company produces four cement products: Holcim Excel, Holcim WallRight, Holcim Premium Bulk and Holcim 4X. Its products are sold in bags, jumbo bags and in bulk. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao.  It currently has 1,500 employees in the Philippines.