SOURCE: San Miguel Corporation (SMC)
On World Water Day, a day where we acknowledge the significance and indispensability of this life-giving resource, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) takes pride in announcing its major strides under its flagship water sustainability program, “Water for All”. The corporation has been steadfast in its commitment to water conservation and river cleanup initiatives, garnering impressive results which reflect the company's dedication to protecting our most vital resource.
SMC’s Group-wide “Water for All” program, is an initiative that aims to conserve the precious resource by reducing the use of scarce water sources. It has successfully saved an impressive 7.5 billion liters of water in 2023 alone. This outstanding feat brings the program's seven-year water conservation total to an astounding 41.3 billion liters, equivalent to the monthly consumption of 1.3 million households.
The success of the “Water for All” initiative is largely attributed to the active involvement of SMC’s employees. Their adoption and adherence to water sustainability practices have played a crucial role in achieving these amazing results. From fixing leaks and replacing old pipes to installing rainwater harvesting facilities, every action contributes to the overarching goal of water conservation.
While the efforts of the employees are commendable, SMC's strategy in combating water scarcity extends beyond conservation. The company has made a significant shift towards the increased utilization of non-scarce water sources such as seawater, recycled water, and rainwater. This innovative approach has played a significant role in achieving the company's water-saving goals.
SMC's fuel and oils subsidiary Petron Corporation leads in water conservation, contributing to the majority of the total water savings through its use of a water desalination facility. Other subsidiaries including San Miguel Foods, San Miguel Brewery Inc., and San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., have also made valuable contributions to the water-saving initiative.
Since its inception in 2017, SMC’s Water for All program has experienced significant expansion. Currently, it monitors the water use of 96 SMC facilities, offices, and installations nationwide, marking a steady growth in the program's reach and impact.
In 2017, the same year the "Water for All" program was launched, SMC took a bold step towards sustainability by discontinuing its plastic bottled water business. This decision, though financially challenging, was a testament to SMC's commitment to reducing plastic waste and preserving water bodies.
Moving beyond water conservation, SMC embarked on an ambitious river cleanup program in 2020. The initiative started with a P1-billion project targeting the cleanup of the Tullahan River. This was followed by a P2 billion project aimed at rehabilitating the Pasig River. These endeavors have resulted in the removal of millions of metric tons of silt and waste from these rivers, significantly boosting their health and vitality.
As of March 21, SMC's river rehabilitation project had successfully removed a total of 5.5 million metric tons of silt and waste from 85 kilometers of waterways. These include the Tullahan River, Pasig River, San Juan River, and Bulacan rivers, as well as rivers in Laguna and Navotas.
SMC's water sustainability efforts are a testament to the corporation's commitment to the protection, preservation, and enhancement of our water resources. The remarkable progress achieved under the “Water for All” program and the river cleanup initiatives underscore the power of corporate responsibility in mitigating the world's water crisis. As we commemorate World Water Day, let us draw inspiration from these initiatives and pledge to do our part in conserving this invaluable resource.
No comments:
Post a Comment