Hedcor to plant over 3000 trees to protect Davao watershed

Friday 13th of July 2012

DAVAO CITY, July 13 (PIA) -- Hedcor, the largest developer and producer of run-of-river hydropower plants in the Philippines, will plant over 3,000 seedlings this month at Talomo District to support the sustainability of Talomo Watershed.

Cacao, durian, rambotan, narra (endemic trees) and rubber are among the species that Hedcor will plant in the area as requested by the host community.

This week, Hedcor will plant 1,000 trees in Barangay Tawantawan, Baguio District part of Talomo Watershed.

On July 21, over 2,000 trees will be planted in a simultaneous tree planting activity with the Aboitiz group of companies.

“Tree planting in partnership with host communities, has been observed regularly,” said Engr. Boy Jabonillo, Hedcor vice president for Business Development.

As part of the Watershed Management Plan (WMP) of Hedcor, the company conducts programs like reforestation, roadside rehabilitation and riverbank stabilization in the areas that host its hydro plants.

Almost 45,000 trees have already been planted this year.

Each employee of Hedcor plants at least 20 seedlings annually. Hedcor’s target is to plant 282,402 seedlings by the end of 2012.

Hedcor’s concern for the environment does not stop at tree planting. The company’s company forester also monitors and maintains the trees planted by Hedcor for up to three years to ensure their growth.

“There is a need to preserve our watershed. We ensure its protection and preservation by planting more trees each month of every year and ensuring a high survival rate,” Jabonillo stated.

Hedcor’s conservation of Talomo Watershed will support the generation of 4.47-MW Talomo Hydro Plants.

Hydropower generation is highly dependent on a healthy watershed. A steady supply of water is the lifeblood of Hedcor’s hydro plants.

Another of Hedcor’s various environmental initiatives is the Race-to-Reduce Program in which Hedcor monitors employees’ daily consumption of water, electricity and paper.

This program encourages individuals to become responsible consumers.

Hedcor also partners with its host communities in eco-market activities and practices proper waste segregation. The company pays for segregated garbage that it collects from residents of host communities on a quarterly basis.

Hedcor, the AboitizPower wholly-owned subsidiary, has 19 generating plants in the country.

Hedcor is ISO 14001:2004 certified for Environment Management Systems as a direct result of the company’s commitment to stewardship and environmental activities. (CLC/PIA XI/Hedcor)