Lopez-led geothermal power leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC) eyes a greener Philippines, through its banner environment program BINHI, as it enjoined the month-long celebration of the Philippine Environment Month last June.

Despite the pandemic hampering physical activities to commemorate this important event, EDC finds ways to celebrate the environment month and further increase awareness on conserving the planet among its employees, customers, partners, and even communities through different programs.

“Our care for the environment does not only stem from the benefits we get from it, especially for making our business running but it is enclosed with a deeper cause and a wider perspective. We, at EDC, believe that the environment should be one of our top priorities, not only for business but also for the benefit of the future generations,” said Atty. Allan V. Barcena, EDC’s Assistant Vice President and Head for Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Relations.

During the month-long celebration, three arboreta were launched in partnership with the City of Ormoc in Leyte, Marbel Forest Garden in Kidapawan City, and its geothermal site in Bicol while a tree planting activity for the establishment of a new tree park was conducted in its wind power site in Ilocos Norte.

True to its brand new mission of forging collaborative pathways for a regenerative and a decarbonized future, two additional partnerships were added to BINHI’s roster of partners which all share the same commitment of protecting and conserving our natural resources. Among the newest BINHI partners are long-time allies of EDC on its different environment conservation agenda — the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the establishment of BINHI PAG-ASA Arboretum and the University of the Philippines Los Banos and Cleantech Global Renewables for the Sierra Madre Land Grant BINHI Arboretum.

To highlight the environment month celebration, a webinar with the theme “Forest Restoration: The Key to a Decarbonized Future” was held on 25 June along with the celebration of the National Arbor Day. Webinar speakers were Nella Lomotan of the Philippine Parks and Biodiversity, Ann Dumaliang of Masungi Georeserve Foundation and Paulo Gooco of EDC. The speakers shared their knowledge, experiences and efforts on forest conservation and the importance of forest restoration for a better planet.

Likewise, EDC’s environment team also piloted its Communitree project, a virtual tree planting activity wherein employees and external stakeholders may opt to plant a native tree and become a part of the efforts of restoration and mainstreaming of Philippine native tree species.

“We would like to thank everyone who has actively participated and joined our month-long celebration of our natural habitat. We hope that our efforts to conserve and save the environment do not end here and that we continue to do less harm and elevate everything we touch. Hopefully, our future generations will be able to see a greener Philippines and a safer world,” Barcena said.

EDC, through its BINHI program, have planted more than 6 million trees and reforested nearly 10,000 hectares of land with the help of 88 farmers associations. Also, 197 partnerships are forged with 17 arboreta, and 10 more are expected to be established. Four Vegetative Material Reproduction (VMR) nurseries were also established in different locations in Negros Island, Antipolo City, and Mt. Apo.

EDC is the largest pure renewable energy company in the Philippines, operating 1,186 MW of geothermal, 150 MW of wind, 132 MW of hydroelectric power, and 12 MW of solar power plants— for a total of 1,480 MW of clean and renewable energy. Recognized as a world leader in wet steam field technology, the Company operates in various locations in the Philippines, including in Bicol, Leyte, Negros Island, and Mindanao. EDC, through its subsidiaries, also operates the biggest combined wind and solar farm in the region, located in Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and substantial hydropower assets located in Nueva Ecija.

EDC accounts for 19 percent of the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity and comprises 62 percent of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity based on the Philippines’ 2020 total installed capacity figures as published in the DOE 2003-2020 Power Statistics report. It has put the Philippines on the map as the 3rd largest geothermal producer in the world.