First Balfour achieved a significant milestone in construction safety by garnering 29 awards during the 19th DOE Safety and Health Awards for Professional Excellence and Sustainability (SHAPES) Conference, held on December 10–11, 2024, at the Lighthouse, Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. This recognition underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining exemplary safety standards across its projects and recognizing individuals with outstanding safety contributions.
First Balfour ESH team receiving the awards at the event
The DOE SHAPES Awards is organized by the Department of Energy (DOE) to recognize exceptional safety achievements in energy-related industries and construction. These awards honor companies and individuals who demonstrate exemplary practices in safety, health, and environmental standards and often emphasize milestones such as extended periods without injuries, effective safety culture initiatives, and innovative safety programs. A total of 160 awards were distributed during the conference. Among all participants, First Balfour stood out as the most awarded, with a remarkable 29 recognitions.
Among the key accolades, the First Balfour Corporate Office was honored with a Silver Award under the Corporate Safety and Health Excellence Awards category. Several projects also stood out for their safety performance, including:
- Burgos Project – Basic Award
- 20MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Sorsogon – Basic Award
- Pal8RD Permanent Reinjection Line Project – Basic Award
- Palayan Binary Power Plant Project – Silver Award
- 20MW Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant – Balance of Plant (BOP) – Bronze Award
- 20MW Tanawon Geothermal Power Plant – Connection Asset (CA) – Bronze Award
The recognition extended to First Balfour’s Leyte projects, which received numerous Basic Awards for initiatives such as the Mahanagdong Binary CA Package Project, Drilling Operation Programs, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Tongonan, among others. Meanwhile, the BESS Southern Negros Project also earned a Basic Award.
When asked what contributed to these successes, Corporate ESH Manager Emil Estrabo answered, “First is thorough training, a strong safety culture, proactive risk assessments, and increased safety program management to promote environmental, safety, and health.”. Mr. Estrabo further emphasized the importance of leadership, stating, “And, of course, strong management leadership support for continuous safety improvements are the main factors contributing to Balfour’s success in safety.”
In addition to project awards, First Balfour celebrated the exceptional contributions of its safety professionals. Ralph Vincent G. Lee received three awards (1 Silver, 2 Basic), while Paquito F. Kong Jr. and Mariano Rian L. Con-ui earned two and seven Basic Awards, respectively. Highlighting the event, Ms. Seannekate V. Amilbahar, Safety Assurance Corporate Supervisor, was elected as a member of the Board of Trustees for DOE SHAPES.
Safety Assurance Corporate Supervisor Seannekate V. Amilbahar (seventh from left, in beige jacket) undertaking her oath as a member of the Board of Trustees
“As the youngest member of the Board, I take pride in bringing a fresh perspective and contributing dynamic ideas that align with the organization’s goals. This opportunity not only represents a platform for my personal and professional development but also enables me to help shape impactful initiatives that will leave a lasting legacy for DOE SHAPES and its community.” shared Ms. Amilbahar.
These awards stand as a testament to First Balfour’s strong commitment to safety and the collective effort of its teams across various projects. Recognizing both individual and group achievements, these milestones reflect the company’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence in workplace safety.
