Taiheiyo • 2024 July-Sept

Construction begins LUZON DISTRIBUTION TERMINAL

CALACA CITY,

Batangas - Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) formally kicked off the construction of its distribution terminal here for the Luzon market with a fusion of Japanese and Filipino traditions in starting a project.

Mayor Sofronio “Nas” C. Ona, Jr. and some local government officials graced and witnessed the Safety Prayer Ceremony in the morning of Sept. 26, 2024 at the seaport in this city in Barangay Puting Bato West.

Basically a groundbreaking event, it included a benediction

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Construction begins

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or Catholic blessing and a Japanese safety ritual for purification in four directions of the planned facility that will serve the largest cement consumption area in the country.

Mayor Ona welcomed Taiheiyo to his city. “We look forward to building a fruitful partnership with TCPI and walking together toward a bright future,” he said.

President and CEO Takashi Miyashita underscored the importance of the project, saying “we aim to contribute to the development of the local economy and continue our social contributions to the entire Philippines.”

“We look forward to moving the project forward as one team, working closely with stakeholders, including those from the local Calaca City,” he added.

Sadakatsu Hiramatsu, president of Shimizu Philippine Contractors, Inc. (SPCI), the general contractor of the project, also welcomed the guests before everyone proceeded with the benediction and groundbreaking rites.

Fr. Froilan Renato A. Briones, SSS blessed the project site and the implements during the groundbreaking that the executives and distinguished guests used during the ceremony.

During the groundbreaking, general manager Ramson Llanto of estate operator Calaca Industrial Seaport Corp. (CISC) and the city’s Association of

Barangay Captains (ABC) president Generoso Garcia joined the top executives.

Taro Iwasaki, TCPI SVP and Manila branch manager, and Motoharu Nagashima, TCPI VP and project manager, also joined them with host barangay captain Adelino Magpile with Lumbang Calzada barangay captain Severino Malabanan.

TCC recognizes the cement demand in the Philippines has been growing, the reason for the expansion in Luzon.

The new cement terminal will have a capability to supply 700,000 tons of cement annually to Luzon regions.

TCPI looks at the massive infrastructure investment program “Build Better More” of President Marcos’s administration.

The strategy is to advance Taiheiyo’s presence in the Philippine market to reach an annual sales volume of five million tons and a sales share of 10 percent of the country’s expected consumption by the 2030’s.

TCPI just upgraded its ₱15 billion new plant that will increase the company’s cement production capacity to three million tons per year after full commercial operation.

Meanwhile, the cement distribution terminal here is expected to be completed in April 2026. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin by May 2026. ♦

Taiheiyo employees turn ‘Plastic Busters’

Taiheiyo employees are now “Plastic Busters”!

Since July 3, 2024, and every Wednesday thereafter, employees of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) and personnel of its suppliers and allied companies would report for work carrying stash of plastic waste from home.

Each would list one’s name and the weight of the plastics they brought in, then sign a monitoring sheet at the dropoff stations near the canteen at the plant site in San Fernando and at the pantry of the Cebu

City office.

During the kick-off, TCPI gathered 52 kilograms of plastic waste, according to Elaine Joy Onipig, a staff at the TCPI Environment and Safety Department (ESD).

The weekly collections that followed weighed about the same, she said, adding the collected dry plastic wastes are fed into the plant’s kiln as alternative fuel.

ESD manager Dwight P. Avila said the company adopted the Plastic Busters – TCPI Plastic Waste Collection and

Recycling Program to uphold and promote its environmental pledge to help reduce and contain plastic waste.

It is undertaken as part of its commitment in the company’s Environmental Management System (EMS) that remains certified since 2006 as having met the standards of ISO 14001.

RA 11898

“Plastic Busters” is also the company’s way to adhere to Republic Act No. 11898, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022. It mandates companies to recover or remove an equivalent plastic product footprint they have produced.

While yet adopted within the company premises and among its employees, Avila disclosed that TCPI will expand the initiative in the second phase to the community.

With the Legal and Community Affairs Division (LCAD), they are working on a productive collaboration with the municipality and specific stakeholder barangays through a memorandum of agreement.

