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Message from Lopez

For love of country, we are prepared to take action to make it better

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Oscar M. LopezOscar M. LopezA very good afternoon to all of you. I have been asked to share with you my own CSR story, journey and challenges. How my CSR attitudes and philosophy shaped and guided our corporate CSR programs. And so I shall.

I suspect that, often, an individual’s attitudes toward corporate social responsibility develop from something that he or she is passionate about to begin with, a hobby or interest that then becomes an advocacy. So it was with me, but much of my thinking and awareness was also influenced by what my father did, and by what earlier generations of Lopezes have done in the way of public service.

I have long had a love and fascination for trees, and in particular, hardwoods indigenous to the Philippines, many of which are now considered vanishing species. We had family farms in Paradise Farms in San Jose del Monte and in Guimaras Island, and I found an outlet for my love affair with trees by initiating and overseeing the planting of orchards or stands of one tree species or other.

In 1987, however, barely a year after I had assumed the headship of First Philippine Holdings Corporation following the EDSA Revolution, an opportunity arose to carry out a 1,000-hectare reforestation project in Sacobia, Tarlac under the auspices of the DENR and the US AID. It was to be a two year contract funded by the US AID and the parameters encouraged the planting of hardwoods, in addition to fast-growing species. We jumped at this opportunity, and it turned out to be very successful, and profitable as well. After the contract period, we turned the area over to the DENR. Not too long thereafter, Mt. Pinatubo erupted. In the aftermath of the eruption, I visited the reforestation site, fearing the worst. To my surprise, the trees that we had planted were growing most vigorously, perhaps even aided by the fact that, due to the eruption, the young trees benefited by the volcanic ashfall. After 5 more years, I went back to the area and was disappointed to see many of the trees cut down for firewood and housing material by the Negritos. This is one problem in reforestation, you have to have people to take care of our trees.

During the 1990’s, we tried to find ways to pursue a sustained reforestation program. Without funding subsidy from an entity like the US AID, however, it was difficult to identify a project that would financially be self-supporting and viable under normal corporate risk-return measures.

Fortunately, much later, we won the privatization bid for the Energy Development Corporation, or “EDC”. For geothermal power to be sustainable and successful, it is absolutely essential to protect and enhance the watersheds that feed a geothermal heat resource and the water that it converts into exploitable steam. For many, many years, EDC had already been conducting systematic reforestation and forest conservation within its geothermal concession areas. But in September 2008, we decided to expand EDC’s reforestation and forest management program in the Philippines. We launched “BINHI” as EDC’s greening legacy. The program calls for reforesting 1,000 hectares every year for ten years from 2009. It has four components, namely “tree for the future”; “tree for life”; “tree for food” and “tree for leisure”. It will entail paying out in excess of P22.2 Million annually to forest communities.

By 2013, EDC had already reforested 12,050 hectares in its own sites, and maintains 89,700 hectares of protected and forested, or reforested, area. Partly because I requested it, EDC today devotes a significant part of its annual tree planting to vanishing and rare Philippine hardwoods. “Tree for the future” specifically aims to rescue and secure prime endangered Philippine species. So in the end, quite by accident or quirk of fate, my fondest dream has been realized.

But to return to the 1990’s. Although we could not get back into corporate reforestation, I was given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Conservation International, an international environmental organization with a presence in more than 30 countries, whose mission is “to protect the most fundamental things that nature provides to all of us: our food, our fresh water, our livelihoods and a stable climate.” I chaired First Philippine Conservation, Inc. which was formed to lend support to Conservation International in the Philippines.

Serving with Conservation International, I began to learn about biodiversity and I came to realize how much of a blessing and a curse it is for the Philippines. A blessing, because in spite of how we have exploited and abused our environment, the Philippines remains one of the most diverse countries in both its flora and its fauna. A curse, because we are also one of the principal biodiversity hot spots in the world, with a high incidence of threatened species. Conservation International operated a test plot in Palanan, Isabela, to study, in order to protect, what little remaining old-growth rain forests we have in the Sierra Madre mountains. There I slept under the trees for the next few nights and I had the pleasure of getting to know the late Leonard Co.

I was impressed and fascinated by Leonard’s mastery of the taxonomy of virtually everything growing in the forest. As I came to discover, the forest was Leonard’s classroom, first as a student, and subsequently as professor. I, in turn, became his student. Each hike we took in the forest became, for me, a lesson in botany and biodiversity.

