How Coca-Cola's Agos Program is bringing water to communities

Coca-Cola considers water as a precious natural resource that is often taken for granted. Despite the many campaigns about water conservation, we still often observe individuals leaving faucets open in the office sink or washing their clothes without much regard to the volume of water they use.

Coca-Cola considers water as a precious natural resource that is often taken for granted. Despite the many campaigns about water conservation, we still often observe individuals leaving faucets open in the office sink or washing their clothes without much regard to the volume of water they use. Water is one of the most crucial resources essential to the health and survival of individuals, communities, and businesses.

As such, the Coca-Cola Company developed and adjusted various aspects of its value chain in order to achieve water leadership status. Aware that its business as well as its actual product is largely dependent on water, Coca-Cola ensures that raw materials are grown with efficient water use and that its bottling facilities pose minimal impact on the water supply.

Furthermore, the company endeavors to bring access to water-deprived communities and ensure that critical watersheds are cared for and conserved. The Coca-Cola Company has stayed true to its commitment of returning to the communities and the environment every single drop of water used in the production of its beverages.

Coca-Cola brings water to impoverished communities

At the onset of its undertaking, the Coca-Cola planned to achieve 100% water replenishment in year 2020. However, it was able to fulfill this goal 5 years earlier in 2015. Until now, Coca-Cola was able to return over 330 billion liters of water to the environment and the communities through various water programs and initiatives.

Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager Winn Everhart leads the site visit to the Agos Ram Pump in Sitio Dama in La Castellana, Negros Occidental before it is turned over to farmers. He is joined by La Castellana town mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, DAFWARBA chairman Daniel Diamente, Coca-Cola Philippines technical director Ricardo Reis, Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and communications director Jonah de Lumen, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president Cecile Alcantara, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. president Christopher Taclobos, and Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines manufacturing associate director Louie Ytol

Through its Agos program in the Philippines, Coca-Cola has audited an estimated 108 percent water replenishment rate through its various programs and activities. Through this program, the company was able to provide access to potable water to 180 communities in rural areas of the Philippines, instituted measures for more efficient use of water supply in all its bottling facilities, and took an active part in the conservation efforts of critical watersheds.

In furthering its commitment to making clean water available to more communities, Coca-Cola has forged a partnership with the Department of Agriculture. Through this alliance, the company was able to provide access to water to small sugar farmers in indigent areas of the country. Basic yet efficient technologies such as ram pumps that elevate water without the need for electricity; gravity installations that bring water to lowlands; and rainwater catchment facilities are employed. Sugar is one of the key ingredients in the various beverages brands under Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager Winn Everhart leads the ceremonial valve opening of the Agos ram pump in Sitio Dama, Barangay Cabacungan in La Castellana, Negros Occidental. He is joined by (from left) La Castellana town mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. president Christopher Taclobos, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president Cecile Alcantara, DAFWARBA chairman Daniel Diamente, and Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and communications director Jonah de Lumen.

Moreover, to serve water-poor communities, Coca-Cola also deployed a mobile potable water treatment plant which can purify 2,000 liters of potable water per day. Earlier this year, the water treatment plant has helped 4,300 internally-displaced persons (IDPS) at the Upper Hinaplanon and Buru-un School of Fisheries Evacuation Centers in Iligan City. At present, the mobile potable water plant is being deployed across various barangays in Marawi and has served water needs of 55,800 returning residents in the city.

Environmental conservation

In addition to giving back to communities, Coca-Cola also supports the restoration and conservation of critical watersheds including the Ipo Watershed-Sapang Munti and the Sapinit Sub-Watershed within the Marikina Watershed.

Even if it has already achieved its goal, Coca-Cola vows to continue with the commitment of returning to the community and the environment, every drop of water used in the production of its beverages.

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About the cover photo:

Sitio Dama, Negros Occidental farmers will no longer have to manually draw water for their sugarcane fields as a Coca-Cola Agos ram pump will now provide them with sustainable access to water for agricultural use. Photo shows Coca-Cola Philippines president and general manager Winn Everhart turning over the water access facility to DAMA Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DAFWARBA) chairman Daniel Diamente. They are joined by (from left) Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president Cecile Alcantara and Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and communications director Jonah de Lumen