In a memo ESD released to the employees, it told the employees they would “free the clutter in (their) homes and decrease plastic materials from going to the landfill and the environment.”

As it instructed the employees to make sure that the plastics they bring are empty, clean and dry, it identified the following types of plastics: sachets and pouches of hair care products, condiments, spices, and toothpaste.

It also listed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles used for consumer drinks, plastic bags, food and drinks doypacks or stand-up pouches, wrappers of candies, chocolates and snack food, as well as cement bags.

To encourage employee contributions in the first month, TCPI recognized the employees who consistently brought plastic wastes with safety polo shirts during the 10th Safety Week Celebration on July 2226, 2024. ♦

Public teachers learn to manage waste better

Morethan just providing materials for Balik Eskwela 2024, two allied firms gave the community in three public schools ample knowledge to help them manage waste generated better in their campuses and homes.

Solid Earth Development Corp., with Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI), conducted the series of Environmental Awareness on Solid Waste Management to teachers, parents and other school personnel.

Even barangay health workers (BHW) and barangay tanods participated in the series, first in Tonggo Integrated School on June 22, then at Duangan Elementary School by June 24, and finally at Bugho Integrated School on June 25, 2024.

The company’s Mine Environmental Protection and Enhancement Office organized the seminars that environmental officer Rechelle R. Selma

presented.

She underscored the need to reduce waste from the source, the value of recycling, the importance of treatment, especially from industries and commercial activities, and eventual disposal that reduces the volume at landfills.

The attendees learned about proper waste segregation, the

classification of solid waste that can be classified as compostable, residual, recyclable and special ones, that actually refers to hazardous waste like paints, thinners and batteries.

“Handling solid waste is a public accountability. It is everybody’s business, even our own children who we should already indoctrinate on what to do with waste,” she noted.

“Sama sa pipila lang ka tukog, wala’y masilhig kung dili ang tibu-ok pong-pong,” she added.

Selma also discussed the initiatives and practices of SEDC in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002.

“It’s fulfilling that we get to extend our knowledge to our stakeholders,” noted unit head Engr Samuel Tagsip. “The delicate care of our environment and the commitment to keep it clean is after all a collective effort,” he added Development Corp. (SEDC). ♦

Gr.1 KIDS GET KITS

Schools get new appliances, some materials for SY 24-25

Some 15 public schools in San Fernando and seven in Pinamungajan got the needed boost to start School Year 2024-2025 right and be on track.

Under Brigada Eskwela 2024, Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) with the support of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) equipped these schools with new appliances like electric fans and water dispensers for the students’ comfort.

It further provided various

construction and paint materials for the repair and improvement of educational facilities, plus some cleaning materials to maintain the tidiness of the campus for the entire school year.

Meanwhile, TCPI and SEDC gave away 502 school kits to Grade 1 students in 11 public

elementary schools in San Fernando.

Lou Divina A. Cauba, SEDC deputy community relations officer, led the distribution of materials and appliances in the seven elementary schools in Pinamungajan from July 24 to August 13, 2024.

With TCPI community and general affairs staff, they also brought the materials to nine elementary schools (ES), five integrated schools (IS), and

one Math & Science high school (HS) in San Fernando between July 5 and 26, 2024.

The specific goods given away depended on the request of their respective school heads, while the provision of school kits to Grade 1 pupils has become a yearly tradition of the company, noted Cauba.

Ilaya IS school head Evaniza Genilla expressed gratitude for the supplies the Grade 1 pupils received.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Solid Earth and its management. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in providing our students with school bag and supplies, and we truly appreciate your continued commitment to our school’s needs,” she said.

While Ilaya got 48 kits, Panadtaran IS had the most with 94 kits, followed by Magsico ES with 63, then Tubod ES with 53, Tañañas ES with 49, Tinubdan IS 42, Cabatbatan IS 40, Tonggo IS 35, Bugho IS 33, Tabionan IS 23, and Basak ES 22. ♦

TCPI embraces more scholars

“This scholarship is more than just a financial assistance; it is a symbol of hope and a testament to the transformative power of education.”

