Land Bank awarded most sustainable company in the Philippines

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The Sustainable Business Awards held for the first time in the Philippines recognised companies that excelled in energy management, waste and material productivity, environmental disclosure, and other responsible practices.

The Land Bank of the Philippines has clinched the top gong at the Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) held on Monday for the first time in the country.

Organised by Singapore-based events firm Global Initiatives and Price Waterhouse Cooper Philippines (PWC), the SBA selected Land Bank as the Best Overall Winner out of 22 companies that won awards at a ceremony held at Dusit Thani Manila, which was attended by over 100 guests.

Land Bank – a government-owned company that has a social mandate to boost rural development through credit assistance to farmers and fisher folk, among other services – also won for the climate change category for their progressive environmental policies and strong support for mitigation and adaptation projects. In 2013, they also extended over four billion pesos of loans to environmental and renewable energy projects, said the organisers.

They also stood out for their inclusive business models, innovative programmes, and for improving the livelihood of local communities, added the organisers.

“At Land Bank, sustainability is a shared responsibility. It is embedded in our programs, work processes, products and services, and it also extends to our clients and partners,” Gilda Pico, Land Bank president and CEO, told Eco-Business.

Land Bank, which began operating sustainably in 2010, has several CSR initiatives, such as the ‘Adopt a Watershed’ programme and Manila Bay clean-up efforts, and has also produced a sustainability report for 2012 and 2013, following the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative, said Pico.

Along with Land Bank, other winners included Honda Philippines for the supply chain management category and Nestlé Philippines for water management and waste and materials productivity.

The awards, which is also held in Indonesia and will launch in Singapore later this year, covers 10 categories across a comprehensive framework of environmental measures: strategy and vision; workforce; CSR in the community; energy management; water management; waste and materials productivity; climate change; supply chain management; land use, biodiversity and the environment; and, business responsibility and ethics.

“At Land Bank, sustainability is a shared responsibility. It is embedded in our programs, work processes, products and services, and it also extends to our clients and partners"

Gilda Pico, Land Bank of the Philippines president and CEO

This framework was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders and global experts, said the organisers, adding that a quantitative review of companies’ environmental impacts, such as its carbon footprint or amount of waste generated, is important because what is measured is managed.

Gene Morales, PWC consulting director, explained that PwC worked with Global Initiatives to narrow down the prospective award participants by checking the 24-page questionnaire they each answered and by conducting a 30- to 60-minute phone interview with each participant to determine the existence of documents, procedures, and projects.

“Using the scoring framework provided by Global Initiatives and the results from the phone interviews, PWC rated the survey respondents. We then submitted an initial score that determined a short list,” Morales noted.

This list was provided to a National Advisory Panel, which is composed of eight members such as Hans Sicat, president and chief executive of the Philippines Stock Exchange and Philippine Senator Loren Legarda, who chairs the senate committees on environment and natural resources and climate change. The members of the panel, who gave insights and knowledge on the companies’ performance and reputation, finalised the list of winners with Global Initiatives.

Trucost, a London-headquartered natural capital accounting consultancy, also supported the organisers in the assessment of quantitative data and environmental measures.

According to the organisers, this allows companies to demonstrate that they are both aware of the scale of their environmental risks and are taking steps to manage them in a way that is data driven and systematic.

Chaoni Huang, Trucost head of business development in Asia, handed out the additional category award on environmental disclosure to Henkel, a multinational company in the home, beauty and adhesive industries that has been releasing sustainability reports globally since 1992.

The Sustainable Business Awards held on Monday in Manila took place on the first day of the co-located Responsible Business Forum on Food and Agriculture, which drew over 150 local and international participants from the government, business, academe and civil society sectors.

Redefining the Philippine Golf Experience- Philippines

 To hardcore enthusiasts, golfing isn’t just a game, it’s a way of life. But it’s not for everybody. The cerebral demands of the sport are intensely unique in that you compete against yourself and are given time to think before you act. And like in any other sport, where you play makes a difference.

 

 

For golf, a well-designed course, which balances aesthetics with game challenge, is hard to come by, much less one that takes into consideration family-friendly amenities. This is why Anvaya Cove stands out.

