The water resource management group proudly holds their Silver Stevie from the Asia-Pacific Stevie AwardsFirst Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) received a Silver Stevie Award in the Reuse and Recycle category of the 11th Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards held in Manila on May 24, 2024. It is the only industrial park awardee in this category.

FPIP was recognized for utilizing green technology and biomimicry practices in its wastewater treatment processes. Its water arm, FPIP Utilities Inc. (FUI), has been implementing its flagship projects, phytoremediation and vermicomposting, since 2023.

Phytoremediation, vermicomposting

According to FUI head for water resource management group Engr. Jeremaine Esguerra, “phytoremediation and vermicomposting are just some of our initiatives to contribute to a healthier planet. At the same time, these also allow us to streamline our operations and even significantly reduce our operational costs.”

Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants to degrade or prevent the toxic effects of contaminants in soil or water. FUI uses water hyacinths in the process tanks and influent chambers. They absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus; reduce concentrations of ammonia, nitrates and chemical oxygen demand in effluent water; and improve water clarity.

FUI also does vermicomposting, a process of turning green or organic waste into fertilizers and soil conditioners using earthworms.

“This is a sustainable solution that FUI pioneered to address waste management concerns. Our vermicomposting facility allows us to process organic waste and produce an estimate of 4,100 kilograms of vermicast, which we then use as fertilizers in outdoor spaces and gardens within the park,” Esguerra explained. “Apart from growing more trees and plants in the park, vermicomposting eliminates our independence on synthetic fertilizers and lessens the costs of hauling and any other treatment costs for the treatment of sludge.”

Collaboration with experts

In all its projects, FUI colaborates with experts to ensure that these are safe and effective for the community and the environment. It works closely with government units and organizations, such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine National Standards for Organic Fertilizers.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. It is not just FPIP’s first international recognition. It also establishes our move towards regeneration and decarbonization,” Esguerra shared.

“For us, regeneration and decarbonization are not merely buzzwords. Instead, these are goals—goals we aim to achieve in the next few years, goals that we hope communities and other industrial parks will also start to embrace. We will continue to explore other innovative initiatives to further promote environmental stewardship.”

In April, FPIP received the 2024 Success Story Award from the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc., which recognized its initiatives to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

These awards are testaments to how FPIP is nurturing an environment for locators, workers and inclusive communities.

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards is the world’s premier business awards program that recognizes innovations in the workplace in all 29 markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Over 100 executives around the world evaluated more than 1,000 nominations from various organizations in the early months of 2024.

(Story/Photos by:Charizze Henson)