Vena Energy Formalizes Community Support through a Check Turnover Ceremony to host Indigenous Cultural Communities

Philippines, 24 April 2026] Quezon Wind Energy Corp. (QWEC), a subsidiary of Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider across the Asia-Pacific region, marked a key milestone in its community engagement efforts through a check turnover ceremony for its host community, the Dumagat/Remontado Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) of Tanay. The ceremony was held in Quezon City on 21 April 2026.

The event reflects Vena Energy’s continued commitment to inclusive development and to respecting the rights and heritage of its host communities. The turnover formalizes the remittance of community funds to the Tanay ICCs through the Tanay Dumagat Remontado Ancestral Domain Development, Inc. (TDRADDEVI), the Implementing Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPOs) established through the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process.

Through this partnership, Vena Energy supports community-led development initiatives aligned with the priorities identified by the ICCs, including infrastructure improvements, access to education, sustainable livelihood programs, and enhanced healthcare services.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Vena Energy, led by Mia Jarumayan, Head of Business Development, Project Development and leaders of the Tanay ICCs, led by Eleonor Atencio, President, Tanay Dumagat Remontado Ancestral Domain Development, Inc.

Samrinder Nehria, Head of Vena Energy in the Philippines, said, “At Vena Energy, we believe the transition to clean energy should create lasting value for the communities we work with while honoring the heritage and rights of our host communities. This milestone reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that development is inclusive and celebrates our shared journey toward a sustainable future where indigenous voices are heard and valued.”

A Model for Sustainable Partnership

The collaboration shows a successful model for private-public partnerships in the renewable energy sector. By strictly adhering to the FPIC process, Vena Energy ensures that all projects are built on a foundation of mutual respect and transparent communication. 

“Vena Energy has been a very active and supportive partner throughout the years, and we are very grateful for the opportunities that this partnership has brought to our community, boosting our confidence in our own capabilities and inspiring us to grow,” said Eleonor Atencio, President of TDRADDEVI.

NCIP R4A Regional Director Dr. Carlos Buasen, Jr. shared, “We are happy to have a continuously harmonious relationship with a company like Vena Energy, whose sustainability efforts aren't just focused on its business but as well as the people and their ancestral domains that are affected by it.”

This turnover represents a meaningful partnership between Vena Energy and the ICCs, grounded in shared growth and mutual respect. By integrating community-led development into its core operations, Vena Energy reinforces its commitment to honoring ancestral domain rights and   supporting self-determination.  This collaboration demonstrates how renewable energy can contribute not only to the national grid, but also to the long-term aspirations of the Filipino people, built on a foundation of genuine equity and care.

BPI Capital Wins Big at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Finance Awards 2026

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its investment banking arm, BPI Capital Corporation (BPI Capital), continues to solidify its leadership in investment banking and sustainable finance after earning multiple recognitions at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Finance Awards 2026.

The Asset Triple A Awards is a prestigious annual program recognizing excellence in banking, finance, and capital markets across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, highlighting institutions and deals that lead in sustainability, innovation, and digital experience.

Among its key wins, BPI Capital was named “Best Equity Adviser” in the Philippines and was recognized for several landmark transactions that are shaping the country’s capital markets.

BPI Capital, as Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner, played a key role in Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s Php 34.3 billion initial public offering (IPO), which was named “Best IPO”. It was the only Philippine bank in this role for what became the country’s second-largest IPO and the first with a Green Equity Label, drawing strong institutional and retail demand despite challenging market conditions.

The firm also led Cebu Landmasters, Inc.’s sustainability-linked issuances as Sole Issue Manager, and Sole Arranger and Bookrunner for the follow-on notes. Recognized as “Best ASEAN Sustainability-Linked Bond”, this marked the Philippines’ first sustainability-linked instruments tied to a social goal. The program aims to deliver 16,000 new homes by 2029, helping address the country’s housing backlog and promote inclusive growth.

For Ayala Land, Inc., BPI Capital acted as Lead Underwriter and Bookrunner for its Php 15 billion Sustainability-Linked Bond, which was awarded “Best Sustainability-Linked Bond”. The transaction links financing to environmental targets such as emissions reduction and green building standards.

BPI Capital also served as Issue Manager, Lead Underwriter, and Bookrunner for Filinvest Development Corporation’s Php 8 billion perpetual preferred shares, which was recognized as “Best Preferred Shares”, highlighting its strength in structuring innovative capital instruments.

“BPI Capital remains committed to enabling our clients to achieve their growth ambitions while contributing to nation-building,” said Lester Ong, President of BPI Capital. “We remain optimistic about the Philippines’ growth trajectory and are proud to support our clients as they take part in this journey. As markets continue to evolve, we will keep strengthening our capabilities and delivering innovative and sustainable solutions that create long-term value for our clients and the communities we serve.”

With a forward-looking strategy and deep market expertise, BPI Capital continues to play a role in shaping the future of investment banking in the Philippines, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in capital raising and sustainable finance.

