The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC) has officially launched an ambitious five-year reforestation initiative aimed at planting more than one million trees across more than 1,200 hectares in seven provinces in Luzon.
The large-scale re-greening program seeks to enhance forest cover and restore biodiversity in areas surrounding the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s existing and future geothermal steam fields. Target planting sites include the foothills of Mt. Makiling in Batangas and Laguna, Mt. Daklan in Benguet, Mt. Malinao in Albay, Mt. Labo in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Quezon, as well as selected areas of the Bicol Natural Park.
“This re-greening program underscores the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s dual commitment to clean energy and the environment,” said Napoleon L. Saporsantos Jr., president of the Philippine Geothermal Production Company. “It reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship as we develop new geothermal energy sources that will significantly contribute to the country’s renewable energy portfolio.”
The initiative was launched with the ceremonial planting of 1,000 seedlings at the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s geothermal reservation in Barangay Sugcad, Malinao, Albay. The event gathered representatives from national government agencies, provincial and local government units, community and civic organizations, along with company executives and employees.
The Philippine Geothermal Production Company has been a pioneer in geothermal energy development in Southeast Asia since 1979. The company currently operates two geothermal steam fields with a combined capacity of up to 300 megawatts (MW) in Tiwi, Albay, and Mak-Ban in Batangas and Laguna. The company is also actively expanding its footprint through exploration and development of new concession areas across Luzon, which are projected to contribute an additional 300 MW of baseload renewable energy in the coming years.
Leading the ceremonial planting were Philippine Geothermal Production Company president Napoleon L. Saporsantos Jr., together with Tiwi Mayor Jose Morel Climaco, Malinao Mayor Sheryl Capus-Bilo, Malinao Vice Mayor Abe Cargullo, National Power Corporation vice president Emmanuel Umali, DENR assistant regional director Ronel Astor, and DOE geothermal management division chief engineer Rainier Halcon.
The “1 million trees” initiative represents the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s continuing effort to strike a balance between energy production and environmental preservation. It ensures that future generations inherit not only sustainable power but thriving forests as well.
