Four hundred local and foreign dignitaries as well as representatives of private companies gathered for the ECOSWITCH Awarding Ceremony held at the New World Hotel in Makati City, Philippines last September 25, 2012.
A total of 150 participating companies received plaques and certification for facilitating the switch in their organization towards more environmentally sustainable operations. The list of awardees includes Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, Philippine Airlines, Lufthansa Teknik, Kraft Foods, Inc.
The event marks the end of the second phase of the Green Philippines Islands of Sustainability Project, an initiative funded by the European Union’s SWITCH Asia program. ECOSWITCH-GPIoS seeks to contribute to an improved environmental and sustainable industrial development of Metro Manila and CALABARZON regions by introducing measures to save on energy, cut down on wastage and promote best environmental practices within organizations.
Project Directors Dr. Thomas Dielacher and Dr. Alena Labodova led the event, along with Project Coordinator Juvy Jem Perez, and Technical Consultants Wilson Baldonado, Joshua Rey Albarina, Rolando Sumabat, Helen oyce Basco, Maricris Elemos, Arlyn Gonzales and Administrative Coordinator, Mariefe Kim.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and General Manager of Laguna Lake Development Authority lauded the initiative, while also expressing the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
Mr. Matthieu Penot of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines commended the businesses and the Project Team for their contributions to greening the business sector. He was joined by other guests, Mag. Wilhelm Donko, the Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines, Mag. Isabel Schmiedbauer, Commercial Attache, Austrian Embassy; Gabriel Zobl-Kratschmann, Vice Consul at the Austrian Embassy; and Jakub Cerny, Deputy Head of Mission of Czech Republic.
Other presenters of the award were Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau, Mr. Bobby Banaag of Plantersbank and Ms. Teresa Pacis, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, GMA7.
The ceremony also featured partnership testimonials from Ms. Susan Benitez, President of Pollution Control Association of the Philippines (PCAPI); Mr. June Alvarez, Executive Director of the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI) and Ms. Victoria Tambunting-Alfonso, Vice President of the Plantersbank.
Selected companies also received the following citations:
ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Energy Efficiency: Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation
ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Water Conservation: Freshtex
ECOSWITCH Planet Award for Waste Minimization: United Pulp & Paper Company, Inc.
ECOSWITCH Green Coin Award: United Pulp & Paper Company, Inc.
ECOSWITCH People Award: Atlantic Coatings
ECOSWITCH Award for Impact and Dissemination: GMA Network, Incorporated and Plantersbank
ECOSWITCH Award for Networking: Manila Water Company, Incorporated
Young actress and television host Bettina Carlos hosted the event, along with Mr. Wilson Baldonado, Public Relations and Sustainability Officer and Ms. Juvy Perez, Project Coordinator.
Original post from GPIos/Ecoswitch-ph
Posted on October 8, 2012 in Ecoswitch Updates by Jill Padua