Thus said San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann Canoy in her message during the 2024 Scholarship Ceremony of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) on Sept. 28 at the company’s new recreation area.

It capsulizes the heart and soul of TCPI’s scholarship program that, as she underscored to the beneficiary students, “represents an investment in your dreams and aspirations.”

She said the ceremony is “a celebration of your hard work, determination, and the potential you possess,” well attuned to the theme: “From Foundations to Futures: Cementing the Path to Excellence and Building Success Together.”

TCPI welcomed 13 new secondary and three tertiary scholars starting from the new school year, 2024-2025, honored the Class of 2024 from senior high school and college, and further recognized the top performers among all the scholars.

The company now maintains 73 high school scholars and 14

last school year, as vice

awaits to hand over her recognition certificate, as

college scholars, according to Vanessa N. Bongcawil, human resources manager and concurrent head of the community and general affairs section.

The company cited some 52 and five among them, respectively, as “Best Performing Scholars” for having demonstrated outstanding performance in the previous school year, 2023-2024, she added.

Dr. Joel Umbay, the public school district supervisor, also graced the ceremony with the barangay captains from the 13 impact barangays, and 16 school heads from partner high schools in San Fernando.

Attuned to what the mayor said, TCPI president and CEO Takashi Miyashita declared, “We are not merely supporting individual aspirations; we are reinforcing the very pillars upon which our future successes will be built.”

“Our commitment to education and development is a cornerstone of our mission, and it is a privilege to support individuals who exemplify the values of perseverance, ambition and dedication,” he pointed out.

Takuya Nose, senior vice president, welcomed the guests to the ceremony that he described as “a testimony

and legacy that demonstrates TCPI’s commitment to education as a vital part of personal growth and community development.”

TCPI’s partner in the scholarship program has been its materials supplier and port logistics provider, Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC). Its chair, Loreli L. Po, described their collaboration as “closest to my heart.”

“It is because of the opportunities that a talented child gets after getting quality education,” she said, as she advised the scholars and the graduates that “the road ahead is not always smooth,” thus their need for focus and determination.

Speaking for the Department of Education, Dr. Umbay told the scholars that they are destined to be community leaders. “The knowledge and experiences you gain are not just for personal growth but for the betterment of society,” he pointed out.

Graduates

During the program, Taiheiyo honored the senior high graduates led by Romie L. Bayeta, Jr. of Panadtaran who earned close to highest honors with an average of 97.5 at Sangat National High School (NHS).

The rest are from Basak:

Sheina Marie C. Cantil, 95; Bugho: Cristine Marie N. Genilla, 95; Cabatbatan: Rhianne Jane G. Fuentes; Ilaya: Divine Grace M. Racoma, 95; Magsico: Jholia Allyza B. Mangubat; and North Poblacion: Lhyn Angel N. Tapales, 97.

The others are from South Poblacion: Jewel S. Flores, 97; Tabionan: John Edmar James Enardecido; Tañañas: Nathaniel P. Dimpas, 97; Tinubdan: Shylen Mae S. Geralde, 96; Tonggo: Kimberly Jean B. Auman, 96; and Tubod: Princess Jean A. Ongcoy, 96.

The current three senior college scholars are expected to graduate yet in December this year with degrees in Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering (CE) at Cebu Institute of Technology - University (CIT-U).

They are Aica D. Antecristo of Panadtaran and Jienesa A. Canoy of Basak, both TCPI scholars for 10 years since high school, and Yamila D. Satinitigan of Greenhills.

The pandemic just started in their first year in 2020. Attending school online, TCPI provided them with computers to readily access their classes and do online research, recalled Bongcawil.

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Medical missions continue in Duangan

Two allied industrial companies brought a smorgasbord of humanitarian services to the hinterland barangay of Duangan in Pinamungajan town, serving close to 700 delighted residents

It had been the second time since Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) and Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) resumed the conduct of medical missions that the pandemic and recent Renewal project interrupted for four years.

After Magsico earlier in March, they sent a mission to Duangan Elementary School on Aug. 10, 2024 that gave free consultation and medicines, plus dental and optical services, random blood sugar, and haircut services.

