INSIDE THIS ISSUE Featured Locators: APM Technica AG Fastech Synergy Philippines, Inc. Nexperia Philippines, Inc. Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. The Inter-Locator Sportsfest returns to LISP I BPLO holds Business Permits Renewal Caravan in LISP I Locators and Job Seekers flock to Job Fairs 2023 Environment Corner: PCOs on the go News Flash: LISP I joins USAID's AMDev Program LISP I TrivBits Knowledge Corner: Extended Producers Responsibility Series Part 2 WE ARE NOW ON OUR SECOND ISSUE Following the good feedback received from our maiden issue released last April, we are pleased to publish the second issue of LINK where the LISP I community can know more about what's happening in and around the park. For this issue, we revisit events and activities that took place during the first half of this year, and feature four of LISP I's locator companies. We'll We are also featuring the second part of the Extended Producers Responsibility Series in our Knowledge Corner, as well as some trivia about LISP I. We do hope you'll enjoy find this issue as interesting as the first. After three years of waiting, the LISP I community finally came together to pit their athletic skills against each other in friendly competitions during this year's edition of the LISP I Inter-Locator Sportsfest. Last held in 2019, the sportsfest was temporarily The Inter-Locator Sportsfest returns to LISP I The Association of Human Resources Practitioners and Administrators (AHRPA) of LISP I held two job fairs last May 5 and June 30 in Cabuyao City and Calamba City respectively. More than 1,000 applicants were screened for job opportunities and recruitment needs of LISP I and LISP II locators. Locators, Job Seekers flock to Job Fairs 2023 How much do you know about the contributions made by LISP I and our locators to our neighboring communities? Learn about them in this issue's CSR Corner. CSR Corner suspended due to the pandemic. 12 needs of LISP I and LISP II locators. 15 18
LOCATORS CORNER APM TECHNICA AG, A SWISS BRANCH COMPANY, HONORS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILIPPINE- SWISS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS Twenty twenty two was a great year for the Philippines and Switzerland as the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Philippine - Swiss diplomatic relations was celebrated. Swiss Ambassador Alain Gashen said: "For us, 2022 is an important and historic milestone as it marks the 65th anniversary of formal Swiss- Philippine Diplomatic Relations. A lot has happened between our two countries since then, but I can only imagine what new opportunities are on the horizon for new relationship. This is why for the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, we aim to grasp our opportunities, as we continue "Building the Future, Together”. (Excerpt from SwissCham Philippine Business E- Journal; September 2022 issue). (Photo courtesy of Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Page) APM Technica AG Senator Grace Poe , Chairperson of the Committee Economic Affairs, Senate of the Philippines, stated last November 17, 2022 during the Swiss Cham – GRI Forum that “ All of these point to a PH- Swiss Relationship as indestructible as the Alps and as deep as the Philippine Trench.(Excerpt from the SwissCham Philippines Business E- Journal; November 2022 issue). She also stated that there are about 3,000 Swiss Nationals who reside in the Philippines as well as 10, 0000 Filipinos are calling Switzerland their home. Excerpt from the SwissCham Philippines Business E- Journal; November (Photo courtesy of Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Page) 3 2022 issue). 2
3 LOCATORS CORNER FROM 2 4 IDSKH, Zuellig, and Nestle are among the oldest Swiss companies getting settled in the Philippines. There is also a possibility that the Filipino products can also be promoted in the European Market. (Excerpt from SwissCham Philippines Business E- Journal; January 2023 issue). APM TECHNICA AG, A SWISS BRANCH COMPANY, HONORS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILIPPINE- SWISS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS The Swiss presence was also active in the pandemic times and support humanitarian aid such as support provided in the Typhoon Odette. Three of the core values that the Swiss have are 1) promoting peace and providing good services; 2) a long standing humanitarian tradition; 3) securing climate security. (Excerpt from SwissCham Philippines Business E- Journal; January 2023 issue). In the Philippines, there are about 60 Swiss Companies operating and 28 are PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) registered. These registered companies are export- oriented in IT and Manufacturing. One of the Swiss Company residing in the Philippines is APM Technica AG. APM was founded in the Philippines since 2006 and is active in the field of adhesives and services. For 16 years of APM Technica AG in the Philippines, there has been trials and hardships especially during the pandemic times, but resilience and hard work of the employees as well as the top management were very inevitable that helps the company to rise up again.
