Shared Rivers, Shared Responsibility

In Zamboanga City, an evening devoted to environmental stewardship became a moment of quiet affirmation for organizations working beyond compliance and toward genuine care for the planet. At the Environmental Awards Night 2025 hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region IX, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), through its Zamboanga Plant, emerged as one of the institutions recognized for turning sustainability into sustained action.

Guided by the theme “Sustaining Together: Honoring Environmental Partners,” the gathering highlighted how collaboration between industry, government, and communities can reshape local environments. For PCPPI, the recognition reflected years of steady work rather than a single initiative. The plant was cited as an Active Adopt-an-Estero Program Partner, acknowledging its continued role in restoring and maintaining waterways that support healthier neighborhoods across the region.

Beyond water stewardship, PCPPI also received the Energy Efficient and Carbon Footprint Initiative Award, underscoring efforts to reduce emissions and embed energy-saving measures into daily operations. These steps, though often unseen by the public, form part of a broader alignment with national climate goals and responsible manufacturing practices. Completing the trio of honors was the Environmental Partnership Award, a tribute to the company’s collaboration with DENR, local government units, and community organizations in advancing shared ecological priorities.

For Atty. Carina Lenore S. Bayon, PCPPI’s Chief Environmental, Social, and Governance Officer, the recognitions serve as both encouragement and reminder—proof that responsible growth is possible when businesses choose to operate with accountability and purpose.

Attended by around 200 representatives from public and private sectors, the ceremony reflected a collective vision: that sustainability is strongest when pursued together. Through brands familiar to Filipino households and programs rooted in community impact, PCPPI continues to show how industry can participate meaningfully in protecting the environments where it operates.