The mission attended to 244 male and 451 female patients, 169 of them children, plus more than half of the 88 who had their hair cut, and some 54 senior citizens with some among 126 who availed of the optical services.

About 40 percent among the patients had the need for vitamins, while 21 percent were cases of cough and colds, noted Lou Cauba, SEDC deputy community relations officer.

The rest were mostly body pains, skin allergies, hypertension, fever, back pains and dizziness, she added.

‘Heart and mind’

“Malipayon kaayo mi maglantaw sa mga hayag nga panagway sa mga lumulupyo nga nakadawat sa inyong tabang labi na sa kahupayan sa ilang mga pangutana nga ang mga hanas lang sa maong propesyon ang makatubag,” remarked Duangan head teacher Cirselda G. Gerolaga.

“Ang serbisyo nga inyong gihatag kanamong tanan diri mag ukit na sa among mga dughan ug huna huna. Daghan kaayo nga salamat,” she added.

She said the medical mission meant a lot to the locals as they hardly consult doctors and acquire medicines. While sheer poverty, the hinterlands are far from the town centers.

Top executives of both companies were in full force for the Duangan mission led by TCPI president and CEO Takashi Miyashita and three senior vice presidents, Takuya Nose, Taro Sumi and Mitsufusa Sato.

SEDC senior technical adviser Fumikazu Murakami, chairman Loreli L. Po and president Maria Deeza I. Guzman helped oversee the mission meant to provide access to health services, health facilities and health professionals.

Duangan barangay captain Carlos B. Ponting Jr. gathered the patients with his fellow

barangay officials and health workers who served as the triage.

TCPI volunteers from human resources, administration, and medical departments assisted the patients and the volunteer physicians, like Drs. Normacita Infantado, Armindo N. Ceniza, Jr., Fe Lynn Tampon, Easter Lette Estella and Jake Seno.

Meanwhile, Drs. Pearl Angeli Sabido-Cabauatan and Arabella Sahilan took care of the dental patients First in 2013

The Duangan mission this year is the fifth medical mission TCPI and SEDC sent to Pinamuganjan, serving already 3,349 townsfolk. It first served 642 patients of Duangan and Lut-od in early 2013.

The second attended to 856 residents from Duangan, Guimbawian, Lut-od, Ponod and Sibago in April 2016, then 732 patients in Anislag, Busay and Guimbawian by April 2017, and 424 in Sibago in April 2019.

TCPI and SEDC have since 2005 been sending medical missions, rotating among 13 stakeholder barangays in San Fernando and some villages in Pinamungajan, serving to date already a total of 30,931 patients. ♦

‘Safer and stronger together’ TCPI SAFETY WEEK 2024

“Lahi man ang atong kompanya, sa TCPI nag-abot kita, nagkahiusa aron luwas ang matag-usa.” of the company’s environment and safety department.

Thus declares the winning safety slogan for 2024 by Mark Vincent W. Senor of the purchasing department. In English means, “Our company is different. At TCPI we come together, united to keep everyone safe.”

It echoes the essence of this year’s observance in Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) of the Safety Week, guided by the theme “TCPI and its Partners: We are safer and stronger together.”

The theme demonstrates the vital role and responsibility of every partner in achieving a healthy and safe workplace, noted Dwight S. Avila, head

An employee takes it to measures how well she can hear sounds.

“This week was an opportunity for people, employees, service provider and hauling companies to work together and celebrate the hard work by our workers in the plant who make safety a foundation in everything we do,” he said.

Avila noted a significant increase of participants in various events during the celebration compared to previous years, like in the safety slogan contest, safety puzzles and word search, and firefighting contest.

He said it meant more employees of TCPI and its suppliers gained better safety awareness and can became models to other workers to promote and adhere to the company’s safety first policy.

The Safety Week followed a week after TCPI inaugurated its new production line last July 18, 2024.

San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann B. Canoy graced the kick-off caravan that campaign for road safety that the town’s police, fire department, and TCPI hauling operators participated in.