Skip the High Fuel Prices, Charge Your EV This Holy Week at Your Nearest SM

As the Holy Week travel season arrives, and fuel prices continue to rise, electric vehicle (EV) drivers across the country can count on their most-loved SM Supermalls as a convenient recharging stop along their journey. SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, announced that with over 160 EV charging stations available across multiple SM locations nationwide, motorists can recharge their vehicles while maxing out their malling by enjoying the wide range of shopping, dining, and leisure experiences that SM malls offer.

The growing presence of EV charging infrastructure in SM Supermalls reflects the company’s continuing efforts to support more sustainable mobility options for Filipino motorists. With fluctuating fuel prices, electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly practical alternative for many drivers looking for more efficient and environmentally conscious transportation.

For EV users, the convenience goes beyond simply plugging in. At SM malls, drivers can make the most of their charging time, while having some free time for themselves—whether by enjoying a meal with family, shopping for essentials, or simply taking a break during a long trip.

As part of the larger SM Green Movement, and by making EV charging accessible in familiar community spaces, SM Supermalls helps make sustainable travel more practical, empowering, and accessible for everyday journeys and holiday road trips alike.

This Holy Week, motorists planning their travels can include SM malls along their route—making it easy to charge up while maxing out the SM malling experience.

For EV drivers on the road this season, the message is simple: plan your mall visit, charge up on the go, and choose SM for a greener, more sustainable trip.

Philippine Mangrove Conference 2026 Forges Accountable Pathways for Mangrove Conservation and Coastal Resilience

Manila, Philippines — Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) recently inaugurated the Philippine Mangrove Conference (PMC) 2026, themed “Ensuring Accountable Pathways for Resilient Communities,” at Microtel Technohub in Quezon City by Wyndham UP Technohub from March 24 to 26, bringing together government, academe, civil society, the private sector, youth, and community leaders to align science, policy, and financing for mangrove conservation and restoration.

“Protecting mangroves has become a development priority for a country as vulnerable to climate impacts as the Philippines,” said Dr. Annadel Cabanban, Country Manager, Wetlands International Philippines and Lead Convenor of the Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines. “Aligning interventions across government, communities, scientific institutions, and the private sector with the country’s climate commitments is essential to restore these ecosystems at scale.”

Building on a decade of national dialogue

Since 2012, the Philippines has held four National Mangrove Conferences and a National State of the Mangrove Summit in 2019, each surfacing the same urgent priorities: science-based rehabilitation, coastal zoning, community stewardship, and climate adaptation. Nine policy recommendations carried across all four conferences, yet many remain unimplemented. This year's conference was convened to take stock, build on what worked, and forge stronger pathways forward.

The Philippines once had approximately 500,000 hectares of mangrove cover — a figure sharply reduced by logging, aquaculture expansion, and coastal development. National data show a partial recovery, with satellite analyses recording roughly 240,824 hectares in 2010 and an increase to approximately 311,400 hectares by 2020, reflecting the gains of sustained rehabilitation and conservation efforts.

Grounding mangrove conservation to local realities

Community stewardship remains central to progress. In Negros Occidental — where 25 of 32 local government units are coastal — mangrove restoration is embedded in local policy, linking conservation directly to community gains: improved fish catch, livelihoods, and ecotourism. "Restoring mangroves is about helping communities live sustainably alongside them," said Atty. Julie Bedrio, Provincial Environment Management Officer. "With knowledge, resources, and support, mangrove protection becomes stronger and more sustainable."

The Conference engaged private sector, community, and youth-led organizations — including the Shalom Women's Biodiversity Conservation Association and Mangrove Matters PH — on their roles in on-the-ground conservation. Imelda Mazo, President of the Shalom Women's Biodiversity Conservation Association in Coron, Palawan, shared how their work has evolved beyond planting into monitoring and learning alongside scientists. "Conservation is a long-term commitment, like raising a child. It is never simple. Nature-based solutions are, at their core, about science, and we in the community have come to believe that deeply," she said.

The Conference also featured the launch of the National State of the Coasts (NSOC) 2025 Report, estimating the ocean economy at USD 15 billion or 3.8% of GDP in 2024 — while noting that only 1.42% of Philippine sea area remains under Marine Protected Areas.

The final day of PMC 2026 delivered two landmark moments for blue carbon science and governance. The National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) Roadmap 2026–2030 was formally turned over from ZSL Philippines to DENR institutionalizing the country's blue carbon agenda under government stewardship. Alongside it, the Blue Carbon Quantification Protocol (BCQP), which was co-developed by Filipino scientists with DENR and conservation partners, was launched as the country's first credible, field-applicable carbon accounting framework. Together, both milestones translate the Conference's science-to-policy ambitions into concrete national action.

Delivering on accountability: Sectoral commitments through 2028

True to its theme, the Conference closed with six sectors pledging concrete, time-bound targets for 2028:

• People's Organizations — Restore and protect local mangrove areas through sustainable livelihoods such as eco-tourism, nursery production, beekeeping, and fish processing.

