Environment

Before the nation awoke to the global clamor for a new philosophical reengineering, EDC had already imbued the pursuit of environmentalism in its corporate values and had been actively assembling the platform for sustainable development projects. It was a prophetic gesture that ultimately provided an archetype for similar industries and defined the standards of what was yet to be known as corporate social responsibility

Beset at the onset with the misconception that the energy sector engenders environmental degradation coupled with the limited options of locals as they earned their living through slash-and burn farming, it was a form of community cooperation that gradually turned them into partners in progress.

It was from this community immersion that the concept of social forestry was born. It has a two-fold objective: to preserve and protect the watersheds and provide livelihood for the communities; and put decision-making responsibility in the hands of forest dwellers. Social forestry has created a positive impact on the lives of people as we saw slash-and-burn farmers, or kaingeros, transformed into forest protectors, which in turn gave birth to farmers’ associations. Trully, it is a collaborative effort that has immensely paid off.

Environmental Partnership Awards

Date	Award
1993	“Outstanding Corporate Environmental Program,” Personnel Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP)
1995	“Gawad Kalikasan Award,” DENR, Senate and Philippine Association of Environmental Professional Inc.
1995	First Runner Up, “Best EIA Study” for Leyte Geothermal Project, DENR, Senate and Philippine Association of Environmental Professional Inc.
1995-1998	“Outstanding Firm Award” for the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Project for its pollution control and management, and environmental education campaign, DENR-Region V
1996	“Award for Integration of Environmental Program in Operations,” De La Salle University
2001	“Mother Nature Award,” Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc.
2001	“Top Ten Outstanding Pollution Control Officers Award,” Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc.
2003	Excellence in Ecology and Economy (E3)-Large Scale Category, Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc.
2003-2004	“Top Ten Pollution Control Officers Awards,” Pollution Control Assoc. of the Phils. (PCAPI) Region 8 & PCAPI National for SNGPF
2004	“Best in Environmental and Community Relations Program ” SARINGGAYA Award, DENR Region V, “Outstanding Firm for BGPF,” SARINGAYA Award, DENR Region V
2006	Environmental Partner Award, DENR-EMB Region 8
2007	Environmental Partner Award, DENR-EMB Region 8