The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON and Mazda Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the rehabilitation of a portion of a National Greening Program (NGP) graduated site in Siniloan, Laguna, on May 18, 2022 in Cabuyao, Laguna.

“This MOA Signing marks the 10th partnership established by the DENR CALABARZON under the Tayo Ang Kalikasan program for the year 2022, and the first one in the province of Laguna,” DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria said.

Tamoria expressed his utmost appreciation to Mazda Philippines for all its environmental efforts and initiatives, most especially, for its positive response to the need for the management, protection and conservation of the forests and forest areas in Laguna.

“These initiatives show that our call for continuous conservation and protection of our forest are being heard, and many people are also willing to help. This willingness shall be the link that ties us together to intensify our efforts and initiatives under the National Greening Program and Tayo Ang Kalikasan for the protection of our national resources,” the regional department head said.

According to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Venerando Garcia, “ Bermaz Auto Philippines Inc. has elevated their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by adopting the 1-hectare graduated National Greening Program Site, to continue to nurture and maintain, and to contribute to the environment and natural resources”. CENRO Garcia quoted Kofi Annan as he said, “Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited. All of us have to share the Earth’s fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and each of us has a role to play in preserving them”.
Per MOA, Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles, parts and accessories in the country, adopts a one-hectare plantation located in Brgy. Magsaysay, Siniloan, Laguna, a portion of the 68-hectare NGP graduated site established in the said barangay in 2018.

Though taking “baby steps” at first, Mazda Philippines President and CEO, Steven Tan said they are willing to and will likely expand their adoption site in the future.

Mazda PH chief said the adoption of the NGP site is part of the company’s Carbon Offset Program under Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision aiming to provide both driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance.

One of the company’s environmental initiatives is its green building which houses 270 solar panels generating 145,000 kWh of electricity annually, rainwater harvesting equipment collecting 135,000 liters of water for 30-day supply, and precast concrete walls made up of hollow core and recycled cardboard rolls for temperature insulation.

Mazda PH also previously partnered with DENR Cordillera Autonomous Region for the production of an informative and educational content video for Mt Pulag, that aims to help the community and visitors understand the fragility of the environment and the importance of its conservation and protection.

The DENR CALABARZON-Mazda PH partnership has an effectivity of five years which may be extended for another five years or more upon mutual agreement of the parties.

NGP graduated sites are those established plantations which have finished the Program’s three-year maintenance and protection funded by the DENR and are needing further assistance from other government institutions or private sectors for continuous maintenance and protection efforts.

Tamoria said approximately 2,600 hectares of the NGP graduated sites in the region have already been adopted by various institutions from January 2022 to present. With this, he continues to call upon all interested agencies, communities, and individuals to take part in this endeavor for a cleaner and greener CALABARZON.

Others present were PENRO Eriberto B. Saños, Finance and Admin Operation General Manager Ronnette Tanjuatco, and Sales and Marketing Manager Saul Babas.###

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 23 May 2022