San Miguel Corporation’s Northern Cement Corporation wins at Asian Water Awards 2025

The company was recognised for its 200,000 m³ Rainwater Harvesting Pond and advanced wastewater treatment.

San Miguel Corporation’s subsidiary, Northern Cement Corporation (NCC), earned the Water Conservation Initiative of the Year - Philippines category at the Asian Water Awards 2025 for its programme, Reaping the Rain and Recycled Water.

NCC’s initiative achieved large-scale water savings through rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling within its Pangasinan operations. In 2024, the company conserved more than 212,000 cubic metres of water and reused 22.7 million litres of treated wastewater. This generated over US$4.7m in savings. Its potable water system sourced 54.9% of drinking water from harvested rainwater, which reduced costs by US$35,396.

The programme combined engineering solutions with community participation. NCC’s 200,000 m³ Rainwater Harvesting Pond supplied operational needs, mitigated flooding, and supported biodiversity. Native aquatic species such as edible shells, freshwater crabs, and dragonflies thrived in restored water bodies, whilst terrestrial ecosystems benefited from improved forest hydration. An avifauna inventory recorded 42 bird species within the quarrying concession, alongside the Philippine long-tailed macaque.

NCC extended water-saving practices to local schools and farming groups, installed rainwater catchment systems and provided tanks to 12 sites under the National Greening Program. The company mobilised 242 volunteers in creek cleanup drives and processed plastic waste through its co-processing system.

NCC’s water conservation programme complied fully with RA 9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act, and held ISO 14001:2015 certification. Its achievements were recognised with the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award in 2024, the DENR-MGB Region I Best Performing Mining Contractor awards for 2024 and 2025, and the DENR-EMB Region I Outstanding Environmental Partner awards, all from the Philippine government.

The Asian Water Awards highlights innovative water projects, initiatives, and organisations that contribute to improved water management, conservation, and sustainability in the region. It aims to promote best practices, foster knowledge sharing, and encourage collaborations across the industry.

The Asian Water Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the water industry in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].