By Leo Udtohan
A fun run celebrating the 50th anniversary of Alturas Group of Companies (AGC), a highly diversified and integrated retail, tourism, commercial, and agro-industrial conglomerate in Bohol, was held Saturday, March 25.
Over 2,000 runners from Bohol and Cebu joined in the 10-kilometer, 15-kilometer and 21-kilometer fun runs.
Mary Grace "Gay" Bernaldez said the proceeds of the Alturas Golden Fun Run will help parents and guardians of the 25 terminally ill children in Bohol.
"You are part of this great cause," she said.
The excitement continued with the Zumba Marathon, followed by giving of freebies and products from sponsors and a Comedy Concert from Manila-based comedians at 7 p.m.
AGC expressed its gratitude to all the participating runners and sponsors who, in one way or another, help generate funds intended for the sick children.
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The recent detection of African Swine Flu (ASF) in Cebu has led the Bohol provincial government to heighten its efforts to safeguard its swine industry.
Bohol maintains its "green level" status as it remains free of ASF.
AGC recognized the impact of ASF on all hog raisers and pork consumers in Bohol, prompting it to ensure food security by lessening the risk of contamination. The company sources its meat from its own farm - Marcela Farms, which heavily promotes biosecurity measures to prevent unwanted diseases or viruses from penetrating.
Marcela Farms has been in the agricultural business for over 40 years and serves as the main source of livestock for Alturas Malls. It also supplies food needs such as hogs, chicken, eggs, prawns, fish, and rice for institutional customers in the country and abroad.
"We take ASF matters seriously. We want to assure our customers that we are doing everything to prevent it from reaching Bohol. Our farm implements advanced biosecurity measures to ensure the health and safety of our hogs, and we are confident that we can supply meat products for Bohol even if the province limits or stops meat importation,” said AGC Manager Marlito Uy.
By intensifying its biosecurity measures, the company hopes to prevent the entry and spread of ASF in Bohol and continue to provide high-quality food products to its customers. Biosecurity measures are critical in keeping diseases and pathogens that carry them away from livestock, property, and people.
External biosecurity measures being implemented by AGC include no new pigs, control of pests, installation of air filtration systems, no visitors, and managing vehicle traffic. Vehicles and equipment are only allowed onto the farm if cleaned and disinfected beforehand. There is a 20-day quarantine period for vehicles coming from outside Bohol. People who may have been in contact with other pigs are also not allowed on the farm.
AGC also continued to maintain its consistent record as a leading taxpayer in the province.
The group, through its subsidiary, Marcela Farms Inc., was recognized once again as one of the Top 5 Corporate Taxpayers by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 13 during the 2023 National Tax Campaign kickoff at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.
The regional bureau acknowledged the contribution and collaboration of Marcela Farms in achieving the agency’s plans and programs and in helping fund the country’s economic recovery and continuous progress.
AGC has always been committed to compliance with the law and is proud to contribute to the local economy by paying its taxes on time and in full.
"We are grateful for this recognition, as we consider our role as a taxpayer to be of utmost importance. Our commitment to contributing to the growth and development of Bohol through our business operations is unwavering. As we move forward, we remain steadfast in our determination to set a positive example and encourage other businesses to join us in upholding this civic duty," said Helen Binangbang, executive assistant to the Alturas Group GM.
Aside from ensuring government compliance, AGC also upholds sustainable practices and technology as a core value and this is reflected in its subsidiaries such as Marcela Farms. The farm, which provides for the food requirements of the province and institutional customers locally and internationally, acknowledges the importance of environmental protection as a vital component of achieving sustainability.
Marcela Farms has taken significant measures to reduce its carbon footprint, including operating the largest solar farm project in Bohol and supplying any excess power to the local grid as part of the government's net metering initiative. It also boasts the first certified animal-waste biogas in Southeast Asia.
Additionally, the company utilizes a biomass facility that compacts 100% rice hulls into solid biofuel for industrial plant boilers and poultry bedding. Its organic fertilizer facility also produces a minimum of 350 bags daily, while its rendering plant converts all poultry plant waste into protein meal for animal feed.
As its 50th anniversary approaches this year, AGC continues to be a highly diversified and integrated conglomerate in Bohol, encompassing retail, tourism, commercial, and agro-industrial sectors.
The company remains true to its values rooted in strategic, sustainable progress and embodies its main slogan of "Serving the community, Uplifting Lives."
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