Anvaya Cove is working to reinvent the traditional concept of leisure, and the development is now set to redefine the sport as it announces plans to introduce the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club. Nestled within Bataan’s coastline, the seaside leisure community combines panoramic views unique to the development and raises the bar of sustainable living with its globally recognized efforts.

Unique

“Anvaya Cove is a tangible representation of Ayala Land Premier’s thrust for environmental sustainability, and holds the distinction of being our first leisure community development,” says Antonio Aquino, President of Ayala Land Inc. “As pioneers, we are proud that Anvaya Cove sets the benchmark for sustainability without taking anything away from the unique, recreational experience that it can provide for its growing community.”

Set in a location where the mountains meet the sea, Anvaya Cove offers a diverse mix of residential offerings—from a range of lot sizes, leisure townhomes and low-rise condominium units, all anchored on the tenets of sustainable leisure and complemented by exceptional amenities designed to cater to many interests and needs.

“Bataan’s unique coastline definitely adds to Anvaya Cove’s distinctiveness, and every feature within Anvaya Cove was built to Cheighten this experience,” says Aquino.

For this reason, Anvaya Cove is now extending its expertise in sustainable development and understanding of premier seaside living with the introduction of the development’s first, all-weather, 18-hole, championship course, clearly marking its potential to be ranked alongside the best golf courses in the world.

Green Golf

True to its thrust for sustainability, the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is designed to adhere to the same stringent set of sustainability guidelines that has allowed Anvaya Cove to be recognized worldwide.

It is done in partnership with Golf Plan, a world-renowned design firm specializing in sustainable golf course development.

For the golf aficionado, the 18-hole course offers an opportunity to enjoy a much-loved sport amid the grand vistas that only Anvaya Cove’s mountain or sea course can offer. Beginners and enthusiasts on the other hand, are provided an opportunity to learn and experience the game with the dedicated junior and ladies’ tees. The carefully planned course caters to varying skills and expertise ensuring a new challenge with each, and will be complemented by a driving range facility where golfers and newbies can refine their game or learn the sport, respectively.

“Beyond the majestic views and landscapes is of course the intent to give families a distinct place where they can enjoy time with loved ones,” adds Mike Jugo, Project Head of Anvaya Cove. The Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is also set to offer an expansive venue for recreation that will offer something for every member of the family. These include diverse dining experiences set to be enjoyed across expansive golf verandas, top-rate recreational and sports amenities including an expansive pool complex, sports courts, game room, a gym and fitness room.

Energy Development Corporation, BenCab team up for the environment

Energy Development Corporation, BenCab team up for the environment

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L-R: Lopez Group Foundation Inc. president Cedie Lopez Vargas, artist BenCab, LGFI Operations head Angela Lopez Guingona and EDC CSR manager Rei MedranoEnergy Development Corporation (EDC) and National Artist BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera) have joined hands in saving and propagating endangered premium native trees.

With the University of the Philippines-Baguio and the Philippine Society for the Study of Nature, EDC and BenCab Art Foundation Inc. (BAFI) planted 100 seedlings of 18 endangered tree species at BenCab’s farm in Tuba, Benguet recently.

The tree-planting activity is part of EDC’s BINHI: A Greening Legacy project, a nationwide reforestation and biodiversity preservation project to arrest forest degradation, contribute to climate change mitigation and provide sustainable livelihood for forest communities.

BAFI, EDC’s 97th partner for the project’s Tree for the Future module, will host the permanent planting area within the eco-trail of BenCab Museum and share in the responsibility of implementing the long-term protection, monitoring and maintenance of the planted trees until these have grown into mother trees.

Launched in 2008, BINHI is focused on bringing back highvalue but fast-dwindling native

trees such as yakal, tindalo, kamagong, mangkono and ipil.

Rei Medrano, EDC manager for CSR, said: “We source the few remaining seedlings of endangered premium native trees and grow them into mother trees in planting sites where they can

be best protected and nurtured…. These mother trees will be used to propagate more seedlings for transplant all over the country.”

EDC has already rescued 85 premium endangered tree species out of the 96 target priority species with the help of its BINHI partners nationwide, Medrano added. (By Toni Nieva)

Fueling Development in the Philippines

Broadcast premiered on December 15th and repeat telecast on December 17th on

Didn't catch the premiere broadcasts?  

