But for SNAP, sustainability is more than just corporate social responsibility. It is a long-term commitment to the people, the planet, and its partners. By integrating it into the company’s core strategies, SNAP makes sustainability its way of life.

Recently, SNAP held its annual host communities’ forum (HCF) on November 15 in Baguio City and November 17 in Santiago City with the theme “Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future”. Representing the provincial and local government units and people’s organizations of SNAP’s partner communities were Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, Vice Governor Glenn Prudencio of Ifugao Province, Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) representative Roldan Tomas, and Isabela Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) representative Mariel Sumisim. Both forums were attended by about 200 contingents.

Earlier this year, SNAP took the next step in their sustainability journey by formally adopting the UN’s sustainable development goals, or SDGs.

SNAP President and CEO, Joseph Yu, “This year, we are working on our sustainability framework as well as enhancing our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and watershed management policies, with the goal of ensuring the long-term viability of our business and finding more ways to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

By keeping communities informed, engaged, and empowered, the better chance of achieving these goals while ensuring that sustainable initiatives are adapted to the local context and directly benefit the communities, Yu added.

SNAP’s partnership with its communities in Benguet, Isabela, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya has been stronger than ever. Last year alone, the company deployed PhP30 million for 56 projects on infrastructure, education, livelihood, indigenous culture, governance, health, and the environment in partnership with local government units, host communities, and indigenous peoples’ organizations. And beyond providing funds and resources, SNAP continues to empower its communities through its SUCCEED– a capacity-building program that offers a series of intensive training sessions for host LGUs and communities.

In terms of contribution to climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration, approximately 352 hectares of degraded forest and denuded grasslands are rehabilitated and maintained under SNAP’s flagship watershed management program, Partnership in uplifting Upland Natural Resources, Livelihood and Assets (PUNLA), and the Aboitiz Group’s nationwide reforestation initiative called the Aboitiz Passion on Agroforest and Reforest to Keep (APARK) program, to which SNAP contributes.

On the education front, SNAP’s flagship program, BRIGHTS (Bridging Gaps in Higher Education through Tertiary Scholarships), has supported a total of 91 college scholars who have received educational assistance through the program since 2018. For the academic year 2021-2022, BRIGHTS has graduated 18 students, with nine receiving Latin honors — one magna cum laude and eight cum laude.

SNAP also takes pride in creating a workplace that inspires meaningful and rewarding work. With safety as a core value, SNAP adheres to the principle that safety is everyone’s responsibility; its combined year-to-date record of 8 million Lost Time Injury-Free man-hours is a testament to a strong safety culture. It won big in the recently concluded Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Nationals, with Ambuklao hydro recognized as the national champion and Bing and Magat hydros bagging the Silver Award in the industry category. 

SNAP has also provided significant value in terms of local employment, generating over 5,500 jobs in its communities since 2008.For the past decade and a half, SNAP has kept its commitment, and with its employees and stakeholders, improves its chances of achieving a sustainable energy future for all. 

Sheryl Pentiano, who grew up in a farmer’s family, describes her home life as simple and happy. Despite financial difficulties, her parents, Hilario and Jocelyn Pentiano of Tikey, Bokod, lavish her and her eight siblings with love and affection.

“My parents are jack-of-all-trades, and they did everything they could to meet our family’s basic needs. Despite having nine children, era ka untuwid ni obda say biyagen shakamin 9 ja san-aaki (they focused and kept working hard in order to support us nine siblings) they never complained. Instead, they showed their joy in having us,” said Sheryl.

This past June, Sheryl received a bachelor’s degree in Technical-Vocational Teacher Education from Benguet State University Bokod-Campus, graduating magna cum laude. She was part of the initial cohort of SNAP-Benguet’s Bridging Gaps in Higher Education through Tertiary Scholarships (BRIGHTS) program, and the first company scholar to graduate magna cum laude. 

To assist her parents, she would often join them in their farming activities at the crack of dawn and report to her online classes after a day’s work. At a young age, she recognized the importance of hard work, perseverance, and determination.

Sheryl resolved to finish college strong when her father, Hilario, underwent surgery for a brain aneurysm. This motivated her to study harder to help secure her family’s future.

“I want to help my parents as well as the community. As a future teacher, I will equip students with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to succeed. I want to make a difference by inspiring the next generation,” Sheryl remarked.

She expressed gratitude to those who had helped her. She is grateful to her family, teachers, and scholarship sponsors. “BRIGHTS provided me spiritual, emotional, social, and financial support. I can’t imagine not having the scholarship. Baka en jemeg eran ubda tan mapedigat ni kwenta nu toy pengdaan sha ni usalen kod pan skuydak (They [parents] might keep working and would still have a hard time figuring out where to get what I will use to study).”

Sheryl plans to pursue the licensure examination for teachers (LET) and a master’s degree to build her skills and further deepen her knowledge. 

Established in 2018, BRIGHTS is a scholarship initiative under SNAP’s corporate social responsibility program. It seeks to support deserving students with limited financial resources from the company’s immediate host communities. In addition to providing financial assistance, BRIGHTS aims to develop well-rounded leaders by encouraging scholars to participate in community and environmental outreach programs as well as leadership seminars.

SNAP-Benguet currently has 26 college scholars who receive funding to assist with tuition, school fees, and living or study expenses.

Renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power Magat (SNAP-Magat) backs the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Isabela with its Milk Feeding Program which aims to make Isabelinos healthier and stronger.

SNAP-Magat donated 3,240 cans of premium-brand milk to the province of Isabela with Governor Rodito Albano III accepting on behalf of Isabelinos. The milk donations will help increase the nutritional value of dairy products produced in the province’s local milk facilities.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed to formalize SNAP’s support to the province’s fight against malnutrition. It was held at Isabela State University Cabagan Campus Milk Facility on December 7. 

Rodito Albano III, Governor of Isabela, thanked SNAP-Magat for its assistance with the province’s milk feeding Project. He explained that milk donations would be combined with locally produced milk to supplement and provide adequate nutrition to meet the nutritional needs of malnourished children, senior citizens, and pregnant and lactating mothers in the province. 

Meanwhile, SNAP President and CEO Joseph Yu discussed how important health is to the company. “By supporting health initiatives like this, we can help those in need and reduce malnutrition while also improving the livelihoods of local dairy farmers.”