ITOGON, Benguet – BenguetCorporation’s (BC) wholly-owned nickel subsidiary, BenguetcorpNickel Mines Inc. (BNMI) was awarded the ISO 14001:2015 certification onEnvironment Management, the first nickel operations in the country to becertified under the 2015 version. This recognition comes amidst the company’s drive to perform best practices in the area.
The ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally agreed standard that specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. ISO states that this standard is used by the organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
The TÜVRheinland®, headquartered in Cologne, Germany is a leader in international certification in the Philippines working as an independent body in evaluating management systems, granted the EMS certification to BNMI. TÜVRheinland® worked closely with Benguet Corporation’s ISO Certification Overall Project Head and VP for Human Resources, Administration and Corporate Governance Compliance Officer, Chuchi Cole-del Prado in fostering a culture of excellence among BNMI’s key ISO implementers.
BenguetCorp Nickel Mines Inc. (BNMI) being awarded the ISO:14001 2015 Certification by TUVRheinland Managing Director Mr. Tristan Loveres (4th from left). Accepting the Certificate is Benguet Corporation Exec. Dir. Isidro Alcantara and BC OIC Mr. Arsenio K. Sebial. The BNMI team is represented by (clockwise from left) Dale Tongco, BNMI President Leopoldo Sison III, BNMI COO Glenn Duka, Kirsten Decrepito and Chuchi del Prado.
“This is the result of the dedication and passion of thenickel team led by ISO Site Lead/HR Manager, Ms. Kirsten Decrepito and VP and Resident Manager, Glenn Duka and the rest of the organization who pulled through and worked tirelessly to ensure success in attaining this ISO certification,” Ms del Prado said.
This certification attests that BNMI is compliant with the latest administrative order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)(DENR DAO 2015-07) mandating all existing mining firms to secure the ISO Certification on environmental management systems on or before May 2016.
BNMI President Mr. Leopoldo S. Sison III stated that “this certification comes with a promise that the organization will work towards ensuring that there is a system in place that monitors how our nickel operations affect the environment around us. The team is highly-engaged in making sure that together with the development of the minerals, is a process that protects the earth from any adverse impact. BNMI accepts whole-heartedly our responsibility to the environment which gives us so much and we are intent to preserve it and leave a sustainable ecosystem in our stead. This certification should help dispel claims from misinformed sectors in our midst that our mining activities are the sole cause of destruction to the environment.”
By James Base