Click here to view our vimeo site:

 Fueling Development in the Philippines 

to watch the full episode and share with your network!  

Moody’s notes Philippine gains

STRONG FIRST quarter growth, coupled with a steady improvement in the government’s finances, bode well for the Philippines’ credit rating, Moody’s Investors Service said.

      In a credit outlook released yesterday, Moody’s hailed the 7.8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter, which beat market expectations and the government’s full-year target of 6-7%.

"GDP growth in the Philippines is on an upward trend, in contrast to lackluster global growth performance," Moody’s noted.

"On a year-on-year basis, the Philippines’ first-quarter real GDP growth is the strongest among all rated countries in the Asia-Pacific region, outpacing larger emerging markets such as China (7.7%) and Indonesia (6%)."

Moreover, Moody’s cited the P36.8-billion fiscal surplus posted in April -- the highest monthly surplus on record that was driven by a 28.9% jump in income tax collections.

"The improvement in tax receipts demonstrates that the government’s efforts to bolster tax compliance are gaining traction and helping to boost revenue generation, one of the key weaknesses of the Philippines’ credit profile," it said.

It added that with President Benigno S. C. Aquino III sticking to a campaign promise not to raise taxes, it was important for his government to prove that its strategy of raising revenues via tax compliance could work.

Year to date, meanwhile, the government has posted a fiscal deficit of P29.68 billion and Moody’s noted the "moderate" increase could suggest spending restraint on the part of the government despite the May midterm elections.

"[T]he government’s spending decisions are increasingly driven by long-term economic objectives rather than short-term political ones," it noted.

It likewise praised the speedy roll-out of infrastructure projects so that these wouldn’t be compromised by the Commission on Elections’ ban on public spending leading up to the May elections.

Moody’s forecast that the government would hit its P238-billion deficit target for this year -- equivalent to 2% of GDP -- unlike in 2010 when frenzied campaign spending bloated the deficit to P293.2 billion, over the target of P131.6 billion or 3.5% of GDP.

"The government thus largely honored the constraints imposed in order to provide for free and fair elections, while simultaneously maintaining fiscal discipline," it said.

In summary, Moody said, "these developments are credit positive."

The rosy outlook boosted hopes that the debt watcher would soon raise the Philippines’ credit rating to investment grade. Moody’s currently rates the Philippines at Ba1, one notch below.

The two other major debt watchers, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, earlier this year upgraded the Philippines to BBB-, taking the country to investment grade.

Mr. Aquino, for his part, yesterday said he did not want to predict Moody’s actions. He told reporters, however, that the government was hoping to give the credit rater enough reason to award an upgrade.

"I don’t want to preempt them ... But I think the second quarter figures should be of the same ilk [as first quarter GDP growth]. We are hoping that they will be same or even better," Mr. Aquino said.

Moody’s has yet to visit the Philippines this year.

"We are still working on a date with the Moody’s team," Investor Relations Office Executive Director Claro P. Fernandez said.

"They do a due diligence regularly, at least once a year."

BW Online

Filipino Innovations Recognized

A Look at the 2013 Asean Corporate Sustainability Summit APEX Global

A Convergence of Sustainable Minds - the first-ever 2013 ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit in Manila, Philippines last April 4-5, 2013. The event showcased 44 speakers from 11 countries and brought together over 200 sustainability practitioners from the ASEAN region.

'We wanted to connect a community of sustainability practitioners who will steward not just their companies but the extended community; and create a shared value by mainstreaming sustainability in their operations and relations with the community.'

The rise of Sustainability Headwinds, such as Climate Change, Globalization, the Digital Explosion and Population Growth, has created a notable rise in the number of companies that are implementing sustainability initiatives. Yet despite this encouraging progress, there is still a clear need for companies to weave sustainability initiatives into the fabric of their long-term strategy, finance and core operations as a means to not only survive, but succeed in their fields – this was the resounding message in the first-ever ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit, which was held at the Mandarin Oriental, Manila on April 4-5, 2013.

