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3 geothermal firms receive environmental excellence seal in the Philippines

3 geothermal firms receive environmental excellence seal in the Philippines Northern Negros Geothermal Field of EDC, Philippines (source: EDC)
Francisco Rojas 20 Feb 2015

Aboitiz Power, Green Core Geothermal Inc. and the Energy Development Corp. were awarded the excellence seal by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday (February 18) bestowed its “Official Seal of Approval” to eight business establishments for showing “consistent excellence” in meeting the highest environmental standards.

DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje extolled the awardees under the Track 1 Category of the Philippine Environment Partnership Program (PEPP) for integrating environmental protection into their everyday operations.

He congratulated the awardees for their innovation, ingenuity and investment in environmental protection.

“Protecting the environment has become your mission and part of your business process,” he said. He added his hope that the PEPP would encourage more establishments to pursue environmental excellence.

Binga and Ambuklao Power Plants of Aboitiz Power; Green Core Geothermal Inc. and the Mt. Apo Geothermal Project of the Energy Development Corp. were awarded the excellence seal, making the Mt. Apo Geothermal Project a return awardees, having received the Seal in 2012 and 2013.

PEPP is a partnership program between the DENR and industries, in cooperation with other environment-related agencies, to encourage and support businesses to practice self-regulation towards improved environmental performance.

Track 1 Category awardees are usually large companies that go beyond compliance, and driven by competitiveness, image and supply chain requirements to improve performance. They are selected after undergoing stringent assessment by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau and members of a technical evaluation committee.

Nominees must be fully compliant with all applicable environmental laws, have had no cases pending or filed with the Pollution Adjudication Board for three years prior to their application, and should have shown superior environmental performance.

As part of the award, recipients get an additional one year of permit validity, relaxed submission of required reports, and simplified requirements in securing an environmental compliance certificate for expansion projects.

Since it was launched in 2009, a total of 75 business establishments have been awarded the DENR’s Official Seal of Approval.

To read the full press release, please follow the link

Source: Republic of the Philippines – Philippine Information Agency