MAASIM, SARANGANI – In a lively celebration of community spirit, residents here gathered to honor World Bamboo Month while supporting the Adopt-an-Estero initiative, a collaborative effort between Alsons Power Group and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau in Region XII (EMB-12).
The Adopt-an-Estero initiative encourages community members to take responsibility for their local waterways, fostering a culture of stewardship that ensures the cleanliness and health of these vital ecosystems. By actively engaging in the care and maintenance of esteros, participants play a crucial role in preventing pollution and promoting biodiversity.
The celebration culminated on September 24 with a bamboo planting activity along the riverbanks of Sitio Dabu, an essential area within the Siguil River watershed and the site of the 14.5-megawatt (MW) Siguil Hydro Power Corporation (SHPC). Volunteers included dedicated employees from SHPC and Sarangani Energy Corporation, along with representatives from EMB-12, local government officials, and community residents.
SHPC’s run-of-river hydroelectric facility, expected to begin commercial operations within the year, marks Alsons Power’s inaugural entry into the renewable energy market.
Meanwhile, Alsons Power’s 237-MW Sarangani Energy Baseload Plant borders the Kamanga Marine Eco-Tourism Park and Sanctuary in Maasim, recognized as one of the Philippines’ outstanding protected areas, honored by the Para El Mar Awards in 2015. Additionally, the plant received commendation from EMB-12 in 2022 for its exemplary emission management practices, highlighting its use of Continuous Emission Monitoring through Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) Technology, which has significantly enhanced operational efficiency and reduced emissions to levels well below government standards.
Earlier this year, SHPC formalized its commitment to environmental stewardship by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with EMB-12 for the implementation of the Adopt-an-Estero Program. This program aims to promote environmental sustainability and ensure the preservation of water quality in the Siguil River and other critical water bodies surrounding SHPC’s host communities in Maasim, Sarangani.
EMB-12 Regional Director Omar Saikol emphasized that this partnership represents a significant step toward the preservation of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), a vast Philippine protected area spanning 200,000 hectares, renowned for its rich coastal and marine biodiversity. He praised Alsons Power for going beyond its primary business activities to champion environmental conservation and for collaborating with EMB-12 on the Adopt-an-Estero Program.
“This milestone has never been achieved by any private company in the region,” RD Saikol stated. “More Power with Care,” he added, highlighting the commitment to fostering sustainable practices for the benefit of both the community and the environment.
