Power firm in Iloilo expands reforestation project
ILOILO CITY – Palm Concepcion Power Corp. (PCPC), the operator of a 135-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Iloilo, is expanding its reforestation project.
During its sixth year anniversary celebration this week, PCPC President and CEO Nicandro Fucoy vowed to bring power to the powerless community with bamboo planting in Concepcion.
It will not only reforest the 600-hectare Mount Apitong and the other island barangays but also provide alternative livelihood to locals as they will be hired to plant and manage the bamboos.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Region 6 (Western Visayas) recommended the project as part of PCPC’s Green Program for Active Reforestation and Conservation (Green PARC).
The bamboo planting is the latest project of PCPC in maintaining an ecological balance while enhancing biodiversity.
It previously had a reforestation agreement with the Iloilo provincial government, Concepcion local government, and DENR Region-6.
The PCPC signed a 25-year agreement with University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños for the revival of forest cover where the power plant is located in 2017.
PCPC has been generating electricity for power distributors in Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte Islands since 2016.
Also present during the celebration were Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva, DENR-Region 6 Director Livino Duran, and PCPC officials Group Executive Officer Jacinto Ng Jr. and Chairman Cirilo “Vic” Noel.