FROM 3 LOCATORS CORNER APM TECHNICA AG, A SWISS BRANCH COMPANY, HONORS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILIPPINE- SWISS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS Employee welfare such as company outing, team building and celebration of year- end party as well as dinner with the top management has been the habitual fellowship for both employer and employee. Moreover, aside from all the stated employee welfare, APM Technica AG also gives appreciation to their loyal employees who have been with the company for 5, 10 and 15 years. Employees were given an appreciation for 5 years and 10 years of service in the company. The camaraderie being developed creates unity for the company. As a Swiss company, APM Technica AG values the significant effort of our dear Filipino workers which helps the company to strive for the better. The company goal of work- life balance promotes great impact to employees as we are back to face-to-face arrangement due to the relax situation from COVID. Truly, there is much more to this partnership than the Swiss-Philippine have. The Camaraderie and Swiss core vcaolrueevsahluaevsehmaavdeemitapdoesist ipbolesstoibhleatvoehsatrvoengstrong ties and innovation for the upcoming years. Photo taken last PSECE 2022 Employee Loyalty Awardee 2022 Employee Engagement Program 2022 APM Christmas Party 2022 4
5 Fastech was named as one of the Philippines’ Best Employers 2023. In the October 24, 2022 issue of their newspaper publication, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) released the inaugural list of the best employers in the country. Fastech ranked 139 out of over 2,000 eligible employers that Statista, PDI’s data and research partner for this study, found through employer databases, desk research, and sign-up forms. Employers were classified between 27 categories – one of them being Semiconductors, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Technology Hardware & Equipment where Fastech was included. Also part of the list are multinationals like Intel Technology who ranked the highest in the category, followed by Toshiba Information Equipment, and Samsung Philippines. Within the category, Fastech scored the highest among Filipino Semiconductor Semiconductor companies. The company also ranked above notable multinational semiconductor companies like Analog Devices, On Semiconductor, and Texas Instruments Inc. (See The Philippines’ Best Employers 2023 Full List Here: https://business.inquirer.net/367101/how-were-the-best-employerschosen). For this study, PDI and Statista held the opinions of the employees in the highest regard. Stating that they are the people who would know the companies in question the best. The sampling process was done through an anonymous survey of over 11,000 employees in total. This way, the evaluations that were done by the respective employees would be free from any influence or pressure from their company. Each employer was evaluated based on two things: 1. The willingness of their employee(s) to recommend their own employer (direct or indirect), and 2. An analysis of the employee’s answer to questions regarding the salary, work-life balance, potential for development, work environment, colleagues, superiors, equipment, and the reputation of their employer. 6 LOCATORS CORNER FASTECH INCLUDED IN THE 2023 BEST EMPLOYERS LIST "Since its humble beginnings, the people that make up Fastech have always been seen by the company as its greatest asset."
Since its humble beginnings, the people that make up Fastech have always been seen by the company as its greatest asset. This is value is even reflected in its Corporate Mission Statement which states: LOCATORS CORNER FASTECH INCLUDED IN THE 2023 BEST EMPLOYERS LIST Fastech’s Commitment to its People "Achieve reasonable returns for our shareholders in a work environment where employees are respected, listened, recognized, involved and motivated." This is further reinforced through the company’s various human resource training and development programs. Such programs include the Institute of Printed Circuits Joint industry-standard (IPC-J-STD-001) training, and the Continuing Education program which offers an Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). In addition, the company has remained committed to granting scholarship programs throughout the years. Fastech also offers its workforce values development training through the KAIZEN Your Life program – a program that focuses on fundamentals of continuous improvements. Fastech is more determined to improve not only the quality of the company’s products and services, but to also properly manage, skill up and care for its people. FROM 5 6
7 ENABLING THE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION LOCATORS CORNER Through the years, Fastech has supported various scholarship programs because the company sees its scholarship programs as a great opportunity to assist in the strengthening of the science and technology base of the country. So, in line with Fastech’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, the company is again renewing its continued commitment to education & community involvement. Fastech is sponsoring scholarship programs in partnership with Batangas State University (BSU) – the National Engineering University of the Philippines, FAITH Colleges, and University of Cabuyao. In addition to that, the company will also revitalize and continue its employee academic support programs Key officers from Fastech, Batangas State University Officers and FAITH Colleges. (L-R) Ms. Charmaine Rose I. Trivinio, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Batangas State University; Ms. Divina Gracia D. Ronquillo, Director for Center of Innovations in Engineering Educations, Batangas State University; Mr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, PhD, President , Batangas State University; Mr. Primo D. Mateo, Jr., Managing Director, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Mr. Brian Vincent L. Belen, PhD, President, FAITH Colleges; Ms. Lalaine V. Manalo, PhD, Senior Vice-President for Academics and Research, FAITH Colleges; Ms. Arlene Saudi, VP for Human Resources Management and Development, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Mr. Adonis S. Santos, Chair, BS ECE, FAITH Colleges Contract signing between Fastech and FAITH Colleges. (L-R) Managing Director, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Mr. Brian Vincent L. Belen, PhD, President, FAITH Colleges For the next 5 years, Fastech will be donating approximately PHP 15 million in scholarships for students in senior high school, and in undergraduate and master's degrees in college from all three partner educational institutions. Scholars will receive either financial support grants or research grants. Aside from these, the company would also be supporting undergraduate scholarship grants with FAITH Colleges "For the next 5 years, Fastech will be donating approximately PHP 15 million in scholarships" 8 that will cover the cost of the students’ Engineering degree program until they graduate.
