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The Green Philippines Islands of Sustainability (GPIoS) project, funded by the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia program focusing on sustainable consumption and production of SMEs, held the 3rd ECOSWITCH Awarding Ceremony to recognize companies which successfully implemented environmental measures that reap both financial and ecological benefits. A total of 400 guests convened at the Manila Hotel last October 16, 2013, including the representatives of participating companies, dignitaries from the Embassies of Austria, Czech Republic and the European Union to the Philippines, government officials, media partners and the implementing organizations of the GPIoS project.

Dr. Alena Labodova, the Project Director of ECOSWITCH from the Technical University of Ostrava formally opened the ceremony. It was followed by the showcase of environmental, economic and social impacts from project implementation presented by Dr. Thomas Dielacher from the Center of Appropriate Technology, Vienna. In just 4 years, the ECOSWITCH-GPIoS project was able to generate savings of 66 million kWh electricity, 270 million kWh fuel, 32 million Kg of waste avoided, and around 2 million cubic meters of water conserved. The total energy savings is equivalent to the filtered CO2 of around 8, 500 five-year old mango trees. The ECOSWITCH approach is a holistic remedy where companies get to save the environment through institutionalizing green initiatives in the workplace resulting to cleaner air, cleaner water, less energy use and even happier employees.

The Philippine President, Benigno Aquino III sent his congratulatory message to the awardees and recognized the success of the ECOSWITCH-GPIoS project in advancing public awareness of the adoption of a more sustainable method in the operations of companies in Metro Manila and CALABARZON regions with the highest distinction.

ECOSWITCH-GPIoS gave special recognition to GMA Network Kapuso ng Kalikasan, one of the pioneer company beneficiaries of the project. GMA Network is one of the country’s largest broadcasting network which continuously promotes environmental awareness and conservation. The award was received by Ms. Teresa Pacis, GMA’s Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs, followed by the video message of Atty. Felipe Gozon, Chairman and CEO of GMA.

The program continues with its highlight, the awarding of the ECOSWITCH plaque for successful companies. Ambassador-designate Dr. Josef Muellner and Ms. Lisa Koscak from the Embassy of Austria to the Philippines, Ambassador Josef Rychtar and Mr. Jan Vytopil from the Embassy of Czech Republic to the Philippines and Ms. Diane Figueroa from the Bank of the Philippine Islands served as the distinguished award presenters. Astor Enterprises, CWC Group, Tri-Phil International, Inc., Toyota Motors Philippines are some of the company awardees.

The ECOSWITCH-GPIoS project will not be possible without the support of the European Union. Mr. Guy Ledoux, Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines imparted the success of the EU SWITCH- Asia program in the Philippines wherein ECOSWITCH-GPIoS is one of the projects. As the 4-year funded program comes to an end, Mr. Ledoux congratulated the project’s implementing organizations, the companies, government officials and other partner institutions which will play a key role in sustaining the initiative.

Ambassador Ledoux, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Assistant Director, Engr. Eva Ocfemia continued with the awarding of the top performing companies with the following distinction:

• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Energy Efficiency ECOSENSE Micro-enterprises Category – Charles and Aaron Design Corporation
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Energy Efficiency ECOFOCUS–Medium Companies Category – Lane Archive Technologies Corporation
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Energy Efficiency ECOBONUS Category–Large Companies Category Sycwin Coating and Wires, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Waste Minimization ECOSENSE Category – Planters Development Bank Insurance Agency, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Waste Minimization ECOBONUS Category – De La Salle University – Dasmarinas
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Hazardous Waste Reduction – Nippon Paint Philippines, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Raw Material Efficiency – Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Water Conservation ECOSENSE Category – Apo Chemical and Manufacturing Corporation
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Water Conservation ECOFOCUS Category – Innovative Packaging Industry Corporation
• ECOSWITCH People Award ECOSENSE Category – Planters Development Bank Insurance Agency, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH People Award ECOFOCUS Category – Centro Manufacturing Corporation
• ECOSWITCH People Award ECOBONUS Category – Havi Logistics Philippines, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Planet Award Greening the Supply Chain – Manila Water Company, Inc.
• ECOSWITCH Special Recognition Environmental Campaign – Honda Card Philippines, Inc. I’m Blue Program
• ECOSWITCH Special Recognition for Product Innovation – Tri-Phil international, Inc. Mizuno and Asics eco-gloves, eco-mitts, and eco-first base
• ECOSWITCH Special Recognition for Technological Innovation – Ergotronics Automation Enterprise Corporation Motorless Eco-ventilator

The ECOSWITCH Suppliers Network exhibit ran in parallel with the awarding ceremony. Guests enjoyed the display of environmental solutions brought by participating companies like Lane Archive Technology, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, GES Centron Energy Saving Technology, Plantex Solutions, Ergotronics Automation Enterprise Corporation, Union Galvasteel, AWS Distribution, LPS Construction, Metalite Builders, CWC Group, Dairy Zest Corporation, W.E.M. Living Water, Gabriel Technology and Planters Development Bank.

GMA Network talent Steven Silva and Mr. Lukas Stummer, Associate Sustainability Officer of ECOSWITCH-GPIoS hosted the program.

 

 Original post from GPIos/Ecoswitch-ph

Posted on October 22, 2013 in Ecoswitch Updates by Jill Padua