Shangri-La Mactan bags Mother Nature Award

Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort has grabbed the Mother Nature Award for effectively implementing an environmental management system (EMS).

Tata Reyes, Shangri-la Mactan Resort hygiene and safety manager received the award from the Pollutions Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAP) in its annual convention held recently.

“We surpassed the requirements even though we have a lot to manage,” Reyes said.

Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort is the biggest among the Shangri-La hotels in the Philippines. It sits on a 13-hectare property on Mactan Island.

The EMS was conceptualized in February 2000 and started implementing it by training its nearly 700 employes in August of that year.

In March 2001, Shangri-La Mactan received an ISO 14001 certification. This was reconfirmed last February after a re-evaluation.

Under the EMS, several projects have been implemented. Among them:

— a coral recovery program in the foreshore area, declared as a marine sanctuary by the Lapu-Lapu City government in front of the resort’s 350 meter wide beach.

— a water desalination program to provide potable water as well as sand filtration process for treating water at its three swimming pools to avoid the use of chemicals.

— a food safety system patterned after the Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).

— an energy conservation program that has generated savings of at least R1 million in the first four months of implementation.

— a garbage management system which included the construction of a sewerage treatment plant (STP) to ensure that wastes are treated before these are discharged to the environment.

Reyes also said that within the resort’s marine sanctuary, dilapidated jet skis and used tires have been installed to artificial reefs.

“This area is bound by buoys. Fishermen can’t fish within nor can they dock their boats here. Security guards with spotlights guard the area at night,” Reyes said.

He said that although potable water is available in all rooms of the resort, they still have to give complimentary bottled water to guests to ensure safety.

In the kitchen, the resort has strictly adhered to the HACCO system devised by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration to ensure that food served at any of the resorts, restaurants and coffee shops are safe and hygienic.

Meanwhile, the resort’s energy conservation program has generated savings of at least R1 million in just the first four months of its implementation.

“This year, we are projecting savings of at least R1 million a month in terms of consumption.” (PNA)