I have never seen anyone so comfortable in the rainforest as Leonard was. We, my colleagues and I, would be kitted out in the best hiking shoes, outfits and jackets we could find, with backpacks, canteens, insect repellents and all. Leonard … well, Leonard went around in tsinelas, in his camisa tsina, and always with his umbrella! For him, a place to sleep was a hammock slung between two trees. He regaled us with stories, but most of all, he regaled us with his knowledge of the forest and all the plants and creatures that he shared his beloved forest with.

My stint with Conservation International and my forays to Isabela also had one great dividend – my son Piki was introduced to biodiversity, its blessings and its threats. In his own style and manner, he has become a protector of our environment. For many years now, he has championed the conservation of the Verde Island Passage as one of the richest sources of marine biodiversity in the country and in the world.

Now, it is one thing to be an advocate of environmental responsibility. But often, what your company does is not necessarily tied into what your advocacies are, and at worst, may be at cross purposes to what you advocate. As most of you are aware, the principal core business of First Philippine Holdings is power generation. Our largest power plants are gas-fired, from Shell’s Malampaya gas fields and therefore rely on the cleanest available fossil-based fuel and technology. With EDC, we are the second largest geothermal power producer in the world. Our other power plants rely on hydro, wind and most recently, solar energy sources. Thankfully, between my advocacies and those of Piki, we have managed to avoid going into coal-based power generation, which would add to the fast accumulation of carbon in the world’s atmosphere.

The other major challenge of any CSR program is that of leveraging upon itself, so that other corporations and institutions, and hopefully society at large, assume co-ownership of it. In this way, there is a multiplier effect to both the program and to those who benefit from the program. To help address our vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, this is what we are now trying to accomplish in setting up the OML Center, short for “The OML Center For Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation, Inc.” It was established in my honor, and so the OML stands for Oscar M. Lopez, me.

It was launched in August 2012, initially as a partnership between the First Holdings Group of Companies that also provided its initial seed fund of P150 Million, and the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.

The OML Center seeks to generate science-based solutions in the area of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management. It is prepared to promote and fund research activities that generate such solutions. It seeks to establish more effective information dissemination and hazard warning systems so that our people can take themselves out of harm’s way.

And what of the future? I think that the continuity of the Lopez legacy of social responsibility is assured for at least another generation. Even as I speak before you, the next generation of Lopezes, the sixth, is already hard at work carrying on the family legacy. For example, the ABS-CBN Foundation, led by my niece Gina, my brother Geny’s eldest daughter, has several major programs, the most well-known being Bantay Bata which translates to “child watch”, and Bantay Kalikasan which translates to “nature watch”.

Since its establishment in 1997, Bantay Bata has aided, counseled, or rescued more than 207,000 children from all over the country from physical and psychological abuse. Bantay Kalikasan adopted as its main initiative the protection and preservation of La Mesa Dam, Metro Manila’s principal watershed and reservoir serving more than 12 million people. It has so far re-forested 1,200 hectares by planting nearly 120,000 trees, mostly endemic species.

More recently, Gina has spearheaded the clean-up and rehabilitation of the Pasig River, and the ecological preservation of a number of very sensitive areas in Palawan.

Standing quietly behind Gina, but in full support of her programs, is ABS-CBN headed and chaired by her older brother, Gabby, the fourth Eugenio Lopez. ABS-CBN is, today, through Sagip Kapamilya , the most trusted conduit for local and international aid and assistance mobilized in times of natural disasters.

Education is the single most important enabler to help families overcome poverty. Believing that millions of Filipino school children in remote towns and villages will greatly improve their learning if they had access to satellite or cable-based educational television, the Knowledge Channel Foundation, founded and led my daughter Rina, has given access to education television to 2.7 million students in more than 1,600 public schools nationwide.

First Philippine Conservation, Inc., led by my son Federico or “Piki” , in partnership with Conservation International and other donors, has implemented long-gestation biodiversity conservation projects. These include Philippine eagle program in Baggao, Cagayan, and other urgent initiatives in the Isla Verde channel between Mindoro and Batangas, one of the richest centers of marine biodiversity in the world; and in the Sierra Madre range and other biodiversity hot spots where hundreds of species, most of them endemic are threatened or endangered.

