ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE
MPIC GROUP PROTECTING LAKELANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Metro Manila’s Laguna de Bay region is a vital natural resource that is used for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, transportation, recreation, livelihood and domestic water supply.
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afeguarding its environmental ecosystem is crucial to the region’s sustainability. Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (“MPIC”) and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (“Maynilad’), together with other MPIC Group companies in the Philippines, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (“LLDA”) on 23 August 2021 to jointly protect the Laguna Lake and its surrounding provinces. LLDA’s mandate is to “transform Laguna Lake into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism by addressing the negative impact of watershed destruction, land conversion and pollution”. This cooperation is initiated via the Laguna de Bay Welfare Awareness or LAWA program spearheaded by MPIC under its Gabay Kalikasan advocacy for the critical role that Laguna Lake plays in the region’s social and economic development.
STEPPING UP FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR “Protection of the environment is not just the government’s responsibility, it’s also the private sector’s responsibility to do their part to help,” said MPIC Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan. “Through this LAWA Initiative, we wish to reiterate the group’s support, particularly Metro Pacific, to LLDA and their efforts in protecting Laguna Lake from the many factors that could cause its demise.” The Laguna de Bay Region covers 77 tributaries and is endowed with rich natural resources. Laguna Lake is home to a variety of organisms that comprise its biodiversity pool, including 31 species of fish as well as mollusks, crustaceans and birds. Department of the Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo C Garcia highlighted in his message that “The DENR welcomes this MOC that ensures the usefulness of this lake and its watershed for future generations. I thank and congratulate LLDA, MPIC and the rest of the MVP Group for this partnership. We hope that this will inspire others in the private sector
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to partner more productively with us and our attached agencies.” Other MPIC Group Companies supporting this initiative include MetroPac Water Investments Corporation, Meralco PowerGen Corporation and Global Business Power Corporation. <<
The commitment to protect and rehabilitate Laguna de Bay through its LAWA initiative is aligned with MPIC’s efforts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly: SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 15 Life on Land. It is also in support of the United Nations’ Decade of Ecosystem Restoration which aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.