• Academia — Establish provincial mangrove data hubs and a national blue carbon research agenda.

• Government Agencies — Develop a unified ocean governance framework integrating mangrove ecosystems and science-based coastal management.

• Private Sector — Publish integrated mangrove aquaculture protocols and restore 100 hectares of mangroves through community cohorts.

• Local Governments — Expand coastal greenbelt ordinances and embed blue carbon governance into local resource management plans.

• Civil Society — Establish new Local Conservation Areas, advance the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, and secure financing for a GMA Philippines Secretariat.

All commitments will be tracked in future national platforms, making accountability a continuing practice. The Conference aligned national mangrove conservation efforts with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the country's Nationally Determined Contributions, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reinforcing a shared commitment to protect mangrove ecosystems, coastal livelihoods, and the resilience of future generations.

Guided by the spirit of "Padayon" — a Filipino word for moving forward with purpose despite setbacks — the Conference has set in motion a new chapter of science-driven, community-centered mangrove stewardship.

"This roadmap and these commitments are not the end. They are the beginning," said Edwina Garchitorena, Lead for ZSL Philippines. "The tools we have built together must now reach the communities and local governments who manage these resources. We call on all partners to sustain this momentum and invest in solutions that work for both people and nature."

TP in the Philippines Advances Clean Energy Transition, Renewable Energy Share Reaches 63%

METRO MANILA, Philippines - TP in the Philippines (formerly Teleperformance), a leader in digital business services, has raised its renewable energy source consumption to 63% of its total nationwide electricity consumption in 2025, up 3% from last year. The accomplishment affirms its decisive acceleration in its clean energy transition and reinforces its leadership in sustainable operations within the country’s IT-BPM sector. 

Based on the 2025 TP Impact Report, the company recently announced how its nationwide renewable energy consumption steadily grew last year, sustaining momentum in its transition to cleaner power across its 26 sites nationwide. 

“Our transition to renewable energy is no small feat, but it reflects our commitment to acting as a responsible and sustainable organization,” said Rahul Jolly, Chief Executive Officer, TP in the Philippines. 

“The three percent increase in our renewable energy consumption within a year showcases how our deep commitment to sustainability translates into real and measurable results. As one of the largest employers in the country, with widespread operations, we highly recognize our actions and how they can impact the industry standards,” Jolly emphasized. 

Alongside its increased use of renewable energy, TP also reported a 52% reduction in total carbon dioxide emissions. The company’s emissions intensity now stands at 0.25 tCO₂e per full-time employee (FTE). Overall, this represents a 77% improvement from its 2019 baseline, showing steady progress in reducing its environmental impact while continuing to grow its operations.

Infrastructure has been central to TP's sustainable practices. Several TP sites operate within LEED-certified buildings, including facilities in McKinley, Aura, and Vertis North, among others, while sites in both Alabang Plaza E and Alabang Vector 3 are both LEED and EDGE-certified buildings. These green-certified facilities reduce energy demand through optimized design, efficient cooling systems, and responsible water usage. 

Sustainability, Culture, and Community

The company’s global climate roadmap aligns with the Science Based Targets initiative, ensuring its emissions reduction goals support the targets set under the Paris Agreement. TP has committed to sourcing 50% renewable energy globally by 2026 and 80% by 2030. It also aims to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 56.7% and Scope 3 emissions by 27.5% by 2030, using 2019 as its base year. 

Further reinforcing its leadership in driving sustainability in its operations, TP was among the first 100 companies to sign the Climate Pledge, committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, which is ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement’s 2050 goal. 

In addition to expanding renewable sourcing, TP optimized its IT infrastructure, advanced circularity initiatives, and donated IT equipment. TP also implemented sustainable work models such as the Cloud Campus, which continues to reduce commute-related emissions while enhancing operational resilience.

TP in the Philippines continues to partner with various governmental and non-governmental organizations to fortify its sustainability goals and create meaningful and impactful changes to the environment. TP actively collaborates with Aboitiz Power in providing renewable energy for its Sucat and Bacolod sites under the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). TP also continues to participate in the global energy savings campaign Earth Hour for all its sites.

Ed Punzalan, Facilities and Administration Vice President, underscored that sustainability at TP goes beyond infrastructure and metrics.

“For us, sustainability is about people as much as it is about power sources,” Punzalan said. “Every percentage increase in renewable energy reflects thousands of daily decisions made by our teams, showcasing how we manage our facilities and how we volunteer in our communities. Through the Citizen of the World (COTW) foundation and the Citizen of the Planet (COTP) program, we aim to cultivate a culture where environmental responsibility becomes second nature, empowering our employees to see themselves not just as workers in the BPO industry, but as stewards of the planet.”

As sustainability becomes an operational expectation across the IT-BPM sector, TP in the Philippines aims to show that decarbonization and business resilience can move together, setting a practical benchmark for how large-scale employers can reduce impact while maintaining service excellence.

