The TOWER Awards 2025 Awardees

Individual Category

Mr. Eddie A. Alagaban — Energy Development Corporation

Project: Modification of Risers 1 and 2 in Palayan Power Plant

A Journey of Perseverance and Purpose

Eddie “Boyhet” Alagaban was born on November 29, 1969, in Brgy. Bagong Abre, Legazpi City. Raised in a humble farming family, he learned the value of hard work early, helping his parents in the fields to make ends meet. Despite financial hardships, he worked his way through school, funding his education through farming and eventually earned a degree in Computer Science from Dynamics Computer Centrum.

Right after graduation, Eddie passed the Civil Service Exam on his first try and began his professional journey as a Computer Encoder at NPC-Tiwi. His dedication led to a transfer to Bac-Man as a Plant Equipment Operator, where he served for 17 years. In 2010, he joined Energy Development Corporation (EDC) as a Project-Based Operator, becoming a regular employee by 2011 and rising to Senior Production Operator in 2019 - moving from Rank-and-File to Professional/Technical level.

Eddie's leadership journey is equally remarkable. He served as Rank-and-File Union President (2015-2019), then later became Vice-President and now President of the PT Union since 2023. In 2018, he topped the Control System Integration (CSI) Training Program. In 2023, he played a key role in the successful commissioning of the Palayan Binary Power Plant.

Beyond work, Eddie is a devoted husband and proud father of three accomplished children. His daughter graduated Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering from Bicol University; his sons earned degrees in HRM and Mechanical Technology, one now teaching at BU.

Now on his 14th year with EDC, Eddie remains the same humble, hard-working man who once tilled the soil as a boy. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, quiet excellence, and unwavering dedication. EDC-BGI is proud to call him one of its own.

Executive Summary of the Project

The project titled “Modification of Risers 1 and 2 in Palayan Power Plant” was implemented in January 2021 to address operational limitations brought about by the upgrade of the BacMan Turbine/Generators Units 1 and 2 from 55MW to 60MW without modifying the main cooling system. While the turbine-generators were enhanced to handle greater capacity, the existing cooling water system remained unchanged, resulting in an increase in condensate volume and a corresponding rise in circulating water temperature. This led to a constraint in the plant’s ability to achieve its new maximum load.

To resolve this, a bypass line was installed on the risers to divert excess condensate to the cold-injection system (PAD RA THP). This modification significantly improved the temperature of the circulating water and contributed to the more efficient operation of the recently commissioned Palayan Binary Power Plant. The addition of a regulating valve along the bypass line also allowed better control of reinjection flow, especially during load reduction, which helped maintain optimal cooling tower basin levels.

As a result of the improved thermal efficiency, the circulating water temperature dropped from 35°C to 30°C, leading to a projected annual increase in power generation value of Php 61.32 million for the Palayan Power Plant. Furthermore, the enhancement supported an increase in the binary plant load by at least 0.6 MW, and improvements in lubrication cooling temperature yielded an additional estimated value of Php 18.396 million per year.

This project demonstrated a practical and cost-effective solution that optimized plant performance, maximized energy output, and delivered substantial operational and financial gains.

Ms. Shirley S. Gonzales — Yazaki-Torres Mfg., Inc.

Project: Provision of a Fuse Guide Holder in the Function Area

Personal Profile

A proud high school graduate, Shirley took a brave step when she tried her luck in Laguna in search of better opportunities. In 2007, she found her professional home at Yazaki-Torres Mfg., Inc., where she was assigned to various processes across several production lines. Over the years, her unwavering dedication and genuine concern for her co-employees became her defining traits, earning her multiple recognitions, including the Efficiency Award, Perfect Attendance Award, and the Honesty Award. Her commitment culminated in 2024 when she was bestowed the prestigious Most Outstanding Employee Award, an honor reserved only for the most deserving employees in the organization.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shirley is a devoted mother of two and an active member of her community. Despite her busy schedule, she never fails to spend quality time with her family, proving that success at work can go hand in hand with a fulfilling personal life. Her passion for growth extends beyond the workplace, as she continues to seek ways to contribute meaningfully both at home and in her community.

Executive Summary of the Project

In 2022, Shirley made one of her most important contributions to YTMI by participating the company’s Idea Suggestion Program (ISP). She noticed a common problem in the function area: the fuse guide was often misplaced or damaged. The fuse guide is an essential tool in making wiring harnesses because it ensures the correct fuse is used, protecting the vehicle’s electrical system from damage.

Before Shirley’s improvement, there was no proper place to store the fuse guide. It was simply placed on top of a rack, where it often fell, got damaged, or went missing. This caused production delays and increased costs, as each fuse guide costs ₱ 9,100 to replace. Even worse, using incorrect or damaged fuse guide could affect product quality and even compromise vehicle safety.

Understanding the gravity of the issue, Shirley proposed the provision of a holder for the fuse guide in the Function Area. Her simple yet effective solution involved designing a dedicated holder to securely store the fuse guide and designating its specific location, preventing damage and ensuring easy access for operators.