ENABLING THE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION LOCATORS CORNER Fastech Officers with University of Cabuyao Officers. (L-R) Mr. Florante Magnaye, PhD, VP for Students and Auxiliary Services, University of Cabuyao; Ms. Arlene Saudi, VP for Human Resources Management and Development, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Ms. Zandra N. Maningas, PhD, VP for Research and Extension,University of Cabuyao; Mr. Primo D. Mateo, Jr., Managing Director, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Mr. Charlemagne G. Laviña, PhD, President, University of Cabuyao; Mr. Allan P. Timonera, President, Fastech Synergy Philippines Inc; Ms. Renelina D. Mañabo, PhD, VP for Academic Affairs, University of Cabuyao; Ms. Corazon B. Rebong, PhD, VP for Administration and Finance, University of Cabuyao FROM 7 Fastech also recognizes that to achieve quality education, we must also support our teachers. That is why the company will also support Faculty Development Programs. Fastech will be sending faculty members from FAITH Colleges and University of Cabuyao to study at the Batangas State University under the Masteral and PhD program in Electronics Engineering. Within Fastech itself, the company’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) – a program which aims to give its employees a professional development opportunity to enhance their skills, will also continue with the established partnership with Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF). The company will send some of its employees to receive an academic degree in their specific expertise in the field of engineering. In addition to this, the company is also renewing its financial scholarship program for children of employees as well. Fastech remains committed to providing a highly proficient technical workforce. And the company is dedicated to developing talent through education. The scholarship grants, training, and other educational programs are its investment for the future. 8
9 NEXPERIA PHILIPPINES ACHIEVES OVER 1 BILLION POWER PRODUCTS IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2023 We are very happy to announce that Nexperia Philippines has recently achieved a significant milestone on our site by successfully delivering over 1 billion power product units in the initial six months of 2023. We have reached an amazing milestone, marking the first time that this achievement has been accomplished as Nexperia PH. This serves as evidence of our unwavering dedication and effective execution, along with our resolute determination and focus on achieving outstanding results. Nexperia PH. This serves as evidence of our unwavering dedication and effective execution, along with our resolute determination and focus on achieving outstanding results Moreover, Nexperia PH also has managed to accomplish a defect rate of fewer than 1 parts per billion during the first 6 months of 2023. This remarkable feat showcases the unwavering commitment of Nexperia PH towards offering exceptionally high-quality products and solidifies our aspiration to establish ourselves as the center of excellence. Kudos to the entire TeamNexperiaPH Community! There truly is strength in numbers and power in action! LOCATORS' CORNER - NPI
Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. (PMI) broke ground last April 18, 2023 on its Factory 3 expansion site in Light Industry & Science Park IV, Malvar, Batangas. The 7,290 square meter production facility, which is PMI's first expansion project outside LISP I, will be built on its newly- acquired 33,696 square meter lot. PMI President, Nelson C. Perpetua, welcomed the distinguished guests led by PEZA Economic Zone Administrator and Head of Southern Luzon Cluster PRICON MICROELECTRONICS, INC. FACTORY 3 GROUNDBREAKING From left to right: Taisei Corp. Chief of Int'l Marketing & Business Dev’t Division, Hajime Kobayashi, Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. Sr. Vice President Yasuo Ishii, Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. President Nelson Perpetua, Yamaichi Electronics President Junichi Kameya, Yamaichi Electronics Chairman Yoshitaka Ota, PEZA Zone Administrator and Head of Southern Luzon Cluster Atty. Norma Tañag, Science Park of the Philippines, Inc. President and CEO Richard Osmond, PEZA LISP IV Zone Manager Jose Maria Geremi T. Manas, Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. Chairman Lito Mondok, and Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. Vice President Joel C. Padullo LOCATORS' CORNER Architect's Render of PMI Factory 3 Southern Luzon Cluster, Atty. Norma B. Tañag, Yamaichi