ATI partners with DENR, stakeholders to clean waterways

July 22, 2019

Listed Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), the Philippines’ major trade enabler, has joined hands with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other stakeholders in support of government’s urgent task of cleaning Metro Manila’s major waterways.

ATI recently signed up to DENR’s Adapt an Estero Waterbody Program, making the Manila South Harbor port operator among the private sector sponsors who will commit resources for the three-year project to achieve a cleaner, safer and healthier Manila Bay environment.

As partner, ATI will support the program’s major activities which include dredging, regular shore clean-ups, education information campaigns, mangrove and tree planting,construction of communal septic tank, water quality monitoring, among others in areas within and adjacent to Barangay 649, otherwise known as Baseco.

ATI is no stranger in environmental initiatives. As a trade enabler and community builder, ATI advocates for environmental protection under its dynamic Corporate Sustainability Program and in line with international management standards on environment, occupational health and safety, security and quality for which ATI is certified.

ATI has long been using 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. It also invested in its own inflatable oil spill boom system, ready for deployment in case of a maritime spill within its operational jurisdiction.

ATI’s other infrastructures and initiatives also include the provision of emergency shut-off valves at the terminal drains and partnership with Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) for recycling and disposal of used vehicle batteries and reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed.

On a regular basis, the port company uses its own resources in clearing flotsam washed along the port’s shores, while sending hundreds of employee volunteers to coastal clean-up drives and its Global Education Program which teaches children on the importance of the sea and how to protect its fragile ecosystem.

ATI corporate secretary and vice president for business support services Atty. Rodolfo Corvite Jr. (seated 4th from left) shows the signed agreement after ceremonies held at DENR’s Environment Management Bureau office in Quezon City.