Take Small Steps for Big Change: SM Waste-Free Future Illustrates Doable Actions for a Cleaner, Greener Planet

MANILA, Philippines - Becoming part of the solution toward better waste management practices has been made easier by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) with The SM Waste-Free Future (WFF) Manual. 

 

Launched at SM’s first Sustainability Expo, the 17-page visual guide offers a simple and easy-to-follow resource on how everyone can engage with waste management touchpoints available in their most-loved SM Supermalls. 

 

"The easiest way to adopt sustainable practices is a two-pronged approach," said SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Sustainability, Liza Silerio. "The first is building the avenues that make waste management accessible and easy to do. The second is ensuring that these are easy habits to build and practice in our daily lives.” 

 

The manual combines text and visuals to enhance the "Learn - Practice - Champion" workflow, a three-step approach to make these practices easy to adapt and eventually pass on, with additional green tips and trivia.  Understanding how even small, thoughtful steps can make a huge difference is key to helping reduce waste sent to landfills. 

Back to Basics

To further understand the composition of our waste, SM Prime led a Waste Analysis Characterization Study (WACS) in its largest development–the SM Mall of Asia Complex. The top 10 most common waste items were identified:  

 

PET Bottles

Plastic Cutlery

Single-use plastic

Plastic cups from coffee or milk tea

Soiled coffee paper cups

Soiled food containers

Food packaging and sachets

Soiled tissue or napkins

Soiled diapers/ sanitary products

Food waste

 

The SM Waste Free Future manual encourages everyone to properly dispose of waste by using designated Recyclable-Disposable-Compostable (RDC) bins made accessible in all SM Malls.

PET Bottles are categorized for the Blue "Recyclable" Bins to help return these to factories for recycling.

Disposable items and containers such as plastic cutlery, single-use plastic, plastic cups from coffee or milk tea, soiled coffee paper cups and food containers, food packaging and sachets, and soiled tissue or napkins, diapers, and sanitary products are for tossing into the gray "Disposable" Bins. 

Finally, all food waste with no packaging and cutlery are guided to the green "Compostable" Bins.

 

As one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams in the world, Electronic Waste (E-Waste), ranging from batteries to broken gadgets and technological accessories, gets special mention. SM Supermalls promotes proper disposal of e-waste through special bins in SM Cyberzone areas as easy drop-off points for recycling or processing before disposal of small, used, and defective electronic devices. 

 

Take-action, join the movement

Every first Friday and Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 2:00pm, mallgoers can bring their trash and convert it to cash. Trash-to-Cash encourages household segregation by bringing clean and dry recyclables in designated Trash-to-Cash areas in exchange for economic incentives. The program promotes sustainable systems and the advancement of the circular economy. 

To further divert plastics from the environment, SM implements its Plastic Waste Collection program across all of its properties. Since its integration in 2019, 70,000 kilograms of clean, empty, and dry consumer plastics have been collected.

Through SM Cares, SM Prime’s corporate social responsibility arm, regular coastal cleanups are organized for communities to mitigate the problem of marine pollution by removing waste before it spreads further in the seas. Last year, volunteers were able to divert 200,000 kilograms of marine litter from the ocean through three major coastal cleanups organized nationwide on top of weekly cleanups done by SM Estates.

Another Coastal Cleanup drive has been scheduled this year on March 22 across SM La Union, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Tanza, SM City J Mall, SM City Daet, and SM City Consolacion for World Water Day.

  

"Communicating waste management practices clearly and easily helps our stakeholders support our vision for a Waste Free Future. When we all come together and choose to help save our planet, even the smallest actions toward the right direction yield great results," said Silerio.

 

Eastern Champions Sustainability with First Gen Partnership to Power Makati HQ and Key Tech Sites with Renewable Energy

Renewable energy (RE) utilization of Eastern Communications (Eastern Comms) across its offices and operations centers increases from 2% to 10%, marking a significant and measurable milestone in environmental performance and operational reliability.

The boost in RE use comes as Eastern Comms completes its transition to geothermal energy, following a strategic partnership with First Gen Corporation (First Gen).

Through this partnership, First Gen will supply geothermal energy to power the telco provider’s Makati headquarters and key Technical Operations Centers (TOCs), reinforcing the Eastern Comms’ view that future-ready digital infrastructure must be supported by clean, resilient energy.

“This partnership represents a clear step forward in how we power our operations,” said Atty. Aileen Regio, Co-coordinator of Eastern Comms. “By integrating geothermal energy into key facilities, we are reinforcing the resilience of our core infrastructure. Sustainability, for us, is directly linked to service continuity and long-term performance.”

The geothermal energy is sourced from facilities in Leyte, reinforcing the role of indigenous renewable resources in securing the country’s energy future. For Eastern Comms, the partnership ensures that critical network facilities—those that keep enterprises connected—are backed by stable, dependable power while also lowering carbon emissions.

The transition is enabled by the government’s Retail Competition Open Access (RCOA) program, which allows large electricity consumers to directly contract with power suppliers. Through RCOA, Eastern Comms is able to make deliberate energy choices that align with its long-term sustainability strategy while strengthening efficiency across its facilities.

