The First Balfour team, led by HR and administration head Carlos Salonga (8th from left), receives the award from ECOP officialsFirst Balfour’s commitment to providing world-class engineering and construction services was recognized in the Kapatiran sa Industriya (KAPATID) Awards of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) held during the 40th National Conference of Employers at the Marriott Hotel on May 29.

Nine finalists were chosen from 19 nominees after a rigorous screening process consisting of documentary evaluation and intensive panel interviews with judges from the academe, government, business and international development organizations.

The Special Citation for Quality and Productivity, one of the criteria of the KAPATID Awards, refers to the joint effort of the employer and workers to ensure productivity as well as the quality of products and services consistent with internationally accepted standards. Other citations were given for Industrial Peace and Harmony, Responsible and Ethical Business Conduct, and Job Creation and Business Sustainability.

Established by ECOP in 1995, the KAPATID Awards have since evolved into a comprehensive search for best workplace policies and programs aiming to recognize enterprises with sound and harmonious management and worker relationship. (Story/Photos by: Dolly Pasia-Ramos)