Industry Experts Share Insights and Best Practices at FPIP’s Online Conference
First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP), one of the leading and fastest-growing industrial parks in the Philippines, hosted its first ever day-long online conference for its locators on October 11, 2023.
With theme Insight|Foresight: 2023 Online Locators’ Conference, it featured thought leaders and experts from various industries who discussed how they are reshaping the Philippine landscape to help elevate industry, community and the environment.
Headlining the free virtual event was Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Mr. Tereso “Theo” O. Panga. Other keynote speakers were Mr. Randy Feliciano, HR Deputy Head at Philippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata, Inc. (PMM); Mr. Olaf Miguel Bautista, Sustainability Manager at Nestle Philippines, Inc.; and Atty. Allan Barcena, AVP and Head of Corporate Relations and Communications at Energy Development Corporation (EDC).
Elevating industry
DG Panga, the first homegrown PEZA director general, reported that their promotion agency has received Php 131.76 billion investments from January to October 2023, a 232.45% increase from the same period last year.
According to him, PEZA is poised to implement new strategies, address current challenges and focus their efforts on automation and digital transformation – all these to make the Philippines globally competitive and attractive to foreign investors.
“Through our collaborations and strategic alliances, we in PEZA, together with FPIP and other ecozone industries and stakeholders, will continue to push for eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, making the country an enviable investment destination in Asia,” he said.
Elevating community
Recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia in 2023, Murata does their part in elevating the community by ensuring not only customer and social satisfaction, but their employees’ satisfaction as well.
Murata believes that each one has to work willingly and with full capability towards the vision and goals of the company. To achieve this, they remain consistent with their Shaze or philosophy, which is to create an environment where their workforce can be at their best. They put high priority on the holistic wellness of their employees to make them feel at home and keep them engaged.
Deeply stemming from their vision to become one of the leading electronics companies in the Philippines, Mr. Feliciano shares that they will continue with this strategy while learning and moving with the times.
Elevating the environment
Nestle and EDC are two FPIP locators who have been pushing boundaries to implement sustainable and regenerative business practices.
According to Mr. Bautista, Nestle Philippines, Inc. is positioned to deliver on their 2025 Net Zero commitments. Among their efforts are pioneering solutions to reduce plastic wastes, which include use of paper packaging and reducing use of newly-made plastic.
Nestle also maintains plastic neutrality, where they divert wastes from landfills, waterways and oceans by collecting plastic waste from local government units (LGUs) and communities, and using it as alternative fuel in the process of producing cement.
EDC, on the other hand, is lighting the path toward a decarbonized and regenerative future. A subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings (FPH), it is the pioneer and largest 100% renewable energy producer in the Philippines. EDC is also the largest vertically integrated geothermal company worldwide.
Atty. Barcena says that EDC has been collaborating with LGUs, private organizations, communities and other stakeholders. This is part of their commitment in reforming its approach in tackling the environmental issues to make the planet healthier and more livable for future generations.
Drawing hundreds of participants, the conference was hosted by veteran broadcasters ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) anchor Mr. Ron Cruz and FPIP External Affairs Head Mr. Ricky Carandang.
Moving forward, Lopez-led FPIP will continue to organize events that will provide its locators and other participants a venue to gain insights and engage in meaningful discussions.
