Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program

Site beautification and biodiversity enhancement

In our Lugait plant, you will be surprised to see a butterfly garden. It is said that butterflies not only help enhance biodiversity, but they are also a barometer of a healthy environment. Today, our Lugait plant is considered an industrial ecotourism center. Students, and even tourists visit our plant because of this, and our herbal garden and orchidarium. Through our nursery operations, we have been able to propagate endemic species for our reforestation program. Reforestation has been implemented in 61.64 hectares, with an 89.60% survival rate of trees planted.

Progressive quarry rehabilitation

Our progressive rehabilitation efforts are not just limited to areas that are actively being quarried, but including degraded areas within our MPSAs. In the case of Lugait, out of 63 hectares actively quarried, 12 hectares have been progressively rehabilitated and an additional 92.8 hectares of idle lots, despite non-utilization.

Final mining rehabilitation and decommissioning plan

Holcim Philippines was the first Philippine company to submit a final rehabilitation plan and have it approved by the DENR. The total combined rehabilitation cost for the four plants is estimated at PhP72.14 million which is to be funded within a period of 12 years.

Keeping the air clean: Measures to reduce emissions

Our company invested on a complete set of Continuous Emissions Monitoring System as part of its compliance to the Holcim Group requirement. This goes beyond the Philippine Clean Air Act requirement for a cement plant. The CEMS enables us to monitor gaseous and dust emissions in real time. To minimize fugitive dust, we maintain bag house filters and electrostatic precipitators in all our plants. Holcim, as a founding member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development has committed to reduce emissions by 20% in the year 2010.

CO2 reduction through fuel substitution, energy efficiency and mineral components utilization

Through our alternative fuel and raw materials program, we are able to reduce our use of fossil fuel as we co-process agricultural and residual waste to derive thermal energy. Because we respect the hierarchy of waste, our co-processing program does not hamper waste reduction efforts. We do not co-process waste if ecologically and economically better ways of recovery are available. Our AFR program is guided by strict qualification criteria and lab testing procedure prior to coprocessing and is monitored by regulators. The impact to emissions is also carefully monitored. Alternative raw materials include industrial waste, used tires, agricultural waste and residual waste like plastics. Our AFR program provides a sustainable solution to waste management and helps minimize the country's carbon footprint. Waste such as rice hull which would normally be burned in the open thus producing CO2, is collected by Holcim and used as alternative fuel, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. Currently, Holcim has tied up with city government of Makati, Marikina and Quezon City in collecting used car tires and other rubber waste for co-processing.

Responsible manufacturing practices

Holcim is committed to sustainable development - managing resources responsibly to ensure that future generations can meet their own needs. Its four plants are certified to OHSAS ISO 14001:2004; ISO 9001:2000 and OHSAS 18001:2007. Environmental safety is Holcim's daily business. It invests in an Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program that includes: biodiversity enhancement and progressive quarry rehabilitation. The company was first to install a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System to ensure compliance with the Philippine Clean Air Act and international emissions standards. Manufacturing practices help reduce CO2 through fuel substitution, energy efficiency and mineral components utilization.

Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

The Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction promotes sustainable responses to the technological, environmental, socio-economic and cultural issues affecting building and construction at the national, regional and global levels. To encourage innovative approaches to sustainable construction, the Foundation conducts activities including: the Holcim Awards competitions, the Holcim Forum symposiums, Holcim Grants seed funding for building initiatives and grants for research projects.

Partner Universities

The Holcim Foundation's activities, and in particular the International Holcim Awards competitions, are conducted in partnership with some of the world's leading technical universities. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) leads the Technical Competence Center of the Holcim Foundation. Other partner universities which host the independent Holcim Awards juries are: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA; the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA) in Mexico City, Mexico; l'cole Suprieure d'Architecture de Casablanca (EAC) in Morocco, and Tongji University (TJU) in Shanghai, China. The Universidade de So Paulo (USP), Brazil, and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, are associated universities of the Holcim Foundation.

Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the Holcim Foundation ensures that the activities of the Holcim Foundation are conducted in accordance with current interpretations of sustainable construction. It shapes the Holcim Foundation's activities by identifying the architectural, scientific, cultural and policy concerns that should be integrated into its initiatives. The work of the Holcim Foundation is independent from the commercial interests of the Holcim Group.

Social responsibility

Holcim believes in developing sustainable options for the future. This is what guides our response - ability to the community. In partnership with our host communities, we have assisted in organizing the Community Technical Working Group composed of representatives from sectors in the community. Through

the group, relevant projects are identified focused on education, livelihood, infrastructure and socio-cultural growth.

Holcim 'galing Mason

Our flagship program focused on bringing dignity to Filipino masons through skills training and competitions. The graduates of the program are certified by a government authority, TESDA, as skilled laborers which opens up better opportunities for them. This program has three components: a. 'galing Mason Training which is a skills training and certification program that provides basic and advanced masonry skills training for prospective and uncertified masons. b. 'galing Mason Olympics which allows our highly-skilled masons to participate in regional skills Olympics up to the world competition. c. 'galing Mason Awards - a search for the most outstanding mason in the country. The winning mason is not only recognized for his/her skills but also as a respected person in the community.

Corporate Profile

Holcim established its presence in the Philippine cement industry in 1974. Today, Alsons Cement Corporation and Union Cement Corporation have come together to move forward as a stronger Holcim Philippines. Maintaining its unique homegrown identity and heritage of strength, resilience and consistent financial performance while taking advantage of the support and resources of a global brand. Nationwide, we are powered by a strong workforce that forms part of the global network, as well as a worldwide resource of innovative minds.

Values: a driving force for change

A company rooted in unwavering values, Holcim keeps ahead of change, reaping opportunities for growth. A partner in nation-building We have a strong commitment to the local community. Customized solutions We customize our solutions to suit your particular requirements. Sustainable practices We provide sustainable operations in communities where we operate while maintaining strong business performance. Simple and transparent processes We are simple and straightforward in our business dealings. Consistent availability Our people, products, and services are available to you at all times.

Valued expertise Armed with global expertise and a resilient local spirit, we are dedicated to delivering the best results. Creative ideas We encourage continuous improvement of our processes, products and services.

Facts and Figures

Holcim Philippines, Inc.

Holcim Philippines, Inc. is the leading cement manufacturer in the Philippines It employs over 1,700 employees in four plants spread across the archipelago. It has a 40-year old history that dates back to its beginnings in Hi Cement Corporation, Davao Union Cement Corporation, Bacnotan Cement Corporation and Alsons Cement Corporation.

Cement

It operates in 4 major plants - one in La Union, another in Bulacan, a third in Davao City and the Lugait Plant in Misamis Oriental. The plants account for a total installed clinker production capacity per year of 6.5 million metric tons and annual cement production capacity of 7.7 million metric tons.

Concrete

Holcim employs state-of-the-art technologies in its ready mix concrete operations. It operates ready mix concrete plants in Taguig and Paraaque.