PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries

PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency 
August 4, 2011

CEBU CITY, August 4 – Twenty locators at the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) in Lapulapu City, Cebu donated more than 16 tons of used batteries to support the project dubbed ‘Balik Baterya’ Program that aims to establish learning resource centers (LRCs) for poor children, and at the same time to protect the environment.

An initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC), the program is a unified call for environmental protection through proper waste disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils by establishing LRCs.

ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of LRCs which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.

The more than 16 tons of used batteries donated by the PEZA-MEZ locators could generate more than P380,000 which is enough to fund at least nine LRCs, the PBSP said.

The donation on the other hand, was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between the PEZA-MEZ and program coordinators PBSP and OMMC in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall.

“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children's future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV said.

PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño on the other hand, said “This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution’. The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having PRI and Motolite as partners, we know that our ULABs are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children.”

The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators as the newfound partnership expressed hopes that other locators will follow suit. While to make the program more sustainable, the latter plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year, this is learned.

“This program focuses on the concerted effort among MEZ locators. No matter how small the amount of ULABs a locator commits for this program, when taken together, the difference these locators make to the environment and to the schoolchildren are much more significant,” Daño said.

Locators that already joined PEZA-MEZ for the Balik-Baterya Program include Accuform, Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corporation, Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp, HPOI Corporation, KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corporation, Lexmark International Phils., Inc., MSM Cebu, Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines, Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils., Inc., Philippine Tonan Corporation, Pacific Aeronautical, Inc., Philippines Light-Leather, Inc., Cebu Logitem, Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corporation.

The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in 2006.

Pres. Aquino meanwhile, placed emphasis on environment and education as priority thrusts of his administration.

The said forum was attended by PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined ‘Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project.’(PIA 7-Cebu with Reggie Marie Barrientos of PBSP)