It is also actually Piki who is the moving force behind the OML Center. His advocacies and mine have combined and guided us as we have built a core business of power generating platforms based on clean and renewable fuels – natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar.

In preparing my remarks, I have tried to identify and describe the elements common to the social responsibility orientation that has stretched across six generations of the Lopez family. It is, quite simply, because we love our country and because we are prepared to take action to make it better.

Thank you and good afternoon to all of you.  

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Archive

  • ► 2022
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help one another heal
      • • Building a resilient Philippines
      • • Our hope this Christmas
      • • Remembrance, reflection, gratitude
  • ► 2021
    • ► December
      • • Honoring the reason for Christmas
      • • Prosperity for all
      • • A time of cheer
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  • ► 2020
    • ► December
      • • Humanity at its finest
      • • Moving forward in a new world
      • • Hope for better days
      • • Stewardship and fidelity
  • ► 2019
    • ► December
      • • The truest treasure
      • • Continuing our great work
      • • The gift of life
      • • Seeking peace
      • • Perfectly united
  • ► 2018
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help keep the lights on
      • • Family is our place of love
      • • Spreading Christmas cheer
      • • Renewing family ties
    • ► March
      • • Keeping the lights on in the transition to an all-renewable future
  • ► 2017
    • ► December
      • • Together we have stepped up
      • • A year of rebirth and gratitude
      • • Looking forward, looking back
  • ► 2016
    • ► December
      • • Choosing to be powered by good
      • • Our mission remains the same
      • • Remember God’s love
      • • Changing with the changing times
      • • Each Christmas is a new opportunity
    • ► June
      • • Keynote Remarks of First Philippine Holdings chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
      • • Keynote Remarks of Lopez Holdings chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
  • ► 2015
    • ► December
      • • Continue to push the boundaries
      • • We cannot lose hope in the Filipino
      • • Let us count our blessings every day
      • • Thank you for a remarkable year
      • • The wonders of Christmas
    • ► October
      • • Remarks of Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez, on the Lopez Achievement Awards 2014 held at Studio 10, ABS-CBN Compound on October 15, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the 2014 Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremony held at ABSCBN Studio 10 on October 15, 2015
    • ► July
      • • For love of country, we are prepared to take action to make it better
    • ► May
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Chairman and CEO of Lopez Holdings Corporation, at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held at Power Plant Mall Cinema, Rockwell Center, Makati City
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez, Chairman and CEO, at First Gen Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 13, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of Energy Development Corporation on May 5, 2015
      • • Oscar M. Lopez: even at 85, there are worlds left to conquer
    • ► April
      • • The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name
      • • Oscar M. Lopez on Longevity and Success
    • ► March
      • • Remarks of Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 2012 Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines and Conferment of the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa
    • ► February
      • • Excellence is a Habit
    • ► January
      • • Towards A New Year of Promise
  • ► 2014
    • ► December
      • • Christmas is a time for gratitude
      • • Christmas message from Eugenio Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Federico R. Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Presentacion L. Psinakis
      • • Christmas message from Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez
      • • Christmas message from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► October
      • • The Parley between Lopez and Marcos
      • • Why Choose Philippines?
      • • When War Escalates to Devastating Results
      • • The Inevitable Decline: Did Marcos Finally Go Too Far?
      • • Mayhem in Malacañang: Find Out What Caused Eñing’s Massive Fit
      • • The Yolanda Hero and the Unsung Hero
    • ► September
      • • Igniting the fallout: The unbelievable tactic President Marcos enforced
      • • Inspirational Remarks by Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez on the occasion of the Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremonies held at ABS-CBN Studio 10 on September 24, 2014
      • • A fork in the road: When two brilliant forces arrive at a point of dissent
