STATE-OWNED Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) recently signed agreements with four institutions for its Green Financing Program that supports investments in environment-friendly processes and systems.
According to DBP President and Chief Executive Francisco del Rosario Jr., the bank forged partnerships with the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (Assist) and the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR).
“We have just signed the agreements that formalized our partnerships to achieve common objectives of promoting industrial productivity and green growth while protecting the environment,” del Rosario said after the agreement signing held on April 12 at the DBP headquarters in Makati City.
He added that the Green Financing Program promotes investments in environment-friendly processes and systems such as cleaner production, waste minimization, resource conservation, energy efficiency and pollution prevention and control, with the end in view of reducing environmental footprints from projects of local government units and industrial operations.
Del Rosario said that DBP has available funds of up to P20.6 billion for environment projects.
DBP is partnering with the ECCP in its program of greening industries such as the SMEs for environmental Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency Cebu Project aimed at increasing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises by promoting cleaner production, the development of eco-friendly products and entering the green markets in Europe and Asia and the Green Philippines Islands of Sustainability that promotes sustainable production for industries within Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
Del Rosario said ADFIAP’s adherence to the principle of a safe and clean environment as an integral part of sound business practice inspires DBP to help its clients to operate in a more environmentally sound system.
“The expertise and collaboration initiatives of ADFIAP in organizing training programs on development banking, risk management, access to finance, corporate and environmental governance and its worldwide network of experts are resources that are open to all,” he added.
DBP is collaborating with Assist, an international capability-building organization that has implemented various developmental projects in Southeast Asia, South Asia, China and some parts of Africa.
The bank will partner with Assist in organizing joint promotional activities and identifying potential projects for funding under the Green Financing program.
Del Rosario said the agreement between DBP and EMB re-affirms the mutual commitment of both agencies to help industries and other regulated establishments comply with environmental regulations, particularly in matters pertaining to environmental permits and compliance with conditionalities.
He added that DBP with its environmental and other credit facilities will continue to reach out to industries, local government units and other establishments. “In particular, we fund investments in cleaner production, pollution abatement facilities, sanitation infrastructure, energy efficient transport and facilities and renewable-energy projects.
“We also fund other ventures for wealth creation and job generation while reducing carbon footprints from their operations,” del Rosario said.
Source: Business Mirror; Environment; 22 April 2012
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