United Nations Earth Summit+5 Success Stories -Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign

Location Philippines (Nationwide but mainly in Metro Manila)

Responsible organization Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Businessmen-Bishops' Conference, Philippine Business for the Environment.

Description The project was inspired by the success of a similar project in San Miguel Brewery Corp, where they required all vehicles entering their premises to be certified clean. Because the deliveries of SMB's beer is totally contracted out to haulers, this plant was continually visited by huge trucks most of which were diesel-fueled. The requirement was integrated into the service contract of the haulers and was easily implemented. In less than a year, the air quality in the area improved and absenteeism among SMB personnel dropped.
The above-mentioned organizations took this model and promoted its adoption by other companies. Today, there are over 80 companies nationwide that require their suppliers and haulers to have their vehicles clean. Most of these companies are big (such as Caltex, Shell, Patron, Coke, Procter & Gamble) that contract delivery services nationwide. Some of the participating companies purchased their own smoke meters and to check the vehicles themselves.

Issues addressed Basic human right to clean air; business responsibility to protect the environment.

Objectives
Help improve air quality and prevent further deterioration
Increase environmental awareness in the private sector
Demonstrate how business can use its economic clout to force proper environmental performance in others.

Results achieved Over 80 participating companies
Some improvement in the air quality although the organizers have not set up the monitoring system yet.

Lessons learned Many companies are interested in contributing and participating in environmental efforts. The organizers had no monitoring capability and worked on a "best effort" basis. The major companies purchased their own smoke meters. The smaller ones had to deal with government agencies to get the certificate of compliance which often proved problematic because of inconsistencies among various agencies. The organizers are now developing their own monitoring capability with a grant from the Fareast Bank.

Financing Initially, the 3 organizers promoted the project among their members and some outside companies by letters and fax messages, articles in periodicals. The related costs were absorbed by the 3 organizations. Recently, Fareast Bank and Trust Co. Donated 1,000,000 Pesos for the organizers to purchase a smoke meter and cover the administrative costs of running a center for one year. It is believed that the center can run on a "pay per service" basis and will eventually be self-sustained.

Contact Ms. Victoria V. Rialp, PBSP-Center for Corporate Citizenship
PSDC Bldg., Magallanes Cor. Real sts.
Intramuros, Manila
Tel: (63-2) 527-7741 to 51
Fax: (63-2) 527-3743
Ms. Grace Favila, Philippine Business for the Environment
G/F DAP Bldg., San Miguel Ave., Pasig, Metro Manila
Tel: (63-2) 635-3670, 635-2650 and 51
Fax: (63-2) 631-5714

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Anti-Smoke Belching Campaign
	Location	Philippines (Nationwide but mainly in Metro Manila)
	Responsible organization	Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Businessmen-Bishops' Conference, Philippine Business for the Environment.
	Description	The project was inspired by the success of a similar project in San Miguel Brewery Corp, where they required all vehicles entering their premises to be certified clean. Because the deliveries of SMB's beer is totally contracted out to haulers, this plant was continually visited by huge trucks most of which were diesel-fueled. The requirement was integrated into the service contract of the haulers and was easily implemented. In less than a year, the air quality in the area improved and absenteeism among SMB personnel dropped. The above-mentioned organizations took this model and promoted its adoption by other companies. Today, there are over 80 companies nationwide that require their suppliers and haulers to have their vehicles clean. Most of these companies are big (such as Caltex, Shell, Patron, Coke, Procter & Gamble) that contract delivery services nationwide. Some of the participating companies purchased their own smoke meters and to check the vehicles themselves.
	Issues addressed	Basic human right to clean air; business responsibility to protect the environment.
	Objectives	Help improve air quality and prevent further deterioration Increase environmental awareness in the private sector Demonstrate how business can use its economic clout to force proper environmental performance in others.
	Results achieved	Over 80 participating companies Some improvement in the air quality although the organizers have not set up the monitoring system yet.
	Lessons learned	Many companies are interested in contributing and participating in environmental efforts. The organizers had no monitoring capability and worked on a "best effort" basis. The major companies purchased their own smoke meters. The smaller ones had to deal with government agencies to get the certificate of compliance which often proved problematic because of inconsistencies among various agencies. The organizers are now developing their own monitoring capability with a grant from the Fareast Bank.
	Financing	Initially, the 3 organizers promoted the project among their members and some outside companies by letters and fax messages, articles in periodicals. The related costs were absorbed by the 3 organizations. Recently, Fareast Bank and Trust Co. Donated 1,000,000 Pesos for the organizers to purchase a smoke meter and cover the administrative costs of running a center for one year. It is believed that the center can run on a "pay per service" basis and will eventually be self-sustained.
	Contact	Ms. Victoria V. Rialp, PBSP-Center for Corporate Citizenship PSDC Bldg., Magallanes Cor. Real sts. Intramuros, Manila Tel: (63-2) 527-7741 to 51 Fax: (63-2) 527-3743 Ms. Grace Favila, Philippine Business for the Environment G/F DAP Bldg., San Miguel Ave., Pasig, Metro Manila Tel: (63-2) 635-3670, 635-2650 and 51 Fax: (63-2) 631-5714