      • • Discover what happened when a national problem took a turn for the worst
      • • Guess who came to the Nationalista victory party
      • • Don Eñing fights his greatest battle
    • ► August
      • • Remembering Ninoy this August 21
    • ► July
      • • CSR Challenges to Corporations
      • • Lessons from Typhoon Yolanda
      • • The exciting conclusion to the most epic chapter of the 100-year history of the Lopez Group (page 8)
      • • Lopez Values: a powerful rival makes an unforeseen move
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Lopez Group Chairman at the Lopez Service Awards Night on July 2, 2014
      • • Just as Macapagal goes in for the kill, the chink in his armor is revealed
    • ► June
      • • From Bridges to Betrayal: the Lopez-Macapagal battle takes on another surprising twist
      • • Just When Macapagal Thought Victory Was His For The Taking…A Surprise Move from the Lopez Camp!
      • • Celebrating the Filipino Identity
      • • Chaos Warfare: Find out what brilliant tactic Don Eñing used to beat Macapagal at his own game
      • • Don Eñing lost BISCOM to Macapagal but What He Did Next Will Amaze You
    • ► May
      • • Defeating the Enemy with the Power of Unity and Trust
      • • Let’s celebrate something GOOD!
    • ► April
      • • The Start of an Alliance. Read page 8 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Summer Break
    • ► March
      • • Facing a New Vendetta: Page 7 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • A Bitter Demise: Page 6 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • An Iroclad Approach: Page 5 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • The adversary strikes back. Read page 4 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Heritage and Love of Country
      • • What happens to Montilla in the Battle of Biscom?: Page 3 of Underestimated Webcomics
    • ► February
      • • How far have we come since EDSA 86 People Power?
      • • Outsmarting the Foe: Page 2 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • Hope for the Laborers’ Plight: Page 1 of Underestimated Web Comics
    • ► January
      • • Resilient and Unsinkable: Why the Lopez Spirit Is Never Underestimated
  • ► 2013
    • ► December
      • • This season, Selflessness is more than possible
    • ► September
      • • To Fly and Fly Again comic series
      • • A Letter from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio at Heart series
      • • A Lifetime of Excellence
    • ► June
      • • Independence and Nationalistic Pride
    • ► May
      • • Happy Mothers’ Day to everyone
    • ► March
      • • Pope Francis of the Poor and Lent
    • ► February
      • • Remembering the Spirit of EDSA
      • • Chinese New Year
  • ► 2012
    • ► December
      • • The Hope for Unity: The Winning Entries to the “What Do You Want This Christmas” Lopez Values Stars Facebook Contest
    • ► November
      • • What do you want this Christmas?
    • ► October
      • • LAA: Setting Ourselves Apart
      • • EDC and Claudio Bravo
      • • OML on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s Memoir
    • ► September
      • • In Pursuit of Education and Social Justice
    • ► July
      • • It’s Good to Go Green!
    • ► June
      • • Winners of the Nationalism Essay Contest
      • • Nationalism in the Workplace
      • • Nationalism and the Lopez Group Employee
      • • How can we express nationalism in our everyday work?
      • • Ang Pagiging Makabayan
      • • We now have our own Facebook page!
      • • Back-to-school this June
    • ► May
      • • Ready, Set, Succeed: OML’s Take on Life
    • ► April
      • • It’s More Fun to Choose Philippines
    • ► March
      • • How can we express our nationalism today in our everyday work?
    • ► February
      • • Dragon Energy
  • ► 2011
    • ► December
      • • This Season is the Best Time to Give Thanks
    • ► November
      • • A Whole New World
      • • Giving Voice to Lopez Values
    • ► October
      • • Serving the Kapamilya
    • ► September
      • • Social Responsibility
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio Lopez on his 110th Birth Anniversary
    • ► June
      • • Rizal the Sportsman and our Palaro
      • • It Is Never Too Late To Try Something New
    • ► May
      • • Giving Back
    • ► April
      • • Why Do I Climb Mountains?
      • • Lent at 81
      • • Creating Trust
      • • Getting Ready for the Big One
    • ► March
      • • Aligning the Values
      • • Unity in Tragedy
      • • Remembering the “Ides of March”
      • • Our Values Unite Us
    • ► February
      • • Love for Country
      • • Eyes on the Prize
      • • Happy Valentine’s, Kapamilya!
      • • Kung Hei Fat Choi!
    • ► January
      • • Are You A Lopez Values Superstar?
      • • Happy New Year, Kapamilya!
  • ► 2010
    • ► December
      • • Happy Holidays!
  • ► 0000
    • ►
      • • To survive and not despair

Web Comics

Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Underestimated
Underestimated
To Fly and Fly Again
To Fly and Fly Again

Under Estimated

 

Man in the Frame

 

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