Quality, Environment, Safety, and Health
First Gen's operations are subject to extensive, evolving and increasingly stringent safety, health and environmental laws and regulations that aim to address, among other things, air emissions, wastewater discharges, treatment and disposal of toxic or hazardous material and chemical wastes , workplace conditions and employee exposure to hazardous substances.
First Gen is committed to operating and maintaining its facilities in a manner that ensures compliance with all aspects relating to safety, health and environmental laws and regulations. For the past three years, emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from Santa Rita, San Lorenzo and Bauang were all well below the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Santa Rita and San Lorenzo's air emission levels are monitored through a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) installed at the individual stacks. Water emission levels are tested quarterly by an independent agency - Intertek Testing Services, Inc. and validated by a multi-stakeholder monitoring team. Noise emission levels are tested monthly by company personnel and validated quarterly by the multi-stakeholders team. Bauang's emission levels, on the other hand, are measured by an independent agency, Berkman Systems, Inc.
In 2004, Santa Rita, San Lorenzo and Bauang plants were awarded the Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Award by the DOE. In addition, Santa Rita, San Lorenzo and Bauang are ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management), 14001:2004 (Environmental Management), and OHSAS 18001:1999 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) certified. In 2006, the Agusan mini-hydro plant of FG Bukidnon Power Corporation was certified for compliance to ISO 9001:2000 (Quality Management), ISO 14000 (Environmental Management) and OHSAS 18000 under IMS by TUV-SUD.
In August 2009, First Gen Hydro Power Corporation was awarded registration for Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2008), for Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2004) and for Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001:2007).
In 2009, First Gen underwent the rigorous recertification audit conducted on its standards by AJA Registrars (Phils.), Inc., the local affiliate of UK-based independent certification body AJA Registrars Limited. The recertification audit checked First Gen’s conformance with norms set under ISO 9001:2008 (quality management system). AJA Philippines completed the recertification audit without finding any nonconformance issues in the ISO processes of First Gen, thereby reaffirming First Gen's adherence to the highest standards set by the ISO.
