Awards for top execs of Kepco and Cemex

Top officials of the Korean Electric Power Company (Kepco) and Cemex cement factory in Tinaan, Naga town have received presidential and governor's citations respectively for their "selfless display of corporate social responsibility."

In a short program at the Capitol Social Hall yesterday morning, Kepco chairman and chief executive officer Joon-Ho Han was conferred with the Presidential Award for his company's great contribution to the success of the government's "electrification goals."

Kepco had granted funds for the implementation of the program that provided power to at least 202 barangays in Cebu, Palawan, Siquijor and Panay Island, among others. It became a partner of the government's thrust to achieve 100 percent electrification of the country's villages by 2008.

In its effort to help address Cebu's power crisis in 2010, Kepco struck a deal with the provincial government and the National Power Corporation for the establishment of a 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Naga to be completed by 2008.

The giving of the Presidential Award was followed by the granting of the governor's citation to Cemex president and CEO Jaime de Jaro "for donating so generously all cement requirements in the province's efforts to upgrade seven national bridges from timber to concrete bridges."

Garcia then inked a deal with Kepco for the electrification of 40 sitios in 20 barangays in various towns of the province. President Gloria Arroyo witnessed the signing of the memorandum of agreement.

The president was Garcia's special guest during a luncheon party at the Capitol Social Hall for the governor's 51st birthday celebration yesterday.

Before the program she also unveiled a marker infront of the entrance of the Capitol Building where she took her oath as president in 2004. - Cristina C. Birondo/LPM