Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) was recognized with an Asia CEO Awards Circle of Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility through the company’s commitment to uplifting the Filipino community.
Dubbed as the “Oscar award” for businesses,Asia CEO Award acknowledges corporate and noncorporate organizations for their contributions to nation-building through projects promoting environmental protection and awareness, livelihood programs and youth development.
PCPPI made it to the list of esteemed corporations with notable entries that include its national “Luntiang Yaman” program and Water for Peace in Marawi.
Embarking on sustainability early on, PCPPI kicked off its Luntiang Yaman program in 2014, which is its overall sustainability goal for water, electricity and fuel consumption.
Last year, the bottling firm reduced water use by 32.1 percent, electricity by 36.2 percent, fuel by 6.5 percent and recycled 81 percent of in-plant waste.
With the efficient use of natural resources, PCPPI increased its cost savings and market recovery while reducing its environmental footprint.
“We started our Luntiang Yaman program to create a culture of environmental responsibility within our operations,” PCPPI Senior Vice President Allan Frias II said.
He added: “We wanted to uphold our commitment to sustainability within the company to positively impact the many communities that surround us. Through their engagement with PCPPI, we hope to encourage these communities to start their own sustainability journey and magnify the impact of sustainable practices across the country.”
In 2018, PCPPI further strengthened its commitment to sustainability through its framework anchored in a three-pronged approach to “Engage, Transform and Lead.”
Focusing on three priority areas—Water Stewardship, Circular Economy, and Inclusive Business—the company bolstered its commitment to uplifting communities, which led to more impactful initiatives like “Water for Peace in Marawi.”
Water for Peace in Marawi is a program between PCPPI, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the local government of Lanao del Sur to bring aid to the internally displaced persons in Marawi after the city’s five-month siege.
Providing access to clean and safe water that was much needed by the communities especially at the time of Ramadan, PCPPI turned over seven 20,000-liter tanks to a total of six transitional shelters, and one 3,200-liter water tank each to 10 underserved schools.
It also conducted trainings on water efficiency and promoted proper hygiene and waste management through Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) activities, which included series of lectures and workshops for both student and parent attendees.
In the recent Global Handwashing day, PCPPI conducted WaSH trainings in Tuca Boganga Elementary School and Marantao Elementary School. Nearly 500 students received hygiene kits, and parents and teachers participated in seminars discussing proper hygiene and vaccination in relation to the recent polio outbreak.
PCPPI also activated its network of employee volunteers, led by the company’s Bukluran Council, for annual programs, such as the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela and the coastal cleanup drives.
PCPPI’s nationwide Brigada Eskwela 2019 benefited over 500 students with high-grade drinking fountains in five schools surrounding their Modern Trade Operations, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog Region, Cebu and Davao offices.
It also promoted hygiene and sanitation by conducting proper handwashing demonstrations and donating handwashing facilities with hygiene kits that has served over 1,000 students.
Recently, PCPPI actively participated in the observance of the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2019, which is the largest volunteer effort for ocean’s health.
It had over 321 volunteers joining the operation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources local units nationwide. The volunteers cleaned an estimated 5 kilometer distance, picking up a total 3,102 kg of trash that filled 242 trash bags.