Chemrez Technologies, Inc., the Philippines’ largest biodiesel manufacturer, expands its green advocacy by teaming up with Manila Water Company as well as continuing a program encouraging environment-friendly inventions with the Department of Science and Technolgy.

The green technology firm will sign a memorandum of agreement with Manila Water in which Chemrez commits, for the next five years, to support Manila Water in its goal to plant more trees in the watershed of Ipo Dam in Bulacan.

Manila Water has tapped Bantay Kalikasan, headed by Gina Lopez, to manage their reforestation program, similar to what was forged for the successful tree-planting project at the La Mesa Dam.

A whole-day tree-planting activity is scheduled on September 9 at the Ipo Dam watershed where volunteers will plant bamboo which is proven to prevent soil erosion better than other plants.

The bamboo will prevent siltation of the Ipo Dam avoiding unnecessary additional cost to clean and purify water supply for human consumption. A single bamboo tree also absorbs a ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in its lifetime.

Dumagats who live in the area around Ipo Dam will also gain a source of livelihood as they may regularly harvest the bamboo to make them into building materials, handicraft, charcoal, and other products that they can sell.

Meanwhile Chemrez and the DoST recently announced the search for honorees of the 2010 Chemrez Green Chemistry Awards who will be chosen from the finalists in the 2010 National Invention Contests and Exhibits to be held on November 25-27, 2010 at SM Cebu Trade Hall in Cebu City.

The awards have two categories – professional and student.

Green Chemistry is the design and use of chemical products or processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of substances that are hazardous to human and the environment.

Launched jointly by Chemrez and DoST in 2008, the Chemrez Green Chemistry Awards is now on its third year. It has, so far, honored laudable inventions and researches which put into practice the principles of Green Chemistry.