Chairman Yoshitaka Ota, Yamaichi President Junichi Kameya, Science Park of the Phils., Inc. President Richard Albert Osmond, Taisei Corporation President Mr. Koki Irie, executives of Taisei and top management of PMI. Here is an excerpt from Mr. Perpetua’s welcome speech: “It is also a very rare opportunity - in fact, the first time in my 35 years in the company where the two top officers of Yamaichi Electronics of Japan came over together for an event such as this one, making it more momentous to us. Yamaichi Electronics Co. Ltd. is our principal based in Japan. This event is an epitome of the trust and confidence of YEC to the Philippine government and to PEZA as well, in terms of good business and economic relations. It further exudes goodwill and strong confidence to the Filipino workforce. of good business and economic relations. It further exudes goodwill and strong confidence to the Filipino workforce. Similarly, we found LISP IV a haven for a manufacturing site. A productive partnership has been unfolded. In breaking ground towards the construction of the 3rd facility, we appointed TAISEI, a renowned construction company, to give us the quality infrastructure that we desire. We foresee the commercial operations of the factory to commence by April 2024. Thank you all so much for being a part of another milestone of Pricon. Arigato gozaimasu…” 1 0
1 1 This 2023, Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. continued to support Work Immersion with Southville 1. Forty Six (46) Grade 12 STEM students in Science and Technology completed their 80 hour Immersion by batch from February 2023 to March 2023. Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. started to support Work Immersion as its Corporate Social Responsibility in 2018. The program was revived in 2022 in partnership with Southville 1 Integrated National High School with sixty one (61) STEM students who completed their 80 hours immersion last November 2022. With this, a plaque of commendation was awarded to Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. in the 5th Gawad Ugnayan as “Education Partner” in Work Immersion Program of City Schools Division of Cabuyao last December 2022. PRICON MICROELECTRONICS, INC. WORK IMMERSION PROGRAM Signing of Memorandum of Agreement last February 3, 2023 by Southville 1 Integrated National High School Principal Mario Javier (seated left) and Pricon Microelectronics, Inc. President Nelson Perpetua (seated right) with Pricon HR Officers and representatives of Southville 1 Southville 1 Student Immersees Batches 1 to 4 Student Immersees' Day Tour the PMI Factory LOCATORS' CORNER
After three years of waiting, the LISP I community finally came together to pit their athletic skills against each other in friendly competitions during this year's edition of the LISP I Inter-Locator Sportsfest. Last held in 2019, the sportsfest was temporarily suspended due to the pandemic. This year's sportsfest events included basketball, volleyball, badminton, darts and chess. A total of 21 locators fielded in teams registering the highest number of sportsfest participants in LISP I history. Athletes and their supporters came in droves to attend the opening ceremony held last April 14 at the LISP I gym. The ceremonies started with the traditional parade of athletes, followed by the evening's highlight, the Best Muse pageant. Ms. Nexperia bagged the Best Muse title, while Reel Service was awarded Best Uniform. Players then took the oath of sportsmanship before proceeding with the drawing of game schedules among the team captains. The evening was capped off by the opening games for basketball, volleyball, chess and darts. After weeks of intense competition, the sportsfest culminated with the awarding ceremony on July 7. Kudos to the dynamic sportsfest committee for putting everything together as well as to the sponsors. We look forward to more participation by the LISP I community during the 15th staging of the LISP I Inter-LocatorInterLocator Sportsfest next year. 13 THE INTER-LOCATOR SPORTSFEST RETURNS TO LISP I EVENTS Sportsfest next year. Participating locators presented with Certificates of Appreciation Parade of Muses 1 2
1 3 THE INTER-LOCATOR SPORTSFEST RETURNS TO LISP I FROM 12 Special Awards EVENTS Basketball - Open NEXPERIA PHILIPPINES, INC. Champion Basketball - Balik-Laro Women's Volleyball Badminton Chess Darts REEL SERVICE (PHILIPPINES), INC. Best In Uniform DIANA MARUAL, NEXPERIA Best Muse IVOCLAR VIVADENT, INC. Sportsmanship Award Men's Volleyball IONICS EMS, INC. Champion AMPLEON PHILIPPINES, INC. Champion AMPLEON PHILIPPINES, INC. Champion Congrats!