“Increasing our renewable utilization is a concrete milestone. Together with the 222 kW solar capacity already supporting our Makati HQ and TOCs, our adoption of renewable geothermal energy strengthens our ability to operate efficiently while aligning with national climate priorities and the broader shift toward a circular economy,” said Jaeson Evangelista, Co-coordinator of Eastern Comms.

The renewable energy shift forms part of the telco provider’s ongoing infrastructure modernization initiatives, which include intelligent automation upgrades, energy-efficient systems, and phased disaster resilience projects designed to fortify its facilities and core network. These investments reflect the company’s 2026 direction, “Dare To Soar,” anchored on innovation, reliability, and responsible growth.

As Eastern Communications advances its “Dare To Soar” direction, the partnership with First Gen demonstrates how digital innovation and sustainability are becoming increasingly interconnected. Powering critical facilities with renewable energy is a strategic move to build a more resilient, future-ready network.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming partnerships, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

Manila Water Replaces Over 160,000 Meters in 2025

Manila Water sustained low nonrevenue water (NRW) levels in 2025, driven in part by the company’s intensified meter replacement activities and consistently rapid response to network leaks across the East Zone.

The water company’s NRW was recorded at 13.55 percent in December, bringing the fullyear average to 14.27 percent. This performance reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce both commercial and physical losses in the distribution network. 

A major contributor to this performance is the largescale implementation of the company’s meter replacement program in 2025. By endDecember, Manila Water had replaced 168,806 water meters.

The meter replacement initiative strengthens the company's efficiency measures by improving consumption accuracy and reduce water losses. These upgrades help ensure accurate billing for customers and reinforce the company’s initiatives to sustainably lower NRW.

The company’s quick leak response likewise plays a significant role in managing physical water losses. In December 2025 alone, Manila Water repaired all 26 reported pipe bursts within 24 hours, maintaining a perfect compliance rate for the month. For the full year, teams completed repairs on all 613 mainline bursts within 24 hours, preventing prolonged losses and service disruptions across the network. 

“Rapid field response, active leak detection, and replacing meters remain essential to keeping water losses low and ensuring service reliability across the East Zone. These operational measures directly support the company’s commitment to maintaining efficiency and sustaining improvements in NRW performance,” said Jeric Sevilla, Manila Water’s Corporate Communication Affairs Group Director. 

Manila Water will continue scaling up its NRW reduction initiatives in 2026 through district metering improvements, network pressure management, continued meter replacement, and expansion of leak detection activities. These efforts are part of the company’s broader program to secure water availability, improve service continuity and enhance the resilience of the East Zone water supply network.

Schneider Electric Cavite Smart Factory: First Luzon Government Ecozone Site on 100% Renewable Energy

CAVITE, PHILIPPINES – Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, recently switched its Smart Factory in Rosario, Cavite to 100% renewable energy, setting a new benchmark for industrial sustainability in the Philippines.

The Cavite Smart Factory is the first manufacturing site within a government-operated economic zone in Luzon to fully transition to renewable energy, and the first Schneider Electric factory in East Asia to operate entirely on clean power. The switch, completed on December 26, 2025, capped Schneider Electric’s 30th year in the Philippines and was formally marked during the company’s 190th global foundation year on January 14, 2026. 

The milestone was achieved through collaboration with partners including the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ), Meralco Ecozone Power (MEP), Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), and ACEN Renewable Energy Solutions (ACEN RES), underscoring the role of cross-sector partnerships in accelerating the country’s energy transition.

“By moving our Cavite Smart Factory to 100% renewable energy, we are demonstrating that sustainability and industrial competitiveness can go hand in hand,” said Antonio Cheng, Jr., Cavite Cluster Plant Director. “This facility shows what can be achieved when innovation and collaboration come together and we hope it serves as a model for more Philippine manufacturers to follow.”

The transition to 100% renewable energy was made possible through the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP), which allows eligible customers to choose renewable power suppliers. With the program relying on multiple stakeholders, ACEN, PEZA, CEZ, and MEP emphasized that partnerships between companies and institutions are critical to accelerating the country’s energy transition. “We commend Schneider Electric for collaborating with partners and embracing innovations that align with our shared vision of a more sustainable and inclusive energy future,” said Arjon Valencia, Corporate Planning and Communications Manager of IEMOP, the central registration body for the GEOP.

The move is also part of Schneider Electric’s broader effort to decarbonize its operations and value chain in line with its net-zero targets. Since 2018, the company has helped customers save and avoid 729 million tonnes of CO₂, reduced emissions across its top 1,000 suppliers by 53% since 2020, and expanded access to green electricity to more than 60 million people since 2009. Over the same period, Schneider Electric has trained more than 1 million people in energy management, underpinning the company’s long-running sustainability program and contribution to its repeated global recognitions–including from TIME Magazine and Statista, and from Corporate Knights, as the World’s Most Sustainable Company, in 2025.

