Smart Communications, Inc. recently held a Basic Training Course for Pollution Control Officers (PCO) for its employees in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau.

The training was conducted in compliance with the DENR's Department Administrative Order 26 which requires the assignment of a PCO by industrial, commercial, and manufacturing establishments and private entities that are potential and actual sources of air, land, and water pollution.
Provincial and city governments are required to do likewise.

Prospective PCOs from Smart's Administrative Materials and Management Division and the Network and Platforms Services Division underwent the three-day seminar, which tackled different environmental laws and their implementing rules and regulations, EMB policies and programs and duties and responsibilities of company PCOs.

Once accredited by the DENR, the PCO will be responsible for supervising the proposal and implementation of measures within the company that will help reduce its emissions. PCOs will also serve as liaison between the organization and government agencies. They are also expected to facilitate the company’s compliance with law requirements.

“The training with the DENR-EMB gave us a foundation on environmental management, pollution prevention and cleaner production programs. We became familiar with the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Solid Waste Management Act,” said corporate pollution control officer Mike Tuazon.