THE INTER-LOCATOR SPORTSFEST RETURNS TO LISP I FROM 13 EVENTS Sponsors Sportsfest Results Participating Locator Companies Sportsfest Committee Chairman - Lemuel Naces, Perkeno Plastics, Inc. Vice Chairman - Ray Guanzon Decena, Ampleon Philippines, Inc. Treasurer - Rowena Alejandro, Katecs Industries, Inc. Overall Coordinator - Dina Rosal-Cascarro, Vector Property Managers, Inc. Safety and Program Committee: Des Garcia & Rek Estuita - Cygnus Industries, Inc. Jhay Dumali & Jan Tandingan, First Sumiden Circuits, Inc. Kyla Juanites, MTEC Water Treatment Tech, Inc. Manny Papa, Ampleon Philippines, Inc. 1 4
1 5 JOB FAIRS 2023 EVENTS ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS PERMIT RENEWAL CARAVAN 2023 The Association of Human Resources Practitioners and Administrators (AHRPA) of LISP I held two job fairs last May 5 and June 30 in Cabuyao City and Calamba City respectively. More than 1,000 applicants were screened for job opportunities and recruitment needs of LISP I and LISP II locators. Over 200 applicants were hired on the spot, while many more were invited for exams and further interviews. The job fairs were made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Public Employment Service Office of Cabuyao City, the Information, Investment Promotions & Employment Services Office of Calamba City, and the Human Resources Practitioners and Administrators associations of LISP I & II, through the assistance of the ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (IGFI). IGFI is the award winning corporate social responsibility arm of the ICCP Group, the conglomerate where Science Park of the Philippines is one of its member companies. The Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) of Cabuyao City conducted the first leg of its One-Stop-Shop Business Permit Renewal Caravan last January 4 at the LISP I Admin building. The event allowed companies located in LISP I to conveniently renew their business permits inside the industrial park. This marks the first time the Cabuyao BPLO brought its Business Permit Renewal caravan to LISP I. LISP I and the Cabuyao city government continue to collaborate on helping LISP I locators and their providers operate their businesses more efficiently.
LISP I SALUTES THE PHILIPPINE FLAG ON NATIONAL FLAG DAY EVENTS The LISP I community once again took part in the annual simultaneous raising of and salute to the Philippine flag last May 28 in commemoration of National Flag Day. This year's National Flag Day salute is special as it culminates in the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day on June 12. This is the third year that the LISP I community has participated in this patriotic event. 1 6
Last January 25, 2023, the LISP I Safety & Pollution Control Officers Association (SPCOA) held an educational activity for its Pollution Control Officer (PCO) members on the topics of wastewater treatment and solid waste management. The activity involved guided tours of the LISP I's Centralized Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWTP) and Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The PCOs witnessed how the CWTP is operated and the processes involved in the treatment of the locators' wastewater effluent before its subsequent discharge into the Diezmo River. The PCOs were likewise oriented by the MRF operator on how the solid waste collected from locators are sorted by the MRF personnel before these are transported to legally operating sanitary landfills. SPCOA regularly conducts awareness and educational activities to keep its members up to date on PCO matters and practices. POLLUTION CONTROL OFFICERS ON THE GO ENVIRONMENT CORNER SPCOA conducts Educational Tour of LISP I's Centralized Wasewater Plant and Materials Recovery Facilities SPCOA participates in Shore Clean Up Activity LISP I PCOs and other volunteers participated in the Shore Clean Up activity hosted by the Cabuyao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Brgy. Baclaran, Cabuyao City last March 24, 2023. The activity is in line with the celebration of United Nations' World Water Day 2023. 1 7
DID YOU KNOW? LISP I Locators donated thousands of PPEs and medical supplies to frontliners at the height of the pandemic. The United States Agency for International Development (“USAID”) is currently implementing the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development (“AMDev”) Program in partnership with the ICCP Group Foundation, Inc. (“IGFI”) as one of its core partners. NEWS FLASH The 5-year AMDev Program seeks to create a highly skilled and adaptive workforce that meets the evolving requirements of the high-tech manufacturing sector. The program was among the initiatives announced during the recent state visit of United States Vice President Kamala D. Harris. The program aims to strengthen the LISP I workforce through the development of an industry-led technical education system with better-defined, harmonized skills as well as qualifications descriptors and competency and training standards. Under the agreement, employees of LISP I locators, particularly the manufacturing companies, shall be reskilled and upskilled under the framework of Industrial Revolution 4.0 free of charge. It is expected that the trained employees shall be more productive and the quality of locators’ products are improved. About twenty (20) locators participated in the AMDev Skills Survey. The results of the survey shall be