With over 1,300 employees, the Cavite Smart Factory now serves as a strategic hub within Schneider Electric’s East Asia supply chain network. Established in 1996 and integrated into Schneider Electric in 2007 through the acquisition of American Power Conversion (APC), the site supports global markets across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa through the production of secure power and industrial automation solutions.

“We will continue to provide solutions that help industries reduce carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency and resilience in the way we operate,” shared Antonio Cheng, Jr., Cavite Cluster Plant Director of Schneider Electric Philippines

The Cavite Smart Factory’s switch positions Schneider Electric as a leader in clean energy adoption, showing how innovation turns sustainability commitments into real-world impact.

Vena Energy Turns Over 1,000 “Seats for Sustainability” to Talim Island Schools, Improving the Learning Environment for Students While Creating Livelihood for Locals

[Philippines, 27 January 2026] Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions company in the Asia-Pacific region, has successfully turned over 1,000 handcrafted armchairs to elementary schools in the municipalities of Binangonan and Cardona on Talim Island.

The initiative, titled, “Seats for Sustainability,” was led by Vena Energy’s subsidiary, Island Wind Energy Corp. (IWEC). It marks a significant milestone in the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, delivering a dual impact: improving the learning environment for thousands of students while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for the island’s residents. 

Empowering Education in Remote Communities

The turnover ceremonies were held on 22 January 2026 at Kasile Covered Court (Binangonan) and 23 January 2026 at Lambac Covered Court (Cardona). The donation benefits multiple schools, including Kasile Elementary School, Bombong Elementary School, Kinagatan Elementary School, and Lambac Elementary School. 

For remote areas like Talim Island, logistical challenges often hinder the delivery of school facilities. This donation addresses a critical infrastructure gap, ensuring that students have access to comfortable, DepEd-standard furniture that fosters a better learning environment. 

From Skills to Livelihood

What sets the “Seats for Sustainability” project apart is its commitment to the local circular economy. Rather than sourcing furniture from external suppliers, Vena Energy partnered with local communities to manufacture the chairs.

Residents were trained by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in carpentry and craftsmanship. Following their training, these local community members were hired by Vena Energy to build the 1,000 chairs. This not only ensured the furniture met quality standards but also injected income directly into local households, turning a charitable donation into a driver for economic empowerment.

A Commitment to Host Communities

“Seats for Sustainability” aligns with Vena Energy’s broader CSR strategy, which prioritizes Education, Infrastructure Development, and Community Well-being. By engaging the community in the solution, the company reinforces its core value of enabling sustainable social and economic development within its host communities.

“We believe that  a community means giving them thempoweringe necessary tools to build their own future,” said Samrinder Nehria, Head of The Philippines at Vena Energy. “This project is special because the fathers and neighbors of these students built the very chairs their children will sit on. It is a story of pride, resilience, and sustainability.” 

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from IWEC, local government officials from Binangonan and Cardona, school officials, and residents of Talim Island.

SM Prime: Smarter Water Management for a Resilient Future

Manila, Philippines — Water is a limited resource, and many Philippine cities face pressure on their supply due to rapid urbanization and climate change. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, prioritizes water efficiency as a core operational strategy to pave the way for a water-resilient future. 

The result is a portfolio-wide water intensity of 0.44 m³/m²/year, already surpassing water efficiency standards of some of the leading global benchmarks.

For SM Supermalls, every chance to collect and conserve water is explored. Simple low-flow fixtures and the adoption of water-saving technologies prevent unnecessary consumption at scale. Recycling air conditioning condensate and processed water minimizes dependence on fresh water, and innovative approaches that capture portions of floodwater for non-potable use support sustainable water management.

This efficiency means that for every square meter of mall space, SM Supermalls' water use translates into millions of liters saved annually. 

Beyond equipment and systems upgrades, culturally integrating sustainability values is part of the solution. Water education campaigns for tenant-partners, employees, and mallgoers promote the wider sustainability campaign of the SM Green Movement.

Creating a sustainable mall experience like no other, SM Supermalls believes that investing in efficient and scalable water management systems also means bringing everyone together to ensure water for tomorrow. 

“Our mall water management systems are already at par with some of the best in the world. We do this because we understand that every liter saved eases the pressure on local water resources and secures our operations for the long term,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

Every drop makes a difference, and conserving the planet’s valuable resources is communicated through SM Cares’ large and unique community platform, whether in the malls or on social media. The interactive and visually rich content is especially appealing for the younger, digitally active millennial and Gen Z workforce. 

“Our work in the malls is to make sure that we give you the best experience without compromising the needs of tomorrow, but of course, we cannot do it alone. When we combine all our actions as a community, no matter how big or small these are, we can all enjoy a water-resilient future,” said Tan.

PCX Celebrates 16 Philippine Companies for 100% Plastic Footprint Recovery

PCX Markets recently held their PULSE event, where they honored 16 Philippine organizations that have committed to achieving 100% recovery of their plastic footprint for 2025, marking a significant step toward responsible production and sustainable practices.

