๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐๐จ๐ซ, ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฒ๐-๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐
The National Power Corporation (Napocor) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) for the rehabilitation of some 25 hectares of denuded upland forest within the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Forest Reserve in Laguna.
Napocor President and CEO Fernando Martin Y. Roxas said that the partnership will not only include the establishment of new plantations but also the nourishing of reforested areas for eight [8] years.
โThis partnership will help us hasten the rehabilitation of the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed, a critical water resource for Caliraya and Kalayaan hydroelectric power plants. Restoring these open areas will also enhance water conservation, erosion control, and biodiversity conservation in the area,โ said Roxas.
Napocor said that the MOA will utilize a comprehensive and integrated approach in implementing the reforestation activities including site assessment and planning, reforestation and tree planting, and capacity-building of peopleโs organizations and raising awareness in the communities.
CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje expressed his gratitude to Napocor for allowing them to take part in the formerโs watershed rehabilitation efforts that would eventually help them offset their carbon footprint, and change and transform the lives, livelihood, and future of the people who will be impacted by the project.
The partnership is also part of Napocorโs Energy Sector Carbon Sequestration Initiative (ESCSI), a program it launched with the Department of Energy in October 2021. The program aims to enjoin the private sector in mitigating the effects of climate change through reforestation. Participating power companies include Angat Hydro Corporation, San Roque Power Corporation, Aboitiz Power Renewables, Inc., and SN Aboitiz Power โ Benguet, Inc.
On top of its missionary electrification role, Napocor is also mandated to manage eleven (11) watershed areas with a total land area of 485, 199 hectares. These watershed reservations support hydro and geothermal power plants in the country.
