Meralco K-Ligtas Awards 2017 honors new batch of unsung heroes of electrical safety

On its second year, the Meralco Kuryenteng Ligtas (K-Ligtas) Awards, the country’s first industry recognition program for electrical safety best practices, recently honored a new batch of winners in a ceremony held in conjunction with the 42nd IIEE National Convention at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. K-Ligtas is an advocacy program of Meralco through its learning and development foundation, the Meralco Power Academy (MPA).

The winners of the 2017 Meralco K-Ligtas Awards receive their trophies for their respective categories: (back row) Rohm and Haas (Small Industrial Business Category); Nexperia Philippines, Inc. and Wyeth Philippines, Inc. (Industrial Business Category); Carmona, Cavite (LGU-Municipality Category);  Marikina City (LGU-City Category), and; Hotel Jen (Commercial Business Category). Some members of the awards committee also join the winners after the ceremonies held recently at the SMX Convention Center: (front row) Meralco SVP and Head of Networks Ronnie Aperocho; Department of Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella; Meralco Power Academy President Ramon Segismundo; Meralco K-Ligtas Awards 2017 Chairman Antonio M. Abuel Jr., and; Meralco K-Ligtas Awards 2017 Vice Chairman Engr. Hipolito Leoncio.

                                   

MPA President Ramon B. Segismundo said K-Ligtas went bigger and bolder this year with a wider search producing a bigger number of nominees, each of which underwent more stringent assessment by seasoned professional industry practitioners.

“We are proud to present this year’s K-Ligtas winners. They are all heroes whose excellent practices in electrical safety ensure no lives gets in harm’s way. Their best practices should rightfully become industry benchmarks in electrical safety and risk management,” he said.

The 2017 K-Ligtas Industrial Business Award went to Wyeth Philippines Canlubang Factory and Nexperia Philippines. Provider of scientifically advanced nutrition, Wyeth is recognized for its comprehensive maintenance and monitoring program for machines and electrical facilities, outstanding work environment measurement, as well as safety and health programs.

A global semiconductor firm, Nexperia ensures a high level of safety on its production area and electrical facilities, well equipped emergency response teams, and extensive education and promotion of SHE (safety, health and environment) programs.

The 2017 K-Ligtas Small Industrial Business Award, meanwhile, went to chemical manufacturer Rohm & Haas for its strong documentation procedure with Quality Exposure Assessment, well-documented hygiene plan, and excellent health and safety policies.

Meanwhile, Shangri-la Group’s newest property, Hotel Jen, bagged this year’s K-Ligtas Commercial Business award for its comprehensive and regular thermal scanning of electrical facilities, its safety committee with an external accredited training, and risk managers trained for exceptional response time.

K-Ligtas 2017 local government unit (LGU)-City awardee is Marikina, while the Municipality category winner is Carmona in Cavite.  Known for its shoe manufacturing sector, Marikina City ensures public safety and security with its community electrification project, strong and extensive emergency and disaster preparedness program, and its city health office’s comprehensive health programs. 

Awarded the Hall of Fame Business-Friendly LGU, Carmona is one of the most competitive municipalities in the country today whose success is largely attributed to its proactive response to electrical safety advocacy programs such as strict electrical requirements requiring licensed electrical practitioners, tree trimming, and approved pole location plan in collaboration with Meralco.

Finally, the 2017 K-Ligtas Special Citation Award went to Pasay City’s Kalayaan National High School for its commitment to safety and security through organized safety and emergency response committees, student’s involvement in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) via Batang Emergency Response Team, and active support of the principal and stakeholder on safety.

Aside from the IIEE, Meralco K-Ligtas is also in collaboration with other top authorities in electrical systems, labor management and public safety, namely, the Department of Energy, the Department of Labor and Employment’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, the Professional Regulation Commission Board of Electrical Engineering, the University of the Philippines, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.