Universal Robina Corporation's commitment to water conservation and sustainability was celebrated at the World Water Day Philippines Awards 2024 (WWD.PH Awards) on March 22 in Quezon City.
Hosted by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with Maynilad Water Services, the annual WWD.PH Awards recognize individuals, institutions, and programs that significantly contribute to water and water-environment sustainability in the Philippines.
The URC Pampanga Plant team, represented by URC Pampanga 2 Environmental Health and Safety Engineer Joshua A. Besas, Facilities and Utilities Manager Ernie S. Viray, and Pampanga 1 Environmental Health and Safety Engineer Zernan L. Mahia, proudly receives the Water-Wise Award at the World Water Day Philippines Awards 2024. IMAGE URC
One of the annual ceremony’s most prestigious honors, the Water-Wise Award, is presented to government institutions and private sector companies that display outstanding efforts in water conservation, protection, and sustainability. This year, URC’s Pampanga and URC’s El Salvador, Misamis Oriental (ESMO) plants were the only private sector entities to receive the distinction, underscoring the food and beverage company’s advocacy for responsible resource management and environmental compliance.
At the heart of URC Pampanga’s sustainability thrust are initiatives aimed at reducing its water consumption and improving the quality of its wastewater discharge. The successful implementation of programs like the Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Recovery Project, which resulted in a 3% reduction in water usage compared to 2022, and its Line 1 and 2 Rinse Recovery Project, which aims to reduce the amount of chlorine added to untreated (raw) water at the beginning of the water treatment process, are indicative of URC’s effective and socially responsible approach to sustainability.
The URC El Salvador, Misamis Oriental (ESMO) team, represented by Plant Manager Jose Estelito M. Aperocho, Environmental Health and Safety Engineer Julius A. Gabutan, and Multi-site HR Manager Lhea B. Piencenaves, took home URC's second Water-Wise Award. IMAGE URC
Meanwhile, the URC ESMO plant distinguished itself with innovative designs and techniques aimed at conserving water resources and achieving significant cost savings. In a desire to comply with government regulations as well as to push forward URC’s sustainability agenda, the team implemented projects on effluent recovery, chilled water recovery, reverse osmosis reject water recovery, and the addressing of water leaks. Collectively, these programs saved approximately five million liters of water and Php 1.12 billion pesos in utility costs.
With two well-deserved WWD.PH awards in hand, URC further demonstrates its steadfast commitment to sustainability, aspiring to be a leading example of responsible corporate citizenship and a paragon of sustainable global enterprise.
For more information on URC, visit urc.com.ph
