First Balfour president Anthony Fernandez (in light shirt) and ESH head Rey Arce (in dark jacket) with members of the ISO committee and TÜV SÜD lead auditor Brenda Estonato (in striped coat) during the handover ceremonyFor the 15th straight year, First Balfour has been certified by TÜV SÜD PSB Philippines Inc. for its compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) and OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSAS).

Following a successful transition audit to the 2015 standard of ISO 14001 and a recertification audit under OHSAS 18001 in June 2018, the company finally received its new ISO certificates on September 13, 2018.

The handover ceremony was attended by top First Balfour executives, members of the ISO committee and TÜV SÜD representatives.

“These certificates reaffirm First Balfour’s position as a Quadruple A construction and engineering company that subscribes to the highest level of ESH standards and practices, qualities that will surely continue to make us the partner of choice in the industry,” said Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) head Reynold Arce.

TÜV SÜD auditors were highly appreciative of the company’s environmental performance, its programs on health and safety, its communication dissemination and the support of top management in the implementation of these initiatives.

“In terms of EMS, we have seen First Balfour’s commitment to reducing the consumption of resources especially with its programs on energy, water and waste management, among others. Key requirements for OHSAS have also been well established by the team. More importantly, the company’s compliance with applicable requirements is also a good sign that all its systems are working,” said TÜV SÜD lead auditor Brenda Estonato.

First Balfour received its first ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications in 2003 and its first ISO 9001 certification in 2002, making it one of the first triple ISO-certified construction companies in the Philippines. (Story/Photos by: Dolly Pasia-Ramos)