Community Relation Program for a Heavy Manufacturing Company in a Remote Area in the Philippines
A potentially polluting industry player, developing a green-field site in a remote area of the Philippines wanted to ensure that local environmental risks were minimised and that the community was fully involved and supportive.
Requirements:
Salzer Consulting was engaged to project a number of key areas including developing and managing the communications flow between the Client and the community to ensure their understanding and support. There was also the requirement for Salzer Consulting to oversee the introduction of a suitable third party organisation to complete detailed environmental impact studies; and to work with Client in developing educational and training opportunities for local employment.
Process:
Key Issues Included:
Significant extraction from a finite water table, the potential pollution of the local river and the blocking of access ways for squatters living on the river banks. These issues of the water table and the pollution were addressed via four environmental impact studies and in-depth negotiations with the local Officials and community leaders.
Local Employment:
Local officials were advised of the Client’s employment needs prior to the regional advertisement of the positions. Extensive due diligence then ensured that there was a suitable mix of local and regional employees. Under the Project Plan, Regional employees were billeted in the surrounding villages and towns ensuring that the local people benefitted financially from the new enterprise.
Community Incentives:
Scholarships to the regional high school were initiated for the best local students – these were decided jointly between the company and the company executives.
Community Monitoring Committee:
Third party results were reviewed by Company Executives, Community Leaders and the provincial government regulators. All costs had to be approved by the Company Executives to prevent a “Blank Cheque” mentality.
Outcome:
The start-up progressed with support of the local community and environmental monitoring was provided by a neutral third party.
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