The theme of the summit this year was “Shifting Gears. Mainstreaming Sustainability.” as the aim of the event is to empower companies to shift their outlook on sustainability, from just a separate initiative, into a key part of their core strategy and operations. Organized by APEX Global, the learning solutions arm of ECCI, the summit fulfilled its purpose of cultivating an exchange of ideas by bringing together 44 speakers from 11 countries, who imparted how they have made an impact through sustainability, to the over 200 delegates from the ASEAN region who attended.
Highlights of the summit include a preview of the GRI:G4 Reporting guidelines by Dr. Aditi Haldar, director of GRI Focal Point (India); and Dr. Reiner Hengstmann, global director of PUMASafe Supply chain, who presented Puma’s award-winning Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) statement. Local industry leaders from the Philippines, namely: the Ayala Group through its subsidiaries - BPI, Globe Telecom and Manila Water; the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), TeaM Energy and Petron were also among the notable speakers at the summit, sharing their sustainability commitment to the delegates. The summit was augmented into three stream sessions: Stakeholder Engagement for Value Creation, Governance & Strategy, and Competitiveness through Innovation, providing the delegates with a good mix of discussions on implementing sustainability into their core operations.

“We wanted to connect a community of sustainability practitioners who will steward not just their companies but the extended community; and create a shared value by mainstreaming sustainability in their operations and relations with the community,” ECCI Country Manager Karthik Subburaman noted of the success of the event.

APEX Global is now working on next year’s event, the 2014 ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards, which will continue its legacy of providing relevant and engaging topics while also creating an avenue to recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their fields through their commitment to sustainability. For more information on the upcoming summit and of APEX Global’s other events and projects, visit their website at http://www.eccigroup.com.

AMEA partners with ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit

Happening today 4th and 5th of April in Manila.  

In the competitive business arena, companies do what they can to survive. They try to make
ends meet, meet goal after goal – but what does it really take to succeed?

Sustainability has always been considered to be a part of a company’s Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR), but in today’s business landscape, the Darwinian Theory evidently
holds true – implementing sustainable practices is needed to gain a competitive edge
and stay ahead! It can no longer be denied that among several success factors in such a
globalized economy, mainstreaming sustainable practices in businesses stands prominent
in order to harness long-term results.

Sustainability has evolved to become the crucial element to determine if a company is
merely surviving or if it is succeeding.

HIGHLIGHTS
ECC International – through its learning solutions arm, Apex Global – is proud to present
the 2013 ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit, which aims to discuss the importance
of integrating sustainable practices in business through its theme: “Shifting Gears.
Mainstreaming Sustainability.”

Mining companies asked to be partners in building sustainable society

MANILA, Philippines - An official of De La Salle University (DLSU) has challenged mining companies “to show that the industry can be a partner toward building a sustainable society for Filipinos.”

“They should call our attention to the fact that they can be our co-workers as we all help in giving quality life for Filipinos,” DLSU Liberal Arts dean Dominador Bombongan Jr. said.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and representatives of mining companies recently met with DLSU political science students in a forum which COMP president Philip Romualdez described as a meeting with an academic community that “has not arbitrarily and totally closed its mind on responsible mining.”

“Mining companies who practice and advocate responsible mining should also demonstrate to us that they are not contributing further to the destruction of our already fragile environment,” Bombongan said.

“We are happy to dialogue with an academic community which is open-minded and willing to listen” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said the COMP is willing to show people how large-scale responsible mining operations are done and to educate the public about how small-scale mining activities are conducted.

“We can show any willing and open-minded person or group how our member-companies are practicing responsible and sustainable mining,” he said.

Among the companies in the dialogue with the students was Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI), government contractor for the proposed $5.9-billion Tampakan copper-gold mining project in South Cotabato.

Recently, SMI supported the call of an international industry watchdog, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), for the Philippine government “to ensure that resource-rich communities feel the fruits of the extraction of mineral resources.”

SMI general manager Mark Williams said the company “supports the Aquino administration’s willingness to ensure transparency of revenue payments from the mining industry.”

EITI said the government should be transparent and “show that the local governments hosting mining projects get their fair share of the mining revenues.”

