KABUGAO, Apayao – Renewable energy Developer Pan Pacific Renewable Power Phils. Corp. (PPRPPC) started to implement its environmental preservation and protection initiatives within the host communities of the proposed 150MW Gened 1 Hydroelectric Power Project as part of its commitment embodied in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with their indigenous peoples organisation partner in Kabugao signed on April 20, 2021.
Last November 16, 2022, PPRPPC and the Kabugao Isnag Indigenous Peoples Organization (KIIPO), together with partner agencies, planted some 200 narra seedlings in Barangay Lenneng to jumpstart the company’s compliance effort to environmental preservation and protection programs within its host and neighboring communities that will be beneficial to the future operation of the 150MW Gened-1 Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Further, the company also donated some 20 seedlings to Vice Mayor Fabulous Tucjang and 10 seedlings to EKB punong barangay Balanoy which will be planted in the areas of their choice to help enhance the ongoing reforestation initiatives of concerned government agencies and the local government.
On November 18, 2022, company representatives, together with concerned sectors, also planted some 200 Narra, Mahogany and Molave seedlings in Barangay Tanglagan, Calanasan as part of the firm’s commitment to improve the state of the environment within the host and neighboring communities of the proposed hydroelectric power project.
The company committed to spearhead and support the environmental preservation and protection programs, projects and activities of concerned government agencies and local governments within the host and neighboring communities of its proposed 150MW Hydroelectric Power Plant because these will definitely contribute in providing steady water supply and enhancing the watershed of Apayao river that will sustain the production of clean energy by the proposed hydroelectric power plant.
Moreover, PPRPPC underscored the need to preserve and protect Apayao’s identity as the last frontier of nature in the north that will help in mitigating the evident effects of climate change in the said area.
Among those who joined the initial tree planting activity in Barangay Lenneng were Vice Mayor Fabulous Tucjang, representatives from the provincial government, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Conner forest guards, Kippy Taddo youth group, Kabugao Isnag Indigenous Peoples Organization (KIIPO), Philippine National Police (PNP) trainees and members of the barangay council in Kabugao.
On the other hand, those who participated in the tree planting conducted in barangay Tanglagan, Calanasan were representatives from the provincial and municipal governments, the punong barangay of Tanglagan, the Green Guards based in Tanglagan, the local community, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and CENRO Calanasan.
The company assured its unwavering and uncompromising commitment to the implementation of environmental preservation and protection programs, projects and activities which will not only be confined to tree planting but also to other efforts that will help bring back the grandeur of the province while establishing its identity as one of the major sources of clean energy that will be infused to the grid.
PPRPPC envisions Apayao to be one of the prime movers in the north for renewable energy with its planned cascading hydropower projects within the Apayao-Abulug River that will propel the entire province of Apayao to be one of the main power suppliers of clean energy in Luzon. At present, the Apayao sources its power from CAGELCO II and KAELCO. Most of the areas of Yapayaos do not have access to electricity and the 150MW Gened 1 Hydropower project will be able to power the entire province. The construction of the other lined-up hydropower projects will allow the province to sell electricity to the grid or nearby provinces. This would translate to more economic development with the influx of more investments and industries; creation of jobs; increased infrastructures, e.g. better roads, bridges, free ports & ecozones; more schools and hospitals, etc.
