First Balfour Inc., the Lopez Group’s engineering and construction arm, has earned two awards from the Malaysian Industrial Safety and Health Association (MiSHA) for demonstrating effective occupational safety and health (OSH) programs, as well as environmental stewardship and sustainable operational practices.
First Balfour received the Diamond Award on OSH Principle of Prevention and the Gold Excellence Award on Environmental Management during the MiSHA Asia Excellence Awards held on Jan. 23, 2026, in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Both recognitions from MiSHA represented First Balfour milestones as they were the first international recognitions for the company’s OSH programs and environmental performance.
“Earning the MiSHA Asia Excellence Awards is an affirmation at the global stage of the company’s long-standing commitment to world-class occupational safety, health, and environmental practices,” said Rey Villar, First Balfour managing director for construction operations.
“This achievement is a testament to how we put the safety and health of our people, and sustainability in our operations at the very top of our priorities,” Villar added. It inspires us to further continue driving excellence and sharing our best practices with our partners and stakeholders.”
The Diamond Award on OSH Principle of Prevention, which is one of the most highly regarded honors at the annual MiSHA Asia Excellence Awards, goes to a company that demonstrates the effectiveness and positive impact of its OSH programs.
Before handing out the award to First Balfour, assessors evaluated the company across several areas, including risk management, control measures, OSH management systems, leadership and compliance, personnel development, and evaluation processes.
On the other hand, MiSHA’s Gold Excellence Award on Environmental Management is handed to organizations that demonstrate strong environmental stewardship and sustainable operational practices.
“For us at First Balfour, receiving the award highlights our commitment to sustainability and continuous efforts to improve environmental performance across our operations,” Villar likewise stressed.
Founded in Malaysia, MiSHA is a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing occupational safety and health by supporting companies and professionals in adopting best practices and improving workplace conditions. Its Asia Excellence Awards recognize organizations in Asia that demonstrate excellence in safety and health risk management, including performance aligned with internationally accepted prevention principles.
A subsidiary of Lopez-led conglomerate First Philippine Holdings Corporation, First Balfour has participated in constructing some of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects since it was organized in 1969. These projects included Manila Water Company’s water service improvement project, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, the North Luzon Expressway, and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension, to name a few.
