Clark firm prexy backs Miss Earth’s environmental thrusts (Sun.Star,Tuesday, November 06, 2007)

Clark firm prexy backs Miss Earth’s environmental thrusts

By Ian Ocampo Flora

CLARK FREEPORT -- The annual Miss Earth 2007 pageant -- with its splendor and glamour -- seem to have not wavered in its objective of promoting environmental concerns, thus earning the praise of the chief executive officer here.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Levy Laus has assured that the state-owned firm “is one with organizers of the Miss Earth 2007 in their earnest efforts to make our planet a better place to live in.”

Laus said working to save the environment is no easy task. “We, at the Clark Development Corporation, are also doing our part to preserve and protect Mother Nature,” he said.

He said this year CDC’s Environmental Management Department (EMD) has implemented several measures to assure the safety and protection of the immediate environs of the Clark Freeport.

“Among them is our campaign to reduce carbon emission within the Clark Freeport. We have recently called on CDC employees and locator firms here to reduce power consumption in a bid to reduce the effects of global warming,” Laus said.

Last year, EMD manager Juan Miguel Fuentes reported to Laus that CDC reduced fuel consumption on all CDC vehicles to save on fuel costs and the emission of carbon monoxide and other harmful elements into the atmosphere.

The CDC is also active in participating in various tree planting activities to propagate the growth of more trees that are vital in reducing the effects of global warming, Laus said, adding that recently, “the CDC participated in the planting of thousands of Magsaysay Centennial trees inside the Freeport.”

Laus said ecological balance in Clark is one of the top priorities of CDC for the locators, investors, tourists and other visitors who frequent the economic zone to enjoy the clean and sound environment inside the freeport.

With this, CDC has reduced the gasoline allowance to all the vehicles of the state-owned firm in order to help reduce the CO2 effects in the atmosphere.

It is expected that the example started by CDC will be followed by other investors and locators and other government agencies in the country to help maintain the ecological balance and prevent the effects of global warming.

“I would normally end my speeches by inviting people to wear their shades with the assurance that everything, most especially the future, is bright and sunny in Clark,” Laus said.

The Fontana Leisure Park, which is being operated by Jimei Group of Companies, is among the major sponsors and sites of the swimsuit competition on November 4.

Aside from Laus and the Miss Earth organizers, Jimei Group owner Mr. Jack Lam, Jimei president Tony Biggs and Jimei Human Resources Group director Vergilio Benito were also present during the swimsuit competition which was participated in by about 90 contestants.