EDC Corporate Relations and Communications Head Maria Nancy Ibuna (2nd from the right) sits as a panelist in the PUNLA Forum and is joined by UNDP – Accelerating Green and Climate Finance Project Management Specialist Joseph Eijansantos, Forest Foundation Philippines Executive Director Atty. Jose Andres Canivel, WWF – Philippines Climate Change and Energy Programme Head Atty. Angela Consuelo Ibay, and Catholic Relief Services Climate Change Technical Advisor Alan Luis Silayan (from left to right)
Quezon City, Philippines – First Gen-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC) highlighted its commitment to environmental stewardship as the sole private sector representative during the PUNLA Multistakeholder Forum, where the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Support Network was officially launched. The event brought together key stakeholders including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP), the Government of Canada, civil society groups, development organizations, academe, and local communities to foster stronger collaboration in advancing NbS in the country.
Maria Nancy P. Ibuna, EDC’s Corporate Relations and Communications Head, represented First Gen-EDC as a panelist in the session on NbS governance, partnerships, and financing. In her talk, Ibuna showcased how First Gen–EDC integrates biodiversity conservation into its renewable energy business, highlighting the Company’s approach to balancing clean energy generation with the protection of critical ecosystems.
Her presentation highlighted the rich biodiversity within and around First Gen–EDC project sites, covering key biodiversity and reservation areas, forestlands, and IUCN Red List species. She also spotlighted flagship species that represent the ecological importance of these landscapes, including the Golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), Mapilig (Xanthostemon bracteatus), Philippine warty pig (Sus philippensis), Katmon Bayani (Dillenia megalantha), Visayan hornbill (Penelopides panini), Red Lauan (Shorea negrosensis), Apo Myna (Goodfellowia miranda), and Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis).
At the core of First Gen-EDC’s biodiversity efforts is BINHI, its banner environmental program and one of the country’s most comprehensive models for reforestation. BINHI is built on four pillars: forest protection, forest restoration, mainstreaming Philippine native trees, and biodiversity conservation and monitoring. Guided by strategic, science-based, end-to-end, and collaborative principles, BINHI aligns with the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international reporting frameworks, and International Finance Corporation (IFC) standards. It enables First Gen-EDC to drive not only ecological restoration but also social and economic development, embodying a holistic model of sustainability.
A key highlight of the discussion was the company’s remarkable success in its Mt. Apo Geothermal Project (MAGP). In a compelling case study, Ibuna revealed that the site, which had only 28 recorded fauna species in 2006, now hosts 304 species, with nearly 50% of them endemic to Mindanao and the Philippines. This remarkable increase proves that First Gen-EDC’s geothermal sites are more than just power facilities, they have become thriving microcosms of biodiversity.
Through its NbS approach, First Gen-EDC continues to strengthen its position as a global renewable energy leader that not only generates clean power but also safeguards the Philippines’ natural heritage—ensuring a regenerative future for generations to come.
Energy Development Corporation (EDC) is First Gen Corporation’s 100% Renewable Energy (RE) subsidiary with 1,388.8MW total installed capacity that accounts for 17% of the country’s total installed RE capacity. Its 1,094.80MW geothermal portfolio comprises 56% of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, making the Philippines the third largest geothermal producer in the world. First Gen is the Philippines’ leading clean energy company
