Insider Spotlight
NCC’s large-scale rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems in Pangasinan generated over $4.7 million in savings last year, cutting dependence on freshwater sources while maintaining full production capacity.
The firm’s efforts were recognized this week at the 2025 Asian Water Awards, where NCC earned the Water Conservation Initiative of the Year citation for conserving 212,000 cubic meters of water and reusing 22.7 million liters of treated wastewater in 2024, the company said in a statement on Oct. 30, 2025.
The big picture
Beyond financial returns, NCC’s program integrates environmental stewardship into core operations. The company’s 200,000-cubic-meter Rainwater Harvesting Pond now supplies over half of its potable water needs, accounting for 54.9 percent of its drinking water and generating an additional $35,396 in savings.
But the initiative’s reach extends beyond the plant. The system helps reduce flooding in nearby communities and sustains biodiversity within its concession area, where native aquatic species and 42 bird species have been recorded.
Between the lines
NCC’s water management program is fully compliant with the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) and certified under ISO 14001:2015 standards. It complements national greening and community engagement efforts — including providing rainwater tanks to schools and mobilizing over 200 volunteers for cleanup drives.
The company’s approach reflects SMC’s broader sustainability agenda, which links operational efficiency with social and environmental gains — an increasingly critical benchmark for industrial firms seeking resilience amid climate and resource challenges.
As global industries face mounting water stress, NCC’s experience shows that conservation is no longer peripheral to profitability — it is fast becoming a strategic imperative. —Daxim L. Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
