FILINVEST’S FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental has forged a partnership with a non-governmental organization (NGO) to produce locally made-hollow blocks.
FDC Misamis and the Pinaghiusa alang sa Panginabuhian ug Kalinaw-Misamis Oriental (PPK-Misamis Oriental) recently inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the utilization of the power firm’s by-product fly ash.
Under the MOA, FDC Misamis will allow PPK-Misamis Oriental to haul its fly ash for the latter’s hollow block-making venture at Barangay Baluarte in Tagoloan town.
PPK-Misamis Oriental is a two-year-old NGO duly accredited by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
It engages in social enterprise projects under DOLE’s Kabuhayan Program.
One of its initiatives is the “Building Blocks for Peace” that employs around 30 informal workers along with their respective families.
PPK-Misamis Oriental President Alfredo Mapano thanked FDC Misamis for such generosity.
“This is one great help for our members because we now have access to free raw material,” he claimed.
According to a study conducted by their group, fly ash is a cost-effective substitute to ordinary cement in hollow block or brick-making.
When used in concrete mixes, it improves the strength and segregation of the concrete and makes it easier to pump, the study further revealed.
FDC Misamis’ Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Manager Kishler Pascual also bared that based on the recent chemical profiling and analysis, fly ash released by FDC Misamis is not hazardous.
Aside from hollow block or brick-making, revealed Pascual, fly ash nowadays can also be used as major material for earth filling and gypsum production.
“Our group is thrilled for this endeavor because we found a partner with a notable cause that can utilize our by-product – fly ash, which is economically viable, hence, advantageous for the community,” said Pascual.
Analiza Miso, the power firm’s Community Relations Specialist, notes that this initiative is another manifestation of the company’s commitment to economically empower its host communities.
“Engaging into this partnership is another way of showing to our neighboring community that FDC Misamis strives to support startup entrepreneurs in our own little way,” said Miso.
FDC Misamis hopes that the partnership would yield beneficial outcomes uplifting the economic status of the beneficiaries. (PR)
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