Approved on December 20, 2022, this improvement has since delivered remarkable results:

• Eliminated frequent breakage and loss of the fuse guide

• Significantly reduced replacement costs

• Prevented potential quality defects

• Improved ergonomics and overall workplace safety for operators

Shirley’s initiative not only made the process smoother but also showed how employees can help improve operations. Her story inspires her co-employees to go beyond their daily tasks, observe opportunities, take action, and believe that even small ideas can lead to significant improvements.

Team Category

Mr. Elsworth M. Gempesaw and Mr. Krish Syrus C. Micabalo — Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, Emerald Plant

Project: Muling Ibalik Ang Dapat Ibalik

Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines proudly honors two remarkable individuals—Mr. Elsworth “Aragoy” Gempesaw and Mr. Krish Syrus Micabalo—recipients of the prestigious TOWER Awards 2025. Their stories are not only about technical achievement, but also about quiet leadership, perseverance, and a deep commitment to continuous improvement.

Aragoy: The Pioneer of Nut Rejection Reduction

Fondly known among peers as “Aragoy,” Mr. Gempesaw is a trailblazer in the Nut Receiving Section of the Manufacturing Department. Years ago, the company faced a difficult challenge: a nut rejection rate of over 6%, threatening operational efficiency. Aragoy was the brain behind the structured rejection reduction program, which brought that number to under 1% from 2022 to 2024—a breakthrough that resulted in major cost savings and operational improvements.

Starting as a service provider and rising to become a regular employee and respected team leader, Mr. Gempesaw’s journey is marked by humility, hard work, and innovation. He is a key contributor to the JEDI program, submitting projects like:

• “Muling Ibalik ang Dapat Ibalik”

• “Parking Made Easy, No More Damage sa Property”

• “Sa Mabigat na Chute, Foldable ang Sagot”

• “Reduce, Re-use, Recycle – the Nuts Receiving Way”

Beyond work, Aragoy serves as an emergency responder and community leader in his barangay. His contributions during the pandemic—choosing to remain on-site while others worked remotely—solidify his reputation as a leader on and off the clock.

Krish: The Strategist of Operational Excellence

Mr. Krish Syrus Micabalo, also from the Nut Receiving Section, is celebrated for his strategic approach to process improvement and cost efficiency. His leadership helped sustain rejection rates below 1% for three consecutive years, reinforcing Franklin Baker’s high-yield, cost-effective operations.

Krish is a consistent JEDI contributor, initiating impactful solutions such as:

• “Muling Ibalik ang Dapat Ibalik”

• “Tubig na Naipon, Dagdag Water Collection”

• “Tamang Daan upang Aksidente ay Maiwasan”

He is a vital force in Strategic Business Planning (SBP) and an Operational Excellence Associate, whose influence is felt in both day-to-day execution and long-term direction. Known for his strong interpersonal skills and reliability, Krish exemplifies collaborative leadership and integrity in all he does.

A Legacy of Excellence

Both Mr. Gempesaw and Mr. Micabalo represent the best of Franklin Baker: employees who lead quietly, work passionately, and innovate with purpose. Their achievements in nut rejection reduction, cost-saving projects, and team empowerment serve as an enduring inspiration for all.

Congratulations, Aragoy and Krish! Your dedication has shaped not only systems, but also the very spirit of excellence within Franklin Baker.

Mr. Michael C. Dasalla, Mr. Mark Felnor T. Butaya and Mr. Ronald B. Quiñones — Franklin Baker, Incorporated

Project: Waste Isn't Waste Until We Waste It

Prior to the implementation of the project in 2022, Wastewater Treatment Plant continuously incurred increased cost of chemical usage due to high utilization of caustic soda, averaging at 1,000 L per day. This chemical is used in wastewater treatment, specifically in the neutralization process.

Mark, Michael, and Ronald noticed that whenever there is CIP (Clean-in-Place) activity in the Coconut Water Production, there is a spike in the alkalinity of the wastewater they are receiving. Only to find out that Coconut Water Production also uses Caustic Soda during CIP. The Operators suggested to further utilize the wastewater from CW Production by temporarily storing it in the Storage Tank 2 until the volume is enough to be utilized in the Neutralization Process.

This project was fully implemented in June 2022 and the results were astonishing. They obtained an accumulated cost-savings of Php12M from 2022 to 2024 while maintaining the specifications of the effluent in compliance with the effluent standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that no bodies of water and no community is harmed by the effluent discharge of the company.

The project also reduced the chemical exposure of the operators to caustic soda, since caustic soda is only being added when needed, improving work safety while improving the productivity of the wastewater operations.

As employees of Franklin Baker, Inc., Mark, Michael, and Ronald equally demonstrated dedication to work and a thrust for continuous improvement. This project is one of the many improvements implemented by the team in their work area and their drive for excellence proves that each employee has a huge contribution towards the company’s success, regardless of position.

As family men and members of society, Mark, Michael, and Ronald strive to provide for their families by being hard working while still finding time to help the community in different ways, like volunteering in rescue missions and participating in other livelihood programs to help their families.

Franklin Baker is proud to have employees like Mark, Michael, and Ronald, and we are committed to provide our employees a safe, stable, and harmonious working environment. Together with our employees, we will continue to help enhance the quality of life in our communities.