Cement industry sets pace in sustainable dev’t efforts

MANILA, Philippines - The Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) was recognized for its leadership in the business sector for its sustainable development initiatives, after besting 38 other industry organizations in the Sustainable Development Initiatives Recognition Awards spearheaded by the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI).

CeMAP was adjudged the “Most Outstanding Industry Association in the Optimum Use of Resources” category in the recently concluded FPI Manufacturers and Producers Summit held at the Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City.

This is the fourth award conferred to CeMAP, an addition to the group’s trophies for Most Outstanding Industry Association in Corporate Social Responsibility (2011), Waste Management (2011) and Health & Safety (2012). CeMAP is the only industry association to win in all four categories in the FPI awards.

The FPI Sustainable Development Initiatives Recognition Awards is an annual event that highlights the best innovative and replicable practices of business companies, industries and local government units (LGU). It aims to promote and institutionalize these practices which are consistent with their shared vision of sustainable development.  The practices are posted in the FPI website so that others can learn from them, which is the primary objective of the FPI awards. 

“Our members’ strong commitment to sustainable development is manifested in our continuing efforts to find ways to improve our already world-class practices in waste management, corporate social responsibility, health and safety and optimum use of resources,” said CeMAP president Ernesto M. Ordoñez.

CeMAP members CEMEX Group of Companies Philippines, Holcim Philippines, Lafarge Philippines, Northern Cement Corporation, Pacific Cement Corporation and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines invest in technology and implement practices that contribute to sustainable development in the four FPI-identified areas.

Through its sustainable development committee, CeMAP members share concepts and practices in their operations with the view of upholding the best interest of the environment and the local communities. All members have committed to the recycling of water used in their plants and implement policies that optimize their power consumption. They also reduce their carbon footprints and help process municipal and industrial waste through co-processing.

CEMEX, Holcim, Lafarge and Taiheiyo are members of the Cement Sustainable Initiative (CSI) of the World Business Council, where they commit to the international goal of implementing sustainable business practices.