ARC's green plan continues

MANILA, Philippines - Asiawide Refreshments Corporation (ARC), the licensed manufacturer and distributor of RC Cola products, has always prided itself on espousing green initiatives. Last year, the company was recognized for its compliance with government policies associated with environmental practices. Serving the green cause for the continued protection of natural resources, after all, has since been a part of the firm’s advocacy.

With friends from the AMY Foundation headed by ARC chairman Ambassador Alfredo M. Yao and its executive director, Alice Rodil, the top management team and employees of RC Cola participated recently in tree-planting activities held at La Mesa Watershed Nature Reserve in Quezon City.

Prior to the actual activity, foresters from ABS-CBN Foundation “Bantay Kalikasan” (the body responsible for the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project) oriented participants on the project and proper way to plant trees.

RC Cola representatives led by Raul Villapana, ARC assistant vice president for Human Resources Department and Corporate Communications, went on to plant over a hundred cupang seedlings inside the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed area. Bearing large, dark beans, the cupang (also known as kupang or copang) belongs to the mimosa family and takes about six years to grow fully. It thrives in a mangrove forest and is suited to the La Mesa Watershed’s moist environment.

Together with the AMY Foundation, RC Cola has chosen to take the path of creating a positive environment by adopting green ideals and pitching in worthwhile activities like tree planting. Villapana noted that the tree-planting project is actually “a part of ARC’s conscious effort to be environmentally responsible.”

“At ARC, we recognize the importance of environmental protection. By participating in activities like this, we are able to give back to nature by beautifying the environment. It also has a positive influence on us, because doing so makes us feel that we are doing something good not only as Filipinos but also as human beings in this world,” beams Villapana.

Now more than ever, he adds, addressing environmental sustainability has become a vital necessity in order to preserve the environment and ensure that future generations will have a greener life.

For her part, Rodil says, “Each and every one of us sometimes forgets to give back to our source of life — Mother Nature. We cannot deny the fact that as technology evolves, the environment also gets taken for granted. Among its other purposes, AMY Foundation is also entrusted to protect and improve the environment.”

Both Rodil and Villapana also noted that the issue of climate change has since become a critical phenomenon that should not be taken for granted.

“Rest assured that we at ARC will continue our mission of not only providing Filipinos with products that offer value-for-money,” ends Villapana, “we’ll also invest in lifestyles and actions that will be valuable for the harmony of humans, nature and industries.” 

The La Mesa Watershed is a vital source of drinking water for the 12 million residents of Metro Manila. Comprising 2,700 hectares, its forest acts as Manila’s carbon dioxide sink that allows its inhabitants to breathe in clean air. However, due to illegal setting and lack of funds to combat poaching, the La Mesa Watershed has started to deteriorate.

Today, the project has since become a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at rehabilitating the forest, combating issues of reducing carbon dioxide emission and climate change. RC Cola’s participation should help empower communities to do the same and mitigate environmental degradation.