The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) launches its first sustainability report entitled “Global Goals, Local Actions” where it reports the industry contribution for the year 2020 to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The report underscores the industry’s social and economic contributions in the country consistent with the UN SDG global policy goals which are policy frameworks aimed at achieving sustainable living for current and future generations.
“We are glad to share this report because it is the heart and soul of all the PNIA members’ efforts and contributions in the past year. We aspire to share to the people that the industry takes our jobs very seriously – we value our communities; we rehabilitate the environment to the fullest extent, and we are committed to make the industry sustainable for future generations. We go beyond our business goals,” says PNIA President Atty Dante R. Bravo.
The SDG report conveys that in 2020, PNIA members were able to contribute to 15 out of the 17 UN SDGs through direct and indirect economic impacts emphasizing the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP) where they allocated P531.7 million in environmental restoration of mined areas, and for other environmental risk-mitigation projects. Meanwhile, a total of P166.8 million was spent for Social Development Management Program (SDMP) which came in the form of jobs, livelihood trainings, food security programs and construction of structures like schools, churches, multi-purpose halls and handwashing facilities. This highlights the member companies’ commitment to mitigate environmental risks while largely supporting life in the communities particularly during the pandemic.
“What makes this report even more meaningful is that we have known and seen by our very eyes the direct impact of all these programs that adhered to the SDG, to our local communities— families having jobs, children going to schools, our scholars in college, food security during the pandemic. Seeing all that, we know we’ve went over and beyond our business goals and have made real impact in people’s lives. It also inspires us to improve and do more,” emphasizes Mr. Ferdinand M. Pallera, PNIA Chairman.
The report also mentions that the association’s performance goes beyond numbers, continuously prioritizing their host communities by ensuring implemented projects are geared towards the improvement of the quality of life of their local communities, through infrastructure investments, improvement of education, supporting health and safety and other initiatives with indirect economic impact such as installation of water and sanitation systems.
The SDG document reveals that for projects in 2020, majority of PNIA member programs adhere to SDG 9 which falls under Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure with a total of 61 projects pertaining to assistance to infrastructure development such as road constructions. Following the list of programs with SDG adherence are: SDG 4- Quality Education with 31 projects marked by the provision of new learning environment tools during the pandemic. This is followed by SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being covering 27 projects in their host communities mostly dedicated to pandemic response, relief and support of essential services.
The members of PNIA further commit to continuing their sustainability journey by maintaining programs and projects that will contribute to various SDGs, mentioning that this is just a kickstart of a long-term vision. The association commits to learning more and to continue being a partner of the government in upholding initiatives that that will lead to the achievement of a sustainable future and actual inclusive growth for their communities.
