ATI supports Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts
January 29, 2019
Listed Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), operator of international gateway port Manila South Harbor,expressed readiness to support multi-sectoral efforts, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to bring Manila Bay back to its glory days.
“Protecting the sea is of paramount importance to ATI. Ensuring the sustainability of Manila Bay, a major livelihood source for the community and a vital trade waterway for the country, is key to a vibrant economy,” ATI executive vice president William Khoury, said.
“We are ready to support government in this gargantuan effort, on top of initiatives we have already institutionalized in our own private capacity for the bay’s preservation,” he added.
As part of its comprehensive Environment Management System, ATI has long been using two wastewater treatment facilities, including oil and water separators, to cure effluents generated during cleaning of port equipment and facilities. Treated water are then reused for other purposes. A third wastewater treatment facility isset to be completed within the year.
In 2017, ATI invested in its own inflatable oil spill boom system, ready for deployment in case of a maritime spill. The port’s Emergency Response Team is on-duty 24/7 to immediately contain spills, while an accredited third-party responder is on-call should incidents so require.
ATI’s other infrastructure and initiatives include the provision of emergency shut-off valves at the terminal drains, partnership with Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) for recycling and disposal of used vehicle batteries and tapping of solid waste haulers accredited by the DENR.
The port company also uses its own resources in regularly clearing flotsam washed along the port’s shores,while sending hundreds of employee volunteers to coastal clean-up drives.
“We are working closely with DENR, port authorities and stakeholders, to extend ATI’s assistance in this undertaking which will benefit present and future generations,” Khoury said.
ATI is the first international port operator in the Philippines to secure an ISO 45001:2018 certification for occupational health and safety. Its is also certified for global standards on Environment Management (ISO 14001:2015), Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015)and Supply Chain Security Management (ISO 28000:2007).
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