EITI also said that transparency will ensure the prudent use of the country’s mineral resources and make the mining industry a real engine of economic growth.    Philstar

Updates - OceanaGold

Recently on companyinsight.net.au,  Mick Wilkes the MD of Oceanagold was interviewed on the updates of their gold project in the Philippines.  Below are some excerpts of this interview, to see the full version please visit:   Company Insight - Oceanagold

Highlights of Interview
Recent & expected improved operating performance of New Zealand operations. Strong progress at Didipio.  Production timing, production levels & operating costs. Explains Philippines mining sector reform & implications for OGC. Success of locally owned Didipio Community Development Corporation ('DiCorp'). Explains recently signed US$225 million debt facility, giving funding flexibility. Feedback about OceanaGold from the Diggers & Dealers conference. Current investor proposition & future growth for the Company.

Q: What are the implications for OceanaGold after the Philippines Government signed the 'Executive Order 79' which covers Philippines mining sector reform?

MD & CEO, Mick Wilkes: The Executive Order is designed to ensure a more responsible, sustainable and equitable mining industry in the Philippines.  So, we view the Executive Order as a positive for reform for the mining industry in the Philippines, but more importantly for us because it will clear the way for the approval for an extension of our current exploration permit.  We expect this approval to come through in the next month or two and we are ready to drill some near mine prospects.

Importantly, the Government has said they will regulate more rigorously small scale mining to improve environmental management.  They also want to improve the transparency of the mining industry which will increase the confidence of foreign investors to invest in mining in the Philippines.

Q: The Company has discussed the strong local support for the project and the establishment of the locally-owned cooperative 'DiCorp'. Can you elaborate on DiCorp and how it is involved with the project?

MD & CEO, Mick Wilkes:  The Didipio Community Development Corporation ('DiCorp') is an entity initiated by OceanaGold, and DiCorp's shareholders are long term residents around Didipio.  Its purpose is to help develop skills to provide services for the long term operation of mines.
The shareholders will benefit from being able to develop these skills, but also through sharing in the profits that DiCorp generates.  DiCorp already has around 80 employees and that will increase to around 200 over the next 6 months as more contracts are awarded at the Didipio mine site.

DiCorp is already contracted to maintain the access road, operate the employee bus service, carry out the waste collection service and it also has the cleaning contract for the mining camp.  These types of companies have been set up successfully in other countries and it is turning out to be very successful for DiCorp's shareholders and for OceanaGold.

Philippine rebound to be sustained?

Interesting article published in The Edge, Singapore.

The author argues that Philippine's rebound is in fact sustainable and investors should look deeper than the "legions of cynics."  The key points in the argument are as follows:

Positives accumulating -
1. Inflation is falling
2. Country risk premium is falling
3. Economy more resilient to external shocks
4. Govt stability increasing

 Investment deterrents easing-
1. Philippines is one of the highest concentrations of minerals in the world, but restrictive regulations that were deterring investments are gradually being removed
2. Major investment in infrastructure has been announced in the new budget
3. Steps being taken by administration to enhance the investment climate - campaign against corruption, increase in BPO growth.

 However, challenges remain - weak infrastructure, high utility costs, to name a few result in Philippines ranking not too highly in international rankings. However, with good policy making, these can be overcome. Please click on link below for the full article:

Manu Bhaskaran: Can the Philippines’ rebound be sustained?
Monday, 16 July 2012

© 2012 - The Edge Singapore

What are your thoughts?

Philippines: The Sustainable Path Premiere on CHANNEL NEWS ASIA!

OceanaGold Philippines mine now fully funded

OceanaGold Philippines mine now fully funded

Philippines poised to join the ranks of World's Tiger Economies

According to international experts, Philippines  has the opportunity to join the ranks of the world’s tiger economies of Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. 

Under the Aquino administration, Philippines is positioned for huge growth-  However, this is not without its challenges. The Philippine boom may continue, but not without further economic reform.   

Ultimately, it is undeniable that with its many strengths, Philippines will become a force to reckon with. Its large population (with its potential to drive growth), the ability of the population to speak english- making it number 2 in the world for Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) and its vast resources (the world’s fifth richest in natural resources) are natural endowments that can potentially spur the economy to greater heights.

Stay tuned as we continue AMEA’s sustainability series of the Philippines with  - Philippines: The Sustainable Path  - premiering on Channel News Asia on July 19th at 9.30pm . Catch repeats on July 20th at 10:30am, July 21st at 3:30pm and July 22nd at 5:30pm.

Watch how mining, in tandem with sustainable development contributes to the economy’s growth. Keep in the know with sustainability!