The water management systems of Lopez-led First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) received recognition from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for their commitment to maintaining water safety within the economic zone.
FPIP, through units FPIP Utilities Inc. (FUI) and FIT Water Inc. (FITWI), were awarded certificates of Water Safety Plan (WSP) Acceptance by PEZA on Feb. 11, 2025.
FPIP belonged to a small group of ecozone developers that earned the WSP acceptance certificates from PEZA.
FPIP’s FUI unit provides 24/7, quality and sustainable water services in FPIP’s main ecozone area, straddling the cities of Santo Tomas and Tanauan in Batangas.
FITWI provides a similar service in FPIP’s adjacent expansion site known as First Industrial Township (FIT) in Tanauan.
The first PEZA WSP Review Committee, led by the PEZA Environmental Safety Group, was composed of external members from the Department of Health (DOH), University of the Philippines – Manila and Maynilad Water Services Inc.
The committee carefully evaluated each submitted WSP, based on team and management support, system description, hazard identification and risk assessment, control measures validation, improvement plans, operational monitoring and verification, among others.
WSPs with passing overall ratings were recommended by PEZA to the DOH for approval and issuance of certificates.
The DOH released Administrative Order 2017-06 in 2017, which outlines the revised guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water in the country.
The health agency deputized PEZA to review the WSPs and ensure its implementation in the ecozones. All PEZA-registered ecozones that manage or operate water supply systems are required to develop, submit, and implement WSPs.
Prior to the submission of their WSPs, FPIP’s water division units conducted for its personnel a rigorous preparation process so they would have a full understanding of the movement, distribution, and properties of water within the ecozone areas.
This included conducting several research and hydrological studies, such as surface assessment of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs; analysis of precipitation process, storm water runoff and infiltration rates; and understanding how seasonal variations and climate change can affect the availability of water.
Both water service divisions also initiated key projects and system enhancements to uphold their commitment to their water safety plans. Among these projects are the development of a river treatment plant, automation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), construction of sedimentation tanks, and integration of a chlorination system.
“As one of the leaders in the industry, we made sure that all necessary preparations were made, equipping us with the essential resources and knowledge to develop solid water safety plans – one that we can also implement effectively,” said Jeremaine Esguerra, head of FUI and FITWI.
“PEZA’s approval of our water safety plans is a significant milestone for us. It affirms our commitment to water safety and security, further supporting our goals of regeneration and decarbonization. We are also exploring more initiatives, but for now, we look forward to the full implementation of these plans, which will benefit both our locators and the communities we serve,” Esguerra said.
Lopez-controlled First Philippine Holdings Corp., together with partner Sumitomo Corp. of Japan, established FPIP in 1996 as a world-class location for global manufacturers, as well as a platform for creating jobs for ordinary Filipinos and tax revenues for the government. It is home to over 150 locators from around the globe.
FPIP acquired FIT (formerly known as Philtown Industrial Estate) in 2015 as part of its goal of expanding its industrial estate portfolio and increasing its land reserves for future locators.
With close to 600 hectares in combined area, FPIP along with FIT now provides employment for nearly 80,000 Filipinos, aside from generating hundreds of millions of pesos in tax revenues for the host LGUs.
