SMC subsidiary’s water saving initiative honored

MANILA, Philippines — A subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) based in Sison, Pangasinan has been honored at the recent Asian Water Awards 2025.

The Northern Cement Corp. (NCC) received the “Water Conservation Initiative of the Year” award for conserving 212,000 cubic meters of water and reusing 22.7 million liters of treated wastewater last year, the SMC said.

NCC’s initiative generated over $4.7 million in savings, which was attributed to the effective use of the 200,000-cubic-meter rainwater harvesting pond and advanced wastewater treatment facility in Pangasinan.

The company’s potable water system produced 54.9 percent of drinking water from harvested rainwater, generating $35,396 in savings.

The water saving initiative benefited surrounding communities and the environment in terms of flood mitigation and supporting biodiversity.

The company collaborated with local schools and farmers’ groups in implementing water saving efforts, installed rainwater catchment systems and provided tanks to 12 sites identified under the National Greening Program.

The NCC said the initiative complies with Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act, and is ISO-certified.