Holcim supports call for global water conservation

Holcim Philippines’ participation in the recent World Water Day activities is part of its commitment to improve its overall sustainability performance by 2030 to support the LafargeHolcim Group and the United Nations in meeting long-term goals in improving lives of people.

Leading cement maker Holcim Philippines participated in the celebration of the World Water Day (WWD), a global initiative advocating the importance of freshwater conservation, through various programs in its facilities across the country.

Holcim Philippines has been implementing projects to conserve water in its facilities and help improve access to this resource to its communities since 2015 as part of its sustainability commitments. These are part of its pledge to support global building materials leader LafargeHolcim Group in contributing to the attainment of 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the lives of people worldwide.

Holcim Philippines Environment Manager Stephanie Frogoso said the initiatives are designed to reduce the Company’s water consumption by at least 30% by 2030, as its sites are among the top water consumers in the areas it operates in.

“We continued to raise our efficiency in using this resource in 2018 by improving water recycling facilities in our plants and consumption in the process lines. Our expansion project in the pipeline will also consider water-efficient operations, such as a closed-loop system to reduce water consumption,” Frogoso added.

In its Bulacan plant in Norzagaray, Holcim currently utilizes an old quarry to collect rainwater for use in operations. This initiative can potentially provide 30% of the total water requirement of the plant. It is also part of the sustainable water management initiatives being implemented aside from other conservation programs in the plant.

Holcim sites also actively participate in regular clean-up activities, water quality monitoring, and information and education campaigns. In Misamis Oriental, the Lugait plant implemented the “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene" project for community daycare centers to improve access of children there to such facilities. A total of 263 students from Mauswagon and Masikalon Daycare centers benefited from the project. In Davao, the Holcim plant is a partner of the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources  in protecting the Ilang River, which is used for recreation and household needs of a nearby community.