From everyday packaging to industrial waste, the world has produced more than 9 billion tons of plastic, far more than our planet can handle. Of all the plastic ever made, only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled, 19% incinerated, and 72% landfilled, openly burned, or ends up in the environment. In response, PCX is taking accountability for plastic waste and working to reduce the harmful impacts of the plastic pollution crisis. Guided by its mission to ensure no plastic ends up in nature, PCX is driving the nation’s shift toward a circular economy where plastic is recovered and re-circulated as useful materials through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and more.

With the passage of the Republic Act No. 11898 or the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, large companies in the Philippines are required to take responsibility for the post-consumer management of their plastic packaging waste.

Through PCX, Obliged Enterprises are fulfilling their obligations to collect and responsibly process the plastic packaging waste they put out into the market. PCX Markets works hand-in-hand with PCX Solutions to provide end-to-end EPR compliance support, from footprint accounting to implementation and reporting, empowering companies to design effective reduction and recovery strategies and meet EPR Law requirements. 

This year, the organizations that have committed to achieve the equivalent of 100% plastic recovery of their plastic packaging footprint for the compliance year 2025 include Beko Pilipinas Corporation, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Concepcion Durables, Inc., Concepcion Midea, Inc., Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Company, Concepcion Industrial Corporation - Cortex Technologies Corporation, Domino’s Pizza Philippines, Generation Hope, Inc. (HOPE), General Odyssey, Inc., L’Oréal Philippines Inc., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation, Monde Nissin Corporation, Mondelez Philippines, Inc., Mr. DIY, The Pacific Meat Company Incorporated, and Wild Flour Bakery + Cafe Corp., modeling the kind of leadership and action we need to see more broadly across the private sector to tackle this urgent challenge.

“The leaders we honored today show that responsible action is possible. When companies commit to verified recovery of 100% of their plastic footprint, we can turn the tide on plastic waste and create lasting impact for people and planet,” said Ms. Nanette Medved-Po, Founder and Executive Chair of HOPE and PCX.

PCX Markets offers an end-to-end suite of plastic responsibility tools, including packaging EPR compliance software, verified resins, and a transparent platform for purchasing verified plastic credits that fund the collection, transport, and responsible processing of plastic waste to help companies achieve their plastic recovery goals.

Last year, PCX Markets successfully enabled the diversion of 160 million kilograms of plastic waste from around the world, through 44 projects and 238 companies in 14 countries, including the Philippines. 

To know more about PCX and its mission, please visit https://www.pcxmarkets.com/ or follow PCX on LinkedIn for more updates.

Manila Water Strengthens Water Security and Climate Resilience with Full Stewardship of Upper Wawa Dam

East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has reinforced its commitment to delivering 24/7 water supply across its service area through the official takeover of operations of the Upper Wawa Dam, following the successful acquisition of WawaJVCo.

The turnover, completed in October, marked the formal transition of operations from Prime Infra to Manila Water, with WawaJVCo employees officially welcomed into the Manila Water family. This strategic move consolidates the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project under Manila Water’s management, ensuring greater operational efficiency and long-term water security for its customers.

The acquisition complements Manila Water’s ongoing efforts to diversify and secure alternative water sources, alongside existing facilities such as the Wawa-Calawis Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Antipolo City, Cardona WTP in Rizal, and the East Bay WTP, which both draws water from Laguna Lake.

As the largest water source development since 1967, the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project will deliver up to 710 million liters per day (MLD), benefiting more than 700,000 households or approximately 3.5 million Filipinos within the MWSS concession area. 

“The Upper Wawa Dam is the largest dam built in the Philippines in over 50 years. For decades, Angat Dam has been our primary water source. With the completion of the project, the facility now provides an additional layer of reliability for Metro Manila’s water supply, not just for our East Zone service area, but as an extra source that can support the broader Metro Manila region,” said Joe Costales, newly appointed General Manager of WawaJVCo.

Beyond water security, the Upper Wawa Dam reflects Manila Water’s commitment to climate resilience, protecting not only its facilities but more importantly the communities it serves. Designed primarily as a water supply source, the dam has proven to be a vital flood mitigation measure, repeatedly cited by government agencies as instrumental in reducing flooding in vulnerable areas of Rizal and Marikina by capturing and storing excess rainwater.

In 2024, the Upper Wawa Dam played a critical role in mitigating flooding during Super Typhoon Carina by significantly reducing downstream flood impact in Rizal and Metro Manila by controlling water discharge and lowering flow from 2,100 m³/s to 200 m³/s. The reservoir, which spans 450 hectares and stores up to 120 million cubic meters, nearly filled in two days due to heavy rains, accumulating over 90 million cubic meters of water. Government officials, including President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Rizal Governor Nina Ynares, credited the dam for preventing severe damage. 

In a press briefing in August this year, Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo credited the Upper Wawa Dam for helping reduce flooding in Marikina City during Typhoon Crising. According to Quimbo, more than 51% of floodwater was captured by the dam’s reservoir instead of flowing into Marikina, significantly minimizing the impact of the tropical cyclone.

