Participants and facilitators present at the ‘RegeneRace to Kapamilyarization’ in FGCECThe Lopez Group joined the rest of the country in observing Philippine Environment Month, with the theme “Lopez Environmental Renaissance Festival.”

The festival was a celebration of the ways in which the late chairman Oscar M. Lopez’s (OML) vision has taken root and evolved within the Lopez Group companies and foundations. It aimed to showcase the environmental renaissance happening within the Group, demonstrating that business and the environment can thrive together.

Making sense of carbon footprints

One notable event organized by First Gen Corporation’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) group, in collaboration with OML Center and the First Philippine Holdings Corporation human resources (FPH HR) group, was a webinar held on June 14, 2023.

Titled “CarbonSense,” the webinar focused on climate change and wellness, introducing participants to the elements of a low-carbon event and providing a walkthrough of the carbon calculator developed by OML Center through its collaboration with companies and organizations in the Lopez Group.

The webinar featured discussions on carbon footprint measurements, the current state of affairs, and practical examples from Lopez Group events that showcased the functionality of the carbon calculator. The session concluded with a discussion aimed at gathering insights for further refinement before the formal launch of the carbon calculator in the upcoming months.

Race for climate action

Keeping up the celebration, FPH-First Gen, through their CSR and HR groups, held “RegeneRace to Kapamilyarization.” The first face-to-face advocacy race after the pandemic lockdowns happened in Batangas on June 15-16, 2023. RegeneRace provided FPH-First Gen employees a tour of the company’s natural gas power plant at the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas to familiarize them with the business of power generation and how the company produces clean energy to fulfill its mission of a decarbonized and regenerative future.

After the tour, employees participated in a live adventure race to deepen their knowledge of climate change and the reasons First Gen is taking part in combating this phenomenon and encouraging them to take climate action. A total of 27 employees solved collaborative challenges that tackled climate change concepts.

The fastest RegeneRacers were Team Green (Rhena Abundo of BDG-Hydro, Louise Cabrito of Admin and Kars Nubla of ERM) in first place, Team Aqua ( Jaz Avila of HR, Loren Llamas of QESH and Cait Tordesillas of Strategy and Planning) in second place and Team Blue (Kimmy Dinglasan of CRM, Dhan Imam of Admin and Jessica Saballero of DFM) in third place.

The two-day program culminated with a mangrove planting activity in Lobo, Batangas as the commitment of the employee-participants to jumpstart the effort to create and shape a regenerative future.

Continuing the momentum

As an extension of the Philippine Environment Month celebration and the Lopez Environmental Renaissance Festival, First Gen CSR and FPH HR conducted a Wellness Wednesday session that reflected on the theme of becoming a climate optimist, inspired by Chris Turner’s book, “How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World.”

The session delved into the journey from the current “less bad” scenario to a “much better” future, giving participants a chance to pause and reflect on how they can collectively strive for a “much better” future—one that embraces environmental sustainability and enhances their overall well-being.

Beyond the Envi Month festivities, First Gen and the Lopez Group maintain their unwavering commitment to OML’s vision. They embrace the responsibility of being stewards not only of their businesses but also of the environment.

By acting responsibly, avoiding resource waste and safeguarding the integrity and health of the environment, the Lopez Group ensures the sustainability of their businesses while fostering shared prosperity for all.

(Story/Photos by: Janbern Barel)