VISION, MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FPI PROGRAM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A. Vision:

All industries undertake development which meets the needs of people living today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It requires a long-term vision of industrial progress, preserving the foundations upon which human quality of life depends: respect for basic human needs and local and global ecosystem.

B. Mission:

For all industries to adopt sustainable development in their day-to-day operations in the following areas:

• CSR projects
• Management of wastes and emissions
• Use and recycling of raw materials, fuels, water and other resource utilization
• Health and safety

C. Objectives:

The following are the objectives of the program:

• To promote poverty alleviation initiatives thru CSR projects
• To promote reduced pollution thru effective waste and emission management
• To promote efficient use of raw materials, fuels, water and other utilities
• To prevent work related accidents and illness.

TO ATTAIN THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

The following are the proposed

Implementing Activities

Objective 1: To promote poverty alleviation initiatives thru CSR projects

Manufacturing companies have a significant impact on the communities where they operate. The way companies evaluate and manage the social and economic impacts of siting, acquisition and closure of sites affects the quality of life of the communities involved, and our reputation as an industry. Maintaining our ‘license to operate’ as an industry is dependent on being able to earn and keep the support and trust of local people and this includes treating their environment with respect.

Understanding the needs and expectations of local stakeholders is a fundamental first step in working effectively with local communities. But there are no firm rules. Different communities have very different priorities and expectations. Each, quite rightly, expects to be dealt with on an individual basis. Our experience is therefore that community issues are almost always dealt with most effectively at each site. There are some excellent examples of community engagement and social investment programs or the Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR programs engaged in by FPI member companies. Our plan is to share our CSR experiences with each other and partner with Government agencies in improving these programs with the objective of increasing the quality and quantity of benefits and the number of beneficiaries of these programs in the countryside - nationwide.

An overarching need local communities, which is now the main thrust of Government, is the alleviation of poverty. Our programs which impact on providing livelihood and generating income for the local community should be the focus of our renewed CSR programs.

1.      Share FPI member companies "Corporate Social Responsibility" (CSR) Projects experiences. The FPI Website will link to member associations’ websites which, in turn, will connect to member companies information on the CSR projects they are undertaking and have undertaken:      a) Education and training assistance and programs
     b) Medical missions, assistance to hospitals and medical needs
     c) Response to calamities
     d) Livelihood generation projects
     e) Environment (e.g., preservation of rare species, of sanctuaries, etc)
     f) Eco-tourism projects
     g) Reforestration
     h) Others

2.      Promote among the FPI company members the identification and engagement of livelihood projects that will provide raw materials for FPI member companies operations, engaged depressed sectors and communities to be able to provide these inputs needed by the FPI member companies (plastics, agri products, steel scrap, industrial wastes, components sub-contracting, waste re-use, recycle, recover, etc). Develop a waste = resource exchange program among member companies then among communities.

3. The information on the CSR projects will be structured in such a way that will highlight quantitative and qualitative features of the projects including estimates of income generation. The information structure with the criteria and procedure for awarding on an annual basis the “Best CSR” based on generating income, responsiveness to the need of the community and to introducing sustainable development process in the community shall be formulated in consultation with the appropriate government agencies. The appropriate government agency communicates regularly through internet to the companies on how to further improve their CSR projects.

Objective 2: To promote reduced pollution thru effective waste and emission management

Consuming energy from fossil fuels such as oil and coal creates carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important Greenhouse Gas (GHG) causing climate change. Climate protection, and in particular reduction of CO2 emissions, is an issue which we take very seriously.
Common in most manufacturing industries, many of our emissions are carefully monitored and reported in order to comply with environmental regulations on emissions limits. Volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are responsible for the local, low level pollution usually called smog, which also contains small particles that can cause respiratory problems. There are also others which may raise health concerns if their levels are not carefully monitored and controlled. Dust and other particulates are obvious examples of this. As the representative of industry, we need to co-operate proactively with regulators to ensure that these limits are both reasonable and effective.

1.     Come out with waste and emissions management procedures appropriate (practicable to implement) for the various industry sectors members of FPI.
2.     Develop procedures to standardize the transformation of wastes into resources for FPI members.
3.      Highlight in the website the observation of these procedures.
4.     Next steps (next year or two ) activities for the members:
       a) Set CO2 and other gas emissions target for the members (consolidated not identifying any specific industry,
          an audit firm may be engaged to ensure confidentiality considering sensitivity of the data).
       b) Set targets for participation in CO2 reduction or sequestration activities
         - tree planting
         - participation in CDM
         - etc.. (e.g., ‘Ecolabeling’ Program)
       c) Arrange the monitoring of, to report annually, the CO2 emissions of ALL the industries as one (not identifying the specific industry).

Objective 3: To promote efficient use of raw materials, fuels, water and other utilities

Exchange information on practices that espouse energy conservation and efficient utilization of resources. Promote utilization of alternative fuels and raw materials such as wastes as mentioned in Objective 2.

Using waste from other industries as raw material is a huge opportunity for FPI members to reduce its environmental impact, because it allows companies to access raw materials without extracting them directly from the ground.

For some waste streams this has already been achieved, but for others, economically viable extraction methods have still to be developed. Using wastes is a key service that FPI member companies can provide to society; it prevents large volumes of material from going to landfill or being burned in incinerators.

We will only use wastes as raw materials where it can be done safely, without harm to our employees, neighbors and the environment. FPI has already began an open, constructive dialogue with the DENR – EMB to investigate the risks and benefits associated with the use of waste materials, including issues such as health and safety, economics, emissions and public concerns about using waste materials. We hope that this will lead to the creation of agreed guidelines in that can be used by companies in the country.

FPI Initiatives:

1. Develop guidelines for responsible use of all fuels, raw materials, water, and other resources. In consultation with stakeholders, come out with a set of guidelines for the responsible use of fuels and raw materials in for the FPI members to follow. These guidelines deal with the necessary conditions and practices recommended for the safe use of a variety of fuels and raw materials.
2. As stipulated in Objective 1: Develop a waste = resource exchange program among member companies then among communities (e.g., Waste Exchange program of the Philippine Business for Environment).
3. Promotion of the benefits of using products that use alternative fuels and raw materials.

Objective 4: To prevent work related accidents and illness.

Ensuring healthy and safe working conditions for employees and stakeholders is always an important issue for industry. We recognize that more attention should be paid to this area across the whole industry and the FPI should express commitment to playing a full part in that process. While systems for reporting on individual company occupation-related illness and injury rates do exist, in most cases we are not currently able to report industry-wide figures.

Regular effective health and safety training and a culture of safety are the most powerful tools to reduce injury and occupation-related illness rates. All the companies involved in this project have health and safety programs in place; it will be beneficial in having information exchange for companies to share their experience, identify common causes of injuries and develop recommendations for continuous improvement.

FPI Initiatives:

1. Through the FPI Website, develop an information exchange including information on the rates, origins and types of accidents and incidents that occur.
2. Share member companies experiences.
3. Develop recommendations for prevention.