used as basis for the development of contextualized framework for the manufacturing LISP I JOINS USAID'S AMDEV PROGRAM IGFI orients LISP I locators about the AMDev Program Company to company skills surveys were conducted by IGFI manufacturing workforce and would be employees of LISP I locators. The companies who participated in the survey will be prioritized in the first batch of trainings which will start on the 3rd quarter of 2023. LISP I donated two ICU stations to the Cabuyao City Hospital. Employees of LISP I locators using the ICU are entitled to a 20% discount on ICU expenses until the year 2027. The LISP I Locators' Association donated and distributed around 2,000 kilos of rice to more than 400 families under lockdown from Brgy. Diezmo and Brgy. Pulo during the first weeks of the pandemic. The LISP I Locators' Association sponsors the daily allowance of about 40 elementary school students each year 1 8 CSR CORNER
In the first issue of LINK, the Extended Producer Act of 2022 (RA 11898) was introduced and the role it plays on circularity and sustainability. The EPR Act of 2022 effectively amends the provisions in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001 (RA 9003) with special focus on plastic packaging wastes. It explicitly involves the manufacturers in the solid waste value chain giving them accountability for the plastics that end up in their respective products. This move follows the global move to providing strategies and resources into waste collection efforts and diverting the plastic packaging wastes from landfilling. 1 9 From the time that RA 11898 lapsed into law in July 23, 2022, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) has been published by the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through DAO 2023-02 also known as the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11898 (IRR EPR) on January 24, 2023. As a result, the IRR amends DAO 2001-34 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9003. Does this new law impact your operations? If you are an Obliged Enterprise, then the EPR Act applies to your company. An obliged enterprise under Sec 44B of RA 11989 is defined as a “product producer” that is classified as a large enterprise that generates plastic packaging waste or those enterprises that carry the same brand, label and trademark whose assets exceed Php 100,000,000 based on RA 9501.Micro, small and medium enterprises are not covered by RA 11898. Plastic packaging, for the purpose of EPR Act of 2022, as a “polymer material designed to protect a product from environmental factors, or carrying goods for transportation, distribution and sale, including service necessities (IRR EPR Section 6.42).” The act further defines and classifies these plastic packaging materials as: a. sachets, labels, laminates and other flexible plastic packaging products b. rigid plastics packaging products which include containers for beverages, food, home, personal care, and cosmetic products including other necessities as promotional items, cutlery, plates, drinking c. plastic bags for carrying or transporting goods and those provided at point of sale d. polystyrene WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN OBLIGED EPR ENTERPRISE KNOWLEDGE CORNER Extended Producers Responsibility Series Part 2 20
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AS AN OBLIGED ENTERPRISE 2 0 a. Reduction of non-environmental friendly packaging products b. Recovery programs aimed at effectively preventing waste from leaking to the environment c. Incorporation of activities and strategies in the EPR program d. Credit plastic waste footprint reduction accomplishments All of these enumerated programs are aligned towards the recovery targets of obliged companies mandated by Section 18 or IRR EPR: a.20% recovered by December 2023 b.40% recovered by December 2024 c.50% recovered by December 2025 d.60% recovered by December 2026 e.70% recovered by December 2027 f.80% recovered by December 2028 As challenging as these provisions may seem, there are companies, both multinational and local, who have already started their paths towards extended producer responsibility even before the EPR Act of 2022. Baseline audits, program development, and monitoring are all vital to comply with RA 11898. Additional information on Extended Producer Responsibility will be made available in our next issue. Stay tuned. FROM 19 KNOWLEDGE CORNER Extended Producers Responsibility Series Part 2 What is my company required to do if classified as an Obliged Enterprise? Obliged enterprises are required by law, after 6 months from the effectivity of RA 11898 (which translates to January 23, 2023 as the 6th month mark), to “establish or phase-in programs for plastic packaging to achieve efficient management of plastic packaging waste, reduced production, importation, supply, or use of plastics deemed low in reusability recyclability, or retrievability, and plastic neutrality through efficient recovery and diversion schemes (IRR EPR Section 15).” This would mean that each obliged enterprise should start developing and implementing strategies and programs that would minimize their products’ packaging impacts to the environment. Section 12 of EPR IRR enumerates possible programs as: "...each obliged enterprise should start developing and implementing strategies and programs that would minimize their products’ packaging impacts to the environment."