BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—For the first time, a mining firm won the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s most coveted award, the 2018 Excellence in Ecology and Economy (E3) Award in the large enterprise category.
The premier award was received by OceanaGold Philippines Inc. during the 44th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel on Oct. 18.
PCCI said the award was given to OceanaGold for its “outstanding environmental programs particularly its use of green production technology for its processing operations, forgoing profits in favor of preserving natural resources and making the company a role model for mining industry.”
The E3 Award seeks to recognize companies or enterprises that have demonstrated the most innovative projects and outstanding environmental performance in their pursuit of business sustainability.
The award has adopted the theme, “Business Sustainability through Environmental Stewardship,” which highlights the importance of managing resources to ensure long-term business operation.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and PCCI officials conferred the trophy to OGPI, represented by general manager David Way, company chairman Joey Leviste, and Environment Superintendent Hero Labatos.
“Such honor is testament to the amount of care that we have invested in our communities, sincerely listening to them and valuing the things that matter most to them especially their environment,” Way said.
Several companies competed in the E3 Awards and were adjudicated in terms of ecological, financial, competitiveness and social values.
The various innovations of the Didipio mine were highlighted which included the use of cleaner production technology in mill processing, the early implementation of the mine’s progressive rehabilitation, and the establishment of its Energy Management System (EnMS).