TCPI president and CEO Takashi Miyashita underscored the relevance of the inauguration of the new plant as the increase in cement volume would mean an upsurge in logistics activities.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and efficient transport or logistic system for the movement of people and our cement products,” he pointed out, as parties signed a memorandum of agreement to implement TCPI’s Biyaheng Luwas program.

Miyashita urged the logistics teams of the company, its materials supplier Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) and the hauling companies to observe transport safety management or road safety agenda.

During safety week, the activities centered on appreciation, awareness, education as well as celebration, while participants enjoyed free eye examination, dental services, fasting blood sugar test and audiometry test. ♦

TAIHEIYO, SOLID EARTH PROMOTE

‘Clean Seas for Blue Economy’

Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) joined the global community in commemorating the World Cleanup Day and International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 21, 2024 with the theme, “Clean Seas for Blue Economy.”

With Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI), the activity at the 150-meter Baro coastline of South Poblacion in San Fernando town and the deltas of Sabang and Tonggo rivers generated 300 kilograms of solid waste.

Residents along Luknay creek and personnel of four

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suppliers helped in collecting mostly plastic and other non-biodegradable waste, bared Mitzie Almira I. Carin, SEDC division manager for human resource and administration.

They included FA Manpower Corp., San Fernando Integrated Services and Equipment Corp., Geo-Transport & Construction, Inc. and Silver Herstal Security Agency, Inc., she shared.

For its consistent active participation year after year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

New scholars

Meanwhile, the company introduced and granted their certificates of scholarship to three new tertiary students now at CIT-U -- Johnrey B. Repaso of Tubod and Jean R. Enot of Bugho, both taking up BS CE, and Suzy P. Siarot of North Poblacion, taking up BS Chemical Engineering (ChE).

Entering junior high school from Grade 7 are from Basak: Aira Jane C. Tapere Bugho: Lislie Tausa, Cabatbatan: Niethan D. Oyangorin, Ilaya: Daisy Marie M. Racoma, Magsico: Desiree Mae Tortor, and North Poblacion: Andrew Joshua T. Gonzales.

The others are from Panadtaran: Charlyn T. Salem, South Poblacion: Joana Shin

(DENR) through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas cited SEDC with a certificate of recognition.

Taking cue from EMB last March for the World Water Day, SEDC and TCPI collected 970 kilos of garbage also at the Baro coastline and Luknay creek.

In September 2021, still fresh from lessening pandemic restrictions, SEDC marked the International Clean-Up with the World Bamboo Day, providing Pinamungajan town with 500 bamboo propagules

V. Esquera, Tabionan: Althea Kaye L. Tribunalo, Tañañas: Rey Anthony M. Caballes, Tinubdan: Khyrlgyn O. Cabahug, Tonggo: April Ann O. Simbajon, and Tubod: Jonila S. Siarot.

Repaso considered his inclusion as “a great achievement,” citing prior predicaments, rejections and anxieties he had to deal with, taking them as “a redirection to a better place where we grow and reach our dreams.”

For Glory Rose Siarot, mother of Suzy, took TCPI’s scholarship program as “a gateway to brighter futures … to build a solid foundation … that has empowered our child to focus on her studies … and lighten the burden on us parents.”

for regeneration.

Also in September 2009, SEDC with TCPI observed the annual global cleanup for two days through a project dubbed “Saves Our Seas” that gave participants long-sleeved commemorative shirts that help protect the participants’ skin from sunburn.

“Solid Earth remains consistent and steadfast in its commitment to keep our environment clean and safe from any possible untoward natural incidents,” noted Carin.

“We continue to work with our stakeholders,” she added ♦

On behalf of her fellow Grade 7 scholars, Esquera expressed “our deepest gratitude for giving us this opportunity to be part of such an inspiring program” that would further her “sense of consistency and determination.”

As most of her batchmates and the rest of the scholars, “it has given me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation,” Esquera added, pointing out that “your (TCPI) support is the push I needed to keep going and to reach even greater heights.”

Since 2005, the Taiheiyo Group in Cebu lighted the path to education for 249 secondary scholars and 42 tertiary scholars since 2009, hiring already eight of them. ♦