Nestlé Philippines continues to embody its role as Kasambuhay for Good of Filipino families as it forges a significant partnership with the City Government of Cagayan De Oro (CDO). The partnership, which was formally launched on March 6, 2024 through a signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Cagayan de Oro City Hall, is focused on supporting communities in the city by strengthening programs and interventions on nutrition and solid waste management (SWM).
“Collaboration has always been at the heart of Nestlé PH’s business. We believe in the power of partnerships and synergies with like-minded stakeholders in maximizing the impact and widening the reach of our initiatives,” said Jose Uy III, Nestlé SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs. “With the CDO LGU, we aim to promote sustainable development, especially in the areas of nutrition and sustainability in the region,” he added.
As the country’s largest food and beverage manufacturer, Nestlé PH aims to unlock the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. To further emphasize the importance of good nutrition and dietary diversity to communities in CDO, it will roll out initiatives on Urban Gardening, including a gardening contest and gardening starter kits with its brand, Cerelac. A nutrition education talk was also held to teach families how to make their meals healthier by incorporating vegetables and fruits from their own backyard.
Nestlé PH is also committed to helping shape a waste-free future by tackling the plastic waste problem in the country. Alongside the development of more sustainable packaging and strengthening its waste collection and recycling programs, the Company also promotes SWM education to drive new behaviors and understanding among consumers and communities.
Under this partnership, members of the CDO LGU, including barangay officials, SWM officers, and community leaders, will be part of Nestlé PH’s No Time To Waste program where they will undergo an action planning workshop for SWM. This will equip participants with additional knowledge and tools that they can use to educate their respective communities about proper SWM and apply to improve their SWM systems.
Last October, Nestlé PH and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also held a roundtable discussion on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law in CDO to encourage more businesses and obliged enterprises in the Mindanao region to register their EPR programs by guiding them through the registration process and highlighting the importance of private sector compliance in addressing the plastic waste problem in the country.
“Nestle Philippines has been a consistent ally of the local government of Cagayan de Oro City in driving action to protect the environment and effect positive change in the lives of Kagay-anons. We are looking forward to continuing and further strengthening this partnership with them, especially through initiatives with the Nestle CDO Factory,” said CDO Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy.
Supporting sustainable development in Northern Mindanao
Nestlé PH is committed to have a long-term positive impact to the communities it engages with. Its Mindanao factory, which is located in CDO, is the biggest local maker of coffee under the Nescafé brand. As such, it advocates for smallholder farmers and farmer organizations by sourcing green coffee beans locally; and providing technical assistance and training, and superior quality planting materials through the Nescafé Plan.
Also, Noel Lonzanida, Nestlé CDO Factory (CDOF) Manager, proudly shared that CDOF now runs on renewable electricity, signifying Nestlé PH’s transition to 100% renewable electricity use for all its factories and facilities nationwide.
The consistent efforts of Nestlé PH together with the support of the CDO LGU, the Department of Energy, and the private sector played a big role in the opening of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the region, which will improve service delivery and provide for a competitive electricity market.