Manila Water and WawaJVCo is currently gearing up for the official start of its commercial operations slated in December 2025.

Philippine Companies Double Down on Sustainability to Drive Growth Amid Economic Uncertainty: Schneider Electric

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, today announced the results of its annual Green Impact Gap survey revealing that Philippine business leaders increasingly view sustainability as a driver of growth and competitiveness, even as they cite economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability as barriers to further sustainability investment.  

Ninety seven percent of companies have established sustainability targets. Among them, 58% report that sustainability reporting has become easier over the past year, largely due to technology advancements. Yet, 32% still face challenges, citing factors such as rising costs. 

This year, 55% of company leaders identify innovation and competitiveness as key drivers of sustainability, with the strongest emphasis from the semiconductors (71%) and data centers (60%) sectors, followed by real estate (53%) and healthcare (52%). This underscores how industries increasingly link sustainability with business innovation.

Sustainability is also delivering tangible business value. This year, 52% of leaders say it creates new business opportunities, up from 42% in 2024. Similarly, 42% pursue sustainability to strengthen brand and reputation, compared with 32% last year, while 46% cite cost savings and financial benefits, up from 43%. These year-on-year gains demonstrate that sustainability has evolved from a peripheral initiative into a core strategy for competitiveness and resilience.

Misalignment between declared goals and tangible action persists

While findings underscore the growing commitment to sustainability in the Philippines, they also reveal a persistent ‘Green Impact Gap’ — the misalignment between companies' declared sustainability goals and the tangible actions taken to achieve them. This year, 97% of companies set targets, but less than half are taking comprehensive action, keeping the regional Green Impact Gap at 46%.

With 2025 marking a critical milestone on the path to 2030 climate goals, companies remain optimistic. Around 84% express confidence in meeting or exceeding their 2030 targets, while 20% report being more than three years ahead of schedule.

“Companies across the Philippines are not just weathering the storm—they’re using sustainability as a compass to navigate it,” said Ireen Catane, Country President, Schneider Electric Philippines. “Despite volatile economic conditions, early movers and adopters are turning to digitalization and AI to drive efficiency, mitigate risk, and create lasting value.”

In parallel, two-thirds of companies (66%) report being very or moderately familiar with Republic Act 11285, the Philippines' Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. Among these, 85% express moderate to high confidence in meeting its requirements, signaling readiness to implement concrete energy-efficiency measures. This trend aligns with the DOE's national efforts to promote energy efficiency, supporting businesses and local governments in optimizing energy use while advancing sustainability goals.

AI unlocks cost savings and energy efficiency

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping companies address financial and energy risks. 92% of companies in the Philippines this year are already applying or interested to apply AI to advance their sustainability ambitions. At 59%, AI for energy consumption optimization now tops the list of energy and resource efficiency applications, rising ahead of waste management (50%) and smart building management and automation (49%).

Companies see AI’s biggest impact on sustainability in automating data collection and reporting (51%), optimizing energy use (44%), and enhancing product design (44%). By improving energy efficiency, AI helps mitigate cost risks, aligning with the 46% of company leaders who cite financial benefits and savings as key drivers for sustainability amid persistent energy price concerns.

With the rise of energy demand in the Philippines, which the Department of Energy (DOE) projects will grow 4–5% annually and potentially double total power consumption by 2040 under the Philippine Energy Plan, companies continued to adjust their decarbonization strategies in 2025. The most widely adopted measures were switching to low-carbon or electric vehicles for transport (27%, up from 25%), and investing in research and development to drive innovation in low carbon technologies (27%, up from 25%). 

From 2024 to 2025, companies advanced in cutting Scope 2 emissions—indirect emissions from purchased energy such as electricity, steam, heating, and cooling—through onsite renewables (34%, up from 29%) and energy-efficient equipment (41%, unchanged). They also adopted emerging measures like Green IT plans (31%). Efforts to reduce Scope 3, or value chain, emissions also grew, with gains in supply chain optimization (33%, up from 29%) and in promoting remote work and video conferencing to cut commuting and travel-related emissions (31%, up from 30%).

Investments hold steady despite economic uncertainty

With business leaders seeing the bottom-line benefit of sustainability, planned investment in sustainability transformation has held steady with 23% of companies planning to invest at least $US1 million over the next two years. 

While investment in sustainability continues to face key limiters, most have eased slightly year-on-year. Economic uncertainty remains the top concern but dropped from 49% in 2024 to 45% in 2025. Internal budgetary constraints show a sharper decline, from 48% to 37%, while regulatory and policy difficulties (37% to 35%) and poor incentives (36% to 35%) also decreased marginally. These shifts suggest that while structural and financial challenges remain, the investment landscape in 2025 has become relatively more favorable for corporate sustainability compared to the previous year.

Now in its third year, the Schneider Electric Green Impact Gap survey, conducted with Milieu Insight, gathers insights from 4,500 middle- to senior-level executives across nine Asian markets—Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam—on how businesses are prioritizing and investing in sustainability through a 30-question assessment.