With its aim to rescue and protect 96 premium Philippine native tree species under its BINHI program, Lopez-led geothermal leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) on 15 October formally inked an agreement with the Priests of Notre Dame de Vie (PNDV) Philippines, its 180th partner.

EDC, through PNDV Philippines, will establish its 18th arboretum, a botanical structure that will house the threatened Philippine tree species, in the latter’s House of Solitude in Angat, Bulacan. 

EDC Corporate Social Responsibility Head Atty. Allan V. Barcena expressed his gratitude to their newest partner for their interest and support to the environmental cause of BINHI in conserving and protecting biodiversity at the species level. 

“We are glad to share with PNDV Philippines our  commitment to protect and conserve the environment through the propagation  of premium threatened tree species. Their massive land that will soon become  an arboretum will surely become a safe haven for sprouting Philippine native tree species,” Barcena said. 

The Priests of Notre Dame de Vie was founded in France where the Blessed Virgin Mary was  venerated during the 6th century. The Philippines is just one  of the  20 countries where the institute was established. Most Rev. Bishop Benjamin Almoneda stressed the significance of the partnership between two institutions which coincides with the year of Laudato Si or Pope Francis’ encyclical that calls for everyone to care for the earth, the vulnerable and the poor. 

“This event is very significant. This has been planned by God several years ago. This project is fueled by the fire of the Holy Spirit and as we plant more trees, especially Philippine native tree species, we are taking care of the earth, our home,” Almoneda said during the signing ceremony. 

BINHI is EDC’s nationwide forest restoration  program and the country’s largest private sector-led greening initiative  that aims to restore denuded forests, preserve and propagate threatened native tree species, and protect biodiversity to leave a legacy of a verdant Philippines for future generations. EDC has also planted nearly 50,000 native and fruit tree seedlings in 2019, bringing to 6.44 million its  total number of planted seedlings since BINHI started in 2008.

EDC’s over 1,499MW total installed capacity accounts for 20% percent of the country’s total installed RE capacity  while its 1,204.67MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity and has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal producer in the world.